Page 98 of The Archer Brothers

“It’s okay, babe, but would you mind driving for a while?” he says as a yawn takes over. I nod and he signals, taking the next exit.

Evan pulls over at a convenience store which is perfect because I’m hungry and need to use the restroom. I rush in, praying for no line and am ridiculously pleased when there isn’t one. It’s the small things in life when you’re traveling that mean the most.

When I come out, Evan has his arms full of snacks; candy, chips, cookies and nachos. “I thought you were tired?” I ask as I steal one of his cheese covered nachos.

“I am, but I’m also hungry and you have to be starving.”

“Ah you love me,” I say, reaching up for a kiss.

“I do,” he says with a smoldering look that promises to deliver later. I wink at him as I walk away, heading for the coffee counter. I’m not sure where we are, but the coffee will help keep me alert if he’s sleeping.

After everything is paid for and the car is full of gas, we’re back on the road. Evan is talking about anything and everything he can think of, mostly about EJ starting school soon and our new house that we’ve only seen through pictures. When we decided to move, it was a mutual decision and one we didn’t think twice about. As much as I love the warm weather of San Diego, it’s hard to accept all of the pity from everyone again.

With everything that has happened, the publicity became too much. We couldn’t leave our house without someone taking our picture or sticking a microphone in our faces. The media disgusts me really. They were nowhere to be found when Evan and the guys came home, but once Lawson and Ingram were arrested, we were primetime news. After a few interviews, I had enough. We needed this attention when four SEALs returned from the dead, not after the perpetrators were arrested.

It doesn’t take long for Evan to fall asleep, leaving me with my thoughts. They’re scattered all over the place ranging from: Should I find a job? Is Evan’s business plan going to work? Does EJ miss us and is he taking care of Deefur? Is EJ driving them crazy, yet? Does Evan want another child, or maybe two? Before Evan was taken away from me he planned to knock me up every chance he could so he could make his own football team, but with the age gap we’d have with EJ, that’s not possible. Not that I’d let him anyway, but another child would be nice.

I know that Evan wants to help Tucker McCoy as well as my mom’s contact at NCIS. I know that Evan helping means he might have to leave, but I keep telling myself that it’s not a deployment and Evan has free will. He no longer belongs to the military, but to himself. Helping McCoy is the right thing to do especially since Evan has found his happiness. Now it’s McCoy’s turn.

The city skyline gives way to vast open land and I try to read each passing billboard to pass my time, but one catches my attention. I look for the exit and take it immediately. There are signs guiding me to our destination. One that Evan will be pleased with, I’m sure.

The dirt lot gives way to bright lights and lots of laughter. I pay the parking attendant and follow the guy with the red flashing light to where I need to park. As soon as I shut off the car it dawns on me that it’s dusk and this is perfect.

This will be our moment.

“Evan,” I whisper as my lips press against his skin.

“Hmm,” he mumbles, leaning into me. There are no words to describe how it feels to have him back in my life and to feel him respond to me the way he does.

“I have a surprise for you, open your eyes.”

“Babe, unless you’re naked, I don’t want to see anything.”

“I’m totally naked and in a deserted parking lot ready to get it on.” I try not to laugh as he opens one eye and attempts to glare at me. He rubs his hands over his face and yawns.

“How long was I out for?”

“Couple of hours,” I tell him. “Look around. I thought we could have some fun. You know, break up the trip.”

Evan leans forward and looks out the window. By the rise of his cheeks I know he’s grinning from ear to ear. “Damn, EJ would love this.”

“I know, but we’re here now and there will be plenty of carnivals to take him to when we get to Washington,” I tell him as I open the car door and get out. I know he’ll follow, just as he knows I’ll follow him anywhere. I hold out my hand and wait for him to come around. Our fingers link and it’s like I’m transported back to being a teenager, giddy and in love.

I know where I want to go first, and after we pay and purchase our ride tickets I’m dragging him to the death trap, as I like to call it. I hate this ride, but he loves it and there’s something that I need to do. And it has to be done on this ride.

“Are you sure about this?” he asks as we get in line. His hand is already holding a bag of cotton candy. I roll my eyes and pray that he doesn’t hurl.

“I am. It’s a part of us, right?”

“Yes, but we could go to the photo booth and make out, we did that last time too.”

“It’s not always about making out,” I say, shaking my head.

Evan looks completely dumbfounded that I just said that. His head shakes slowly as he says, “I must not be a very good kisser becauseIthink it’s all about making out. Do I need to practice more?”

“Oh my goodness, will you stop?” I hand the carnie our tickets and take a deep breath. The rickety metal and put-together-in-one-day-Ferris-wheel turns my stomach. Maybe I’m not as brave as I thought, but Evan isn’t hearing it.

He stands behind with his hands on my hips and his lips to my ear. “I’ve got you. I’ll always keep you safe,” he says as he pushes us forward step by step, never letting me go until the bar locks us in.

---