Page 243 of The Valiant Knight
“You’re loved. You fell into a band of brothers. You picked up a Marine as a friend, and I’m sure you know that they don’t give up. They are the most stubborn, tenacious people on the planet. He’s dug in, and he’s going to help you whether you want him to or not. Right now, he’s buying you one of those edible fruit arrangements that says,‘sorry you’re sad’.”
It made him laugh.
Why?
He could picture it.
“You have family, and I’m going to be one hundred percent honest. You can’t drink. It makes you go back there, andthat’s bad. Give it up. Trust me. Your choices are suspect when you’re that deep into the scotch bottle.”
He was aware.
Tony put his hand on his back like a father would, and he rubbed it.
“You can do this. Elizabeth texted me. She’s going to do what you asked, and find D’Artangnan for you. Give her time. What if he’s single and thinking about you?”
He laughed sardonically.
“He was perfect,” he said. “He was sweet, romantic, and amazing in bed. Our sexual styles meshed like no one ever has. I know that he’s not single. He’s moved on because of me. I threw away the greatest love of my life because I was pissy that he was going to go back to the States instead of living here with me.”
Tony was honest.
“Maybe D’Artangnan at that time, and Graham at that time weren’t meant to be a couple. Sometimes, we have to wait until fate lines us up. Elizabeth and Chris were hot and heavy for a decade, but that wasn’t the right time. They had to break up for a while to come back together.”
“If you tell me if I love something to let it go, and if it comes back to me, it was meant to be, I’m puking on you.”
He laughed.
“I have a toddler and young son. I get puked on a lot. I’m not easily spooked by vomit.”
Instead of commenting, he ate more toast.
“If you check out, Graham, there’s no coming back. You’d hurt the people you left behind. People here love you.”
He went to get up.
“I have to do my chores.”
Tony proved a point. He pushed him back into his seat and kept talking.
“They’re done. Finn chopped the wood, Gabby fed the animals, and they are bringing dinner home after they do some research. We’re covered.”
He was grateful, and confused.
“Why? They are guests here. It’s my job.”
Tony got up and poured him more coffee. He wasn’t nearly as green as he had been when he came into the kitchen.
When he placed his mug down again, he gave him the bad news.
“You’re shit out of luck, my dude. They are your family too. You made connections, and once you do, they are invisible links in that chain that’s your life. If one of your soldier buddies called you and asked for help, what would you do?”
That was easy.
“I’d go.”
Tony patted him on the back.
Slowly, Graham ate the last piece of toast.
