“Everything’s fine. I’m just surprised to see Braden.”
We sat at the bar for a while chatting and drinking. I kept sneaking looks at Braden. He was handsome. His features had become a lot manlier since we were younger and he had gained a lot of muscle. He obviously worked out quite a bit. His brown hair was cut into the typical military cut just short enough to meet army standards. When I first met him he had longer hair. I knew he must’ve hated cutting his hair off when he joined. He was dressed in jeans, a University of Georgia shirt and black sneakers. Braden’s family was originally from Georgia and he had always been a huge UGA fan. So I wasn’t surprised to see his attire. Then again he could wear whatever he wanted and would still look good. He was one of those guys who were always attractive.
Braden caught me staring at him and asked, “Like what you see, babe?”
“I am not your babe. You can cut that shit right now, Parker. I was just wondering how much you have changed since I saw you last.” I would never admit that I thought he was hot as hell. I was done with men. Braden included.
“Well it’s been what? Eight years? Of course I have changed. Did you think I’d stay a twenty-one year old boy forever? I must say though you are as beautiful as ever, Skye. More so than I remembered. Care to dance?” He held his hand out to me, and I hesitated. “Come on, Skye, I promise I won’t bite. Unless you ask me to.” I kicked his shin and grabbed his hand. There was nothing wrong with a little dancing. Braden and I could be friends. I hated to admit it but I had missed him. Not only had he been my boyfriend but also my best friend. He knew everything about me, and I knew I could always count on him to pick me up when I had a bad day. Maybe that was just what I needed.
Brantley Gilbert’s “Bottoms Up” came on and Braden and I started two stepping. We had always loved to dance and even took classes together. Our bodies were still in sync like nothing ever changed and we didn’t spend the last eight years not talking to each other. All of a sudden Jana Kramer’s “Why Ya Wanna” came on. How fitting.
“How are your parents?” I asked him to distract him from the song.
“My mom died of cancer three years ago. Dad is as healthy as can be but my mom’s death hit him hard. He got out of the army and all he does is sit at home and drink. That’s why I asked to get stationed here. I want to be closer so I can take care of him. He lives here in Savannah. Now that I know you are here it’s even more worth it that I came here.”
“I am sorry about your mom. I know how much you loved her. I adored her and never stopped loving her.”
“But you stopped loving me...”
“Braden, please...”
“Skye, when you walked out on me you shattered my world. I kept hoping that you would change your mind and call me. After a year I realized you had moved on and I wouldn’t see you again. That’s when I joined the army. I had nothing to lose. But I never forgot about you. You’re the one that got away. I missed you so much the last eight years.”
“Walking away from you was never easy on me, Parker.” I was the only person who called him Braden, and he loved that I always called him by his first name. I knew calling him by his last name would let him know that we weren’t what we used to be. I needed that distance. “There were so many times I wanted to call you or write you and apologize. I wanted to beg you to take me back and promise that I would never leave you again. We were so young. We were an ocean away from each other. I couldn’t have done it. I missed you so much too but you are right I eventually moved on like I always did after having to say goodbye.”
“Look, Skye, I am not asking to fall back into a relationship right away but I am not going to lie. Seeing you tonight is doing something to me. I want to spend time with you and see where it goes. I want to take you on dates and hopefully we can be together again.”
“I can’t. Look it’s really nice to see you again. Honestly, I just got out of a nasty relationship. We were engaged and I found out he was cheating. My world is turned upside down right now. I still love him and I think it will be that way for a while. I could use a friend though. I know it’s a lot to ask, but can we just be friends?”
“Friends it is. I’ll take you anyway I can get you, Skye. Your ex is an asshole and if I knew him I would kick his ass for breaking your heart and putting that sad look on your pretty face.”
We danced some more. It felt good knowing that Braden was back in my life even if we would just be friends. I could never allow a man back in my heart. When I left Germany, I left a piece of my heart with Braden and then Oliver broke the rest of it.
Chapter 4
Skye
I woke up to Faith jumping onto my bed the next day. “Go away. It’s too early to get up.” I groaned.
“It’s noon. Get up and tell me all about Mr. McHottie. You guys seemed pretty cozy last night.”
“We were just dancing, Faith. I don’t know if you remember but I just broke up with my cheating fiancé. Braden and I knew each other in Germany.” I pulled my pillow over my head hoping she would get the hint and go away.
“Wait a minute... Is he THE Braden? The one you broke up with because you thought the distance would kill your relationship? Your first love? Braden as in the guy that you never got over even when you were with Oliver?”
Ugh. I forgot Faith knew every little detail of my life and had the best memory ever.
“Yes Braden as in THAT Braden.”
“OMG! That’s so exciting. I bet you two are gonna end up together again.”
“Stop right there. We are not getting back together. I told him about Oliver and what he did. Braden and I are friends, nothing more.”
“But why? You know what they say. The best way to get over a man is to get under a new one. Or in your case an old one.”
“Why are we friends again? Get out!” I glared at Faith. I couldn’t believe that she really thought I would get over Oliver that fast. I loved him.
“Whatever. I saw the way you two looked at each other. The sexual tension was just radiating off of you guys. You can tell me what you want but you are at least going to sleep with him.”
I threw a pillow at her back as she made her way out of my room. I grabbed my phone and saw I had a text from Braden.
Braden: Hey! What are you up to? There’s this movie I have wanted to see. Want to go with me?
Me: Hey. I can’t today.
His response came immediately.
Braden: What about tomorrow?
Me: Some people work you know.
Braden: Skye, I am not asking you to go on a date. I am asking you to go see a movie with me as friends. You’re my movies buddy, remember?
I laughed at his answer. When we first met we always went to the movies together. There wasn’t a whole lot we could do on base so we always opted for that. We referred to each other as “movies buddies”.
Me: Fine. I will meet you tonight. It better not be some horror movie or I will kick your ass.
Braden: Yay! You just made my day. How about we meet at 6pm and grab dinner and then head to the movies? Still not a date. Just two friends catching up.
I agreed to meet him for dinner and the movie. There was nothing wrong with hanging out as friends.
I found Faith and Caige in the living room watching some action movie. I flopped down next to them.
“Any plans for today, babygirl?” Caige asked with a curious look.
“Eh. Braden... Parker and I are meeting for dinner and a movie at 6:00 p.m. Other than that I was just going to hang out with you guys,” I answered.
“I still can’t believe that you know Parker. You’re also the first person that I have heard call him by his first name. You guys must’ve been really close.”
“Caige, are you really that stupid? Parker... Braden, whatever is Skye’s first love she was together with in Germany!” I was going to kill Faith.
“Wait? You’re his Skye? When we met in Kentucky he always talked about you. How the one girl he ever loved walked away
from him. Of course, how did I not put that together last night?” Caige slapped his forehead. I just wanted to disappear. I never thought that Braden would be as hung up on me as I had been on him. I thought he would just move on and find another girl. I wasn’t all that special.
“He’s a good guy, Skye. Maybe you guys should give it a try again?” Caige looked at me expectantly.
“What the fuck is wrong with you guys? I broke up with my fiancé ONE week ago and you’re already trying to get me to go out with another guy. Braden and I are friends. That’s all we will ever be. I am done with men. If you’ll excuse me now I am going to my room to read. I don’t feel like talking to either one of you right now.” I got up and walked away. I was so angry at them. They acted like my relationship with Oliver had never existed. I sat in my reading corner and got lost in one of my books. Reading had always been an escape for me when I wanted to get away from reality.
After a while a knock on my door pulled me out of my book world. The door opened and Caige walked in. I wasn’t really mad at him anymore but I wasn’t going to tell him that.
“I am sorry, babygirl. I didn’t mean to upset you. I should’ve known that you wouldn’t just up and jump into Parker’s arms. It’s just that I want to see you happy again. I know at one point Parker was a huge part of your life. He always talked about you and how much he wished he could find you. Whatever you decide, just promise me that you will be honest with him. He’s been through a lot in the last couple of years. He doesn’t need any more hurt.” Caige put his arm around me and pulled me into one of his hugs.
“I am not going to hurt him. I told him about Oliver the minute we started dancing. He knows everything. I told him that I still loved Oliver and that I didn’t want a boyfriend, but that I could use a friend. He’s okay with that. I’m not gonna lie, Braden was my hardest goodbye. When we were together I always saw us getting married and building a family. However, we were young back then. We didn’t know better. I am glad he is back in my life, but he’s back as a friend. That’s exactly what I need right now.”
“Okay. I am sorry I assumed. You should probably get ready it’s already 4:30. You don’t want to miss dinner!” He hugged me and walked out of my room.
I decided on jeans, boots and a black shirt. We were going out as friends so there was no need to get all dressed up. As I was putting my hair in a ponytail, Faith walked in. Privacy was nonexistent in this apartment.
“Is that what you’re wearing for your date?” I glared at her again. She held up her hands. “I am just kidding. I know it’s not a date. Look I am sorry about earlier. Can we be friends again?”
“We never stopped being friends, dummy. It was my story to tell Caige and I didn’t want him to know yet. It’s too late now but you need to ask me next time before blurting everything out, okay?” I smiled at her. I could never stay angry with my best friends for long–they meant the world to me. I knew they had the best intentions - I just didn’t have the same views on this matter.
I finished getting ready and drove to The Grill where I was supposed to meet Braden. As I was walking up to the restaurant I saw him waiting for me already. He was still wearing his uniform which was weird, but I sure enjoyed the view. There’s just something about a man in a uniform. I needed to get a grip. Braden and I were just friends. Why did I have to keep reminding myself of that?
“Hey, beautiful, I’m sorry I am still in my ACUs but we were released late and I didn’t want to make you wait,” Braden said and hugged me.
“It’s okay. You could’ve just texted me, I would’ve met you a little later. You had to work on Sunday?”
“Well I didn’t want to wait till later, but if you don’t mind I would like to stop at my place on the way to the movies and change. And yeah, some stupid training.”
“No problem. Let’s go inside and eat, shall we?”
Once we were inside we were seated in a quiet corner. The Grill was famous for its burgers so that’s what I decided to order for both of us not giving Braden a chance to look at the menu. After the waiter left I saw Braden laughing at me.
“What’s so funny?”
“You are. What if I don’t like burgers?”
“Are you kidding me? You live for meat. If your mom would’ve let you, you would’ve eaten burgers for breakfast. Trust me these burgers are to die for.”
It should’ve probably surprised me that I still knew Braden so well, but after spending as much time together as we had back in the day it just felt natural.
“You’re right, I love burgers. I am just pulling your chain.” He smiled at me and I was reminded how much I had missed his dimples. “So how have you been in the past eight years after you left Germany?”
“I have been okay. As you know Dad was stationed in Hawaii when we left Germany. I loved it there but I also missed Germany a lot. After that he was stationed here and when he retired he decided Savannah was where he wanted to settle. I was really glad about that. By that time, I had met Faith and Caige and for once I couldn’t imagine leaving friends behind. Those two are my rocks. I graduated from Savannah State University and work for a marketing company now. I love my job. It’s challenging and according to my boss, I am good at what I do. I just landed this huge campaign which is kind of a big deal.”
“That’s great! Of course, I always knew you would be good at whatever you decide to do. You are passionate about everything you do, that’s what I love about you.”
I almost choked on my drink – did he just say the L-word? Clearly I heard him wrong.
“Are you okay? You turned pale all of a sudden?” Braden asked me with concern on his face.
“I am fine. The drink just went down the wrong pipe. So what about you? What have you been doing all these years? Besides the army thing?” I was curious about how Braden had spent the last eight years.
“I haven’t really done much besides the army thing. A year after you left I joined, Mom was devastated. She already had to deal with Dad always being gone now she had to go through the same with me. Don’t get me wrong she was proud of me but I knew she hated the fact that we wouldn’t all be together anymore. I went to basic training and AIT in Ft. Benning while they were still in Germany. It sucked that they couldn’t be there when I graduated but that’s just how life works.
“After that I was stationed to Ft. Bragg. I loved being Airborne, just like Dad. About a year in I deployed for the first time. It was rough but I try not to think about it too much. I was engaged to a girl named Chelsea while I was deployed but when I came back I found out she was cheating on me so I left her. I wasn’t even upset – I had planned on breaking things off anyways. She wasn’t who I wanted to spend my life with. I realized that while I was in Afghanistan and I didn’t miss her at all. After my time in Bragg, I went to Ft. Campbell and from there I ended up here.
“I’m no longer in an Airborne unit since there isn’t one here, but I am okay with that. Jumping out of planes got old anyways. All I care about is that I’m close to Dad and can take care of him. He needs me here. Mom’s death has been rough on him. I feel like he took his last breath with her three years ago.”
“I am so sorry about that, Braden. I feel so bad for not being there for you through all this.” I reached out to touch his hand and instantly regretted it when I felt a familiar sensation go through me. By the look on Braden’s face, he had felt it too. I was in so much trouble.
“Don’t feel bad. It’s in the past. Though I can’t say I didn’t often wish that I could talk to you about all that but what matters is that you are here now. I am so glad I found you again, Skye. I missed you.”
“I missed you too, Braden. I hate that I was so selfish and stayed away. Back then I couldn’t handle just being friends with you. I had loved you so much. I hated my dad for taking me away but I realize now that it wasn’t his fault. It’s just how life is in the army.”
“What about now? We could be more than friends.”
“Braden, we already
went over this. I just left my fiancé. Granted he was a cheating asshole, but I am still not over it. If you can’t be my friend maybe it’s better if I leave now. I don’t want to lead you on.” I put the napkin I was holding down and was getting ready to get up and leave.
“Stop! I don’t want you to leave, Skye. I’m sorry I shouldn’t have gone there again. I can do friends. I... I had just hoped that you felt the same thing I am feeling.” I could see the hurt in his eyes and I hated myself for putting it there. How could he still feel that way about me after all those years? After I walked away from him and gave up on us? He couldn’t possibly still be in love with me – we broke up forever ago.
“Okay, I will stay. But if you ever feel like you can’t do this and can’t simply be friends please let me know. I really do not want to hurt you, Braden. I might be damaged from what Oliver put me through but I am not heartless and I care about you. I always have.”
“I already told you I will take you anyway I can get you. I would rather cut my tongue off than risking you walking away from me again. I didn’t only miss my girlfriend I missed my best friend as well.”
I was glad that Braden agreed to be friends. As much as I was still attracted to him, being friends was all I could handle at the moment. I thought I was going to marry Oliver. There was no way I would get over that any time soon. The wounds were still too fresh and I doubted I would ever heal from them.
“Have you seen Fast and Furious 6 yet?” Braden interrupted my thoughts of Oliver.
“No I haven’t. I have wanted to see it but haven’t had the time to go.”
“Okay, Fast and Furious it is. We should probably head out considering I still have to go home and change. The movie starts at 9:00 p.m.”
I looked at my watch and noticed two hours had flown by in no time. Spending time with Braden had always had that effect. When we were together time went by fast, sometimes too fast.
Braden refused to let me pay for my dinner and once he covered the bill we left the restaurant.
Rediscovering Peace (Military Love Book 1) Page 6