Love on Leave

by Leah McDonnell

  “I was never angry at you for doing what you did. Stepping up to the plate is the type of man you are,” I admit. “Did I like how it all unfolded… Absolutely not. It was as if my heart had been ripped from my chest.”

  He closes his eyes as guilt floods his face.

  I grab each cheek, forcing him to look at me. “But you did what you had to do. I would expect nothing less from you.”

  Tears swell in his eyes as he wraps his arms tightly around me. So hard I can feel his heart pound against my chest.

  “I can’t put into words how it felt when I opened the door and saw it was you.”

  “If it was anything like how I felt… then I have a pretty good idea.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  It only takes a few minutes to get cleaned up in the all, too familiar, female latrine. Luckily, I had packed a cute long sleeve top and a pair of black boots, throwing them on with the jeans I’m already wearing. After a quick touch up of my hair and makeup, I’m ready. It wasn’t the best I’ve ever looked, but definitely an improvement from the sweatshirt, tennis shoes, and ponytail I showed up in.

  Max is waiting for me in the hall. His button-down is tucked in and he’s replaced his flip-flops with brown Doc Martens. I had almost forgotten how ridiculously hot he is.

  His eyes raise as I walk towards him. “Damn Kate. You look…” he shakes his head. “Fantastic!”

  He grabs my hand and twirls me, causing me to blush. “Shall we?”

  I wrap my arm around his elbow as he leads me down the hall. Braking as we hit the main atrium stairs.

  “Max! No! Wait!” I whisper loudly. “I snuck in. They don’t know I’m here!”

  He laughs. “It’s fine. It’s only Jackson.”

  “If I need to remind you, you said the exact same thing, right before a very large, very mean, Sgt. Jackass, screamed at me and told me if I ever came back here they would call the MP’s!”

  “Kate? Is that you?” Bellows from the first floor.

  “Yes. It’s her. And she’s being paranoid up here. She thinks Sgt. Brently is going to get after her again.”

  “It’s all good. He left twenty minutes ago.”

  Confusion riddles Jackson’s face as he rounds the bottom of the stairs. “What are you doing here? Did y’all bring the birthday festivities here?”

  I let out a big sigh of fake aggravation as I stomp down each stair. “No. They’re all still in Athens. It’s only me.”

  “Oh!” Surprised by my answer. “Well, it’s good to see you,” he says, giving me a quick hug when I make it to the bottom. He makes a poor attempt to hide the shock of me and Max together.

  “Good to see you too. Did you get things worked out with Gigi?”

  He smiles a big toothy grin. “Yep! She’s actually going to be moving here.”

  “That’s great, Jackson! I can’t wait to meet her.”

  “Thanks! Y’all headed out?"

  “Yep. Grabbing dinner. But unless Kate wants to ride on the back of my Harley, which she would look sexy as hell on. I’m going to have to bum a ride off her.”

  His words make me grin and I can no longer pretend to be irritated at him. “Well, since you’ve already taken my dad’s car for a spin and got it back in one piece. I guess it will be ok for you to drive mine too.”

  “Y’all have fun. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be sitting here with my thumb up my ass for another three hours,” Jackson yells from the front entry.

  “It was Drew, by the way,” Max blurts.

  “Huh?”

  “The large, mean, jackass who yelled at you. It was Drew.

  He called me a few weeks ago to see how I was doing and finally admitted it was him. He was wanting to play a joke on Lana.

  The fact you happened to be in the bed with her was a case of shitty timing. I was so pissed off about it when it happened, he was too afraid to fess up to it.”

  “That little shit! I’m going to beat the crap out of him if I ever see him again.”

  I dig through my purse as we reach the car. Max follows me to the passenger’s side door, and I assume he’s waiting for the keys. My heart soars when he opens the door for me instead.

  “So...where are we headed?” I ask as he climbs into the driver’s seat.

  “There’s a great little steakhouse on the east side of Columbus with an amazing view of the city. It’s usually pretty busy this time of night but I thought we could get a few drinks. Maybe sit out on the patio while we wait.”

  “Sounds perfect, Max.” I smile, unable to hide my excitement.

  He grins. “What is it?”

  “It’s just… I can’t believe I’m here. With you. And we’re going on a date of all things.”

  “It’s answered prayers.”

  Max was right. The view was absolutely breathtaking. The restaurant is packed to the gills and buzzing with action. He fights the crowd at the bar, while I find a cozy spot on the patio for our thirty-minute wait. The night air is chilly, but the outdoor heaters are keeping things comfortable. Benches and high top tables line the patio as patrons watch a three-person jazz band playing on a small outdoor stage.

  Max searches through the sea of people, a bottle of beer in each hand. A group of older women are staring at him, but he doesn’t seem to notice. They turn and watch him as he makes his way past them, waiting to see where he goes.

  “Max!” I shout and wave. The ladies give the stink eye when they spot me. I can’t help but smile, I’d probably be doing the same thing if the roles were reversed.

  “Whoa! Look at this! You got an awesome spot!” he says, sitting at the small bistro table.

  “We lucked up! A couple was sitting here, but the hostess called their name right as I was walking by.”

  “I came here a few weeks ago with Coop and the guys. There was a two-hour wait and it was standing room only out here. Thankfully, the food made up for every minute of the wait.”

  “Cooper seems nice. You guys look like you’re pretty close.”

  “Oh yeah. He’s awesome! A real lifesaver through all this Jody shit. I don’t know what I would have done without him,” he admits.

  His words hit me hard. He’s been here all alone this whole time. Going through all this pain without his closest friends. Forced to hear about everything he’s missing out on. All because of a lie.

  The band begins to play a slow, instrumental version of “Every Breath You Take” by The Police. The crowd grows quiet, as Max and I watch in silence, enjoying the moment.

  He stands and extends his hand out. “Dance with me, Kate.”

  Without hesitation, my hand is in his as we walk the few steps to the small dance floor. He pulls me close, wrapping me in his arms.

  He places his cheek to mine and whispers, “God, I’ve missed you.”

  I feel my body tremble as we melt into each other. Other couples have joined us, but I am too enraptured in the moment to look. His hand is holding the back of my head as we slowly sway back and forth to the music. If I could stop time, it would be at this exact moment. As the months of pain and sadness in my heart begin to lift and pure happiness fills its place.

  I swipe a tear from my cheek as the song comes to an end. The ladies from earlier are watching. I enjoy the envy in their eyes as Max leads me back to the table.

  “I know that song is actually pretty creepy, but it was amazing. Even with the stalker undertones,” Max teases.

  “It felt like a dream,” I admit. “I was worried I would wake up when the song ended.”

  He grabs my hand. “If this is a dream, I pray we never wake up.”

  The wait for our table flew by and before long we’re seated and enjoying a basket of delicious homemade yeast rolls. The restaurant has a ranch-style vibe with low lighting, woodsy décor, and dark beams lining the cathedral ceiling. The smell of steak fills the room, as music from the band outside pipes through the speakers. Adding to the soft hum of conversation carrying on throughout the room.

  �
�So what do you think Lana and them are up to tonight?”

  “Well, when I left, they’d all sat down to two large Domino’s Pizzas. So we definitely have them beat on the dinner choice,” I joke, licking honey butter from my fingers.

  “What did she say when you told her you were coming here?”

  “Well… here’s the thing about that.” I smile through gritted teeth. “She doesn’t actually know I’m here. No one does.

  I was on my way to Alpharetta when the car kind of drove itself here.”

  Max chuckles. “Well, remind me to tell your car thank you when we leave.”

  “I still can’t believe no one told me about what was going on. Lana and Artie tell each other everything, so she must know.”

  “I’m sure it’s mostly my fault. I made Artie and Santos promise they wouldn’t tell. It needed to come from me. But I wanted everything finalized and completely in the past before calling you. I wanted us to start off on a clean slate. I’m shocked they were able to keep it from you.”

  “I’m still kicking her ass regardless!” I tease. “Maybe I’ll even keep my little journey here a secret as payback.”

  Our server arrives with our food, hot steam billowing from the tray on his shoulder. He presents two sizzling fillets, topped with Béarnaise sauce, garlic mashed potatoes, and sautéed mushrooms.

  My eyes widen as I take it all in. “Oh, Max! This looks divine!”

  “It will taste as good as it looks too.”

  The server asks us to cut into the meat to ensure they’re cooked as requested. My eyes roll back in my head as I take my first bite.

  “Impressed?”

  “Absolute perfection!”

  The table grows quiet as we both devour our first few bites of the incredible meal.

  “Can I ask you a question?” Max asks as he uses the white linen napkin to wipe Béarnaise from his mouth.

  “Of course.”

  His brow furrows and I can tell he’s hesitant to ask. My stomach drops, knowing instantly what he’s about to ask.

  “It’s about Davis...”

  Yep! Just as I thought… Fucking Davis!

  My head lowers, dreading this conversation. “I’m so sorry, Max. I honestly don’t know what I was thinking.”

  “No. No. It’s not about that. I mean, it’s a little about that. But only when you’re ready to talk about it.”

  I tilt my head. “Then what’s it about?”

  “Is he at your place this weekend?”

  I’m taken back. “No,” shaking my head. “He’s not. I haven’t seen or spoken to him since the miserable lockout night. Santos said they dropped him off at the airport on their way through Atlanta. Said his sister’s getting married. Why?”

  “It’s not important,” he says in a calm even voice. “The only important thing is you and me and this incredible night.”

  I know I should leave it alone, but my curiosity gets the best of me. “No, please tell me. We need to get all this out and past us. Why would you think he was with us?”

  “Because he told Kevin he was headed to your apartment this afternoon.”

  I shrug my shoulders. “I have no idea why he would say that.”

  “Oh, I have an idea,” he says spitefully. “Another ploy to further my jealousy. I guess he had to come up with something new since he’d driven the whole Gatlinburg trip in the ground.”

  Him acknowledging Gatlinburg sends a rush of guilt through me and I’m sure it shows.

  I drop my head. “Max. I was hurt and lost and...”

  “Hey, Kate. No,” he pleads. “Please, look at me.” I’m not mad at you. How could I be after everything I put you through?” He grabs my hand from across the small table. “All I care about is making things right between the two of us now.”

  I let out a breath. Relieved it doesn’t seem to be hindering his decision to want to be with me.

  I sit thinking for a few seconds. Maybe it’s time for Max to be the one with the adventure stories again.

  “Up for a little payback,” I ask slyly.

  He lifts an eyebrow. “What did you have in mind?”

  “How would you feel about a little trip to Atlanta tomorrow?”

  He gives a devilish grin. “Oh, how I’ve missed you, Kate Carpenter.”

  Max and I finish our dinner and spend the rest of the night catching up on every single detail of our lives since we were apart. We drive to a small hole in the wall bar where the beer is as endless as the laughs.

  “Yep! You kicked my ass!” Max admits as I sink the black eight ball into the right corner pocket.

  “Girls always say they can play pool, but never actually can. I have officially been proven wrong.”

  I laugh. “I have a pool table at home and two extremely competitive brothers.”

  He behind me and wraps his arm around my waist. “I won’t lie. You bent over the pool table, making one perfect shot after the other, was quite possibly the hottest thing I’ve ever witnessed.”

  I turn around to see his beautiful blue eyes. Studying every line and curve of his face. “Thank you for tonight.”

  Even with all the pain and heartache we’ve both experienced over the last four months, it was as if a day hadn’t passed between us. We’re as comfortable and natural together as we’d ever been. Tonight is about him and me. Nothing else matters. In our own world and although there are others around, they fade into the background. He places a hand on each cheek and pulls in. Our lips touch, but he waits to kiss me. I can feel his warm wet lips, as he gently grazes them back and forth over mine. I can’t wait any longer, grabbing the back of his head and plunging my mouth to his. His tongue dancing around mine, causing me to whimper. Overcome with emotion, tears fall from my eyes. It’s not until someone asks if we’re done with the table, we’re finally able to peel ourselves apart.

  I slip into one of Max’s Army T-shirts as we finally make it back to the barracks. “Get your sexy ass over here!” he demands, flipping the covers back to his small twin size bed.

  “Just a head’s up. If I wake up to some big, scary, black dude screaming at me… they’ll be carrying the both of you out of here on stretchers!” I tease as I climb in.

  “Well, after the beat down you gave me tonight at pool, I wouldn’t dare!”

  It’s late and Max and I have a big day ahead of us tomorrow. Although we know we could stay up talking all night, we both agree we need to get some sleep. After finalizing our plans, I snuggle into a cozy spooning position, resting my back into his chest. It’s quiet and within minutes I can feel his breathing go heavy. I stare at the ceiling and replay the events that unfolded today. I smile, realizing this is the first time I’ve been genuinely happy in months.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  I’m already awake when the alarm clock begins its loud five am wake up call.

  “You ready to make the Scream Machine our bitch today?” I ask as Max slams the off button on the alarm.

  “Damn right, I am,” he says between a sleepy yawn.

  “It’s been ages since I’ve been on a roller coaster. Probably since Senior Skip Day back in high school,” I admit

  “Oh, a whole two years ago?”

  “Five years if you must know! But it wasn’t my senior year. I just felt like skipping!” I say, dragging from the comforts of his arms.

  “There’s a Six Flags less than thirty minutes from my hometown. My parents would buy my sister and I summer passes each year and let it be a built-in babysitter. We’d ride roller coasters over and over to see which one of us would barf first,” he chuckles.

  “Well, I’ve never puked before, but I should probably forewarn you… I’m a screamer.”

  Max grins devilishly. “Oh really? Maybe we should skip the whole Six Flags thing then.”

  I shake my head. “I guess I walked right into that one, huh?”

  “Yep! Ya sure did. But man, at the mental picture I have right now.”

  After quick showers, packing, and a sto
p through the Hardee’s drive-thru, we’re Atlanta bound.

  We knew the gang was planning to be at the park when the gates open so we needed to be there waiting when they arrived. If not, it might be damn near impossible finding them once they’re inside.

  The sunroof’s open to the beautiful, Saturday morning fall sky. The Eagle’s Greatest Hits plays loudly, helping the two-hour drive go by in a flash. Max is crazy hot, as usual. It’s the most casual I’ve seen him out, with blue jeans and a long sleeve, Dallas Cowboys T-shirt.

  I let him drive. One arm resting on the steering wheel, the other on the gear shift. His gold-rimmed Ray-Bans reflecting the warm sun. There’s something insanely sexy, watching him shift gears through the busy Atlanta traffic.

  We pull into the massive Six Flags parking lot. “Great timing!” he says.

  “Made it with fifteen minutes to spare!” I laugh. “I can’t wait to see the look on Lana’s face!”

  Always the gentleman, Max opens the door for me and takes my hand as we make the long trek to the park entrance. He beams up at one of the roller coasters in view. “Thank you for letting me be a part of this today.”

  I smile and wrap my arm around his waist. “Thank you for wanting to be a part of today.”

  “No. Freaking. Way!” Lana shouts as we see the group near the entrance gate. Chins drop as everyone turns and spots us. Lana runs towards us, her hands covering her jaw dropped mouth.

  “Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit! I can’t believe you’re here!” she shouts, running to us.

  “Well, now that I’m completely deaf!” I tease, throwing my arms around her.

  “How… When… How did this happen?” Looking back and forth to me and Max.

  “Thank you, Lord!” Artie yells with relief. “It took every ounce of me to not break.”

  Lana snaps her head towards Artie. “You knew they were coming?”

  “Oh! No. I had no clue about this. The part about Max and no more Jody is what I’m talking about.”

  “WHAT?!” she yells.

  I’m dumbfounded. “You mean you didn’t know?” I ask, shocked Artie was able to keep it from her.