“Ma, I don’t need things, I never did. All I ever wanted was a little understanding, but you never give me that. I’m done talking about this with you.” Savannah turned, got into her car and drove towards the lake. Why of all days did her mother have to pick this day to start with her? One thing was for sure, she wasn’t a child anymore and she didn’t have to stand there and listen to her.
The lake was so beautiful during Summer. The light breeze that hit your face when sitting by the water’s edge was so refreshing on a hot day, and the way the sunlight hit the calm water was utterly breathtaking. When Savannah pulled into a parking space she could see plenty of people at the picnic area. There was never anyone on this side of the lake, which was one of the reasons why it was her favorite place to go. It was always peaceful and quiet. Many times in the past few years she would go at night to sit on the dew filled grass, hoping when she wished on a star, Billy would be doing the same thing wherever he was. It was probably the stupidest thought she’d had since he left, but somehow it made her feel more at peace.
Savannah could not be bothered with anyone at the moment, let alone people who she hated, so she put the car in reverse to leave. As she put her foot on the gas pedal and stepped on it, she looked up in her rearview mirror just in time to slam the breaks. She put the car in park and jumped out of the driver’s seat. “Are you insane? I could have killed you!”
“Yeah, but you didn’t. Why the rush Savvy?” Travis asked with a smile splayed across his lips as he came around from the back of the car.
“I came here to try and relax, which doesn’t look like is going to happen anytime soon. What is everyone doing here? And stop calling me that, you know I hate it.”
“We’re having the picnic here.”
“Why here? It’s always held on the other side of the lake.”
“Didn’t your mom tell you? I saw her the other day when she brought her car in for a tune up.”
“No, she didn’t. Tell me what?”
Travis shifted nervously from one foot to the other debating whether or not he should tell Savannah what her mother hadn’t. Well, he very well couldn’t hide it from her for long. He sucked in deep breath and let exhaled it with a rush. “The picnic is being held here for a special welcome home party for Billy. He’s coming home today.”
“What?!” How could her mother not tell her Billy was coming home, especially today of all days? She suddenly felt dizzy, nauseous, and completely sick to her stomach. She had to get out of there as fast as she could. She opened the car door and attempted to get in, but Travis slammed the door shut.
Savannah angrily looked up at him. “What’s the matter with you? Let me go.”
Travis stepped in front of her and leaned on the car. “No, you can’t keep running away from your feelings.”
“The Hell I can’t! Now move Travis!”
“Look, I can’t make you stay but I’m asking you as a friend to stay. At least for a few minutes. Billy won’t be here until later this afternoon. Why don’t we go for a walk?”
Savannah lowered her head trying to think of what she should do. She needed to sit and wrap her head around what was happening. She had no warning at all that Billy was coming home. None.
Travis placed his hand under her elbow. “You okay?”
She sighed. “Yeah, I think so.”
“C’mon, let’s go down by the edge of the lake to sit.”
“Okay.”
Travis took her hand as they strolled along the edge of the lake until they came to a spot to sit on the grass. Of course, everyone was looking at them holding hands, but she didn’t care. They were only friends and she didn’t give a shit what they thought. Savannah could just hear all the whispers. Look at her. Tramp. First she had one brother and now the other. She didn’t waste any time did she? The looks of disdain she received from all of them was enough to infuriate her.
“Savannah, lighten up you’re hurting my hand.” She hadn’t even realized she was squeezing Travis’ hand so tightly. She let go and apologized. “Oh, I’m sorry.”
Travis shook his hand and whistled. “Wow, I forgot what a grip you have. You were always like one of the boys.”
Savannah elbowed him hard in the rib. “That’s because I only had you and Billy to hang out with. I was never a girly girl anyway, you know that.”
Travis stopped and leaned back to look at Savannah’s ass. The tight denim shorts she was wearing didn’t leave too much for the imagination and he smiled slyly. “You sure do look like a girly girl to me.”
Savannah punched him in the arm. “Shut up Travis!”
Travis rubbed his arm. “Ow, that one really hurt.” “Don’t be such a baby.”
They sat down on the grass and looked out at the lake. Savannah squinted her eyes against the sun’s bright rays. “I hate this damn sun.”
Travis took off the sunglasses he was wearing on top of his head and handed them to her. “Here.”
“Thanks.”
“It looks like the whole town is showing up.”
Savannah turned and looked behind her. “Yeah. Hey, where’s your mom? Did you bring her?”
Travis’ face turned somber. “No, she was having one of her episodes this morning so I had the nurse come and stay with her for the day.”
Savannah took off the sunglasses so she could look into Travis’ hazel eyes. His eyes identical to his brother’s, which was one of the reasons she always had a hard time looking at him since the day Billy left. It was like she was looking at Billy and it killed her inside that he wasn’t there with her. “Travis, she’ll be okay. You know after she had the stroke she sometimes forgets things, even people.”
“Yeah, but her own son. I can’t handle it sometimes. I’ve been with her every day for the past twenty-two years and she barely remembers me most of the time. Billy has been home all of three times in four years and she remembered him every time. I guess my brother has all the luck doesn’t he?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means our mother loves him more than me, and so do you.”
Savannah felt as if she’d been punched in the stomach. She knew how much Travis loved her, but she didn’t feel the same way about him. She loved him as a friend. Maybe if things had been different she could have loved him in a different way. But, she fell in love with Billy from the moment she saw him. Even though they were only teenagers, he always put a smile on her face. Travis had been going through some hard times with his feelings for his father, and at the time he didn’t want to be bothered with anyone.
But he’d become so different. Travis changed from being that angry, troublesome kid to the sweet, caring, and respectable man he now was. He had made a complete turnaround and she was so proud of him. Savannah knew that if she wasn’t in love with Billy, she could definitely see herself in a serious relationship with Travis. Unfortunately, life often doesn’t work out as planned. She was still in love with Billy and there was nothing that could change that. Not even him breaking up with her and sending back every single letter she wrote him.
“Travis, what do you mean by that?”
“It means that my brother has everyone loving him and I don’t.”
“What are you talking about? Your mother loves you. I love you.”
He turned his head to face the lake. “No you don’t. Not the way I love you.”
Savannah moved closer to him and took his hand in hers. She placed her hand on his face and forced him to look at her. “I do love you Travis. I just can’t love you the way you want me to. I still love Billy. It wouldn’t be fair to you.”
He yanked his hand away from her. The action pierced her heart. “Don’t tell me what’s fair and what’s not. Was it fair that he left you? Was it fair that he broke up with you? Was it fair that he sent back every single letter you wrote him? I don’t think any of that was fair, do you? Yet, you pine over him when he hasn’t been here for you, not once in four years. Not fucking once. I’ve been here wi
th you practically every day. Holding you, consoling you, and giving you a shoulder to cry on. That’s not fair. Let me tell you something, it hurts me every time I see you cry because I know I can never be the man you need or even want for that matter. That’s not fair.” Travis attempted to stand but Savannah grabbed his arm and pulled him back down.
She ran her fingers through his short brown hair and rubbed his cheek with her thumb. “I’m so sorry. I understand how you feel, I really do. And I do love you. I love you more than you can ever know. You have been there for me every day and every time I have needed you without question. If it were different, believe me, I would be lucky to have a man like you. But, I can’t shut off the feelings I have for Billy. I love him so deeply it hurts. My heart hurts not being able to be with him.”
Travis took her hand, kissed it, and sighed heavily. “That’s something I can relate to.” He leaned over and placed a hand on each side of her beautiful face. He pulled her close and gently kissed her forehead knowing this would be as close as he would ever get to her.
Savannah rested her head on Travis’ shoulder as they looked out at the sparkling lake. She didn’t know how long they sat there, and even though people were running about, it was the most peaceful moment she’d had in a long time. She really wished that it could’ve lasted longer.
It was peaceful until she heard the loud obnoxious voice of Sydney Bradshaw ripping through the air. She was Savannah’s arch enemy since the third grade and was always the instigator to the teasing she endured every day. “Hey Travis, your brother is here!”
Travis sat up straight and looked off into the distance. He jumped up and ran towards Billy. When Savannah heard Sydney shout that Billy arrived she froze. She couldn’t even turn her head. She wanted to look over at him but was rendered immobile from the shock coursing through her body.
Finally, after a minute or so she turned her head and looked up the hill where Travis held his brother in a tight bear hug. What she saw was something that was totally unexpected. Billy was wounded, badly. He was walking with a cane and a large bandage covered the whole left side of his face. Her heart beat violently against the walls of her chest threatening to break free. Though she couldn’t distinguish whether she was elated that Billy was finally home and alive, or if she was completely enraged at the person who hurt him, or if she was only infuriated at Billy for leaving her. Maybe it was a little of everything. Whatever it was she’d finally got control of her muscles enough to move. She stood and her first reaction was to run over to him and throw her arms around his neck. But, she quickly remembered he didn’t love or want her anymore. Tears flowed from her eyes before she even had a chance to reign them in. She violently wiped her eyes and ran up the hill over to Travis and Billy, but instead of stopping she went right past them.
“Savannah! Wait!” Travis tried to call her back but she was already getting into her car.
Savannah got into her car started it up and peeled out of the parking spot. Tires screeching and white smoke filled the picnic area. She sped down the road and headed back home. She knew in her gut it was a bad idea to stay at lake, next time she was going to listen to that feeling in the pit of her stomach. There was no way she could handle any more heartache. This was going to be more of a difficult time since it was a small town and Billy would now be home.
The only thing she could do was avoid him. How she was going to do that she didn’t know, but it was the only choice she had. At least it was her only choice until she was able to save enough money to get the hell out of town. There was no way she could live here anymore. She was totally unprepared for this situation. Damn her mother for not saying Billy would be coming home today.
Savannah pulled into the driveway. She almost ran over her father before she slammed on the brakes. She opened the car door, got out, and slammed it closed. She was seething with anger. Angry at her mother, angry at Billy, and even angry at Travis. How could no one tell her about something so important? She needed to unleash her anger out on someone, and that someone happened to be her mother.
Savannah walked up the driveway and stormed into the house. She called out to her mother who was in the kitchen. “Mother!”
Chapter Two
On the flight home Billy was a little on edge. He didn’t know how his brother and mother would react to seeing him wounded. He’d always been the active one, the strong one. Now, he could barely hold his own weight.
It had been at his request not to notify his family of the bombing. They would have only worried about him and there was nothing they could’ve done about it. Knowing of his mother’s condition, she probably wouldn’t remember who he was anyway. According to Travis’ letters she was not getting any better.
Mostly, he was anxious to see Savannah again. He wanted to explain everything to her. Explain why he did what he did, that he only wanted to protect her heart. He needed her to know that he loved her. He’d never stopped loving her. If she didn’t forgive him, it would have to be the price he paid because of his decision to leave her.
Now, he was in a cab fidgeting from the excruciating pain of his injuries. He did his best to still his shaking leg with his hand, but it was no use. There wasn’t much he could do when the pain got that bad. Fact of the matter was he was damn lucky to be alive at all. The improvised explosive device had gone off right next to him and almost blew his left leg clean off. It had also broken his right leg, left arm and pelvis. Shrapnel had flown into the left side of his face leaving it badly burned and scarred. Six months had past and though the doctors were able to save his leg, the pain and recovery would be a long time coming.
Billy reached into his bag for his pain medication, opened the bottle and popped a pill in his mouth. He squeezed his eyes shut and put his fist to his forehead, hoping the agony would soon end. His face burned and it felt like a two-ton elephant was sitting on his leg. He leaned his head back against the seat.
The cab driver looked in his rear view mirror. “We should be there in about fifteen minutes.”
Billy barely heard him past the ringing in his ears. All he wanted was for the pain to go away as quickly as possible. He was now second guessing himself and wished he’d stayed the extra couple of weeks in the hospital instead of insisting he go home.
“Sir?”
Billy cleared his throat and lifted his head. “Yes, I heard you, thank you.”
“Are you alright sir, should I pull over?”
“No, I’ll be fine in a minute.”
If there was one thing Billy hated, it was pity. He never wanted anyone to feel sorry for him. Most of the time he could put on a brave face, but sometimes the pain was too excruciating to hide. As the pain finally began to subside and his leg stopped shaking, he knew the worst was over. He would be able to relax for the last few minutes of the drive.
The cab pulled into the picnic area near the lake. Heads were turning and all eyes were now glued on the cab. He paid the driver and proceeded to get out. “Wait sir, let me get out and help.”
Normally he wouldn’t even have considered accepting help, but right now he was in no mood to deny it. He waited for the driver to come around and open the door for him. He only carried a small suitcase that sat in the seat next to him. The driver opened his door and grabbed his cane out of the car first, then assisted Billy out. He reached into the back seat and handed Billy his bag.
Billy reached into his pocket and handed the cab driver money for the fare. “Thank you.”
The driver held out his hand to shake Billy’s, but refused to take the money from him. “No sir, thank you.”
Billy felt such pride at that moment knowing his service in the Army was appreciated. A complete stranger had thanked him and that small act made him feel that his injuries were not in vain. He had done his job to protect his fellow soldiers and his country. He shook his hand and gave the man a curt nod.
The cab drove away and Billy practically hobbled towards the picnic tables as Sydney Bradshaw came running towards
him. He really couldn’t stand her, especially after the way she bullied Savannah as a child. Sydney had always been infatuated with him, but he could have not been bothered. Her snobby attitude and fake smiles never did a thing for him.
Her pace slowed as she got closer. She saw he was limping and her upturned lip proved he’d made the right decision to wear a bandage over the left side of his face. Even though it was healed, he didn’t want anyone to look at him the way Sydney was looking at him now. An expression of pure disgust was the first thing that welcomed him home, not the stunning beauty of Savannah. As Sydney neared she plastered on one of her fake smiles. “Billy, what happened to you?”
“Nothing that’s any of your business Sydney. Have you seen my brother?”
“He’s down at the lake with Savannah. They look pretty cozy down there.”
Why was she always trying to cause trouble? She’d always been such a fucking drama queen, and he could see that she hadn’t changed one bit. He didn’t know if it was Sydney’s annoying behavior or the thought of Savannah being so close to another man, especially his brother that made his anger rise to the surface, but he had an irresistible urge to punch someone in the face. As he balled the fist at his side, he gave himself a quick pep talk about how wrong it would be to hit a woman. “I see you’re still a bitch Sydney. Glad to see you haven’t changed.”
Sydney’s snarky laugh rang in his ears. “I am not a bitch. I just tell it like I see it, and from what I’m seeing, your brother and Savannah look like they’re having a pretty good time.”
“Don’t you have somewhere else to be or someone else to gossip about?” Billy sidestepped her and painfully limped towards the picnic area. Walking on his leg was very different from sitting in the cab not moving around and the pain was already coming back.
Field Stripped: 15 Steamy Military Romances Page 8