From War to Forever

by Andria Large

  When are you coming?

  Next weekend.

  Okay, just hit me up when you’re on your way.

  Will do. Thanks, bud.

  Np.

  Something’s not right. Duke was way more subdued and serious than usual. I wonder if it has anything to do with his wife. I know she travels a lot with her job. Would she be stupid enough to cheat on him? I mean, this is what the man does for a living! God, I hope that isn’t the case. This is Duke’s second marriage. His first was to his high school sweetheart. They got married right before he went into boot camp, so they were really young. Two years into the marriage, he found out she had been cheating on him while he was deployed. He was heartbroken. Then he met Aimee when he was home for a year between deployments, fell in love, and married her after only eight months. They’ve been married for five years now. I don’t know if he could handle being cheated on again, if that’s the case.

  After work, I head to the hospital to see Dennis. I stop in the doorway to his room. He’s standing in front of the window, staring out, his hands resting on the sill. His dark hair is a mess, and he’s wearing his own clothes—a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. I fight the urge to go to him, wrap him up in my arms, and kiss the shit out of him.

  “Hey, man,” I say softly.

  Dennis glances over his shoulder at me. I see his mouth move to form a hi. He looks tired and emotionally drained. I make my way over to him. After stopping next to him, I slip my arm around his tense shoulders.

  “How you holding up?” I ask.

  He shrugs.

  I frown. I hate that he feels so shitty and there is nothing I can do to help. “Did you sleep at all last night?”

  “Not really,” he signs to me.

  I sigh. I gotta ask the nurse to talk to the doctor about giving him something to help him sleep. He’ll never get better if he doesn’t get a good night’s sleep, and God knows he’s too stubborn to ask for something himself.

  Suddenly he turns and envelops me in a tight hug, tucking his face in the crook of my neck. I’m stunned for a second before I wrap my arms around him and hold him close. I smooth my hand over the back of his hair, over and over to try to soothe him. I feel him pull in a shaky breath. My heart aches for him. I’ve had my fair share of problems with PTSD, but I’m nowhere near where Dennis is.

  “It’s okay. You’re gonna be okay,” I murmur into his hair.

  He nods against my neck and squeezes me tighter.

  When Dennis finally pulls back, his eyes are bloodshot and watery. Damn, I hate it when he gets this upset. He roughly scrubs his hands over his face before shoving the heels of his palms into his eyes. I grab the box of tissues off the table and hold it out for him. He takes a couple and blows his nose.

  “Do you need anything? Is there anything I can do for you?” I ask.

  Dennis hesitates, and I know there is something that he needs but is afraid to ask for.

  “What is it?” I urge.

  “Can you… can you lie with me for a while?” he signs.

  “Shit, of course,” I reply.

  We crawl into the bed and shuffle around until we get comfortable. We are both on our sides, Dennis with his back to my front. I wrap my arms around him and hold him tight against me. He heaves a big sigh before settling back. It only takes a couple of minutes for him to fall asleep. I smooth my hand over his hair and pray that he gets better soon.

  I can’t stand to see my best friend struggling like this. I lie there with him for a good hour before I quietly extract myself from the bed. I hate to leave him here alone, but visiting hours are almost up. I kiss his temple before heading out to the nurses’ station. The nurse who interrupted us yesterday is sitting there, typing something into the computer. She glances up when she notices me standing there.

  She smiles warmly. “Hi, Tucker. How can I help you?”

  “Hey, do you think that it’s possible to give Dennis a little something to help him sleep tonight? He said that he barely slept at all last night.”

  “Oh, sure. I’ll write a note in his chart for the doctor. Don’t worry, we’ll make sure he gets some rest tonight,” she says.

  I send her a grateful smile. “Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.”

  She returns the smile. “You’re welcome.”

  Feeling somewhat satisfied that Dennis will be taken care of tonight, I head home.

  Chapter Four

  DENNIS

  HOSPITALS ARE depressing. How can they expect me to get better in here? I just want to go home. I’m on my meds, I’ve found a new, better therapist, and I don’t want to kill myself anymore. I think I should be okay to go. Now if only I can convince my doctors to discharge me. I’ve been here for a week and a half already.

  I glance at the clock—5:45 p.m. Tuck should be out of work by now. He usually comes right over. Wonder what’s holding him up? I sigh and go back to staring out the window. He’s probably tired of coming here every day. I don’t blame him. This is draining for me; it has to be for him also.

  The door to my room opens a few minutes later and in walks Tucker followed by some guy I don’t know. Tucker is in his sweatpants and a tank, which means he went home to change before coming here. The other guy looks like a tool. His light brown hair is cut in a military buzz, and from what I can see, his eyes are either green or hazel. He has an arrogant expression on his handsome face, which rubs me the wrong way. He’s a big guy, taller than Tucker, maybe my height, if not an inch or so taller. His black Tapout T-shirt is stretched tightly over his muscled chest, and his jeans are worn and slung low on his lean hips. And why the fuck am I checking him out? Okay, not checking him out, more like sizing him up.

  A flash of jealousy rushes through me. Who is this guy and what is he to Tucker? Are they better friends than Tucker and me? I know some of Tucker’s friends from work. This guy isn’t one of them. Maybe he’s one of his Marine buddies?

  “Hey, Denny. How you doing today?” Tucker asks me with a warm smile.

  “All right,” I say slowly, still eyeing up the newcomer.

  Tucker notices and offers an introduction. “Dennis, this is Duke Tavish. Duke, this is Dennis.”

  Holy shit! This is Duke? The Duke who was with Tucker the day he lost his hearing? Fuck me, they definitely have some history together. The green two-headed jealousy monster roars at him. How can I compete with this guy? He and Tucker have been bonded with blood.

  Duke gives me a cocky smirk and sticks out his hand. “Heard a lot about ya, man. Good to finally meet you.”

  I shake his hand. “Yeah, you too.”

  What has Tucker told him about me? How much does he know? Tucker only told me a few stories about the man standing next to my bed. I just assumed they remained friends, but I have no idea how close they still are. Tucker is the only friend I have. All of my friends died the day I lost my leg. Well, I have Beau too, but I’m closer to Tucker because of our similar pasts.

  “Duke is going to be in town for a little while. I told him that he can stay with us. I hope you don’t mind,” Tucker says, interrupting my thoughts.

  I flip my eyes up to meet his. I try to keep my face as blank as possible. Duke is staying with us in our condo? What the fuck?

  “Uh, yeah, sure, whatever,” I mutter. Like I have a choice? He’s one of Tucker’s best friends, dammit!

  Duke grins like the Cheshire Cat. Cocky bastard.

  “Have the doctors said anything about when you’re getting out of here?” Tucker asks.

  “Maybe Monday?” I offer. That’s what they told me this morning. It’s Friday, and not that I want to stay here a few more days, but I think I can handle it.

  “That would be great.” He smiles and drops his hand to my shoulder, then gives it a squeeze.

  I turn my attention back to Duke. “Why are you in town?”

  He shrugs. “Got some business to take care of.” His tone suggests he won’t be telling me what that business is.

  I hate t
o think bad about one of Tucker’s friends, but I think Duke is kinda douchebaggy. I turn back to Tucker to find him studying me. I raise a questioning eyebrow.

  “How are you really? I could try to talk the doctor into releasing you into my care if you think you’re ready. Be honest with me,” he says seriously, his bright blue eyes searching mine.

  I nod. “I think I’m okay. No bad thoughts the past couple of days. I think I’d be even better at home.”

  “I’ve taken all of your guns and locked them in my safe. I changed the code so you can’t get to them.”

  I clench my jaw and glance at Duke—who is pretending not to pay attention to our conversation as he looks around the room. Does he know why I’m here? Do I really care if he knows?

  “Hey, focus on me,” Tucker says, leaning over to block my view of Duke. “Are you sure you’re ready?”

  I nod again. “I’m ready. This place is depressing. I need to get out of here.”

  “Okay, let me go see if I can talk to your doctor.” Tucker claps Duke on the shoulder as he heads out of the room.

  Great, I’m alone with Duke. How awkward.

  “Did he tell you why I’m here?”

  “Nope, and I don’t care. None of my business,” Duke replies, crossing his arms over his chest.

  Ooookay. I don’t think this can get any more awkward. Why am I even trying to engage in conversation with this guy anyway? I scrub a hand over my face. Shit, I need a shower. I need a haircut too.

  The silence stretches on for a good ten minutes before Tucker returns with a smile. I hope that’s a good sign.

  “Well?” I ask him.

  “The doctor said he will release you tomorrow morning,” Tucker says.

  I close my eyes and drop my head back in relief. “Thank God.” I sigh.

  Tucker threads his fingers through the hair on top of my head. He grabs it and gives my head a shake. I open my eyes and look up at him. He’s smiling from ear to ear, clearly as happy as I am.

  “I’ll be back in the morning to pick you up,” he says.

  “Okay.” I smile for the first time in what feels like forever.

  He leans down and kisses me on the top of my head. He then gives my face a smack as he moves away. Duke heads for the door without a word. Dickhead. Tucker follows him out. I try to rein in my jealousy. Tucker has every right to have other friends. It’s just that he’s been the center of my world for the past couple of years. We’ve been through so much together, so it kinda stings that I’m not the center of his and he has other people who are closer to him than I am.

  DUKE

  “I DON’T think your buddy was too fond of me,” I sign to Tucker. I made it a point to learn sign language when I realized he wasn’t going to get his hearing fixed.

  Tucker gives me a curious look. “Why would you think that?” he asks as we walk out of the hospital and back to my car.

  “I don’t know. I could just tell that he wasn’t happy about us being friends or something.” I shrug. It was obvious in the jealousy written all over his face. I guess Tucker didn’t see it.

  He rolls his eyes. “Yeah, well, you weren’t much of a help. Why do you gotta act all surly like that?” He chuckles.

  I throw my head back and laugh. I turn my gaze back toward him so he can read my lips. “He’s an easy target.”

  Tucker shakes his head, his smile fading. “Lay off Dennis, all right, man? He’s not in the right frame of mind right now,” he says, making a pointed glance in the direction of my hands.

  My smile instantly drops. Knowing exactly what he’s hinting at, I look at my wrists, which are scarred from when I sliced them open and almost bled out a year earlier. I nod solemnly.

  “I didn’t know.” I would never intentionally mess with someone who’s suffering from depression and has tried to kill themselves. That shit is no joke.

  He pats me on the back. “I know.”

  We climb into the car and head back to the condo. When we get there, we are both hungry and decide on pizza and wings. Tucker does his usual, which is place an order online from their local pizza joint. He makes it a delivery because neither of us feels like going back out to pick it up.

  Tucker flops down on the couch. “So, are you gonna tell me what’s going on?”

  I purse my lips and nod reluctantly. I sit next to him on the couch, turning slightly to face him so he can see my mouth. I really hate that I even have to admit this has happened to me again.

  “Aimee is cheating on me,” I state, shoving away the pain because I’m not ready to deal with it just yet.

  Tucker lets out a heavy sigh and rakes his hand down his face. “Are you sure?”

  I give him a grim nod. “I saw texts on her phone, sexting-type texts with one of the guys from her company who works out of the Manhattan office. She meets him when she goes on her business trips.”

  “Fuck, man, I’m sorry,” he murmurs.

  I shake my head. “Fucking bitch. I just can’t believe she’s dumb enough to think I wouldn’t find out. I mean, I’m a fucking private investigator, for Christ’s sake.”

  “Maybe she thought she was safe because it was out of state?”

  “I don’t know, and I don’t care. I’m going to follow them and get some pictures for some hard evidence before I confront her about it.”

  “I knew it. I knew when you said you were coming that this was the reason,” he says with disgust.

  “I guess I’m not meant to be married,” I mutter in resignation.

  “You just haven’t found that right person yet,” Tucker offers.

  I give him a bitter smile. “Yeah, well, I don’t think I’ll ever trust another woman. That’s two now who have cheated on me. Fuck this relationship crap. I’m done with it.” Two failed marriages is enough for me. I’m over it.

  He nods in understanding. Really, what else can he say? Nothing is going to make this situation any better.

  “And Aimee is going to wish she never met me,” I say, my top lip lifting in a sneer.

  DENNIS

  I JUST pulled on my T-shirt when there is a knock on the door right before it opens. I turn to see who it is. My heart gives a little flutter when I see Tucker. And he’s alone. He smiles brightly, his blue eyes sparkling. Shit, he’s fucking gorgeous when he smiles at me like that. His mop of wavy, dark hair is a mess as usual, and he looks as though he hasn’t shaved today.

  “Hey, Denny,” he says happily as he makes his way over to me. We clasp hands, then hug. Tucker holds me tight for a moment. “I’m really glad you’re coming home today,” he says softly.

  He lets me go, and I smile slightly. “Yeah, me too.”

  After signing release papers and grabbing my shit, we walk out of the hospital to my car. The VA hospital is definitely something we need to drive to since it’s in Manhattan, which is about a forty-minute drive from where we live in Brooklyn. I climb into the driver’s seat and pull in a deep breath. I feel much lighter now I’ve walked out of those doors. I close my eyes and drop my head back against the headrest. Tucker puts his hand to my shoulder and gives it a squeeze.

  “You okay?” he asks.

  I roll my head to look over at him. I smile. “Yeah, I’m good.”

  His eyes search mine before they dip down to… my mouth? My stomach flips, but I can’t tell if it’s nervousness or excitement over the fact it seems Tucker wants to kiss me. Do I want him to kiss me? Yeah… yeah, I do. Tucker’s tongue darts out, wetting his bottom lip. My eyes are immediately drawn to it. Damn, I wanna bite it. Shit… fuck… shit…. What is going on?

  The hand that Tucker has on my shoulder moves in a flash. He grabs the back of my neck and yanks me forward, meeting me halfway and crushing his mouth against mine. I suck in a sharp breath at what feels like electricity shooting through me. I cup his jaw, preventing him from backing away. I’ve wanted this for over three weeks now, and I won’t let it be over before I’m ready.

  We open our mouths at the same time. Our to
ngues meet and twine together. Tucker’s chin stubble scrapes against mine as we continue to ravage each other’s mouths. Fuck, I’m ready to yank him across the seat just to get closer to him. I shove my free hand into his hair, my fingers getting tangled in his curls. Tucker moans into my mouth, and a jolt of pure lust races down to my cock. Fuck, this is the hottest kiss I’ve ever been a part of!

  With one hand clutching the back of my neck, Tucker uses his other hand to explore my chest. I’m sure he can feel my heart trying to bang its way out. If that wasn’t bad enough, my cock is trying to shove its way through my pants. Not only is this kiss molten-lava hot, it is also bringing to life emotions I thought no longer existed inside me.

  A horn beeping in the distance has me ripping myself away. Tucker blinks and glances around the parking garage before turning back to me. My breath catches at the gorgeous sight in front of me. Tucker looks as if he’s been thoroughly fucked. His hair is a wild mess from my hand, his eyes are heavy-lidded with desire, his lips are swollen and darker than normal, and the skin around his mouth and chin is pink from stubble burn. And damn does it suit him.

  “What happened?” he asks.

  “A horn beeped, startled me,” I say.

  Tuck reaches down and shifts his hard-on so he’s not sporting a tent.

  “That was hot,” he grunts, his eyes landing on my lips again.

  “Fuck, man, stop looking at my mouth.” I chuckle and give him a shove.

  He laughs. “I can’t help it. I’ve been thinking about kissing you again ever since that first time in your bed.”

  “Yeah, me too,” I admit softly.

  Tucker nods at the keys in the ignition. “Let’s get out of here, huh?”

  I can’t help but agree. I turn on the car and make my way out of the parking garage.

  I tap Tucker’s thigh so he looks at me. “So where is Duke?” I ask once I make my way onto a main street.