When he finally pulled into the driveway of his home and saw Courtney’s truck, he felt butterflies erupt. It totally took him by surprise to have this feeling considering that it had not happened since high school.
He also noticed that the yard had a new garden of flowers out front were a patch of rugged bushes had once been. Colorful hanging plants lined the entire porch and alongside of his American flag hanging on the side of the house, there was also now a red Marine Corps flag. And the ultimate touch was the flower stickers on the mailbox around the name Black. These were the things that only a woman could add, and while they were small it made his house look dramatically different – like the people who lived here weren’t miserable.
Getting out of his truck, he left his gear in the cab and nearly ran to the door. When his boot hit the bottom step of his porch, the front door flew open and Cameron came out running.
“Daddy! Daddy!” Cameron exclaimed as he leaped from the top step into his father’s arms.
“Hey, big guy,” Brett said, catching him. He kissed his fat cheeks and looked into his brown eyes. “Wow, you have grown, huh?” he said, looking back at Courtney gratefully. His son looked well, smelled clean and appeared happy. What more could a father ask for?
“I did grow, Daddy,” Cameron said, wrapping his arms around Brett’s neck. “We cooked for you, too. Mommy even bought a cake.”
The sound of his son calling Courtney his mother warmed his heart. “Did you?” he asked, walking up the steps.
Courtney stepped out of the house in a yellow sundress that made her look like spring. The sight of her nearly took his breath away. She was almost iridescent, she was glowing so bright. Her hazel eyes gleamed at him as she reached up and caught his face in his delicate hands. He leaned down and kissed her, slow and passionately while holding Cameron in his arms.
“God, I missed you,” he said, rubbing his hand through her hair. She had worn it down for him in long flowing locks, just like he liked it. And it smelled as fragrant as the new garden and as soft as cotton. He wanted her right then but tried to keep his wits about himself.
“I missed you too,” she said, pulling his hand to her. Her eyes flashed open from the kiss and her smile widened to reveal perfect white teeth. “Come on. We fixed dinner for your welcome-home party.”
Walking into the house, he instantly recognized all the changes that had been made inside as well. It looked like the magazines that she kept in the master bathroom. The walls had been painted, new pictures hung, designer pillows were on the couches, new flower arrangements were on the tables, new rugs on the floor. He wasn’t sure if he should take his shoes off and leave them in the hallway. Everything just looked so perfect.
“Wow…” he said, looking around. “You did all of this?” He was impressed with the complete overhaul. It was well overdue.
“You like it?” she asked with her hands clasped together. Her eyes were bright with excitement. She couldn’t have been happier if she had won a million dollars.
“Of course I like it. It looks…like a home,” he said with a chuckle. It vaguely reminded him of being back in Texas. His mother had put great effort into their little ranch-style home. It was full of trinkets and photos of their long family line. Though, he had never experienced that same type of homey-feel when he moved in with Amy, he remembered it now and was grateful for it.
“I used a little money from the account…” she started to explain.
Brett put his finger over her pouty mouth. “I like it,” he said quietly, looking down at her. He didn’t care how much it cost. It was special because she had done it for him. Amy had never worked to make their house a home. The walls were white, the wall space was empty and the furniture was basic except for the sofa that had been left to him by his mother when she passed. There was little to no effort in their house before, just a few nice things thrown together. Now, he actually had an idea to invite Joe and Judy over for dinner.
Courtney continued with even more enthusiasm. “Mom helped. She actually picked the colors for the walls.”
“It’s perfect.”
“I’m so happy that you like it. I was soooo nervous,” Courtney said, hugging him again. “Now, I have an even bigger surprise. I fixed your favorite. I grilled steaks, corn and baked beans. Plus, I have key lime pie. And I picked you up a six pack of Foster’s beer. I was hoping we could eat dinner and rent a movie with Cameron.”
“All of this for me?” Brett asked as Cameron wiggled out of his arms.
“Of course, it’s for you,” she said with an innocent twinkle in her eyes.
“I don’t know what to say. Thanks,” he said, kissing her again. The food wafted to his nose from the kitchen and he heard his stomach growl.
Courtney looked down and ran her hand over his abdomen. “Sounds like we’re right on time.”
***
The krump of mortars and men screaming in agony woke Brett up. Another nightmare. Even after a great evening. Amazing. When will this ever stop? he asked himself.
Sweating and panting, he sat up quickly from Courtney’s embrace and stared across the dark room at the mirror. He blinked and focused. Wiping a hand over his face, he looked over to make sure he hadn’t stirred her from her sleep in his chaos, but Courtney had not moved. She slept with a peaceful smile on her face, snuggled closely beside him.
He leaned down to study her features in the moonlight, amazed at how soft and feminine she was. Her sleek legs were curled into a half-fetal position. Black hair fanned over the pillow. She still smelled of roses and felt like silk. Unable to help himself, he ran a finger over the side of her hip and watched her flinch.
Unable to sleep, he pulled himself out of the bed and made his way down the hall to check on Cameron. He was asleep as well, holding his teddy bear tight.
Brett closed the door behind him and went to the kitchen to eat some of the leftovers from earlier today. The barbeque had been so succulent until he had eaten until he nearly exploded. Making love after that had been a task in itself, and they had both passed out on the bed after and fell into a deep sleep.
He rifled through the refrigerator and pulled out the Tupperware to fix a plate, then went into the den and turned on the television. The news was on. CNN was reporting on the death of several Marines who had been killed earlier in an attack up in the mountains of Afghanistan. Every single time he heard that it sent chills down his spine and boiled his blood with anger.
Stabbing his fork into his food, he grabbed the remote and turned up the volume. As the names of the fallen crossed the screen, he dropped his knife. Shit. He knew those guys. One of them had dated Amy’s good friend a few years back. He had even had dinner at one of the guy’s house. And now…just like that…they were dead.
The rest of the report fell on deaf ears. Brett sat staring into the television blankly wondering how the families of the men were handling everything right now. He wondered if he still had a number in his cell phone to call and give his condolences. He wondered what the units were doing to counterstrike, and mostly, he wondered if he would make it back from deployment alive.
He still remembered being shot three years ago. He caught the business end of an AK-47 that ripped through his shoulder. Luckily, it was a through and through and no vital organs or tendons where injured. He had still carried a man back, but he died hours later. All he had to show for that was a Purple Heart but he would have happily traded it for Allen’s life.
There were so many close calls before and after that until he couldn’t even remember them all anymore. He couldn’t count the number of firefights or it IED blasts that he had witnessed since the war went down or even explain the sheer frustration of living in a hostile country. Yet, here he was going back.
He prayed to God that he let him come home again this time. The people who were resting upstairs right now had renewed him, given him even more of a purpose than before. It also brought to mind one other important thing. Considering life happened in a blin
k of an eye and considering his profession, why in the hell was he dragging his feet with Courtney? If he died while he was in Afghanistan, he would never be able to come back and do things over. He would never be able to tell her how he truly felt. And he’d never be able to say that he had given her everything. The thought bothered him more than bullets, war or even death.
***
It was Labor Day weekend, and Brett had a 96-hour holiday to enjoy with his family with no interruptions and full pay. He had been waiting for a mini-vacation away from the pains of his job to just be with his family. And now it was finally here. Marines lived for their vacation days when they didn’t have to crawl out of bed before sunrise and work until sunset. The idea of lying in bed on Monday watching television and eating breakfast sounded better than a promotion right now.
Mrs. Lawless had actually asked for Cameron until tomorrow, which meant that he and Courtney had a free day. He still wasn’t sure how he felt about Cameron being around Colonel Lawless for an entire day, but Mrs. Lawless had assured him that everything would be just fine.
He liked her a lot. It was their first meeting and the moment he saw her, he knew that she was one of those high society women with tons of class and education. Still, she was down to earth and loving and had greeted him with a warm hug instead of a handshake. Her eyes had really lit up when she saw Cameron. He ran to her with arms wide opened and called her Grandma Lawless. Brett couldn’t deny he was proud, standing in the restaurant with two of the most beautiful women in Jacksonville and flooded with attention.
“What’s this big surprise you have for me?” Brett asked Courtney after they dropped Cameron off with her mother.
Courtney gave a big smile but kept her eyes on the road. “I’ve been dying to tell you for almost two months now,” she giggled.
“So tell me already,” he said, pinching her side. Leaning in, he kissed her cheek.
“Okay. Okay. Who is your favorite band?”
“Of all time?” he asked with a frown. He sat back in his seat and tried to think.
“No, right now. Who is your favorite band?”
“Um… Kung-Foo Fighters,” he answered, scratching the back of his head.
“That’s what I thought. And guess who’s playing tonight in Wilmington?”
Brett cracked a smile. “Kung-Foo Fighters?”
“That’s right,” she said, turning to him. “And guess who has the best seats in the house.” She raised a brow.
“We do?” Brett asked surprised. “How in the hell did you pull this off?”
“Well, sometimes it pays to be the daughter of a colonel,” Courtney said, raising her brow.
***
The Blues Bar was packed to capacity with Marines, sailors and women. Waitresses moved quickly through the crowd taking orders. The dance floor was covered with couples clinging to each other, kissing and laughing. Some had gathered over by the pool tables on the second floor to play, while others watched the opening act and slammed down beers. There wasn’t an empty space in the entire facility or one person drawing a sober breath.
Brett had not been out in such a large crowd since the last time he came home from Afghanistan. Automatically, he was on guard. Drunk people bothered him. His large hand rested squarely around Courtney’s shoulders as she led him through the crowd to the VIP area. Scanning the room, he couldn’t help but assess possible threats and look for exits. The loud music, flashing lights and overall chaos made him crazy inside.
What did I get myself into? he asked himself as Courtney looked back and smiled.
“We’re right up front!” she shouted and pointed toward the stage. “You won’t miss a thing!”
Brett nodded with a smile and shook his head. He hadn’t missed a thing anyway. Before they could even get inside, Brett had noticed the stares. Some came because Courtney looked absolutely amazing in her denim jeans and black tank top. Some came because they were an interracial couple. And some were directed right at him from other women who raised their brows or gave suggestive smiles as he passed. Some were from guys who thought that they could take him, but he had already sized them up and kicked their asses in his mind before they could finish looking. Not a single movement was lost on him. Every smile, frown, snicker, whisper, glaring stare and sneeze was noticed.
At the front of the club, a tall, muscular bodyguard stood at the red velvet rope with his arms crossed. He looked curiously at Courtney and Brett then picked up his clipboard.
“Name,” he said, looking at the white sheet in front of him.
“Black,” Courtney said as she rose up on her tiptoes. She looked over at Brett, who didn’t crack a smile. Why did weekend tough guys always end up with these jobs? And why did he have to try to tough talk Courtney?
“Okay,” the bouncer said, unclasping the rope. “You’re in the seat right up front. The names are on the front of the chairs. Enjoy.” He looked at Brett as they passed, checking out the Recon tattoo on his arm.
The people on the outside of the rope looked over at them as they entered wondering who they were. To get seats at the front, you had to be very important. And at the moment, Brett felt the part.
They made their way right beside the stage and sat down as the opening band finished up. Brett was highly impressed. He had never been so close during a concert. Normally, he would get nose bleeds, so far away until he could barely make out the people on the stage. However here, he could practically see what kind of socks the lead singer had on. The idea of how cool this all was started to slowly numb the fact that he was around so many people.
“Thanks for this,” he said, leaning in to Courtney.
She crossed her legs and nuzzled her body into his. “You’re welcome. You deserve it.”
“I need to do something special for you. I mean, you’ve been amazing.” He bit his lip. She looked extra hot tonight under the lights. Her glossy, pouty lips begged to be kissed. Her bright hazel eyes gleamed at him with a trust and hope that he had never experienced before, and her body begged him for other things, thing he would happily oblige her with later. Lucky to be with her, he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer. He wanted everyone to know that she was with him tonight.
“You’ve done enough, Brett.” Courtney felt an indescribable happiness. “This isn’t going to be too much for you with the lights and music and everything, is it?”
Brett shook his head and lied. “No. I’m good.”
“Great,” Courtney said with a giggle.
Again another thoughtful thing from her, he thought to himself. Most women would have never thought about that, but she did. And that was what made her special. There was no way that he would ruin this for her tonight. He put his reservations aside and committed to being the best date possible.
A blonde, petite waitress in a pair of the shortest shorts he had ever seen came over and took their order then brought them back their drinks, while Courtney pulled out her camera and snapped a few pictures of them. They were so busy laughing and talking to one another and watching everyone around them that they barely noticed the headliner band’s entrance on the stage. Then the lights went dark.
The sudden change made Brett tense with alarm, but he tried to hide it from Courtney. Holding her hand, he adjusted his eyes in the darkness. Then suddenly with a large boom from the drummer and guitarist, the lights came on and the Kung-Foo Fighters were right in front of them.
The leader singer of the band screamed out, “Hello Wilmington! Are you ready to rock and roll?”
The entire club erupted all at once, and Brett and Courtney were forced to their feet to cheer on the band. Reaching down beside him, the lead singer gave Brett a high five and began singing. Courtney laughed aloud and nuzzled into his chest.
“This is awesome!” Brett screamed. A bright smile pulled at his mouth.
“I know. I love this band,” Courtney screamed back. She snapped another picture of the band and stuck her camera in her back pocket.
Wha
t shocked him most was Courtney. He watched her lips in amazement and realized that she knew all of the songs. With her fist pumping in the air and a bright, carefree smile on her face, she forgot about everyone around her and just had a great time. Her enthusiasm was contagious. With one hand around his beer and the other up in the air, he sang along with the band also, jumping in the air with the rest of the crowd.
For a while, fifty miles from the base, in a club with thousands of people, Brett Black was just a guy. He had no worries or concern. He was young, happy and with an amazing girl on a wonderful date that included his favorite band. What more could he ask for? He had nearly forgotten what such a thing could feel like. Euphoria drowned him. In and out of reality, he moved with the rest of the crowd to the beat as the guitarist laid down a riff that sent chills over his skin.
“This is so fucking awesome!” he screamed to Courtney.
“I know. Right?” she screamed back.
The Grunt Page 19