“All we can do is try. And if something bothers you, just talk to me, alright? I’ve never been much of a talker, but I know how to listen.”
She grabbed his hand. “I know you do. But that’s part of what worries me… you not being a talker. LDRs rely so much on communicating.”
Aaron thought about that as he sipped his coffee. “My ex-wife used to tell me I sucked at talking about feelings, that I didn’t tell her how I felt often enough. I’m not good about that kind of thing. It’s not how I was raised. But it doesn’t mean I don’t care.”
Compassion came over Teagan. “There are other ways to show you care.”
“Like calling you? Or planning when I get to see you next?”
She grinned. “Yes! Exactly!”
“Done,” he said, like it was nothing at all.
They talked a bit longer before they began packing their things into their separate trucks, each preparing for a day’s drive in opposite directions. When it was time to go, Aaron held her close and kissed her.
“I’ll call you tonight,” he said. “To make sure you got home safely.”
And at 8:30 that evening, as Teagan stretched out on her couch to watch some Star Trek reruns, Aaron called.
“Hookup, my ass,” Ben said when Teagan gave him the update. He took a hit from his bong and blew the smoke away from her.
Teagan smiled sheepishly, sipping her wine on the shady porch, swatting away a mosquito. “I like him.”
“He seemed alright.”
She giggled. “High praise, coming from you.” It was, too. Ben was like the big brother she never had, finding flaws in any guy she even considered dating.
“So he works at the Intelligence Center, right?”
“Right.”
“Is he enlisted or commissioned?”
“I don’t know. He’s a Major…”
“That’s an officer’s rank, so commissioned. Enlistees just join, like I did. Officers go to college first and then enlist.”
“Well, he enlisted out of high school and got his degree and promotions later.”
Ben paused. “Seriously? So he’s a mustang.”
“What’s a mustang?”
“When someone joins the military as an enlisted rank… you know, at the bottom of the hierarchy… and then gets commissioned later. Those guys, and ladies, get respect because they’ve been in the trenches, so to speak. They earned their way up instead of getting commissioned just because they went to college.” Ben took another hit before putting the bong aside. “I’m surprised he didn’t mention that.”
“He’s not the type to brag about himself.”
“Did he serve in the Middle East?”
“He did. Now he trains people to use those UVAs…”
“UAVs,” Ben corrected. “You better learn your acronyms if you’re going to hang out with this dude. Trust me.”
Teagan laughed. “Will do.”
Later on, she called Hannah. Hannah didn’t answer—she rarely picked up because she was usually out running long miles—so Teagan left her a brief but happy message. Then she called Diana, who did pick up, and told her everything.
“Oh my goodness, Teagan!” she cried. “I’m so glad for you!”
“Am I crazy? He lives a thousand miles away and we’re both… well, you know. I’m so tired of the D word.”
“Me too, sweetie. Fuck the D word. I say, give it a chance.”
Teagan smiled. “I will.”
Aaron called her the following evening.
“Hey,” came his deep voice. “How’s teaching so far?”
Teagan rolled her eyes. “The first week always sucks, especially because I have a class I’ve never taught before, so there’s a ton of preparation. I haven’t had any time to write at all, which makes me cranky. But it’ll get better.”
“And teaching a full load is only temporary, right?”
“That depends on your definition of temporary.”
“I assumed that this was for a semester, and whatever money you earn allows you to take the next one off to write.”
“Oh, I wish. But it’s not enough money. I’m still paying for that transmission.”
“What the hell do they pay you? If you don’t mind me asking…”
“Three thousand per class. It sounds like a lot, but a semester is four months long and that doesn’t cover summers or winter break.”
“Do you get benefits, since you’re teaching a full load?”
“No.”
Silence. “I don’t get that. You’re teaching science to college students and that’s all they pay you?”
“As an adjunct, yes. To get better pay and benefits, you have to be a full-time instructor or professor. That requires a PhD and those jobs are really hard to get, and they don’t pay that well either unless you get tenure.”
“Shit,” Aaron said. “Maybe you should join the Army. We need scientists.”
She laughed. “It’s my own fault. If I’d just gotten my PhD and found a job as a professor, I’d be set.”
“If you’d wanted that, you’d have done that.”
“True.” She needed to keep reminding herself of that. “Let’s talk about your career instead. Especially since you’re the mustang badass that even Stovi the Air Force pilot brags about.”
He chuckled. “How do you know about mustangs?”
“My spies,” she quipped. “What’s new at work, Major?”
“I have a new batch of trainees in for a few weeks. I had to take one aside and discipline him today.”
“Really? Did you go all Sergeant Hartman on him?”
Aaron laughed. “Not quite. But he needed a kick in the ass. He’s one of those super smart fuckers who never had to study in school. He’s used to everything coming easy for him, so when something gets tough he gets bent out of shape and wants to give up.”
“Oh… I know that type. What did you do to him?”
“I made him spend all day doing the same frustrating exercise that he stunk at. I told him he’d sit there all damned night if necessary, until he learned it backward and forward.”
“It’s that important, huh?”
“Nah, not really. I just wanted him to learn how to deal with frustration, to see a problem through instead of giving up on it. He’ll thank me later.”
Teagan smiled, picturing Aaron giving the whiny trainee the stern expression and tone she’d seen him use on rare occasions. It was a picture she liked. “Interesting.”
“What? You think I was too hard on him?”
“Not at all. It’s that… I’m a little turned on by the thought of you being all authoritarian.”
A pause, then a chuckle. “Are you serious?”
“Kind of. But all jokes aside, it sounds like you’re a great teacher.”
“I try. Feels like parenting sometimes, though. And I never really wanted kids.”
Teagan went silent, surprised by Aaron’s admission.
“Shit,” he said. “Maybe I should’ve mentioned that before. I’m not totally against having kids, but I can’t really see it happening.”
“It’s okay. I’m not really sure I want kids either.”
He sighed with relief. “I’m trying to think if there’s anything else we should cover.”
She laughed. “Differing views on kids is a deal-breaker. Most everything else is negotiable.”
“Good. By the way, I checked my calendar… how about I come up there in three weeks, in September? It’ll have to be Friday night to Sunday night since I’m out of vacation days, though.”
Disappointment crashed upon her. “That’s it, huh?” The LDR reality was already rearing its ugly head. Nearly a month they would have to wait to spend barely two days together.
“Sorry. If I’d known we’d wind up in this situation, I would’ve saved some of those vacation days.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“What’s bothering you? Talk to me.”
“I’m so glad you’re comi
ng, and I can wait three weeks. But it’s… it’s so little time.”
“What’s your schedule like? If it’s more flexible, you could come here…”
Teagan’s mood lifted. “That’s true. I don’t teach on Fridays, and my Thursday classes end at two!”
“That buys us another day and a half. I’ll be working Friday, though…”
“That’s okay. I can write, and we still have Thursday and Friday night—” She stopped herself when another depressing thought occurred to her. The cost. She was already broke and in debt. She had no problem paying for a trip or two, but over time it could get expensive to keep flying back and forth. And driving would never work—Tucson was too far away. One thing at a time, she told herself. Just go, see how things go, and worry about money later.
“Teagan?” Aaron said.
“Sorry, I’m here.”
“Do you like that idea?”
“I do. That sounds great. I’ll book the flight tonight.”
“No,” Aaron said. “I’ll book it.”
“What do you mean?”
“It means I got it. Save your money and pay off that tranny.”
“Aaron—”
“I’d have to pay to fly there, right? It’s no different.” When she tried to protest again, he stopped her. “No arguments.”
Teagan giggled. “Yes, Major. And thank you.”
Chapter Sixteen
Three weeks later, Teagan landed at Tucson’s airport on Thursday afternoon. She was so excited to see Aaron, to play with Patton, and even to see the desert again.
It was even prettier than she remembered as she stared out the window on her shuttle ride to Aaron’s house. It was hot out, but the golden earth and dramatic peaks welcomed her, as did the glowing light of the afternoon sun. Aaron had wanted to pick her up, but he had meetings scheduled all afternoon. She was fine on her own, and it gave her time to grade some tests she’d administered that morning.
When she found the key in Aaron’s hidden lockbox and opened his front door, she heard Patton bark several times at the unexpected invasion. But once he saw her, the barking ceased and his brown tail began to wag.
“Hey, boy!” she said, setting down her bag to give him attention. “How are you? Did you miss me?”
Aaron’s home was neat and dark, the shades pulled down to keep it cool inside. She opened one shade to let some light in and put her belongings in Aaron’s room. The place smelled familiar, like clean laundry. She realized she’d only been there one other time, and for less than eight hours. Yet somehow, over the last several months, they’d managed to stay in touch and cobble together something worth pursuing.
Part of her felt nervous. A night here and a camping trip there was one thing, but now they would attempt a relationship. She would begin to see the chinks in Aaron’s shiny armor, and he would see hers. They would have to work around their 900-mile separation, and risk that the distance would come between them.
Her phone beeped. Aaron.
AS: You at the house yet?
TM: Just got here.
AS: Good. Be there around six.
Teagan gave Patton some more attention before she changed, grabbed a soda from the fridge, and sat down to finish grading her giant pile of exams. When a vehicle pulled up outside and Patton ran to the door, Teagan knew it was Aaron. Her heart began to race. She waited on the couch, not wanting to reveal the intense eagerness she felt.
When the door opened, Teagan caught her breath. There stood Aaron, with his fair hair and fit body and blue eyes… in his Army uniform. She stared, shocked at how sexy he looked. She recovered herself and smiled, then stood up to greet him.
“Hey,” he said, shutting the door and giving Patton a quick pet.
Her smile grew wider. “Hey.”
Aaron came over and kissed her. Suddenly, she didn’t feel nervous anymore. She felt happy. “Sorry I couldn’t come get you…”
“Don’t be. I just finished my grading for next week.”
“Good.”
The way he stared at her unnerved her. She could hardly stare back, feeling like a fangirl, swooning over a military uniform like some women swooned over a British accent or an expensive suit. Soon, Aaron’s lips were on hers, and before she knew it, his uniform and her sundress were nothing but piles on his bedroom floor. Afterward, they lay in Aaron’s soft sheets, the AC cooling their sweat.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Aaron said, brushing her hair away from her face.
“Me too. Patton seemed glad to see me, too.”
“He likes you.” He glanced at his watch. “Feel like getting some dinner?”
“Definitely.”
The next morning, Aaron went to work and Teagan spent the day writing. They picked up some steaks and grilled at home that night, sitting on Aaron’s back patio and watching the pink sunset before retreating inside where it was cool.
Saturday, they got up at a decent hour and went hiking at Kartchner Caverns State Park, where they’d first met. The sun was hot but not oppressive as they hiked through the desert scrub and up the gentle hills of the park. About halfway up, two young men and a woman headed their way on the trail. The men sported military haircuts and all three chatted animatedly as they descended the hill, an occasional expletive flying from one of them. When they drew closer, their talking and laughter quieted after spotting Aaron. When Aaron and Teagan reached them, all three immediately stepped aside on the trail and stood up straighter.
“Major,” said the first as he nodded.
“Morning, sir,” said the woman, which was quickly repeated by the third young man.
“Morning,” Aaron said. When Teagan passed them, she merely smiled a little, but each gave her a nod and a brief “ma’am.” There was silence for several more moments, until a reasonable amount of time passed and the threesome commenced their chatter and continued on their way.
Teagan had wondered if Stovi’s praise of Aaron had been mostly to embarrass Aaron, but it was clear he wasn’t exaggerating. Once they reached the top of the hike, they sipped their water, gave some to Patton, and took in the view.
“Well, aren’t you important,” Teagan said, teasing him. Aaron gave a half smile. “How do they know your rank if you aren’t in uniform?”
“They know me. They work at the Intelligence Center.”
“Will they give you shit on Monday about being seen with a lady?”
“Not if they’re smart. They don’t know me well enough to do that.” He paused. “But… they’ll tell others and word will get out.”
“Is that bad?”
He shook his head. “Everyone knows that my marriage is done.”
After grabbing coffee at Blake’s, they drove into Tucson to spend the afternoon and evening there.
“We could take a drive to the mountains,” Aaron suggested. “But the Saturday traffic will suck with everyone heading up there when it’s this hot.”
“Nah. Let’s have fun in Tucson. We can handle a little sweat.”
“Maybe we can do the mountains next time.”
Teagan smiled. He’d mentioned next time, like it was no big deal. Maybe LDRs didn’t suck after all, not with men like Aaron.
They spent the weekend hiking, talking, lounging in bed, and drinking coffee at Blake’s while Aaron read and Teagan squeezed in a few written words. Teagan kept waiting for Aaron to do something annoying, or to pull away and say he “isn’t ready,” or for something to go wrong… but it never happened. With Aaron, it felt as easy as always.
And when Aaron offered to fly to Denver in October, Teagan happily agreed. He said he could swing one day off between trainings, and that his C.O. would look the other way. Teagan smiled, happy that their LDR setup was working so far and let them proceed at a pace that seemed to work for them both.
That October, Aaron held Teagan’s hand as they strolled down her sidewalk, the trees bright gold and orange and the temperature cool enough to warrant long sleeves. They’d just returned from eat
ing burritos at Tio’s after spending a couple nights in the mountains. It was Sunday and she’d have to run Aaron to the airport in a few hours.
When they got back to her place, Ben was sweeping leaves off their shared porch. They stopped to chat, and Teagan went inside while Aaron and Ben talked for a few minutes about military stuff. Once he came inside and joined her on the couch, Teagan snuggled up to him.
“I wish you didn’t have to go,” she admitted.
“Me too.”
Before either could say much more, there was a knock at her door. It sounded nothing like Ben’s knock. Teagan glanced outside her window and saw a familiar black Jetta.
“Fuck,” she muttered.
Aaron glanced outside. “Who is it?”
“My ex.”
He made a face. “What’s he doing here?”
“A few weeks ago, he texted to say he wanted to pick up a few things he left here. But I never heard from him and just forgot about it. Why didn’t I just leave it on the porch?”
“You want me to answer?”
Teagan’s eyes widened. “You would do that?”
Aaron stood up. Teagan went to her kitchen, where Shawn wouldn’t see her, and Aaron opened the door.
Silence. Then Shawn’s voice. “Who the fuck are you?”
“Who the fuck are you?” came Aaron’s deep voice.
“I’m Shawn.”
“And?”
Teagan squelched a laugh.
“And I’m looking for Teagan, dude.” After a long pause, he added, “Is she here?”
“Nope.”
More silence. Teagan smiled, imagining Aaron standing there with his perfect posture and his muscular arms crossed, giving Shawn that steely look he gave, the one that could intimidate anyone.
A sigh. “Did she say anything about me picking up a few things?”
Another pause. “Hold on.” The door shut and Aaron began looking around. Teagan pointed to her closet. Aaron picked up a box and, after getting her thumb’s up, opened the door again. “This the one?”
Shuffling sounds as Shawn looked inside it. “That’s it. Will you tell her I dropped by?”
Afterglow (Four Corners Book 1) Page 11