by Meghan Quinn
A fake smile was still plastered on Jane’s face as she spoke. “Don’t worry about me, Patty. I’m fine. Speaking of Lucy, you said you wanted to have her picture at the wedding?”
Patty sighed at Jane skipping over her “serious” talk. “Yes, you said you had a good picture?”
“I do. I’ll take care of it. So, you got your dress, the venue is good to go, the menu is picked, flowers are set, invites are out. I think we’re good to go. There really isn’t much left that we have to do except wait for people to let us know they are attending.”
“That’s pretty much it. You’re very efficient at your job, Jane. Thank you for your help.”
“Of course. I’m glad your day is coming. It’s been a rough journey for you. You deserve happiness.”
Patty nodded and then stood. She walked to the doorway and then turned around to speak to Jane. “I could say the same about you, Jane. You’ve been through a lot, more than any person should really have to go through. Don’t push Brady away; he’s a good man and he makes you happy. You deserve the same amount of happiness, no matter how much you want to punish yourself.”
Jane’s bottom lip trembled as she smiled and nodded at Patty. She waited for her to return to her own office before Jane shut her door and climbed under her desk with a box of tissues, sobbing her worries away.
Happiness wasn’t in her future.
**Marc**
“Hamburger?” Marc asked, flipping a burger on a bun for his beautiful fiancé.
“Thanks. These look good.”
Grabbing his burger, they both walked to their patio set as Marc said, “It’s because they’re made with love.”
“You’re corny.”
“Corny? I thought that was romantic,” Marc defended himself. “Hell, I thought that was damn romantic.”
“Your standards for romanticizing have gone down drastically then.”
“You’re sassy tonight.” Marc bopped her nose.
They both sat down and enjoyed their dinner; it was nights like this that Marc enjoyed being retired. He got to spend a quiet, candle-lit night with his girl, not traveling around, trying to get sleep for his next games. Instead, he got to stare into the beautiful eyes of Patty and then make love to her all night. He wouldn’t change it for a thing in the world.
“What are you thinking about over there, Sully?”
“You.” Marc pushed his plate to the side and grabbed Patty’s hands, pulling her on his lap. “I was thinking about how I was glad I am to be here with you and not out in a hotel room, away from my home and preparing for a game the next day.”
Her fingers ran through his hair and a tingling sensation floated down his spine from her touch. “You don’t miss it at all?”
“I miss the guys and the game itself, but I don’t miss the long nights on the road, getting beaten to death by foul balls or the politics of the game. I wouldn’t trade my current life for it, if that’s what you’re asking.”
Patty shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. I just feel sometimes that you left the sport for me.”
Marc gently ran his hand down Patty’s face. “Patty, you know that’s not the reason I left. I was getting old, my knees were giving out on me, and it was time. Were you part of the reason? Hell, yeah, I wanted to spend more time with you, but before you came along I was already planning on retiring.”
“You promise?”
“I promise, Patty Cakes.”
The palm of Marc’s hand pulled on the back of Patty’s neck, bringing her down to his lips, where he ravished her with his mouth. His intensity was matched with hers, their tongues sparring for ownership.
Marc ran his spare hand up Patty’s thigh, testing the length of her shorts. To his pleasure, they were short enough for his fingers to meet up with the thin fabric of her underwear. Patty moaned into his mouth and he adjusted in his seat so she could turn toward him.
Helping him out, Patty straddled his lap, her legs on either side of him. She was wearing cotton shorts, so Marc took advantage of the elastic waistband and slipped his hands down and around her ass, gripping tightly.
Her bottom crushed against his lap from his grip, grinding into his erection. Their breath mingled, their hearts beat together, and their kisses were frantic as their hands explored each other’s bodies.
This was everything Marc ever needed, Patty in his arms.
“We need to move out of his chair,” Marc declared, his hands massaging her ass.
“Mmm, no we don’t want to move.”
Patty rocked against his erection, making him even harder.
“Patty, you’re going to make me come if you keep that up.”
Her lips traveled across the column of his neck. “Is that such a problem?”
Marc was about to answer when his phone beeped with a text message. From the preview on the screen he could see it was from Brady, and it said, “Call me.”
“Shit,” Marc mumbled.
“What?” Patty continued to caress Marc with light kisses.
“Brady needs me to call him.”
Patty stopped mid-kiss and pulled away, eyeing Marc with confusion. “So?”
Pulling back as well, Marc said, “So? So I need to call him.”
Patty looked around their yard and back at Marc. “I’m sorry, is there something more important than what we are doing right now?”
“Patty, do you think I want to stop? My dick is aching to be inside you, but I need to make sure he’s okay.”
Patty studied Marc for a second and he wondered what was going through her mind. By the look on her face, it was nothing that was going to benefit him.
“Fine, give him a call.”
When a woman mutters the word, fine, life is never, ever fine. A cold chill ran between them, thanks to Patty’s brush off. She got off of Marc and started collecting their plates.
“Patty, don’t be mad.”
“Give him a call, Marc,” she called over her shoulder.
“This better be good,” Marc muttered to himself as he called Brady.
“Took you long enough,” Brady answered.
“Kind of in the middle of something, man.” Marc adjusted his still-hard cock, praying Patty wasn’t going to freeze him out tonight.
“Well, thanks for calling. I needed to talk to someone.”
“What’s wrong?” Marc asked, growing concerned.
“I lost it on Jane today, man. She called me and I thought maybe she wanted to talk about what happened when she was out visiting me, maybe apologize for not returning my calls, but all she wanted was to ask if I was going to the engagement party.”
“Damn, I’m sorry.” Marc stretched his legs out, slouching in his chair.
“I lost it on her. Blew up. I couldn’t help it. I’m at a loss. I’m at the point now if I’m wondering if the pain is even worth it. Should I just move on?”
Marc pinched his brow, hating that his best friend was at such a rough point in his life. When Brady started dating Jane, he thought he was insane because they were supposed to be each other’s wingmen. But then Brady fell in love, and Marc saw how happy he was; Marc had never seen Brady that happy.
“No one can make that decision but you. What I can tell you is that I’ve seen you with Jane and I’ve seen you without her. You are a better man with her in your arms.”
“I fucking know.” The pain in Brady’s voice was devastating. If Marc could, he would go up to Jane and shake her until she promised to take Brady back. Not the most effective or winning method, but he didn’t have any other ideas.
“What do you want?”
Brady paused on the other end of the line. Patty walked to the grill and covered it up for the night, never once looking over at him. Yup, he was in the doghouse.
“I can’t imagine her not being in my life, but does there comes a time when I just need to give up? How many times can I really throw myself out there?”
“Depends on how many times you don’t mind getting kicked in t
he balls. You know she’s worth it, you just need to decide, how much she is worth it.”
“Fuck, I hate this.”
“Me too,” Marc agreed. “Listen, the party is just around the corner. Take the next couple of days to clear your mind, focus on the game, and then come to the party looking fly as hell and bring it. Make it hard for her to say no to you.”
“Maybe you can lock us in a closet or something.”
Marc laughed out loud, making Brady chuckle on the other end of the phone as well. “Not happening, bro. Sorry.”
“Damn, just thought I’d ask.”
“I will make sure you are the first person I turn to for anything, though, which means you will have to talk to Jane to help me out. I can be a demanding priss, especially since it’s my engagement party.”
“Hmm, I would prefer not to wait on your dumb ass, but I guess I don’t really have an option now, do I?”
“Not looking like it.”
“Alright, thanks Marc. Sorry if I interrupted something.”
“You’re cool. No worries. See you in a few days.”
Pocketing his phone, Marc looked around to see Patty in the kitchen, cleaning up. Taking a deep breath, he worked his way toward her, treading carefully. One should never wake a sleeping beast.
“Hey, Patty Cakes.”
Nothing.
Yeah, she was mad.
Action needed to be taken. Marc steadied her hands and forced her to look at him.
“Patty, I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for what?”
A little crinkle formed between her eyes as she fumed under his hands. She was so adorable when she was mad, but Marc would never tell her that. That was just asking to be murdered in your sleep.
“Sorry for taking a phone call when you were dry humping me.”
“Marc!” Patty smacked his chest.
Humor wasn’t welcome, noted.
“I’m sorry, but Brady needed someone to talk to.”
Patty released herself from Marc’s grasp and said, “Let me ask you a question. Who are you marrying? Me or Brady?”
“You,” Marc sighed, knowing he should have kept his attention on Patty for many reasons.
“Then act like it! I know Brady needs your help, but I need you too, and if that means you need to wait to take his call until you’re done making love to me, then you do.”
Marc pulled Patty into his chest, fighting with her stiff body. “Got it. I’m sorry, Patty Cakes. He helped me when it came to our relationship; I feel like I owe him.”
“You were going to get laid, Marc.”
“Were?” he asked, trying to look cute with a smirk.
“Yes, were being the past tense. You can sleep on the couch tonight.”
She pulled away and took off toward the bedroom. She was in for one hell of a rude awakening because, no matter how mad she was at him, he never slept on the couch.
Ever.
**Luke**
“What is he doing here?” Molly asked, looking out the window of their apartment. “I didn’t know he came out in the daylight.”
“Babe, be nice.”
“What? I don’t like him.”
“Because he kept me safe while I was going through a tough time? For pushing me into your arms when I wanted to be alone? For telling me to pull my head out of my ass when I had a beautiful woman waiting to help me, to guide me?”
Acting like a child, Molly rolled her eyes and stormed off. Luke shook his head and answered the door when Nash knocked on it.
“Hey, man,” Luke stuck out his hand and shook Nash’s. “You ready?”
“Not really, but I guess I don’t have an option.”
“Hey, you have to admit, this is a much better idea than meeting in the office. You’ve done well opening up. Dr. Drake is going to meet us here and we’ll go for a walk. It’ll be casual. I promise.”
“Okay,” Nash said, looking around the apartment.
“Want to come in?” Luke laughed.
“I don’t know, is Molly…”
“I’m here, Nash!” Molly called out, coming down the hallway with Winnie in her arms, cutting Nash off before he could finish his sentence.
“Fantastic,” Nash muttered to himself. He stepped into the apartment and shut the door. With his hands in his pockets, he greeted Molly with a nod of his head. “What’s up, Molly?”
“I don’t know, seen any strippers recently? Want to get Luke into some more trouble?”
“Christ,” Luke breathed out, looking up at the ceiling.
“I’ll wait outside,” Nash replied, turning toward the door.
“Might be best.”
“Molly,” Luke chastised. “Stop being a bitch.”
“Excuse me?” Molly’s eyes turned into venom. Nash exited the apartment and Luke was about to chase him when Molly stopped him. “Do not call me a bitch in front of our daughter and in front of your piece of trash friend.”
What was wrong with her? Luke didn’t like the way she talked about Nash, the one guy who kept Luke together when he was at his lowest.
“Trash friend? Because he took me to some strip bars when I first got back? News flash, Molly, I thought you were with another man. You should be thanking Nash for all he did for me. He kept me from ending my life and from fucking up massively with another girl. He forced me to talk to you.”
“Because Connor paid him!”
“There’s more to it than that. Fuck, Molly. Get over yourself. You’ve been a beast to live with for the past couple of weeks.”
Molly set Winnie down and sent her on her way to play. She then turned to Luke and said, “Maybe it’s because you won’t talk to me about your past, that whenever I try to talk about it, you have sex with me. I want to know, Luke. You’re going off to Dr. Drake’s by yourself now; you’re taking Nash with you, but you won’t include me. Let me be a part of it.”
“I don’t want you to!” Luke roared, throwing his arms in the air. “I don’t want you to know what they did to me. Did you ever think that they emasculated me out there? I don’t want you to fucking know that because I’m humiliated. Fuck!”
Not wanting to be around her anymore, Luke grabbed his jacket and put it on.
“Don’t leave,” Molly said, pleading.
“I’ll be back later tonight. I’ll probably see my parents once I’m done with Nash and Dr. Drake. I won’t be home for dinner.” He didn’t look at her when he spoke, not being able to look her in the eyes.
“Luke, please.”
“Bye, Molly.”
Luke left the apartment to find Nash sitting on the steps of their apartment entrance.
“Sorry about that,” Luke apologized.
“Not a problem. Sounds like a good time in there.” Nash got up with the help of the rail. He brushed off his pants and straightened out the leg of his jeans. “I think I need to hit up the VA for a checkup. This prosthetic has been giving me issues lately. I think the foam in the socket is off.”
“Wouldn’t hurt.” Luke paused for a second and took in Nash’s appearance. “Have you been working out?”
“Yeah, so?” Nash smirked.
“Is this because of Fallon?”
“No,” Nash didn’t look Luke in the eyes.
“Have you seen her lately?”
“No, but we talk almost every day. She’s been house sitting down in Savannah. I think she gets home in a few days.”
“Don’t act like you don’t know when she gets home,” Luke laughed.
“Friday, she gets home Friday.”
“Hey, boys,” Dr. Drake said, walking up to them. “Hey, is that a smile I see on Nash?”
“I think it is,” Luke poked Nash in the side.
“Fuck off,” Nash laughed. “If you’re going to want me to talk, then you can’t start off the session with making fun of me.”
“He’s sensitive, Doc. Don’t make fun of him.”
“You’re an ass.”
They all laughed and walked tow
ard the trail that was behind Luke’s apartment complex. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining brightly, and since it was March, there wasn’t much humidity in the air. It was a jeans and T-shirt kind of day; too bad Luke was feeling sour after leaving his apartment. He had no clue why Molly was so urgent about finding out about his past, why it mattered so much to her now.
“So, things with Fallon are going well?” Dr. Drake asked Nash.
“I mean, we’re just talking. Nothing’s happened. She’s nice to talk to.”
“What do you talk about?”
“Everything,” Nash shrugged.
“It helps if you elaborate a little,” Dr. Drake urged Nash.
“I don’t know. We talk about stupid stuff. Nothing serious. We keep it light and say what’s on our minds.”
“Have you told her about your accident?”
“No,” Nash shook his head. “But she has an idea that something happened to me. She asks how my leg is a lot because she notices the limp. I was just telling Luke I’m going to stop at the VA to see a doctor. I think my prosthetic is off a bit.”
“Does it bother you that you limp?”
“Of course it does; any sign of weakness is a bad one, right Luke?”
Luke nodded in agreement. “You don’t show your weaknesses or else your enemy will eat you alive.”
“Interesting.”
“What?” Nash and Luke said at the same time.
Dr. Drake rubbed his chin and then said, “You both are well-trained military men who’ve seen the worst side of war. You hold your scars and your battle wounds close to your heart, but you refuse to tell the women in your life about them. In the back of your minds, do you feel like they will use your weakness against you?”
Luke had never thought of it that way. Did he believe Molly would use his abuse against him later on down the road? Would she use it as an escape tactic in case anything went wrong between them? The thought had never really crossed his mind.
To Molly’s credit, he didn’t think she would ever do that, but then again, she’d had her crazy times, off the hinge type moments. She has her own demons to fight; it could be a possibility.