Page 2 of Rush

“Are you concerned about getting hard in public?” asked Eric with a side glance.

“Yes. All the time. I mean, most of the girls here are like sisters to me. Not all. Even some of the wives are so pretty, and they wear shorts and tank tops, and, well, I can’t help it!”

“Don’t be ashamed, Rush. I’m married, but believe me, it happened to me as well. Beautiful women make a man’s body react. I’m glad you’ve hidden it from the others, but one day, you’ll meet a woman, and only she will make you react in that way.”

“Promise?”

“I promise,” said Eric.

“Thanks, Eric. You too, Dad. I’m sorry I got so freaked out.”

“It is alright,” smiled Noah. “Go. You should be able to catch the bus with the others.” Rush ran out the front door, and Noah looked at Eric with a wry grin.

“I guess that is my son,” he smiled.

“Yes,” laughed Eric. “I feel sorry for him, Noah. I remember crying in the gardens over what to do about my affection for Sophia Ann. You know who set me right? Trak. He knew I was in love with his daughter, and he told me that he also knew I would never hurt her. It was the confidence I needed.”

“He is right about one thing,” said Noah. “My entire life, men have looked at me and thought my size defined who I was as a man. I never used my manhood to get more women. I never wanted more. I wanted one.”

“Maybe that’s what makes us good men,” said Eric. “Neither of us wanted anything more than what was right in front of us.” Noah nodded at the younger man, grabbing his shoulders and hugging him. They walked to the offices together, happy that the crisis was averted.

Rush did feel better after having the conversation with his father and Eric. He didn’t even talk about the fact that he was experiencing knee and hip pain because of his rapid growth.

After Rush joined the Army then became Delta, it became harder and harder to get home on leave. He knew that he wouldn’t do twenty years. He couldn’t. His body wouldn’t be able to take it.

His proficiency with martial arts, handguns, long-range and short-range rifles, knives, and everything else made him a demon of one. As he prepared to go out on another long deployment, he made the decision to return home for just a few days. He needed to see his parents, and even if from afar, he wanted to see someone else.

“I’m so glad we can see you, even if it’s just for a few days,” said Tru.

“Me, too, Mom,” he smiled.

He looked around the cafeteria, happy to be home with family and friends. Some were still deployed, others off to college. But most were home and right where they belonged. He’d missed everyone. Eric gave him a smile and head nod, and Rush just laughed, nodding back. Remembering their conversation, he couldn’t help but feel foolish now, knowing that he was more than capable of stopping himself if a woman couldn’t take him.

“Who is that?” he whispered to his mother, swallowing hard.

“Caroline. Sniff and Lucy’s daughter. Isn’t she beautiful? I mean, all of our children are beautiful, but she’s really grown into an amazing young woman. She’s already in her second year of veterinary school.”

“She definitely got all the good of both parents. She’s changed. I hardly recognized her,” he said, still staring at her.

His mother nodded, leaving him at the table. He barely noticed, watching every move Caroline made. When she laughed, she tossed her thick, auburn hair over her shoulders. The curve of her jaw toward the elongated neck was electrifying. The swell of her full breasts pressed against the t-shirt, and those fucking little white shorts were killing him.

Suddenly, she was walking toward him, smiling with a little wave. She reached down, hugging him before he could stand, and he smelled the jasmine and magnolia of her perfume.

“Rush! It’s so wonderful to see you,” she smiled.

“Uh, yea. Great to see you, too, Caroline. I hear you’re getting close,” he said in a croaky voice.

“Yes, I hope so. I know Mom and Dad are anxious for me to get back here and help at the animal center. What about you? Are you getting closer?” He nearly choked on his coffee, coughing and nodding his head.

“Yep. I’m getting close,” he said, looking up at her. She smiled, wondering what was wrong with him.

“Well, a bunch of us are going to The Well tonight. Will you join us? I could use a good dance partner.”

“Yea. Yea, sure. That would be great.”

“Great,” she grinned. “Remember, you’re in Louisiana now. It’s hot even at night, so you might want to drop those pants.”

“Drop my pants,” he repeated. “Sure. I’ll do that.”

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