Page 38 of Irons

“What the?”

Both of our heads turned and Axton, Magnus, and Drakos stood in the doorway. Two of them looked confused while Magnus stood with his arms crossed while wearing an adorable smirk.

Travis turned and pulled my side closer by putting his arm around me as we looked at them. “As usual, you were right, Magnus.” The smile on Travis’s face was gleaming and lit the room. I couldn’t help but study that smile. I could honestly say I never saw him smile that way as a kid. He always had pain in his eyes, but as a man he seemed genuinely happy.

I wasn’t sure what that meant.

“About what? And don’t go telling him that shit, he already has a fucking ego.” Drakos narrowed his eyes on Travis. “This is bullshit. You always get the hot chicks, and this one just arrived. Couldn’t you have at least waited five minutes and given the rest of us a chance at her?”

I looked up at Travis as he chuckled. He looked relieved and happy, much like I felt.

“I don’t understand. Do you two know each other?” Axton looked at both of us.

Magnus spoke up. “Let’s grab a beer and let them catch up.”

Obviously, Magnus knew something, and I was curious what Travis said to him about me. All three men turned and walked toward Club X. “Why am I just now learning they know each other? Is that why he didn’t vote on her invitation to interview?” Axton was asking as they walked away and finally their voices faded.

Travis turned and our eyes met again. “I didn’t tell anyone I knew you because I didn’t want to influence their vote.Your accomplishments are the reason you’re here, not because of anything I said or did. By the way, I need to know how the hell all those accomplishments happened when we have more time to talk.”

I gave him a short nod then he pulled me back in for a hug. “Sorry, I just need to convince myself you’re really here.” He kissed my head again and I could have sworn he took in my scent. I was always drawn to Travis, even when I was six years old. That only grew into something more intense as we got older, but I was too young to understand those overwhelming feelings. Even after all the time apart, that feeling was just as strong as ever, maybe even stronger. It was as if time just stopped and nobody else existed. I thought it was going to be awkward to see him, or he might even have been angry that I was stepping into his life, but all I felt was the attraction that was always there, the friendship, and the love. There was always love, but he would never fully accept the love I was offering. I practically started life being drawn to his friendship, and twenty four years later, it was no longer friendship so to speak that I needed from him. I felt it the moment his eyes met mine. My body, heart, and soul wanted him, similar to when I was fourteen years old. I loved him in a way only adults loved each other, and I told him that over and over again as we grew up.

“Uncle Trabus! Dats a Maween!” We both looked over at the door and saw Addie standing there with a red face and her arms crossed.

“Addie, this is my friend, Wrenly.” Travis said.

Addie stomped her foot. “No Maweens, you say day stewpid!”

I took a step back and looked Travis up and down. “We are?” I was more than amused but tried to hide it.

“That’s just the boy Marines, not the girls. They have to have someone smart enough to lead them, don’t they?” Travis looked guilty as hell as Addie looked him up and down then finally shrugged then nodded her head.

“Yep, da girls always da best. Somebody has to punch da boys in da dick when day dumb.”

I gasped then whipped my head around to look at Travis. “What have you been teaching this child?”

He put his hands up in surrender. “I didn’t teach her that, I promise.”

“Yes you did.” Addie stepped closer and Travis pulled me close with his arm around my waist. His grip tightened the closer the little darling stepped toward us. “You say Weston too dumb for Army and stewpid boys like him go to da Maweens.” She stopped in front of us with one hand on her hip as she looked him up and down. The moment was even more comical as his grip on me tightened like he had something to fear.

“It was a joke. Where’s your mom? Still sleeping?” He asked.

“I not her keeper.” She looked serious as her eyes narrowed on him. I couldn’t hold it back, a small laugh escaped my lips.

“Alright, what about Melissa? I thought the new rule was for you to stay with an adult at all times while in the community center.” He said.

She rolled her eyes, which was adorable. She looked like a miniature teenager. I met Addie before, and I learned quickly not to be surprised about anything she did or said. “Mewissa had to go to da commiswery and told Uncle Scott to watch me.”

“He’s not doing a very good job, is he?” Travis asked.

“It not his fault he dumb. Why you hug da Maween like dat? You don’t hug mommy like dat.” She looked genuinely curious.

“I missed Wrenly, I don’t miss mommy because I see her all the time.” Travis explained.

She pushed her glasses up and scrunched her nose. “You hug dat Maween like daddy hugs mommy. She got a tight…” Travis moved fast and put his hand over her mouth.

“Do not finish that sentence. We talked about this, Addie. You can’t say that kind of stuff. Jesus, you’re like a human tape recorder. Do you ever forget anything? Is there anything you won’t repeat?”

Addie shook her head no.

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