“Nothing. Just trying to make nice, like I said I would.”
When he saw Jace’s head swivel around, his gaze locking off to the left, Brian followed his line of vision. Dani was climbing out of the pool. Brian was happily engaged to the most beautiful woman in the world, but even he could recognize how great she looked. Apparently so did Jace.
“Uh-huh. Just making nice.” Brian smirked.
No response. Nothing, not even a blink.
When he heard Brian laugh, felt him slap his shoulder, Jace finally brought his head back around. He felt confused, like he was coming out of a trance. “What? What’s funny?”
Guys being guys, Brian just laughed harder. He raised his eyebrows, glancing quickly in the direction of the three women, lying in the loungers. When Jace followed his gaze, locking onto Dani once again, Brian just leaned in and said, “Dude, you’re screwed.”
Jace scrubbed his hands over his face, finally settling them into a fist on his hips. As his eyes wandered back to Dani yet again, he mumbled under his breath. “Ah, fuck! I am completely screwed.”
Brian just laughed harder, watching as he tossed back the rest of his beer.
With another curse, Jace asked, “Is there any tequila?”
* * * * *
Dani swam for a couple of minutes, as much to calm her temper and her body’s response as to cool off. She used the time to meditate a little, to calm her mind. She also promised herself that tomorrow, after her run, she would have a solid hour of meditation. If she could just get through the rest of this day.
When she felt more in control, she climbed out of the pool and went to sit with Jenn. She settled into her chair, taking a minute first to swap out her now warm beer for a cold one.
A couple hours later, Dani was having a good time talking to Jenn and Nicole. Mostly they all kind of lay there quietly, with short bursts of conversation interspersed. This was perfect in Dani’s opinion, allowing her to relax and unwind a little. It had been a surprisingly emotional day. An emotional week, for that matter. Being still, lying in the Texas sun, casual conversation… This was just what she needed.
Until Nicole started to steer the conversation around to college. And the gang of four. Specifically, Jace and Dani.
Nicole sat up, curling her legs sideways and looking past Jenn to Danielle. “So, can I ask you something?”
Behind her sunglasses, Dani rolled her eyes, knowing what was coming before she even said it. Knowing she wouldn’t let it go. “Sure. Shoot.”
“Well, you guys were all friends in college, right? I mean, Jason never really talks about it to me, but I’ve heard him with Brian and Jenn sometimes. It seems like you guys used to be really close. All of you.”
Though she hadn’t asked a question, Dani heard the pause. Apparently she was waiting for confirmation? “Yeah, we were.”
“You were?”
Dani nodded again, silently assuring Nicole that they had in fact been friends. A long, pregnant pause ensued before Nicole finally asked,. “So…then…well, what changed?”
“I don’t know.”
“No, I mean, what happened? With you and Jason? It doesn’t seem like you two…well, you don’t seem to get along…anymore.”
“No, I know what you’re asking, I just don’t know the answer. Basically, I left. I guess a five-year absence was more than our particular friendship could handle. If you want more than that, I’m afraid you’ll have to ask Jace. I don’t have an answer.”
“I did.”
“Did what?” This from Jenn.
“I did ask Jason.”
“Well, okay then…so…why ask me?”
“Because he didn’t tell me anything.”
“What?” “Huh?” Jenn and Dani said in unison.
“Well, he just said that he was angry at you. That the past was the past and this was the present. So, basically…nothing. Then he changed the subject.”
“Oh, well then…there you go. I guess that’s the answer.” Dani was honestly surprised that Jace hadn’t told her something. Probably not the truth. No girlfriend really wants to know she was talking to someone her significant other had slept with, but she figured he would have told her more than that.
“Dani, I need more wine, want another beer?” Jenn asked. At her nod, she turned to Nicole. “You need anything?”
Nicole shook her head no, leaning back again in the lounger. Dani thought she heard her mumble under her breath, “You’re no better than he is. No wonder you guys were friends.”
But she could have been mistaken.
Chapter 16
Dani was stuffed. She’d just eaten more food in one sitting than she normally ate in two days. It was already after six but still hot as Hades. The fireworks were set for eight, right after it got dark. Sara and Beth had come over and joined Jenn, Dani and Nicole, and they were now all sprawled on the chairs like beached whales.
Some of the guests had left already. The party was still in full swing, but had winnowed down to only family and close friends.
Jenn decided they all needed champagne. At the chorus of groans, she insisted that the bubbles would help settle their stomachs. Laughing, she went to grab the bottle and five plastic glasses.
As they sat there sipping their drinks, Dani noticed the guys all lining up on the edge of the pool. She had no idea what the conversation was about, but it was apparently getting drunk out, because they were all flexing their arms and doing the male strut thing.
She elbowed Jenn. “Take a look at your husband-to-be. I think we’re about to get a show.”
Sure enough, Sean pulled his shirt off first, flexing the muscles, doing a body-builder pose. When he heard the laughter and catcalls from the girls, he smiled and wiggled his eyebrows. Joanna, his girlfriend, wandered over to the other ladies, perching on the end of Nicole’s seat.
Knowing they were watching, the men all hammed it up even more. Zack, who probably had the best body, and knew it, peeled away his shirt and did a full catwalk stride around the pool before diving off the board. Not to be outdone, Brian did a little stripper dance and cannon-balled in. Colonel, Sara’s boyfriend, followed suit and did a front flip off the board.
Dani looked around, expecting Jace to go next. He had always been rangier than Zack, but just as sexy. And, from the feel of him next to her, he had beefed up a little in the Marines, so she was looking forward to seeing the new package. When she saw his head surface, she realized that he’d simply climbed in the pool. No showboating.
Confused, she turned to Jenn, trying to ask why he would do that. But Jenn was busy with wolf whistles and pouring more champagne. The guys played and wrestled for a few minutes, then started climbing out one by one, heading back to their beers.
Dani tried to be discreet—Nicole was sitting right there—but she kept glancing toward the pool. When she saw Jace climb out of the water, she stopped breathing.
Hearing something strange, Jenn turned her head toward Dani just in time to see her drop her glass. Her hand flew up to cover her mouth and her dark blue eyes went almost black, her skin chalk white. Jenn followed her gaze, seeing Jace climbing out of the pool. Dani had seen the scars.
She was frozen, locked in place. Unable to move or even to breathe. Visions flashed in her mind. Noise, chaos, gunfire, an explosion. Blood…everywhere blood. Men yelling. And pain, so much pain.
She had no idea how long she’d been like that when she finally felt Jenn shaking her shoulders. Heard her repeating her name, panic in her voice.
When Dani finally blinked, Jenn’s panicked expression slowly came into focus. Dani looked around, seeing all the women staring at her. Apparently she had been zoned out for a while. She tried to care, knew she should say something to explain it, but couldn’t.
She looked at Jenn. When she could finally speak, she said only two words. “What happened?”
“Afghanistan.”
With that single word, the tears started rolling down Dani’s face. She barely heard N
icole, confusion plain in her tone, asking, “Not a motorcycle accident?”
Jenn turned around, looking at Nicole. “What? What accident?”
Nicole breathed in a deep breath. “Jason told me it was a motorcycle accident, the summer after high school.” She shook her head, still looking confused.
The other women quietly stood, slipping away to afford the three a little privacy.
Nicole looked over at Dani. “But then, you would have known about that. And clearly…you don’t.”
She stood, her shoulders back, her hands knotted into fists. “He lied to me. Obviously he lied to me. What else don’t I know?”
Dani and Jenn both watched as Nicole stomped off, heading toward Jace.
* * * * *
Jenn felt like she should run after Nicole, warn Jace, something. But Dani was shredded. She looked back at her; tears were running down her cheeks freely, her shoulders shaking while she tried to process this. Jenn knew there was more going on than just compassion for a friend.
She finally asked the question, though she already knew the answer. “You saw it?”
Dani looked up, a haunted look in her eyes. She nodded, grabbed her shoes in her hand and stood. “I have to… I can’t… It’s too much,” she finally managed before running headlong across the pool deck and out the side gate.
Jenn stood, torn over what to do, who to chase. Should she leave Dani alone? Maybe she needed some time to herself.
* * * * *
Nicole came up to Jace, and he turned to face her with a smile, until he saw the hurt in her eyes. Inwardly he groaned. Apparently he was going to make another scene, but this one wasn’t his fault.
Nicole was quiet, even in anger, so instead of yelling she calmly faced him. “Jason, how did you get those scars?”
“What? In an accident, I told you that.”
She nodded. “You lied to me. Then and now. What else have you lied to me about?”
“What? Nicole, what are you talking about?” He had lied to her, but this was not the time or place to discuss it.
“Dani saw the scars. Based on her reaction, she didn’t know anything about them. If you had been in an accident after high school, she would have known, would have seen the scars.” She took a deep, shaky breath. “Jenn said they were from Afghanistan.”
He saw her watching him, trying to read his expression. He knew he looked guilty, hell, he was guilty. When she shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes, Jace felt every inch the ass he’d been behaving like lately.
“Why? Why would you lie to me?”
Jace opened his mouth, trying to form words to explain, unable to think of anything. His mind was completely focused on one thing. He had to find Dani, had to talk to her.
He stood there, no words escaping his lips, his thoughts in turmoil. When Nicole turned and fled, he thought about chasing her for about half a heartbeat. But he already knew he wouldn’t. He was going after Danielle.
* * * * *
Jenn walked up just in time to see Nicole run away. She looked at Jace, slowly shaking her head. Then she walked past him, squeezing Bri’s hand. He’d been watching the little scene between Nicole and Jace, so he had the gist of things.
“I need to go find Dani.”
“Do you need me to drive you?”
“No, she’s on foot. I’ll find her. I just wanted to tell you I was leaving.”
From behind her she heard Jace’s voice, deeper than normal. “I’ll go.”
She turned to look at him. “No, you don’t understand. She’s really upset.”
“Okay. I’ll go.”
“Jace, no. She’s really a mess right now. There are things you don’t know.” She had promised Dani she would never reveal her secret to anyone. Jace had no idea what she was dealing with right now.
“Jenn, I’m going to go after her. Whether you like it or not.”
“What about Nicole? Don’t you think you should go after her?”
“Nicole won’t talk to me right now. I’ll go see her tomorrow. Right now, I’m going to go find Dani.”
“But…”
“Jenn, let him go.” Brian squeezed her hand, silently reminding her of their talk from last night. Maybe Bri was right. Maybe Jace was in love with Dani. But he still didn’t know everything, and neither did Brian.
She tried one more time. “But you don’t know where she’ll go…”
She stopped cold at the look Jace gave her. “I know where she’ll go, Jenn,” he growled out.
At that Jenn just nodded her head. She sent up a silent prayer that Jace wouldn’t make things worse.
Chapter 17
When she reached the pond, Dani was grateful to find the area unoccupied. Since it had long been a favorite party spot, she’d half expected to find some kids there. As she saw the first glimpses of moonlight begin to push aside the waning sun, she realized why. Everyone was heading home to watch the fireworks with their family and friends.
She sat down on the largest rock, tucking her feet underneath her. It was wide and flat, having served as a table when they’d been here before. The tears had stopped somewhere along the way, leaving her cheeks dry and tight feeling. The tears had stopped, but her mind was still reeling.
Jenn had asked Dani if she’d seen it. She had. Repeatedly.
When she saw the scars, their locations, she’d known. The recurring nightmare she’d had for almost two years was real. It wasn’t a nightmare, or hadn’t been. It had been a vision.
She closed her eyes, replaying every horrifying minute from memory. Feeling the pain he felt, hearing his thoughts. The tears started again, rushing down her cheeks in small rivers.
* * * * *
That was how Jace found her. He watched for a couple of minutes, not wanting to startle her. He waited for her to open her eyes. When the silent tears turned to wrenching sobs he finally stepped forward, softly calling her name.
“Danielle?” He took another step, creeping forward, slow and calm, as though she were a wild animal he was afraid to frighten away.
When her head snapped around, she looked right into his eyes, and he got his first glimpse of the pain she was in. He didn’t understand it—it made no sense that she hurt like this—but he could see that it was real.
He closed the gap in one long stride, sitting beside her and pulling her to him all in one move. He felt her head tuck into his chest, her arms wrap around his back, holding on as a drowning man to a life raft. Her warm, wet tears soaked through his shirt.
* * * * *
Dani held on, still feeling his pain, the shrapnel that tore his thigh open, the bullet wound in his left arm. She felt the determination. He would get them out, get them all out. No matter that he’d been shot. She heard the rifles, felt the kick against her shoulder as he shot his own weapon. She saw the bullet, as if in slow motion, felt it hit his side, just below the flak jacket before blackness engulfed him.
He had been to hell and back, and had somehow survived.
She felt him squeezing her, pulling her closer. He pressed soft, tender kisses against her hair, begging her to stop crying. She was pulled from one nightmare into another. This one, a memory from her past.
Her parents had just died. It was the day of their funeral, and Dani was listening to all the kind words from friends and family. Everyone was sorry; it was a tragedy. They all expected that at any moment she would fall apart, but that just wasn’t her way. She made it through the funeral, through the gathering at the house. When the last person finally left, she thought she could sit down and rest in quiet.
She knew it was odd that she hadn’t cried yet. Jenn was worried about her. Jenn’s parents were too. She knew the tears would come eventually, but so far it hadn’t seemed real. She was just in a really bad play.
She had just kicked off her shoes when the doorbell rang. It was Jace. She’d figured he’d forgotten something and plastered that stupid, fake smile back on her face just to show she was okay.
He
took one look at her, and instead of offering all the appropriate words—It’ll be okay. It was a senseless tragedy. Oh, you poor dear—Jace had said nothing.
He’d picked her up in his arms, carried her to the couch and sat down, tucking her head into his shoulder. It had taken a matter of seconds for the tears to start. She had finally cried; for hours she had sat there and blubbered all over him. When the tears had finally dried, he’d wiped her eyes with his thumbs, then gotten up to get her a glass of water.
He had stayed over that night, sleeping on the floor next to her, holding her when she’d needed it.
He had done more to ease her pain than any words could have.
And she hadn’t even known about his own pain. She hadn’t been here to know. “God, Dani… Please stop crying. This is killing me.”
* * * * *
Jace couldn’t handle her tears, not when they were about him. He felt guilty, like he was somehow responsible for this, although he didn’t really know why. He kissed her head, pulling her closer, trying not to notice just how perfectly she fit against him. Instead, he searched for the words to help, to stop her tears. Dani didn’t cry. Ever. In fact, he’d only ever seen her cry one other time. When he finally remembered her parent’s funeral, he stopped talking and just held her. She would stop when she was done. So he sat there, watching the sun set, feeling her curled into him, fists clenching the back of his shirt. He pressed soft kisses against her head, reveling in the smell of her hair. If he felt his heart aching, well, he just ignored it.
When the tears stopped again, finally, Dani pulled her head back, looking up into his face. She opened her mouth, obviously searching for something to say, and stopped when his thumb brushed her cheek, drying her tears.
Jace needed to kiss her. He had to feel her mouth moving against his, taste her lips. He needed it like he needed his next breath. His body tensed with anticipation, heat coursing through his veins. He hadn’t planned this, knew he shouldn’t touch her.
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