“Hey Sis… no we’re okay… look I’m sorry I didn’t get to….” I could hear Ana talking on the other end “Okay I love you too and we’ll be there in half an hour” he hung up and looked at me “They’re all at your Mom’s and she wants us to go there before I go”.
“You don’t have to” I sat up
“I know but I do need to see my sister and I do want to see the others as well” he smiled “And I think you’ll want you’re family there won‘t you” he got off the bed and offered me his hand
“Yeah I guess” I chewed my lip
“I need a shower but I need you to scrub my back for me Miss Tanner”
We pulled up the drive at Mom’s and got out Ana opened the door I looked at Ryne.
‘I’ll let you talk to your Sister” I smiled he nodded as I walked by her and into the house Ryder was leaning on the back of the couch.
“Hey you” he smiled. I felt my lip quiver he held his arms out to me I walked over to him and buried my head in his chest. Her wrapped one arm round me the other hand stroking my hair. Mom walked out of the kitchen. I could smell the whiskey before she said anything. I looked up as she held out the shot glass to me.
“It normally helps keep the cold feeling away” She smiled rubbing my back as Ryder still held me to him.
“I’m trying to hold it together” I said knocking back the shot “I’m trying and I’m failing”
“You don’t’ have to hold it together honey” Mom smiled “He understands how you feel because he feels the same way” she put the glass down “They hurt like we do but they have to put their game faces on”
“I know” I nodded.
“Admittedly this is one of those bizarre What the Fuck deployments” she smiled “but we’ll get through it like we always do”
“Deep breath and get on with life” I put my head on Ryder’s shoulder
“Exactly” she nodded
“Where’s Brit and uncle Flynn?” I suddenly noticed they weren’t there
“Marek has to be back at the Island by 11am” Ryder sighed pushing my hair back like Dad used to when I was a little kids “They left it’s a rough day all round Sis”
“She’s going to be pissy as hell because we didn’t say goodbye to Marek” I groaned
“No she won’t she knows what you’re going through and she said to tell Ryne to be safe and she’ll call you later” Ryder shrugged as the front door opened and Ana and Ryne walked back in.
“Well Marine” Mom smiled at him walking over and hugging him “I pulled some strings and got you these before anyone else has seen them” she handed Ryne a zip lock bag with pictures in “I know photographs keep you all going” She touched his cheek
“Yes Ma’am” He nodded pulling the pictures from the bag a smile forming on his face as he looked through “These are from the ball” She nodded I walked over to him and wiped my eyes as he held up the pictures we’d had taken as we walked in and then some from when we were dancing. “We make a pretty hot couple” he kissed my cheek.
‘Yes you do” Mom laughed
“Damn Sis if I didn’t know where you were in that white dress it could have been your wedding” Ryder leant on Ryne’s shoulder and looked at the picture. I put my hand round and Gibbs slapped him. “Ow… Mom she’s picking on me” he whined
“Enough both of you” Mom tried not to laugh “Ryne you’d better be heading out” we all looked at the clock. He nodded “We’ll meet you down there” Ryne linked his fingers with mine and lead me back out to his truck. I got in and looked at him.
“Do you know any of the guys that you’re going with?”
“I know a few of them” he nodded “But I’m not going to be based with any of them I’m joining up with that platoon I was talking about that had found the minefield” I felt myself shudder. He reached for my hand. “I promise to not be reckless”
“You’de better not get blown up or I’ll kill you” I sniffed with a half chuckle we reached the Parade ground he grabbed his bag from the bed of his truck and walked over to one of the senior officers to talk to him.
“You okay?” Ryder was next to me while Mom was talking to Ana
‘No” I sighed “But I will be”
“That I don’t doubt” He chuckled. Ryne walked back over to Ana and picked her up in a bear hug talking to her making her laugh and cry at the same time. He said something to her that made them both look at me, she smiled and nodded before kissing his cheek Ryder let go of me and shook Ryne's hand as he walked toward us. He went and stood with Mom and Ana.
“Hey you” Ryne smiled at me linking both is hands with mine “Have I told today that I love you?”
“Once or twice” I sniffed fighting back the tears
“Okay have I told you that I’m going to be back here as soon as I can to be with you again” He let go of one of my hands and held my face I closed my eyes and leant in to his hand “I’m going to be back here and I’m going to…” he trailed off as he was called “I have to go baby” he pulled me to him and kissed me my arms held him for as long as I could before he was called again I let go slowly and he backed away
“I love you Marine”
“Love you too Brat” he smiled wiping the tears from his cheeks “Write me” I nodded “Love you angel” he hurried to get on the bus. I forced my knees to lock in place as my arms wrapped round me trying to hold myself together, this was the worst feeling I’d ever had. The man that had come into my life and irritated the crap out of me was now leaving and it was tearing me apart.
Chapter 79
New Chapter
The next few weeks were a little stressful to say the least. I was working all the spare hours the pool hall could give me as well as working with Mom. Her jewelry designs had taken off and were now being worn at red carpet events by Stars. I walked into the house with Brit.
“Aunt B will you tell this one that she needs to kick back” Brit called out.
“She’s not here” I laughed “She left for L.A. this morning” I walked into the kitchen and took a bottle of water from the fridge.
“L.A.?”
‘Yep she was taking some designs and pieces to a store out there” I nodded “Not too bad for a Marine wife” I sat on the counter top.
“Okay but you need to take a break I know you’re not working tonight” She leant on the counter next to me “We need to do something with Ana”
“Okay fine” I held up my hands “We’ll have a girly night”
“We’ll hit the board walk, go grab dinner maybe a movie” she planned my phone started to ring.
“That’ll be Mom” I got off the counter and pulled my phone from my purse.
Me * hello
Ryne * hey you
Me * I didn’t think you’d get to call this week
Ryne * I got a few spare minutes… it’s been crazy since I got here but I take it you got my letters
Me * letters I got one and that was the beginning of this week
Ryne * I’ve sent four one each week.
Me * it’s okay I get how it is
Ryne * I miss you so much
Me * glad to hear it Marine
Ryne * oh so you don’t miss me
Me * I do like crazy only if I think too much about it hurts like a bitch
Ryne * I know… so I take it you’ve written to me?
Me * yep I wrote the day you left and four more since
Ryne * I just know I’m going to get them all at once
Me * same here.
Ryne * so what have you been doing?
Me * working, working and working
Ryne * you haven’t been out?
Brit * no she hasn’t and Ryne will you talk some sense in to her and tell her she needs to relax more
Ryne * oh I’m so glad I didn’t say the things I wanted to say if you’re there Brit
Brit * oh please I found you naked in my apartment remember I know what you guys get up to Marine
Ryne * okay
you have a point.
Brit * Just talk to your girlfriend I’m going outside so you can tell her what you’d rather be doing to her… Oh and Marine stay safe
Ryne * I’ll do my best and say hi to Marek when you get to talk to him
Brit * I will
Brit grinned at me and walked out of the house taking her purse with her and pulling her phone out as she went.
Ryne * so all work and no play
Me * something like that.
Ryne * I thought you didn’t agree to putting your life on hold while you’re Marines were gone?
Me * I’m not I’m trying to save enough money to move out
Ryne * move out?
Me * yeah I think it’s time I mean Brit isn’t still living at home
Ryne * well obviously or she’d be in Cali
Me * I know she’s offered for me to move in there with her but as soon as Jack gets home I’d have to move out
Ryne * so why don’t you move in with Ana, because when I get home then at least we’ll be living together
Me * Living together?
Ryne * why not I’ll have been gone seven months and believe me I’m not going to want you to leave my bed for at least a month
Me * I think we’ll need to eat
Ryne * you know what I mean. Come on give me something to dream about
Me * I tried to give you that the night before you left
Ryne * Oh baby believe me I’ve been glad we haven’t really had hot water in the showers several times because of that night. Talk to my sister and move in to the apartment with her
Me * what about when Ryder gets home in 3 months I’m going to be the third wheel there and want to move out
Ryne * are you just trying to come up with excuses for not moving in with me
Me * no how about if I get a place and you move in with me when you get home
Ryne * because my bedroom has the most awesome view and you have to admit it’s a pretty hot place to live
Me * true but be realistic I know you’re parents brought the place for you and Ana if you had to pay for it yourself
Ryne * no I couldn’t
Me * Ryne you can’t live off your parents forever
Ryne * ouch you’re really not pulling punches are you
Me * no I’m not… I’m going to get a place to live and if you want to move in with me when you get home my bed will be waiting for you… if not then we’ll carry on as we are
Ryne * I miss you and that attitude
Me * I’m sorry it’s that time of the month and I haven’t had any chocolate
Ryne * so I didn’t get you knocked up then
Me * is that what you were trying to do?
Ryne * no I was kidding… I love you
Me * I love you too
There was the sound of voices in the back ground
Ryne * I have to go there’s a problem… and baby you find the place and I’ll move in with you
Me * this was a really weird call
Ryne * you can say that again. I miss you Aly
Me * I love you and please stay safe
Ryne * I’ll do all I can to do that
The phone went dead I put it on the counter and rubbed the back of my neck. In the space of a five minute call I’d gotten Ryne to agree to live with me when he returned from his tour of duty and I’d realized something.
Chapter 80
New start
I walked out onto the back deck where Brit was sunning herself talking on her phone I sat down next to her.
“We’ll meet you there in about an hour” she hung up and looked at me “Ana’s getting her hair done she’ll meet us on the board walk in about an hour” she tipped her head and looked at me “Okay so normally when we get done on the phone to the guys we’re either crying like a baby or giggling like a kid… you look like your in shock”
“I’m moving in with Ryne”
“What in a tent in Afghanistan?” she laughed nudging me.
“No… I told him I wanted to move out of here and we got into a little argument over me moving in with you and then why don’t I move in with Ana so when he gets back we could be living together, and then I pointed out that if I moved in with you then when the guys get home in 3 months Jack would want his room back and If I moved in with Ana I was going to be like a third wheel when Ryder all but moves in and I still have 3 months after that before Ryne comes home” I gabbled without taking a breath
“Whoa okay girl… and where’s this come from about wanting to get a place of your own”
“Okay I’m almost 20 and still at home working my ass off” I ran my fingers through my hair “Mom and Dad are going to want their own space at some point and well why not”
“Good then you can break your’ own stuff with the crazy wild sex you and Mr. EOD tend to have” I groaned and shook my head at her. “So how about we go look at places for you to live this afternoon”
“Sounds like a plan” I nodded
“Okay what else?” she stood up and dusted of her shorts
“Nothing” I shrugged
“You’re working way too much girl… I want fun Aly back” she pulled me back into the house “Go get changed and hurry your ass up” I walked up the stairs to my room and pulled on a clean pair of shorts and a clean shirt My phone rang again.
Me * Hey Mom
Mom * hi honey just so you know I’m here and the meeting went really well
ME * cool
Mom * Aly are you okay
Me * Yeah I just got to talk to Ryne for a short while
Mom * is he okay?
Me * he’s fine… the good old mail service is as quick as ever he hasn’t had any of the letters I’ve sent him
Mom * I think they’re all having trouble out there, your Dad has only gotten two of the ones I sent to him, so don’t let that worry you.
Me * Mom I think I need to talk to you
Mom * okay that doesn’t sound good
Me * no it’s… well how pissed would you be if I moved out
Mom * I’d deal with it honey you’re almost 20 and if that’s what… wait a minute you’re not going to move out of state or something like that are you , I mean you’re not going to head to Texas or Cali or…
Me * Jeez Mom take a breath… and no I’m going to look at places in town I’m not going to be going way from the base don’t worry about that, I found out the grass wasn’t greener away from the Marines.
Mom * sorry honey my heads a little pickled from everything going on.
Me * it’s okay. So you’re alright with me going to find a place
Mom * you find the place and after the contract I just signed this morning I’ll put up the security deposit and the first 6 months rent
Me * say what?
Mom * Alyssa I’m lucky to have gotten this far with my Jewelry and I might as well treat my children, and after all I do have a surprise for you.
Me * what… you know I hate surprises Mom
Mom * okay I took your design book and showed a few people this morning
Me * Oh Mom they aren’t that good
Mom * well that’s not the reception they received here in fact they want you to work with me on creating a Teen line.
I sat on the edge of my bed
Mom * Alyssa you still there
Me * you are kidding me right
Mom * When have you known me to joke where business is concerned? I love my Marine but the pay sucks and you know that and you’ve seen people struggle on military wages.
Me * yes ma’am
Mom * I’ll do everything I can so you can make money so you won’t have to struggle with or without your Marine
Me * have I told you that you’re the best Mom ever
Mom * frequently honey… So has Ryne proposed yet?
Me * oh god Mom
Mom * hey I can do him a good deal on a ring
Me * I’m going or Brit will kill me… and Mom… thank you
Mom * you
’re welcome sweet heart, I’ll have to sort something out for Ryder when he gets home.
Me * Okay I’m going. I’ll see you in a couple of days
Mom * okay honey love you
Me * love you too
I hung up and looked at my reflection in the mirror as Brit walked in.
“You’re stalling” she grinned
“No I was talking to my Mom” I picked up my purse “I think I’m about to get paid to make some jewelry”
Silent Ranks Page 29