She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not (The American Soldier Collection 8)

“Thanks for knocking the wind out of my sails, Justice,” Mace replied.

Seno snorted. “A woman as perfect as that may not exist, and we may need to make the decision none of us have been wanting to make.”

“I’m not giving up on Hunter. We didn’t back down then when they said to forget about him, that he was as good as dead. I’m sure as hell not giving up on him now. He’ll come around, and if we find that woman we’ve been hoping to find for us to share and feel complete with, then Hunter will have to be part of it. It’s the kind of relationship that would work best for all of us just as it has for our friends. Soldiers who have been what we’ve been through, brothers who’ve served in the field of battle like we did don’t know any other way but together, one team one unit.”

“Agreed. We give him more time. Besides, my money is on us growing old with no woman than finding one who can put up with the three of your bullshit,” Mace told them.

“Our bullshit?” Seno asked, sounding insulted.

“Sure. Justice is a fucking control freak who has to be in charge and tell everyone what their purpose and job is. You’re a fucking anal perfectionist who analyzes criminals to profile them for the government so your mind is never able to focus on relaxing and just giving your all to the moment. Hunter has a piss-poor attitude, and he takes out his anger training hand-to-hand combat and conducting computer analysis for hours and hours at a time. I’m the most normal of all of you,” Mace stated.

“Normal? You call yourself fucking normal?” Seno asked.

“Your infatuation with everything John Wayne is fucking weird,” Justice teased.

“Hey, John Wayne was a fucking cool guy. There’s nothing weird about being a collector,” Mace replied in defense.

“You paid five thousand dollars for one of his autographed pictures,” Seno replied.

“You also collect those damn swords and knives. Your entire room looks like a vault for weaponry,” Justice added.

“Hey, I like to collect certain things. I think John Wayne was awesome. I also like knives, and swords mean a lot to me after the years I spent training in sword fighting.”

Seno and Justice chuckled as Mace went on defending himself while they headed out to work. They always teased one another. It was part of the close bond they all shared. The only difference was that now it seemed Hunter participated less and less and seemed to isolate himself more and more. Justice was at his wit’s end. If he could have one wish granted in life it would be that his brother Hunter could feel whole again, and like a real man instead of an invalid, the way he seemed to really feel deep inside.

* * * *

Ellie waited to park her silver 1970 Corvette Stingray in a front spot that opened up in front of Ray Ray’s bar. She eased it into the spot as she noticed a couple of guys checking out the car. It was an eye-catcher and a classic, left to her by her uncle Brian in his will. She loved the car, and Uncle Brian knew that since they shared a lot of Sunday afternoons together riding around. She turned off the ignition and looked at the front of Ray Ray’s. It was an older bar frequented by lots of people in the police department as well as retirees. Her uncle Brian had hung out there often along with Uncle Reggie, whom everyone called Unc.

Unc wasn’t her real uncle, but had taken on the responsibility of one, or at least the closest thing she had to an uncle besides Brian. They were best friends and had been partners in the police department for years. When Uncle Brian died in the store robbery, Ellie had taken it hard. So hard that she couldn’t even function. It had been the worst thing to happen to her or so she thought until Paul came along.

Ellie sighed. Paul Lewis was a correctional officer. Fresh out of college and eyes wide open at the prospects a good-paying position could give her, she fell right into Paul’s more mature and experienced personality. He was gorgeous, came from a wealthy family, very tough and demanding. He was also into some things she hadn’t realized until it had nearly been too late.

She closed her eyes and pushed away the fearful thoughts. That was a year and a half ago. At least now when she saw Paul, she didn’t have a panic attack. What he had done to her ruined any chances of her being with another man. At least she didn’t think she could be intimate with someone any time soon.

She gathered her purse, and looked in the mirror to check her makeup. She could only stop to visit Unc for a little while. She had plans of going out with her roommates tonight, and she definitely wanted to change out of the business attire.

After getting out of the car and locking the doors, she headed inside. It was pretty crowded already for happy hour. She clutched her bag tightly against her belly as she saw the multiple eyes turn to look at her. She scanned the room for Unc and immediately saw Ray.

“Ellie, come on in, doll.” He greeted her with a hug and then kisses to her cheek.

“Hello, Ray. How are you?”

“Doing well, how are you? Feeling okay? How is work?” he asked as he led her over toward the back of the room where Unc sat talking to some guy. He didn’t look too happy but then Unc looked up and his face lit up. He was a great man, and a faithful friend to Uncle Brian. Unc had basically taken over Uncle Brian’s role.

“Hey, Ellie, you made it. I thought you might not,” Unc said as he stood up, dismissing the man who was sitting with him as the man walked away. Unc pulled her into his arms.

“I told you that I would make it.”

Unc was tall, about six feet, with dark hair and only a bit of gray showing here and there. He was in his fifties, and in great physical condition, just like her uncle Brian had been.

“Come and sit down, join me for a while.” He pulled out the chair and she sat down, smiling at him. She felt better having someone whom she thought of as family to sit down with and talk to. Although she had her three roommates, Moira, Donella and Jessie, too, this was different. Unc was like a father figure, and she felt lucky to have him.

“So, work must be pretty busy. You had to cancel lunch a few times.” He leaned back and took a sip of his soda. Ray brought over a glass of club soda with lemon and winked as he placed it down in front of her before heading back to the bar.

She stirred the straw and looked at Unc. She didn’t want to worry him about her business meeting tomorrow with Renaldo. Unc had been very protective of her along with Uncle Brian after Paul had assaulted her. She didn’t dare tell him about Paul sending her a text message the other day trying to act as if he were forgiven.

“Something is bothering you. What’s wrong? Tell me.”