"You were trapped,” she says in a whisper.
"I felt the steel in my leg." I look down to where her hand is, and she takes it off as if my leg is on fire. “I knew that if I didn’t get out of there, I would die there." She wipes the tears running down her face. “I knew that if I gave up and waited for help, they would take us, and we would be their fucking pawn." I shake my head, my voice cracking. “That wasn’t happening. Not on my watch."
"What did you do?" she whispers.
“I closed my eyes and shut everything down and pulled my leg free. I felt the steel rip through my flesh. The burning went right down to my bones. But I got the radio and got an air strike to come and rescue us. I pulled two of the guys who had burns on their hands to safety, and it was the longest twenty-two minutes of my life. The minute I got into the helicopter, I faded to black. I woke up seven days later in Germany. I was put on the injury list, thirty days until my next check-in, so I called my father and decided to come home. Fuck." I shake my head. “I always wondered why I didn’t die there that day. I wondered why I was saved, but now being here, coming home, I know why." My own tears stream down my face. “It was for you, this." I look into her eyes. “It was for you two."
Chapter 22
Hazel
I listen to him say his story, and the whole time, my heart is in my throat. The whole time, I thank whoever is listening for saving him. "I’m so sorry," I say, and my hand comes up to cup his cheek. “For not pushing to get in touch with you sooner. I should have contacted your parents." The lump in my throat is as big as a baseball, and I want to say so many words, but I don’t trust myself right now.
"How were you supposed to know?” he says.
"What if something would have happened to you and you died not knowing?” I try to control the sob that wants to rip through me. "I’m so sorry." His head turns to kiss the palm of my hand on his cheek.
"I think it’s safe to say we both fucked up and made mistakes,” he says softly, putting his hand over mine. “The good news is that we now know." He looks in my eyes, and I want to lean in and kiss his lips. He’s the last person I’ve ever kissed. He’s the only kiss that I remember, and he’s the only kiss that I dream of.
I smile through my tears at him. “I’m really glad you didn’t die." He laughs, his hand falling off mine and my hand falling to his leg. The moment’s suddenly gone, and I wonder if he did it on purpose. If kissing me is not what he wants to do. I know he said that he hasn’t dated, but he could still have someone in his life.
"I’m really glad I didn’t die either,” he says, getting up now. “I’m really fucking glad I didn’t die." He walks down the step. “And I’m really fucking glad I came home." He looks at me. “See you in the morning,” he says. “Lock up."
"I will." I get up and turn to walk back into the house. When I hear the sound of the rocks crunching as he pulls out of the driveway, I lock the door. Walking to the kitchen, I clean up before heading up to bed. I watch Sofia sleep for a while before sleep comes and takes me.
"Momma." I hear a soft voice. “Uncle Reed is here.” My eyes spring open, and I sit up in bed, the cover falling off me.
"What?" I look at Sofia in confusion, then turn to grab the phone on the side table. I see it’s past seven, but there are five texts, all from Reed.
Reed: It’s me. I got up early.
Reed: I’ll be there by seven.
Reed: Is it okay if I come over?
Reed: Heading that way now.
Reed: I’m outside.
"It’s fine." I look over and see him standing in the doorway. He leans against the doorjamb, wearing jeans and a T-shirt. His hair looks like he just got out of the shower. “I knocked and thought you were up." He smirks as he looks at me and then down at the floor.
Looking down, I see my nipples are peeking out. My hand flies to grab the cover, and I bring it to my chest. “I didn’t hear you wake up.” I look over at Sofia, who is getting off the bed. “I didn’t even hear you knock.”
“I heard it, Momma," Sofia says, walking to Reed and slipping her hand in his.