Page 18 of Come Back for Me
Mrs. Symonds watches me closely, taking in not only my words but also my body language. “I can understand, we have a farm as well, but you’ve been here for a few months now, and I want to be sure you’re settling in.”
“I really am settling in.”
She sits on the chair beside me, her hand extends to mine in a warm gesture. “You know, I’m always here to listen. I know it can be a big adjustment working full-time again. Plus, I know you’ve lived in Sugarloaf for a while, but you don’t seem to have a lot of friends. If you need one, I’m happy to listen.”
I now understand why people tell her things. For the first time in a long time, I want to pour my heart out. I want to rush into her arms and cry, but friends aren’t something I can afford. There is a time and commitment to the truth I don’t have the luxury of, but I can’t tell her that.
I give a soft smile. “I’m happy here, and I feel comfortable.”
“Okay, good.” And then the bell rings, alerting the staff that students will be filing in. “Well, that’s my cue. Just know that if you need anything, Ellie, I’m here. We’re a family, and there is always room for you at the table.”
I want to cry, but I don’t. “Thank you, Sarah.”
“Anytime. Enjoy your tragedy.” My heart races for a moment, unsure of what she means, and then she tacks on. “You know . . . the play.”
“Oh! Duh. Yes. We definitely will.”
When she leaves, I turn and release a heavy sigh, all the while wondering if anyone in this town believes my lies.
Chapter Six
Connor
“So, you’re going back to Sugarloaf?” Quinn, another SEAL I served with, asks.
“I’m going to hell.”
Liam chuckles and lifts his beer. “I’ll meet you there, buddy. Hell, we all will.”
Today, I’m officially out of the navy and heading back to serve my six-month sentence in Pennsyl-fucking-vania. It’s been two weeks since I signed my discharge papers, and there’s a part of me that is anxious to go back.
A part of me that has found something I thought I’d never see again.
Quinn nods. “It could be worse.”
“Yeah, how?” I ask.
“You could be in love with a girl who wants nothing to do with you.”
Ellie’s face flashes in my mind because she most definitely doesn’t want anything to do with me. I can’t even be a little excited about her being there or finally knowing who she is because she’s married. So, no, it couldn’t be worse.
He continues. “Not that I know what that’s like since I’m very happy at this time.”
Liam watches me and smirks. “Oh, I think he is in love with a girl who wants nothing to do with him. What’s her name, Arrow? Angel?”
“Fuck you.”
Quinn’s eyes light up. “Really? How come I’ve never heard of this angel?”
Because I only ever allowed her in my dreams.
Because I knew that if she was within reach, I would be tormented.
Because you two are idiots who like to use knowledge to make your stupid jokes and not understand what that night was for me.
“Both of you can suck my dick.”
As much as these two drive me nuts, I’m going to miss this. The brotherhood, the camaraderie that only a team like ours builds. I would die for these two and any other SEAL. We live by a code, one that reminds me of how it is with my own brothers.
