Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 84985 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 425(@200wpm)___ 340(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84985 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 425(@200wpm)___ 340(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Trevor nodded. “Thanks, man. I’m sorry you came to me before spending time with Elise.”
“I wouldn’t have come anywhere else. Take it easy tonight. I’ll see you tomorrow. Damn, I forgot. I’m turning into such a girl, thinking about relationships more than war and battle. Dude, congress passed the Medal of Honor for you. My dad told me today. So you’ll be hearing from them soon, I’m sure.”
Trevor nodded again, his heart eased quite a bit talking to Rylie. And the Medal of Honor was a huge deal. Almost unimaginable to think Trevor could be associated with such an honor.
“Hey, quick question. I may need you to pick something up for me at the store in the next few days, is that possible? I’ll be driving soon, but I don’t have a car yet,” Trevor said as an afterthought, pulling Rylie back in the doorway he just stepped through.
“Sure, just let me know when and I’m on it. I’ll talk to you later. Call me if you need me, man.”
“Thanks for the talk. I needed it bad.” Rylie hit the door jam with the palm of his hand, giving him a wink before disappearing down the hall.
Chapter Twenty-Six
The cameras in the front of the house began flashing through the blinds. Trevor supposed that meant Rylie and Elise were leaving, making their way through the masses of news crews. His mind stayed on his conversation with Rylie as he flipped off the television to stare at the darkened screen. If he were going to try to make amends with Reed, he needed to get his head right in this relationship. Self doubt and insecurity were his lifelong traits, but he had to find away to put them aside. His focus must stay on how to become the best possible man he could be in order to stand beside Reed comfortably, as his heart desperately wanted him to do.
Trevor’s body hurt from the workout he put himself through this afternoon. Reaching for the crutches resting against the night stand, he let out a small hiss. His left arm jerked in a cramp, sending the crutches flying. They scrapped against the wall, making a loud bang as they hit the hardwood flooring. It was late, Trevor was tired, and now the crutches lay out of his reach. Using the night stand and his right leg, he moved from bed, awkwardly bending to the floor. His body resisted, but he forced through it until he managed to snag a crutch in his hand.
“Trevor, what’s happened? What’re you doing?” Reed broke through the imaginary line he stayed behind all night, rushing to him.
“I dropped my crutches. Reed, I’m sorry,” Trevor said, bending over, trying to reach the other crutch. He watched Reed rush to him from under his own arm.
“Did you fall, babe? Where are you hurt?” Reed gathered the crutches while sliding an arm around Trevor, absorbing his body weight to help hold him up. Reed pushed Trevor back to bed. His eyes were concerned, watching him closely.
“I’m sorry. Please stop fussing over me for a minute. I’m fine. I just dropped my crutches. Reed, I’m sorry for all of this tonight. I’m just overwhelmed,” Trevor said, keeping his eyes trained on Reed. He knew the blush was forming. Reed didn’t seem to pay him any attention, but pulled his shirt up to check his wounds. Trevor stopped him with his hands, forcing Reed to listen to him. This was too important. If he didn’t get it out, he might not ever fully say it. “You’ve overwhelmed me, and I just didn’t feel worthy of you.”
“You don’t need to apologize. You’ve overwhelmed me from the first minute our eyes met across the Grand Ball room. The only thing I’m certain is I love you completely,” Reed said, sitting carefully on the side of the bed.
“I love you too. I do. It’s complete for me too. I’ve robbed us of a normal beginning. Of dating, getting to know each other, learning how we fit. I’m sorry about that, but if you’ll have me back, I want to stay here with you.”
“Handsome, I never wanted you gone. I’ve always wanted you right here with me,” Reed said, wrapping their fingers together in a tight hold.
“It’s gonna be hard. If at any point you can’t handle all this attention, I can go. Promise me you’ll tell me. And if your feelings change, just tell me. Promise me, Reed. If you promise me, I’ll try hard to stop second guessing all this and just go with it.” Trevor gripped Reed, bringing their joined hands to his lips for a kiss, waiting for Reed to answer.
“I’ll promise you that will never happen, but I can see by that angry brow you want my oath. Very well, Trevor, I do promise to tell you if anything changes in my feelings for you.” Reed brought his lips to Trevor’s for a soft, sweet kiss of his own.
“Now let’s get you back to our bedroom. No more of this guest bedroom business ever again. Promise me. Otherwise, I may have to make this room into a large closet or something of the sort. I don’t like you being in here, away from me.” Reed reached down, slinging his backpack over his shoulder while handing Trevor his crutches.
“I promise. I like the idea of our room.”
“Me too, Trevor, very much.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Three Months later
“Baby, do I look okay? I think the uniform’s too big now. I lost some weight. Baby... Reed...seriously, you must get up.” Leaning over the bed, Trevor kissed Reed on his sleeping, soft lips. Reed kissed him back, but Trevor had to dodge his arms or be pulled back into bed. Reed groaned loudly when their alarm sounded off again after hitting the third or fourth round of snooze. Trevor was already up, freshly showered and completely dressed in his dress blues, too excited to sleep.
The last three months stayed a constant whirl wind for both of them. Trevor’s permanent prosthesis came in and it was bad ass, totally state of the art, just like they promised. Trevor wore it proudly, comfortable in it now. His leg still required periods of rest, as the swelling wasn’t completely under control, but Trevor tried hard to stay positive and encouraged about the future. He still felt like he looked a little awkward while trying to walk. It didn’t bother him, though; he stayed fully focused and vested in his recovery, knowing it would work itself out soon.