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“What?” I snap out angrily.
“Why did you hit him?” It’s the same question everyone’s been asking me.
“He called me a bastard, okay!” I yell at her. Briefly, I see the hurt in her eyes as I rage at her, but I don’t care. “It’s your fault!” I can’t stop myself from blaming her.
“What? How is it my fault?” She turns as she parks the car in front of our house.
“You didn’t marry Jack! You were stupid and selfish, and you gave up on me!” When tears stream from her face, I push the regret I feel at my words back and storm out the car, racing to the backyard and the treehouse Mom bought me last summer.
Blocking the door shut, I collapse against the mountains of pillows she put in here so I would have somewhere to relax when I play my games.
I was never this angry all the times Jack hadn’t shown up. I don’t understand why I am with Gage. He’s just another pers
on to leave me behind.
I should be used to it.
Chapter Eight
Gage
Landing on American soil again wrested a bittersweet feeling throughout me. I’m glad to be home, but I’m angry I haven’t been able to garner five minutes to get in contact with Paisley and Tommy before just showing up on their doorstep.
I’m pissed I was fucking shot during that last firefight. The brachial artery in my bicep had been nicked, and I’d been airlifted to the nearest base for immediate medical attention. I’d nearly died and realized just how important my new family was to me.
My plans had always been to sign up for another tour after this one; I was going to be a lifer. Like my dad and granddad before me. It’s funny how one life-changing moment can alter a person’s perspective.
I’m retiring from active duty, but not leaving the service. Desk work will be boring as fuck, but once I convince Paisley to forgive me, because I know she’s going to think I abandoned them, it’ll be worth the transition.
Seeing the way Killian’s girl reacted to seeing him after radio silence from the explosion, gave me hope that maybe Paisley and Tommy won’t hate me. That they could forgive me, too.
I stop at a sports store on my way to their house for some new fishing gear for Tommy, and then a florist for as many yellow daisies as I can for Paisley. I don’t expect the gifts to soften them towards me but rather for them to know I couldn’t stop thinking about them.
It’s mid-afternoon, and I’m hoping they’re both home from school by now. As I pull up to their house, an address I had Steele track down for me, I see her. She’s a thousand times more gorgeous than I ever imagined. Her soft blonde hair is up in a messy bun, and she looks unhappy and infuriated at the same time. That could be because of the douchebag standing on her front steps that she’s currently yelling at.
Jack.
He’s the only one they’ve told me about having any problems with. Stepping down from my pickup, I cross the street, ready to tell this son of a bitch to piss off, when her startled eyes meet mine. I hadn’t sent her a picture of me, so I don’t know how she recognizes me, but she does.
“Gage.” She’s nearly breathless as tears pool in her gold eyes, and she walks away from Jack and down the steps.
I ignore the other man as she stops in front of me, amazement and wonder shine in the pools of her eyes. An electric pull has me gripping her hip in one hand while the other latches onto the back of her neck, pulling her into my body as I lean down towards her.
“Paisley,” I murmur against her lips before taking possession of them. They’re soft like silk. She’s delicate like spun glass. When her hands reach for my biceps with a tightening grip, I know we’ll be okay in time.
Our tongues tangle right there in the street, and a blast of kinetic energy races through me when she moans my name. She steps closer, melding our bodies together, and only the thought of her bastard ex pulls me free from the trance she’s weaved around us.
“What the fuck is this shit?” He roars, and I hear his steps getting closer.
I have to tear my lips from hers, only to see a dazed look in her honey eyes. Nipping her bottom lip, I tell her, “Later, Paisley.” I love the sound of her name falling from my mouth.
She bites the same lip I just did and nods her head, turning to face Jack.
“Who the hell is this, Paisley?” The other man snarls.
Before she can answer, I step forward, my body ready to tangle. “I’m her fucking man. What the hell do you want?”
Amusement replaces his anger. “She ain’t got no man. I’d have known.”
