by Meghan Quinn
“I’m totally crushing on you right now, Nash.”
Call him a douche, but his stomach fluttered from her compliment. “You better be,” he winked at her.
He laid out napkins for both of them and handed her the sandwich he’d made, which was wrapped up in foil; when she undid it, she saw that he’d cut the sandwich into triangles. She gave him the cutest look he had ever seen, all gooey-eyed.
“You are totally flirting with me, cutting this sandwich up all cute wise.”
“And if I was?”
“I would accept it.”
“Good.”
They ate their sandwiches and chips, watching the old time concession stand commercial and laughing at the walking popcorn that kept losing its contents. It was a simple date, nothing extravagant, but he was having an amazing time. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had this much fun.
Once they were done with their food, Nash packed their trash in the bag and set it off to the side.
“Are you comfortable? The movie is about to start.”
“No.”
“You’re not?” Nash looked down at her, scooting to the side to see how he could help her.
“No,” she pulled his arms to bring him closer to her side and then she wrapped his arm around her, so her head was now resting on his shoulder. “Can you wrap a blanket around us, please?”
“Sure.” If she looked up at him right then, she would have seen him beaming with pride.
“That’s better.” She nuzzled into him, warmth spreading through Nash’s body from her proximity.
He memorized every feeling of this moment. This was what living felt like, being next to someone who cared about you, sharing a night of comradery. Nash knew, if it wasn’t for Fallon, he would still be in his house, wasting his life away. He barely spent any time outside of his house, but with Fallon, he wanted to explore, he wanted to do new things.
There was only one problem, he still hadn’t told her about his leg. He wasn’t even sure how to tell her or if he was going to tell her. Well, if he wanted a future with Fallon, he was going to have to tell her. The mere thought made him sick to his stomach. He knew what Dr. Drake said was true in some aspects, and he was fighting the feeling of hating himself, but it was still there. He didn’t want Fallon to see that side of him. He wanted to impress her, he wanted to show her the kind of man he could be.
His mind wasn’t on his date and Fallon noticed. Instead of saying anything, she squeezed his hand to bring him back to the present. He squeezed back, wanting so much more.
“Steve Martin is such a crotchety ass in this movie. Like, loosen up, mister,” Fallon pointed out.
“He’s just trying to get home to his wife. I would be the same way if I was in the same position.”
“Would you go to desperate lengths to see me by Thanksgiving?” Her bright green eyes glistened at Nash and right then, he knew he would pretty much do anything to get to her.
“Depends, can you cook?”
“Kraft Mac and Cheese.”
“A girl after my own heart,” Nash laughed.
Lightly, Fallon caressed Nash’s cheek, bringing his face closer to hers. “I love it when you laugh. You were so serious when I first met you. It’s nice to see you smile.”
“You make me smile,” the words flowed out of Nash, he didn’t even think about what to say.
Pushing up, Fallon wrapped her hand around the back of Nash’s head and brought his mouth down to hers. His hand found her face and he guided her cheek as their lips met in the middle.
An electric shock ran up Nash’s back from their connection. Her lips were softer than he expected, plump and delicious. Her face was silky smooth under his hand, leading him to believe that the rest of her body would be just as soft.
His lips caressed hers, small movements, slightly opened mouth, just enough pressure. She was a fucking fantastic kisser. Nash could easily get lost in her mouth.
Sooner than he wanted, she pulled away, her eyes heavy with lust. Before completely retreating, she placed a chaste kiss on his lips and then giggled, burying her head back into his shoulder.
“Oh, my God, I wish I could call a friend right now.”
“What? Why?” Nash asked, chuckling.
“Because I just had the best kiss of my life.” Raising the blanket, she buried her head under it.
Best kiss she ever head? Yeah, Nash’s ego just grew about five times bigger.
Wanting to see her face, Nash lowered the blanket and tilted her chin up so she had to look him in the eyes. “Say that again.”
She blinked a couple of times, but then said, “That was the best kiss I’ve ever had.”
Grinning, he brought her lips back to his and kissed her all over again, relishing the feel of her lips against his, in the slight tremble of her hand. John Candy and Steve Martin bantered in the background, but all Nash could focus on was the pair of lips swiping against his. She was sweet; there was nothing frantic about their kiss. It was an innocent exploration of one human to another.
It was toe-curling, stomach fluttering, life changing. Right then and there, Nash knew he would do just about anything to get his life back in order so he could impress Fallon. He wanted to be a better man for her.
There was no doubt in his mind that he was going to do so.
**Luke**
“Are you going to talk to me?” Molly asked, lying next to Luke on the bed.
“Are you going to stop being a raving bitch?” Luke responded.
They were still fighting ever since Nash had come over for their joint session with Dr. Drake. Normally, Luke wouldn’t air his problems in front of anyone else, but after talking to Dr. Drake about wanting to get Nash involved in recovery, he suggested a joint session. Luke actually preferred them now because he was able to see he wasn’t the only one suffering.
Their stories were completely different, Nash losing a limb and Luke losing his pride, but in the end, they both suffered the same amount.
“How is calling me names helping?” she was annoyed, but so was Luke.
The last thing Luke wanted right now was to fight with Molly, especially since he was still thinking about Dr. Drake’s words about being a hero.
“I don’t want to fight with you,” Luke exhaled, running his hands over his face.
“Then don’t. I’m sorry about my short temper. I’m frustrated with myself and with Jane. I should have been nicer to Nash. I know he did a lot for you when you first came back, and you’re right. I’m grateful.”
Shocked by her apology, Luke turned toward her and gripped her hands in his. “Thank you for apologizing. I appreciate it.”
“It was hard,” she laughed.
“That’s because you’re a stubborn woman.”
The scent of vanilla floated toward Luke as Molly leaned closer to him. “But I’m your stubborn woman.”
“You better be.” Soft blonde strands floated between Luke’s fingers as he played with Molly’s hair. “Hey, I have a question for you.”
“Is it will you marry me?”
Luke chuckled and shook his head. “I already know the answer to that question.”
“Then, when it will be official?”
The wait to finally marry was all on Luke. He wanted to be whole again before he married Molly. Being head of the household came with responsibilities; if he wasn’t on his game, then he wouldn’t be able to provide for his two girls.
“When I’m healthy, baby. I want to do it right without the fear of having an episode on my wedding day.”
“I can understand that.” Molly cuddled into his side. “What’s your question?”
How did he ask his question without sounding like a tool? Contemplating for a second, he took a deep breath and asked, “What do you think defines a hero?”
Molly pulled away from his chest and looked him in the eyes. “That’s an odd question. Why are you asking that?”
“I guess you deserve a little explanation. I’ve be
en holding off on our group sessions because I’ve had a really hard time coming to grips with what I have to tell you. Really bad things happened to me when I was out there, babe, things I don’t want to ever repeat. I’ve been feeling like less of a man. When I talked to Dr. Drake about my feelings, I thought of Nash and how he’s expressed to me the same type of feelings.”
“Because he lost his leg?” Molly asked.
Luke stroked Molly’s face lightly with the back of his hand. “Yes, because he lost his leg. He’s had a really hard time dealing with it. So, I asked Dr. Drake to do joint sessions with Nash. I thought it would help Nash and help me at the same time, seeing someone else suffer through the same emotions as me.”
“Has it helped?”
“Tremendously,” Luke said with relief. Molly’s face soured. “I know you want to be the one who saves me, who helps me through this, but there comes a time when you have to work through a problem with someone who suffered the same as you. I love you, Molly, but you can’t relate to what I’ve been through or what Nash has been through.”
His words were harsh, but he meant them. Luke waited for Molly to get mad. He appreciated her yearning to want to help him, but at some point, he needed to face the facts, there was only so much she could do.
“I can appreciate that,” she said with understanding in her eyes.
It was a breakthrough. Elation bolted through Luke as he gained her understanding; he couldn’t have been happier at this moment.
“Thank you, baby, for understanding that.”
“Of course.” Molly kissed him on the lips. “I can never truly understand what you went through. I’m glad you and Nash can help each other out. I’m sorry if it took me a little bit to realize that.”
“Once again, stubborn woman.” Molly gave him a skeptical look, making Luke chuckle.
“So what does this have to do with your hero question?”
Back to that. Luke prepared himself. “In our last session, Dr. Drake thanked both Nash and me for our service and spoke of us as heroes.”
“As he should,” Molly interrupted.
“The term hero didn’t settle well with Nash and me. We saw the term as person who saved someone else. That’s what we believe a hero is.”
“Luke, there is so much more to being a hero. It’s about courage and self-sacrifice for the common good.”
“That’s what Dr. Drake said as well.” Luke shook his head as he looked at their joined hands. “Nash and I never really thought of the term that way. It’s a hard thing to swallow, given our pasts and the mental abuse we’ve inflicted on ourselves.”
An empty feeling took place in Luke’s stomach as Molly backed away from him, but before he could ask her to come back, she straddled his lap and gripped his face with both of her hands. “Luke, are you seriously telling me you don’t believe you’re a hero?”
“It’s just such a strong word to use. I don’t want to throw it around lightly.”
“Luke, look at me.” He focused his eyes on hers. “You fought for our country. You put us first before yourself and you were held captive, never once revealing information to the enemy. You went through years of abuse for your country. You were courageous, brave, and fearless. You are a hero, not just in my heart or in Winnie’s heart, but in everyone’s. It’s time you come to grips with that.”
A tear rolled down Luke’s cheek. Hearing Molly speak of him so highly was overwhelming. He’d hated himself for so long, for what happened, so to try to comprehend the truth was a difficult task.
“Thank you,” he replied humbly. “It’s a hard thought to process, but I’m going to try damn hard to do so.”
“It’s just the first path on your road to healing yourself. Acceptance can go a long way, Luke. It’s time you accepted your title. You’re a hero.”
That night, they didn’t fuck, they didn’t make love, instead, they lay in each other’s arms talking about their future and about what was to come. Luke wasn’t fully healed, but he was on his way.
**Nash**
The night air rested between Nash and Fallon as they stood on Nash’s doorstep at the end of their date. Nash didn’t want the night to end. The movie was the perfect first date for them because they were once again were able to bond over Fallon’s “father,” John Candy. Nash was fortunate enough to hold Fallon all night, whispering to her occasionally over a funny part in the movie and taking in the scent of her perfume whenever he wanted.
Now, they held hands at his doorstep with Nash wondering what the next move would be. He wanted to ask her to stay, but by asking her to stay that meant he would have to tell her about his leg. He wasn’t ready. They’d just started their relationship…if that’s what this was. Nash didn’t want to lose it the first night.
Would she be insulted if he didn’t ask her in? He was so fucking confused.
“Thank you so much for tonight. I had an amazing time. I’ve never really been on a real date.”
“Really?” Nash asked, surprised, but then when he thought about her past, it made sense.
“Yeah, wasn’t really interested.”
His hands gripped her hips and pulled her in closer. “But you were interested tonight?”
“Very much so.” Her smile ripped him to pieces.
When he first met Fallon, he couldn’t see past the haze he was living in. He saw her as an annoyance, as someone he didn’t really want to talk to because she pestered him too much. Since then, he’d seen her for who she is: a quirky kind of beautiful.
Leaning down, Nash placed his lips on hers and moved them ever so slightly along her mouth. She matched his movements, embracing their connection. Her hands roamed up his chest, exploring every muscle until she reached his face. Her thumbs rubbed his cheeks, sending warmth through his core.
In the past, Nash was more of a fuck and chuck kind of guy. Kissing wasn’t part of his repertoire, neither was taking his time or enjoying the simple act of being in a beautiful woman’s presence.
“I don’t want to leave,” she whispered.
A sear of nerves raced through Nash’s stomach. He was going to have to invite her in, which he wanted because he wanted to hold her more, but he wasn’t ready. He didn’t feel prepared.
“Then, come inside,” Nash gulped. “I can’t promise anything, but I want to at least hold you.”
He guided her inside his house, which he’d straightened up and actually cleaned. Using a vacuum was a foreign concept to him, as well as air fresheners, but he liked the way his place smelled when he walked in. He even put one of those Glade candles out on his coffee table.
Fallon saw the candle and started laughing. “Nash, you’re supposed to take it out of the package.”
Nash shrugged. “Wasn’t sure if I took it out now or when I lit it. I didn’t want it to lose its smell.”
“You’re adorable,” she complimented, looking around. “I can’t believe you cleaned. The place looks nice.” She eyed the wall next to the TV and asked, “Did you hang that picture there?”
It was a picture of a meadow he found at the dollar store. He thought it looked calming, and he knew his place lacked character, so he got it.
“It keeps me at peace.”
“Oh, my God,” she laughed with her hand over her mouth. “You’re killing me. So cute.”
“What else did you change?” She looked around, trying to spot his upgrades.
“I got new sheets, ones that actually match my comforter, and I cleaned my toilet.”
“Wow, I’m impressed.”
The room was dark, lit only by a lamp in the corner. It was late, definitely bed time and Fallon was in his house, looking for him to make the next move. The urge to ask her to go to bed with him was on the tip of his tongue, but the words never came out.
“It’s okay, Nash. I can see you’re uncomfortable. I can leave.”
“No!” he said quickly, not wanting her to leave. “Stay, I just…I’m not good at this.”
“Neither am I,�
� she said shyly, grabbing his hand.
With a deep breath, he guided her to the back of his place where his bedroom rested. In case she did come back to his house after their date, he made sure to pick up his room and made it look presentable for company. It was simple with a bed in the middle, a rickety nightstand to the side, and one dresser with the drawers askew. There was nothing hung on the walls and the only cover for the window was a busted up set of blinds that did the trick but didn’t look pretty.
“It’s not much,” he shrugged, slightly embarrassed.
“It really isn’t,” she joked, making him laugh. “But that’s okay. I don’t need perfect.”
Fallon stepped back from Nash, grabbed the hem of her dress and pulled it over her head, revealing her milky white skin. Her breasts were encased by a purple strapless bra and she had on a pair of purple polka dot panties that covered her butt. There was nothing scandalous about her, just wholesome and innocent…everything Nash liked about her.
Nash ran his hand over his mouth as he took in her body; she was gorgeous and she wanted him. There was no stopping it.
She reached for his shirt, but he stilled her hands. Worry crossed her face as she tried to read him.
“I’m sorry, I thought…”
“Don’t apologize,” Nash said, kissing her lightly on the forehead. “I need to talk to you about something.”
This was it; Nash just prayed she wouldn’t leave.
“Okay.”
They both sat on the bed, and instead of covering herself up, she sat there proudly with her body on display. Nash thought…if Fallon could overcome her body image, he could overcome his. She trusted him by being comfortable enough to take her clothes off around him, and he needed to return the trust. So, he turned toward her to tell her his story.
Pulling his dog tags out from under his shirt, he said, “So, you know I was in the Army.”
“Yes.” She looked at his tags. “These are kind of hot.”
Her joke lightened the mood, making his confession just a little easier to tell.
“Well, when I was on my last tour in Afghanistan, I was helping build a school when a car bomb went off in the street.”