Delicate Promises

by Kelly Elliott

  “Part of the deal for me agreeing to enlist was that no matter where I was on your birthday, I had to be able to call you.”

  That made her smile and she took another bite of her food.

  I thought back to when I had dropped everything when I realized it was her birthday. I chuckled as I said, “There were times I was in a fucking remote mountain range and trying to get the call to connect on a satellite phone, and it was damn near impossible.”

  The corners of her mouth rose slightly. “Why did you do that?”

  “Call you each year on your birthday?”

  She nodded.

  “Because I wanted to hear your voice. I’d never missed your birthday since you became my best friend, and I wasn’t about to start.”

  A blush moved across her cheeks, and she looked back out over the lake. I could tell she was frowning, even from her profile.

  “Who else was on your list of people you called?” she asked.

  So, there it was. Kynslee wondered if there was anyone else in my life as important as her. If I could have flown Kynslee all over the world, I would have done it. Hell, I probably could have. I was just too damn scared to start anything when I was putting my own life on the line practically every day. I couldn’t do that to her. I couldn’t start a life with her when I had no idea if I would be alive from day to day.

  “No one besides family.”

  Her head jerked back, and our eyes met. Narrowing her eyes in disbelief, she asked, “No one at all?”

  “No one.”

  She swallowed, then looked down at the blanket. She picked at something and laughed. “You know, there were times when you would call me, and I thought I heard gun shots in the background.”

  I grinned. “I’m sure you did. I was in the middle of a war zone in Colombia one year. Trying to find a place to be able to call you was hard as fuck, but I managed it.”

  “Thank you,” she softly said, her gaze locked on mine.

  “For calling?”

  “That and for not getting yourself killed. It would have devastated…your family.”

  “Not you?”

  Our eyes met again and the honesty in hers made my breath hitch. “Of course, it would have. More than you know. You’re my best friend, Miles.”

  She looked back over the lake as we returned to a comfortable silence.

  “Were you ever shot?” she asked out of the blue.

  “Yes.”

  Kynslee’s eyes widened. She knew I was shot at, but actually knowing I’d been shot was something else entirely. In all of our communication, I’d never told her any of the bad shit that had gone down.

  “Where?”

  I lifted my shirt and showed the bullet hole scar below my shoulder.

  “This one was the worst one.”

  Gasping, she asked, “This one? How many more? Did your mother know you’d been shot? I have so many questions I need answers to.”

  With a chuckle, I pointed to my side. “Bullet grazed me here, that wasn’t so bad.”

  When she reached out and ran her fingertip over the scar, my entire body jolted inside.

  Holy fuck.

  “Is this it? Is this all of them?” she softly whispered.

  I attempted to speak with a steady voice, but the way she was looking at me, her fingers moving across my skin, I was anything but steady.

  “No.”

  Her eyes lifted to mine and something passed between us. The same thing that passed between us the last time we were together. The memory of that dreaded moment when I fucked up replayed in my mind.

  “What did Jack want?” I asked, causing Kynslee to spin around. The moment she saw me, a wide grin spread over her face. My heart felt like it jumped in my chest. I wanted to pull her to me and tell her she was mine. Ask that she wait for me until I served my time and came home…or died trying.

  “Jack asked me out, but I told him no.”

  This was it. If I pretended that what happened between us last night was nothing but casual, she could move on and not worry about me. It would give me time to figure this shit out, get everything squared away so that I could build a future for us. One where Kynslee would never have to worry about anything ever again.

  So I did the one thing I would live to regret. I pushed her away. “Why did you say no?”

  She let out a disbelieving laugh. “What do you mean, ‘why did you say no’? Don’t you remember last night, Miles?”

  I laughed. “Us fucking? Yeah, I remember.”

  Her eyes filled with hurt, and I hated myself. Hated that I was hurting her, cutting her to the quick to make my leaving easier.

  “You don’t…you don’t remember anything we talked about? Us?”

  With a shrug, I said, “I remember waking up to you on top of me this morning. Kyns, are you okay with this? With what happened between us?”

  She swallowed hard. “Yeah, it was amazing.”

  I went to pull her to me, but she stepped away. “It was just sex, right? I mean, friends with benefits? That’s your take on this morning, in the aftermath of it all.”

  Forcing a smile, I replied, “I guess you could say that.”

  Kynslee lifted her chin and fought to keep her tears in check. I wanted to drop to my knees and tell her I was sorry. That she was so much more to me than a fuck. She meant the world to me. But I didn’t. Instead, I drove the last nail home.

  “You should go out with Jack. He’s a nice guy.”

  The feel of Kynslee’s fingers moving on my skin brought me back to the moment. I focused on her face and dropped my gaze to her mouth. When her tongue darted out to lick her lips, I nearly grabbed her and pulled her mouth to mine right then and there.

  “Where else?” she asked, her finger moving up to the scar near my shoulder.

  “I…um…I was shot in the upper leg. Sounds worse than what it was. A few grazes here and there over my body. Nothing bad.”

  That familiar darkness that only hit me when I was alone at night or when something triggered me, started to creep in. I swallowed hard and took in a few deep breaths. Kynslee’s eyes met mine, and the feeling disappeared as quickly as it came.

  Thank fuck. The last thing I wanted to do was have a damn anxiety attack right now.

  “Marines or CIA missions?”

  With a smile, I replied, “Both.”

  She slowly withdrew her hand. I instantly missed the feel of her skin on mine. Even if it was just a little taste of her.

  “I missed you, Kynslee. You have to know how much I missed you.”

  Her mouth opened, and before she could speak, a ball landed right between us. It sent food everywhere.

  “Oh my gosh! Oh, no! Kids! Look what you did!”

  A woman who didn’t look to be that much older than me and Kynslee came running over.

  “I’m so sorry. We ruined your romantic picnic.”

  Kynslee and I jumped up.

  “No, it wasn’t anything like that,” Kynslee said, causing pain to hit me square in the middle of my damn chest. Had she not felt that connection between us seconds ago? I stared at her before I pulled myself back to the moment.

  “It’s totally fine. We were fixin’ to leave,” I stated.

  “Gosh darn it, I really am sorry. We were trying to get the kids gathered up, and little Jimmy had to kick the soccer ball once more. I nearly died when I saw it flying your way.”

  Laughing, I brushed the food off of me and replied, “Honestly, it’s totally fine.”

  The woman looked between me and Kynslee. “My goodness, don’t the two of you make an adorable couple.”

  Kynslee blushed and looked my way. “We’ve been friends forever.”

  “Friends? Well, if this is just dinner with a friend, I can’t imagine what you’d do for a date. I have a younger sister who is single if you’re interested!”

  Laughing, I held up my hands. “I’m sorry. I’m taken.”

  I could feel Kynslee’s eyes on me, and I wanted to see her expr
ession, but focused on the woman in front of me instead.

  “Probably a good thing! The last thing you need is a crazy woman whose kid ruined your dinner to set you up. Listen, let me help you clean up and then I’ll get out of your hair.”

  Kynslee motioned for the woman to stop. “Nonsense. It’s fine. Please, we’ve got this.”

  “Are you sure?” she asked.

  “Positive,” Kynslee and I said at the same time.

  “Y’all enjoy the rest of your evening!” the lady called as she jogged back to her kids. They didn’t look older than five at the most. The husband lifted his hand in a polite gesture and called out a sorry.

  We waved back and then turned to clean up the mess.

  “It’s all in throw-away containers. We can toss it. Easy clean up,” I said as I gathered the food. Kynslee cleared the blanket and folded it as I made my way to the trash can. I glanced at the family climbing into the SUV. They were laughing. The husband held the door open for his wife and kissed her on the lips quickly before making his way to the driver’s side.

  An ache grew in my chest as I watched the family drive away. I wanted that. With Kynslee. Will that ever happen for me some day with the woman I love?

  “Miles? Miles?”

  Kynslee’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. I ran my fingers through my hair as I made my way over to the truck where she was waiting at the passenger side door. Feeling a sense of melancholy, I decided it was time to end the evening. I had no idea what Kynslee was going to say before the ball dropped between us, and honestly, I didn’t think I could handle her rejection again right now.

  “I’ll drop you back off at your place now.”

  A look of surprise appeared on her face, then disappeared just as fast. “Sounds good.”

  Our first official date appeared to be over.

  Kynslee

  MY PHONE BUZZED, and I pulled it out from my back pocket. I couldn’t help but smile when I saw his name. I wanted to be agitated, but I couldn’t be.

  Miles.

  I thought back to two days ago.

  “I missed you, Kynslee. You have to know how much I missed you.”

  Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and slowly let it out. I had almost told him the truth. That I had been waiting all these years for him to come home to me. That I couldn’t get that one night out of my mind. The night he pretended hadn’t mattered, but I know it did. I felt it. I saw it in his eyes and I was hell bent on finding out why he got spooked.

  I focused on my phone and opened up the text message.

  Miles: Are you free this afternoon?

  I could not hide my stupid grin. Glancing around the store, I didn’t see anyone who needed my assistance, so I typed a response. My heart pounded like a silly girl talking to her high school crush. I had to remind myself he was only asking me out because I had stated how much I wanted it.

  Me: I’m free. What did you have in mind?

  Miles: A date in San Antonio.

  I chewed on my lip. Why am I doubting myself? Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. We really needed to have a heart to heart. I found my fingers typing out my reply as my head argued that I shouldn’t go.

  Me: Sounds good.

  His response was immediate.

  Miles: Wear jeans, a T-shirt, and sneakers. Pick you up at two.

  I frowned when I saw how casual he wanted me to dress. Maybe it was another outdoor date. With a shrug, I replied with an okay. It would be nice to hang out with him again. Of course, my celibate self had missed being with him in an intimate way, but I had really missed my best friend more.

  “Who are you talking to? I haven’t seen you smile like that in years.”

  I scoffed at my mother’s words. “Don’t be ridiculous, I smile all the time, Momma.”

  Her brow lifted. “Not that sort of smile you don’t.”

  “I do.”

  “You don’t.

  “I do.”

  She grinned. “Fine, darling, you smile like that all the time. Now, who were you talking to?”

  “No one. By the way, I’m going to be taking this afternoon off. Is that okay? Lou and Mark will be here to help out at the store.”

  Now that piqued her attention even more than the smile.

  “Really? Where are you going?”

  “Nowhere,” I replied, taking a box of gum out to restock the shelf.

  “Mark does all the re-stocking, why are you avoiding your mother?” she nagged, following me around the store.

  “I’m bored.”

  “Did you finish that new ad campaign we talked about last week?”

  It was a good thing my back faced her so she didn’t see my Oh shit. I forgot about the new ad campaign expression. Ever since Miles had showed up, I had been so out of sorts. Forgetting to do things, missing appointments. My mind was in a constant state of fuzziness.

  “It’s almost complete.”

  The bell on the door rang, and I smiled when Patty walked into the store.

  “Hey, can you do me a huge favor?” Patty asked, digging through her purse for something.

  “No Hello, Kynslee, how are you today?” I said with a roll of my eyes.

  Patty stopped digging through her purse and said, “Hello, Kynslee. How are you today?”

  “I’m actually doing really well, thank you for asking.”

  “She’s leaving early! I think it’s a date!” my mother announced, knowing the reaction it would cause.

  Patty’s eyes widened. “Miles?”

  “Miles?” Mom repeated from behind me. I shot Patty a look that said she better back up before I vagina punched her. She noticed and did just that.

  “Sorry,” she whispered as she chewed on her lower lip.

  “Kynslee, are you dating Miles?”

  I groaned when I heard the hopefulness in her voice. “No, Mom, I’m not dating anyone.”

  “Is that who you were texting? Oh my goodness, that explains the smile!”

  “What smile?” Patty asked with a curious expression.

  “There was no smile,” I stated.

  Mom laughed. “Oh, there was. Smiles like I haven’t seen in years. Matter of fact, the only time I’ve ever seen you smile like that is while you’re on your birthday call with Miles.”

  Patty gasped. “Do tell, Ally. Do tell.”

  Before my mother could launch into her version of my calls from Miles, I stepped between them. “Stop. Miles is a friend only.”

  “Right. A friend. If that’s what you want to go with. Have you seen him, Ally? He’s looking as fine as ever.”

  “Oh, I’ve seen him. He always was a handsome boy but being in the military has certainly refined his important parts.”

  “Mom, gross. Can you not refer to Miles as handsome and talk about his…parts. And by the way, he’s not a boy.”

  “No, he is not,” Patty mumbled under her breath while fanning her face.

  “You know what, it’s slow so I’m going to head on home,” I stated.

  “Smart move. You should wash your hair,” Patty stated.

  Stopping, I ran my fingers through my blonde hair. “What’s wrong with it?”

  Patty shrugged, and my mother scrunched up her nose as she added her two cents. “I think maybe you’ve used the dry shampoo a day too many, sweetheart.”

  My jaw fell open. “Dry shampoo? I don’t use dry shampoo.”

  “Oh, that explains so much,” Patty said, looking at my mother.

  Clenching my jaw, I walked past the two of them, back into my office and grabbed my purse. Instead of risking more unsolicited advice and hair care suggestions, I left through the back door.

  Climbing into my truck, I shook my head, pulled down the small mirror on my visor and looked at myself. “Dry shampoo. Ugh.”

  Miles pulled up right on time. My eyes drifted down the path that led to my folks’ house. I was holding my breath, expecting my mother and father to pop out any moment now. Mom was clearly thrilled about the idea of us
dating. She had always adored Miles. Treated him like a son and part of our family. My father, on the other hand, I wasn’t so sure about. He liked Miles. Always had, but he also thought Miles was the reason I hadn’t moved on, and I was positive that unnerved him. I knew all he wanted was for me to be happy, and in his eyes, I was pining over a man who hadn’t put me first.

  “And your father would be spot on,” I whispered to myself as I watched a very handsome-looking Miles climb out of his truck and make his way over to me. He smiled when he saw me, and I tried not to let it show on the outside how much my body was melting on the inside.

  Lord. Help. Me.

  Dressed in jeans that hugged his toned legs, a light blue T-shirt, and a baseball cap, thankfully not on backwards as that would have been my undoing, Miles strolled over like he had no idea how he was messing with my libido. My poor neglected body trembled with a want I had attempted to bury the morning he walked away from me. Yet again.

  “Hey, Kyns. You look nice.”

  “Thank you. Come on in while I grab my stuff and my phone.”

  Miles followed me into my house. He looked around and smiled. “Damn, the last time I was in this place it was in need of some serious work.”

  I smiled. “Daddy and I had fun remodeling it.”

  Whiskey came around the corner and stopped in his tracks when he saw Miles.

  “Finally, I get to meet you, Whiskey.” Miles leaned down to pet Whiskey and was met with a hiss and a slap on the hand.

  “What the hell! Whiskey just got me with his claw!”

  Bending down, I held out my hand as Whiskey ran to me. He rubbed against me and purred.

  “That’s my sweet baby boy. It’s obvious he has a good sense for people.”

  Miles rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the small slip of a smile. “He just has to get to know me better.”

  I stood and shrugged. Whiskey looked at Miles again and hissed before turning and walking away. “Maybe.”

  “Are you ready to head out?”

  Reaching for my phone, I walked toward the door. Miles took my hand and waited for me to lock up. He placed his hand on my lower back as we made our way down the front porch steps. I tried hard to ignore how his touch made my body feel.