Mending Hearts (The American Soldier Collection 11)

“Thank you for delivering the furniture.”

“You’re welcome. Good luck with it and with your new place,” Gator said as he walked out first.

“Maybe I’ll see you at Casper’s or in town,” Jeb said, and he didn’t know why. He should just let it be.

“Maybe. Bye,” she said, and he winked before he exited the house with her, closing the door behind them.

“God damn, she’s beautiful,” Gator whispered through clenched teeth as Jeb started the truck and headed out of her driveway.

He was grateful to hear that Gator was just as affected by Alana as he was.

“This situation is fucked up. I like her, too.”

“Hell, that’s obvious, and what’s not to like? She’s gorgeous, petite, sweet, and damn vulnerable right now.”

“Some dick could come along and take advantage of that vulnerability. Especially with her working at Casper’s,” Gator told him.

“I know. She needs protection.”

“Is that what we’re calling it? The fact that we’re attracted to her, and so is Jaxon, and we don’t want some guys hurting her?” Gator asked.

“It is what it is.”

Gator chuckled.

“This isn’t a smart idea. You know that, right?”

“I don’t know anything anymore. I just know I’m tired of feeling empty inside. I’m sick of seeing Gabe looking ready to take his own life. Jaxon said that Gabe’s eyes lit up when he first saw Alana. There was something there.”

“But it isn’t there now. Gabe is all fucked up.”

“I think we should watch over her.”

“I think you want to do more than that to her.”

Jeb gripped the wheel. She did feel good in his arms, all petite and him towering over her, encasing her body. He could just imagine what she would feel like naked against his skin with his dick buried deep in her pussy. But it wasn’t right to have these feelings. She was Gabe’s. Maybe he was attracted to her because the guys were all so close. Hell, he’d give his life for any of them, and they would do the same for him. He knew that. The connection was strong, deeper than blood. But still, Alana was young, an old flame of Gabe’s. She obviously still cared for him. She kept shedding tears. He was being a dick.

“Don’t feel like a dick. I felt it, too. Made me reconsider the whole ménage thing we once discussed,” Gator confessed, and Jeb shot a look at him, nearly going off the road from Gator’s statement. Gator was the least into commitments.

“We’ve fucked the same woman before, Gator. What are you talking about?”

“Pursuing this instant attraction to Alana. With Alana, it would be different. I know it would be. Besides, the others we screwed were meaningless. We were needy, so were they, and it worked out the few times we did it. I didn’t feel an inkling of the…interest I feel around Alana, and we just met her. How the fuck is that even possible?”

Jeb shook his head. “You’re fucking older than me. How the hell am I supposed to know?”

Gator grunted. “We’re so fucked, you know that?”

“Yeah, I know. But like I said, it is what it is. We’ll deal with it.”

* * * *

Alana considered calling Marcy and Mike, Gabe’s parents, numerous times. But then Deanna talked her out of it, and they were her blood relatives, not Alana’s. She had three restless nights, and work seemed to go by too quickly. She was actually excited that Casper’s was so crowded on Friday night. But then one waitress called in sick, and they were short a bartender. The McCallisters were furious. But then Gia, Gunny, Garrett, and Wes’s wife showed up to help waitress, along with another friend, so Alana was asked to bartend.

She was a little rusty at first, but it was so crowded that she got the hang of things very quickly.

“Darling, you get that sexy little ass on over here and get me and my buddies another round. There’s no need to help any other customers but us tonight,” one cowboy called to her. He was feeling pretty good already and appeared to be swaying on the stool. His buddies chuckled, but the one guy kept those dark eyes glued to Alana, giving her the creeps.

Before she could say a word, Gator appeared. He slapped the guy on the shoulder way harder than a friendly hello between men would warrant.