From War to Forever

by Andria Large

  Tucker finishes taking a bite, chews, and swallows before asking, “What are you talking about?”

  “I feel like you two are more than just best friends or something.” I shrug, watching him closely.

  I’m very perceptive. He can’t hide from me very long. He really should know better than to lie to me.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Tucker answers, playing stupid instead.

  I roll my eyes. “Man, now you are straight-up fibbing. I was trying not to embarrass you, but I heard moaning and shit last night from your room. I know there was no woman in there, and you were not alone. Gee, who else could it have been? Hmm, I wonder.” I tap my chin with my index finger.

  Of course, Tucker was taking a drink of his soda when I said that, so he ends up choking on it. His eyes water as some of the soda probably goes up his nose. He grabs a napkin and presses it to his mouth and nose as he continues to cough. Once he gets himself under control, he looks to me as I’m waiting with an expectant expression on my face. He blushes a million shades of red and averts his eyes. I wave my hand in his face to make him pay attention to me.

  “Are you guys… together? As in a couple?” I sign.

  “No. I… we… it’s…. I don’t know what it is yet,” he stutters and scrubs a hand over his flushed face.

  Holy shit! No way. He is with Dennis. “How did it happen? I didn’t know you were attracted to guys.”

  “I’m not…. I mean, it’s only Dennis, not any random guy. And it started when Dennis was having a shit night and I went to his room to comfort him a bit. We ended up kissing, and it was fucking hot, and ever since then, he’s been all I can think about,” he blurts out.

  I blink, my mouth open in shock. For once I’m actually speechless. Wow. Just wow.

  “It’s still new and weird, and I don’t understand it,” he rambles.

  I lean forward, my hands flat on the table, as if I’m going to tell him a secret. “Did you two fuck each other in the ass?” I ask, deadpan. This conversation has gotten too serious for me.

  Tucker bursts out laughing. “No! It hasn’t gotten that far yet.”

  “Yet?” I squawk.

  His face darkens. “Well, I mean, I don’t know if it ever will…,” he rushes to say.

  I sit back in my chair and look him over. Do I care if my best friend is sleeping with a dude? Nope, not one bit. Tucker fidgets in his seat as he seems to wait for me to say something.

  “You deserve to be happy, Tucker. I’m gonna have your back no matter what. You know this,” I tell him with a soft smile.

  “Really? You’re okay with this?” he asks hopefully.

  “Of course I am, asshole. You’re still my friend even if you want to suck a dick,” I scoff.

  He chuckles and shakes his head. “Thanks, I think.”

  “I totally get why you like Dennis. He’s a complete stud muffin,” I tease, batting my eyelashes at him.

  “You’re an ass.” He snorts.

  “And you’re gay, so I think we’re even.”

  “Douchebag.” He laughs before sobering. “Can you please not say anything to Dennis about you knowing? I don’t know if he wants to share this or not.”

  “Dang it, I really wanted to bust his balls.” I give him an exaggerated frown, because dammit, I wanted to!

  “Duke, please.”

  “All right, all right. I’ll keep it quiet for now.” I sigh.

  “Thank you.”

  We continue to eat. After a few minutes of silence, Tucker drops the big question. “So what are you going to do about Aimee now you have your proof?”

  “I’m going to go home, pack all of her shit up, toss it outside, change the locks, then file for divorce,” I say with a sneer. Stupid bitch.

  “I don’t think you can legally just kick her out like that. I think you have to give her time to find somewhere else to live.”

  “Well, if she doesn’t want her family knowing about her little indiscretion, then she won’t make a fuss, and believe me, she will care greatly. Her father is a Baptist pastor.”

  Tucker grimaces. “Yeah, that could be bad for her. So are you going to leave tomorrow, then?”

  “Tonight. I have a lot of shit to pack before she gets home tomorrow night. Plus, I don’t want to interfere with your budding sex life.” I snicker.

  He flips me the bird. I laugh.

  After we finish up and pay, Tucker and I head back to the condo to hang out for a little bit before I have to leave.

  DENNIS

  I END up staying almost the whole day with Lizette and Beau at their place. Lizette insisted I have dinner with them too. I actually had a really good time and am glad I went over today. I’d just hit the button for the elevator to take me up to my condo when the one next to it opens. Duke steps out, his bag slung over his shoulder. His expression is less than welcoming.

  “Hey, you leaving?” I ask, getting his attention.

  His face softens slightly when he sees me, and he nods. “Yeah, got some shit to take care of at home.”

  “Okay. It was good to meet you, man.” I offer my hand. Whether I mean it or not is another story, because I’m not so sure about him yet.

  Duke smirks dubiously and shakes it. “You too, Dennis. Hey, listen, Tucker did end up telling me why you were in the hospital.”

  “Oh.”

  “Yeah. No judgment here, bro. Been in your shoes a couple of times. I sliced open my wrists,” he murmurs and holds out his arms for me to see the raised, pink, vertical scars on each wrist. Shit, he wasn’t kidding that he had tried to kill himself.

  This gives me a whole new perspective and respect for the guy.

  “Do you still feel the need to do it, to finish the job?” I ask, wanting to know if I’m ever going to feel like that again. Duke seems like he’s pretty solid. I would never have guessed he had tried to kill himself. But we never really know what’s going on in someone else’s head, now do we?

  Duke shrugs. “Every now and then I hit a rough patch, but my family and friends are always there when I need them.”

  “That’s good,” I say quietly, genuinely grateful he has a strong support system.

  He shoves his hands in his pockets and looks away. I can tell it took a lot for him to open up like that to someone he just met the other day. Dammit, how can I not like the guy now?

  “Thanks for sharing that with me,” I tell him.

  He looks back at me, his cocky arrogance gone, replaced by absolute seriousness. “If you ever need someone to talk to, someone who’s been in the same boat, just get my number off Tucker and call me. I mean it.”

  I’m taken aback by the offer of support. I can only gape at him for a minute before I find the words. “Wow, thank you. I really appreciate that. I will definitely give you a call if I need to, which I hope I won’t.”

  He smiles slightly. “Yeah, I seriously hope I never hear from you.”

  “You know, that offer goes both ways.”

  He nods gratefully. “Thanks, Dennis.”

  “Be careful driving, Duke.”

  “I will.”

  We clasp hands and bump shoulders. Did I just make a new friend? How weird was that?

  We part ways, and I hop on the next elevator. I walk into the condo and see Tucker sprawled out on the couch, shirtless, watching TV. My heart skips a beat, and my cock takes notice of how sexy he looks. He glances over at me.

  “Hey, Duke just left. Wanted me to tell you that he said good-bye,” he says.

  “Yeah, I saw him downstairs.”

  “Oh, good.” He smiles.

  I slowly make my way over to the couch. Tucker watches me curiously the whole time. I stop next to his hip and let my finger lightly trail along the waistband of his underwear that’s showing. His abs contract and his pupils dilate. Damn, he’s just gorgeous. I slip off my shoes and straddle him. I yank my shirt over my head and toss it behind the couch somewhere. Tucker’s hands wander over my stomach and up to my chest
. I hum low in approval even though he can’t hear me. He can probably feel the vibrations, though. I close my eyes and let him explore. His hands move over my shoulders, then back to my chest. It’s nice to know we are completely alone now.

  He unexpectedly sits up and grabs my face before kissing me hard. I groan into his mouth as he forces his tongue between my lips. I shove my hands into his wild hair and give as good as I’m getting. Tucker wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me up against him. He breaks away from our kiss and drags his mouth down to my neck. I hiss as he nips at the skin just under my ear. I tilt my head to the side to give him better access. His stubble scrapes my skin as he moves down, sending shudders of pleasure through me. I never thought facial hair could be so erotic.

  I don’t know how it happens, but I’m suddenly on my back with Tucker on top of me, leaving a hot, wet trail of kisses down my neck to my chest. He hovers over my nipple for a second before flicking it with his tongue. A jolt of pleasure goes right to my dick, which is already throbbing in my jeans. He does the same to my other nipple before continuing to move lower. He takes his time making his way down my body, kissing and licking and nipping. And every little thing he does sends shocks of electricity straight to my groin. My skin is on fire and my heart is thundering. He gets to my jeans and undoes them.

  I pat him on the head to get his attention, because no way he’s doing what I think he’s doing. He looks up my body at me.

  “What?”

  “What are you doing?” I ask, semipanicked.

  “Taking your pants off?”

  “Yeah, but your face is really close to the goods.”

  He gives me a bland look. “That’s because I was planning on using my mouth some more.”

  I blink and swallow hard. No. Fucking. Way. “You what?”

  “Dennis, just shut up and let me take advantage of you, will ya?” He grunts and rolls his eyes, then goes back to work on my jeans.

  My mind spins. Tucker wants to give me a blowjob. If someone had told me when we met that Tucker would end up blowing me, I would have laughed right in their face. Before I get the chance to overanalyze this, my jeans are gone, along with my underwear. I look down—Tucker is lying on his stomach between my legs, and his upper half is propped up on my thigh and hip. My cock is resting on my lower stomach, hard and throbbing. Tucker wraps his hand around my shaft, lifts my cock off my stomach, and strokes me slowly. My breath catches at the sight alone. I watch his movements out of curiosity.

  Tucker glances at me before he brings my dick closer to his mouth and swirls his tongue around the head. I’m pretty sure my eyes roll back in my head and every curse known to man comes out of my mouth. I think I actually blacked out for a second there too, because the next thing I realize is that his mouth is completely wrapped around me and he’s sucking away like he’s done it a million times before. I am so not lasting long!

  Oh my fucking God! I seriously think he’s trying to kill me with pleasure. My fingers are tangled in his hair, and I can’t unglue my eyes from the glorious scene between my legs. Those lips wrapped around my dick—holy hell! I wish he could hear me right now, because I don’t think even I can believe some of these noises coming out of me.

  My orgasm comes hard and fast. I grip his hair with one hand, shoving his head back while I take my cock in the other and stroke furiously. Tucker tries to fight against my hand, but no way in hell am I going to come in his mouth for his first time. He finally gives up, dips his head down, and pulls one of my balls into his mouth. I fucking explode like never before. I cry out so loudly I won’t be surprised if a neighbor knocks on our door, wondering what the hell is going on. My whole body jerks with the force of my orgasm. Jizz shoots up to my neck when normally it doesn’t go past my ribs. I slow my hand as I come down from my high, my muscles twitching involuntarily.

  “Did I do okay?” Tucker asks smugly, his lips brushing mine.

  When the fuck did he move?

  “Fuck. You.”

  Tucker laughs and kisses me a few times. He backs up a little so we can look at each other better.

  “I can’t believe you just did that,” I pant, still trying to catch my breath.

  “Me neither.” He chuckles.

  “Best one I’ve ever had,” I murmur.

  “Seriously?” he asks in surprise.

  “Swear. Are you sure you’ve never done that before?” I tease.

  He smirks. “I’m sure.”

  He gives my cheek a pat before getting up and going to the kitchen. The water runs for a second before he returns with a wet paper towel and cleans me off.

  “Surprisingly you missed the couch and just came all over yourself.” He laughs.

  “That was sheer skill, my friend,” I scoff.

  He barks out a laugh. “Who the hell knew you had a sense of humor?”

  I give him a dry look that has him laughing all over again.

  “I can be very fucking funny, I’ll have you know,” I tell him.

  “Mmm-hmm,” he hums, placating me.

  He finishes cleaning me up, leans down, kisses me on the lips, then goes to throw out the paper towel. I can barely keep my eyes open after that. Tucker returns and helps me into my underwear before tugging the cushions off the couch and tucking himself between me and the back. I wrap my arm around him as he snuggles against me with his head on my chest. We both sigh contently, and I let my eyes drift closed.

  Chapter Six

  DENNIS

  KILL ANYTHING that moves. That’s my main objective right now. These motherfuckers took my wife, and I will kill every last one of them. I come to the end of the hall where the only thing standing between Zara and me is a wooden door. The door opens like it always does, but instead of the guy I know I kill standing there, it’s Zara. I stare for a moment, not understanding the scene in front of me. Zara is there in the middle of the dirty, dank room, but her body isn’t bruised and broken anymore. She’s in a beautiful, flowing, white dress, looking as gorgeous as ever. Her blonde hair is blowing in a breeze I don’t feel. She is smiling brightly at me.

  “Zara?” I ask in confusion.

  “Hello, love,” she says in her lovely British accent.

  “What? I… you…. I don’t understand.” I struggle to find the words.

  She walks toward me, stops in front of me, and cups my face in her warm hands. “Oh, my darling, Dennis, it’s time for you to move on now.”

  “I’ve been trying, babe. It’s not easy. I miss you so much,” I croak, brushing my knuckles against her soft cheek.

  “I miss you too. But you need to be happy. I want you to be happy,” she says with a soft smile as she glides her fingertips along my jawline.

  “I’m trying.”

  “I can see you’ve found love again,” she says.

  “Who? You mean Tucker?”

  She nods. “You two are meant to be together.”

  “We are?” I raise an eyebrow.

  She laughs quietly. “Yes, sweetheart, you are.”

  I close my eyes for a moment, drinking in the sound of her laughter. I’ve missed it so much. When I open my eyes and look at her, she’s watching me with such adoration and love and acceptance.

  “Are you okay with us being together?”

  “Yes. You make each other happy. You are a better person when you are with him,” she replies.

  I sigh and rest my forehead against hers. “I was a better person with you too. I should have worked harder to save you.”

  “You did everything you could, Dennis, and I am grateful. I will always love you. I will always be here for you. I’m happy with where I am now. We just weren’t meant to be together forever.”

  “Are you saying Tucker and I are meant to be together forever?” I frown.

  “Yes,” she replies with a brilliant smile as she caresses my arms.

  “But I wanted my forever to be with you.”

  She shakes her head slightly. “It wasn’t meant to be, love. We are both wh
ere we are supposed to be now, and this is your future. Love him with your whole heart and soul as you did me. Promise me.”

  I stare at her in shock. She wants me to promise to love Tucker as much or more than I loved her?

  “Promise me,” she repeats with a pointed look.

  I nod slowly. “I promise.”

  She leans in and brushes her lips over mine. I kiss her softly as she slowly fades away.

  I OPEN my eyes and look around, half expecting to see Zara standing next to me. The room is dark except for the light coming from the TV, which is still on. My heart races as I replay the dream in my head. It was so vivid that if I didn’t wake up, I would have thought it really happened. I guess she needed to tell me she’s okay and wants me to move on, live my life, and be happy. I feel oddly relieved.

  A warm hand snakes up my stomach. I turn my head toward Tucker, who is still asleep tucked up against the back of the couch. I nuzzle my face into his mop of curls and sigh. Zara said I found love again. Could she be right? I know I love him. He’s my best friend; how could I not? But am I in love with him? It’s possible. I never thought I’d ever love anyone else, let alone a man. The way I feel about him is definitely deeply emotionally involved.

  My cell phone rings, yanking me out of my thoughts. It’s in the pocket of my jeans, which are on the floor. Great. I squirm out from under Tucker and sit up on the edge of the couch. After scooping up my jeans and pulling my phone from the pocket, I answer without looking at the screen.

  “Hello?”

  “Boy! It’s your father,” Dennis Sr. slurs.

  Big mistake. Oh fuck me!

  “Hey,” I mutter.

  “Listen, boy, your mother and I are on the verge of being kicked out of our apartment. We need rent money,” he states.

  “Maybe you should get a job, then.”

  “You watch your tone with me, boy!” he snarls.

  “I’m not giving you money for two reasons. One, I don’t have any money to give you, and two, you would just spend it on more booze instead of paying your rent.”

  “Don’t give me that crap about you don’t have any money! That’s bullshit! I know you have something, otherwise you would be living on the street!”