Her Soldier (That Girl #3) (9 page)

I laugh as she walks away and puts the pants and tank back on the rack, keeping the tiny dress. Lynlee has her items already purchased and walks toward me. I didn’t even notice what she was buying between all my staring and Jazzy.

“What did you get?” I ask, peeking in her bag.

She holds my arm and slides up my long sleeve, exposing one of the remaining bruises on my body, and instantly looks up at me.

“What is this?”

“A bruise. I ate shit the other day.”

“My ass, Jenni, that’s a hand mark. A perfect one, in fact. What in the hell is going on?”

“Lynlee.” I make her look in my eyes instead of at the glaring bruise. “Please trust me when I say Beau had nothing to do with this. He has…”

“How in the hell am I supposed to believe you when I’m seeing all these signs?”

“What signs?” I step away, jerking my arm back to my body.

“You go missing. He has to drive you to the mall, and this bruise, but you want me to believe he’s a good guy.”

“You have no freaking idea what is going on!”

“Then tell me. I’m begging you.”

“You wouldn’t believe me or understand anyway. See you guys tonight.”

I turn and leave as soon as Jazzy walks out of the store. I hear her asking all sorts of questions and even hollers out my name. I turn slightly and wave to her. Lynlee has her mind made up, and there seems to be no way of getting the idea through her thick skull. I want to tell her it was Maxton and not have to reveal all the nasty details. The second I tell her, I know it will be on like Donkey Kong with police reports, my Aunt Danielle involved, and the Wilks boys after Maxton.

I push the door to the mall open forcefully and wonder if it was really so bad that I want to forget everything from that night. Beau’s truck is the first thing I see. He’s still in the truck staring at the entry of the mall. His gaze perks up when he sees me. Quickening my pace, I jog toward him and yearn to feel that inner peace again. I know it’s a sick desire and wrong in all the wrong ways, but it’s what I want.

He steps from the truck and I fly into his arms, burying my face in the crook of his neck.

“What’s wrong, baby?”

“They don’t understand. They just don’t get me. I’ve never seen it until today.” I grip onto the back of his shirt and hold on tight. “I feel hollow with them and didn’t realize how bad it was until I met you. I just want to be with you.”

“Okay. Okay. Calm down. I think you may be overreacting.”

His words piss me off instantly. Stepping away, I throw my hand back and slap his chest.

“Not you too. I don’t need anyone else judging me right now.”

Beau holds both hands up in surrender. “I’m sorry, Jenni, I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m sorry. Jesus, it’s like I’m going crazy.”

He holds the door of the truck open and I climb in through his side and settle in the middle. Beau climbs in after me and rests his hand on my leg.

“Want to talk about it?” he offers.

“They assumed the worst. Actually, Lynlee did. It’s just all messed up.”

“Can’t be that bad?”

“It is.”

“You’re sitting next to me. How bad could it be?”

I giggle at his joke and then realize he’s right. I’m going to push through all this shit and start living for me. I can’t worry if Lynlee won’t listen to me or who doesn’t approve of Beau as long as I’m happy. That’s all that matters.

Laying my head on Beau’s shoulder, I say, “You’re right, I guess.”

“You just need to decide what you want in life, Jenni, and what’s really important and worth fighting for. Set your mind on it and don’t give in. And don’t worry who the fuck likes it or not.”

It’s as if he read my mind. Are my thoughts that clear on my face? I want to ask, but he stops me before I can get a word out.

“The little I know about you and from what you’ve shared with me, I can tell you are a people pleaser and tend to worry about everyone else and what they’re thinking. You need to stop and find your spot in this big world.”

“What if I think that spot is with you?”

“Jenni, that’s not a fair question. Things are so complicated that I can’t…”

My heart can’t bear to hear the next words that are sure to come from his mouth, so I stop him before he has the chance to deliver any blows.

“Let’s just go.”

No more words are exchanged as he drives us through town. I lay my head back down and close my eyes, trying to erase all the memories of today. My apartment, the writing on the mirrors, my room destroyed, the scent of urine, and Lynlee’s face when she saw the bruise on my arm. I just want it all to disappear, or for a re-do button to show up. I focus on the scent of Beau while all the memories of today begin to become blurry as sleep invades my thoughts, eventually winning the battle.

“Jenni.” I feel my shoulders shake and then someone repeating my name a couple more times. When I open my eyes I’m in Beau’s apartment tucked in under his sheets, and he’s standing before me. Sitting up, I scrub my face with both hands and try to remember what happened.

Seeing the confusion covering my face, Beau sits next to me and holds my hands.

“You fell asleep on the way home, babe. I carried you in. You were out, so I let you sleep, but it’s getting late in the evening and your phone is about to vibrate off the table.” Beau’s lips skim across my forehead. “Oh, and we have that thing with your friends.

“Fuck my friends.” My voice catapults as I flop back down into the bed.

Beau gives me a crooked look and leaves the room, only to return moments later with my phone in his hand. He tosses it next to me and jumps into bed by my side.

“Now this is what I’m talking about.” My body instantly magnetizes to his.

“No, your phone.”

“Party pooper.”

He was right, my phone is blown up with notifications from Lynlee and Jazzy. Mostly just texts asking if I was coming or not, and of course if I was okay. I so badly want to comment back with something along the lines of, ‘No, not okay. Currently tied up and being butt fucked by apes.’

I notice one from my aunt and giggle because she rarely texts, but has finally figured out she gets a much quicker response from me if she does.

Auntie Danielle: Would you and your friend like to come over for dinner tonight?

Me: Actually, that sounds perfect.

“At least you’re smiling.” Beau’s voice interrupts my concentration. “What time is this date thing tonight?”

“Um, we’re not going. Instead, my aunt wants to have dinner with us tonight.” I roll up on my side to face Beau with my head propped on my elbow.

“So, does this have anything to do with me?”

Wrinkling my nose up, I ask, “What do you mean?”

“You canceling on your friends.”

“Oh god, no. They were being assholes at the mall. I don’t want to see them.”

“Are you sure?” Beau grits down on his jaw and his whole face fills with tension.

I push him back down and know I’m making a very bold move touching him when he’s beginning to show signs of anger. Climbing on top of him, I brush some of his dark hair to the side and grip his face. “If you’re thinking it’s because of you, you’re wrong. Dead wrong, in fact. They made me feel like shit, and I don’t want to feel that way.”

His face relaxes a bit.

“I want to kiss you, and then you’ll drive me to my aunt’s for dinner.”

A slight grin finally brightens his face. “Kiss me already.”

My lips are already touching his as he gives me the go ahead. Before I have the chance to get down to business, Beau pulls me back and shakes his head.

“What?” I feign innocence.

“Go, now.” His hand comes down hard on my ass, leaving a stinging sensation behind. “If I start this, I won’t be able to stop for a couple of hours.”

“Start what?” I tilt my head to the side with an evil grin.

“Go.” This time he throws me off of him and I giggle into the sheets as he makes his way from the bed.

“Nice boner there, sir.”

“You’re killing me, Jenna. Slowly killing me giving me these damn things all the time.” He grasps my ankle and slides me down the length of the bed. “Your ass is mine when we get home.”

Chapter 8

“Hey, how did the interview go?” I hop around trying to force my foot into a black leather boot. “We kind of got sidetracked today.”

“I don’t know.” Beau slings on a black leather jacket, damn near causing my knees to buckle from the sex appeal he’s oozing.

“Why don’t you know?”

“Told ’em I had an emergency, and they said they’d call me if they ever got desperate enough.”

“No.” My hands fly to my gaping mouth as my foot slams to the floor. “Beau, oh my god, all because of me.”

“Stop, Jenni.” In three strides he’s wrapping me up in his arms. “I don’t have to work, I have plenty of money for the way I live. I just like to work to busy myself.”

“How do you have money?” I instantly regret asking him the question, knowing I’m pushing. “Never mind, let’s go.”

Beau looks relieved I didn’t hound him for more information, and deep down I hope one day he’ll be able to share more with me. We ride in comfortable conversation, and it’s as if none of the events from today really happened. It’s moments like these I need to inscribe on my heart to keep close.

“Beau, not this road,” I blurt out when he turns three blocks too early. I know I’m shitty at giving directions, but I definitely didn’t indicate in any fashion to turn left on 3
rd
Avenue.

He just laughs at me then pulls into a small market. “My gram didn’t raise a fool.”

Jumping out, he clutches my hand and pulls me out of the truck.

“Um, Aunt Danielle will stab you in the kneecap with a spork if you bring any type of food into her house. She’s a baker.”

“Like I said, I’m not a fool. Remember my gram was a baker too, so I know the golden rule.”

“Then?”

He points to a stand filled with fresh flowers, and I almost feel my ovaries melt. “You want to take her flowers?”

“I do,” he says, stepping closer to the flowers.

Then I feel my ovaries instantly explode. This man.

“What kind do you think she’d prefer?”

“Prefer, my god, you act as if we’re picking out hemorrhoid cream or something. Flowers are perfect in any shape, color, or size.”

“You and your words.” A slight blush covers his face. “Just help me.”

“No, I want to see what you would pick.”

“Asswipe.”

I laugh at his attempt at name calling; it’s truly lame at best. Then I feel my face flush as he takes his time analyzing each bouquet, but never once checking the price tag.

He finally decides on an enormous cellophane wrapped bouquet of roses. They’re pink and yellow, and each rose varies slightly in hue. I never would’ve noticed them from the other overpowering arrangements. My eye was definitely attracted to the bright white lilies and deep red roses which by far dominate the stand. But as I stare at the arrangement he’s holding, it’s absolutely breathtaking.

“What, you don’t like it?”

“No, no, it’s…” For the first time in my life I’m at a loss for words. “It’s perfect. I never would have picked that one, but now with you holding it, it’s the most gorgeous one here.”

Beau’s lips brush my forehead. “Want me to buy one too?”

“No, goofball.” My hand slaps his chest. “But do riddle me this. Why did you buy this particular one?”

I reach out and pet the delicate petals on one of the salmon colored flower.

“Because it was the most beautiful one and reminds me of you.”

“It what?”

“It reminds me of you. It’s gorgeous in a simple way, but overpowers everything else.”

“You’re making me fall again,” I warn him.

“Let’s fall together.” His lips touch mine in a gentle, sweet kiss.

His words hit my heart before my brain. I try not to react like I want to in fear of spooking him away, so instead I remain cool and collected while kissing him back. He takes my hand and we stroll up to the cash register. I give it a little extra squeeze, desperate to release some excitement.

As Beau is paying, a couple of children over by the gumball machines catch my attention as they giggle and try to decide which dispenser to put their quarter in. If only things were that simple again.

“Ready?”

“Yeah.” Beau follows my attention to the two children. As we walk by, we hear one of them say, “oh damn.” We stop and turn to look at the little girl. She instantly slaps her hand over her mouth in embarrassment at being caught by adults.

The other little girl steps up to us. “She’s real sorry for saying damn out loud. It’s just that we’re two quarters short.”

“What are you after?” Beau asks.

“Well, I want this one.” She points to the machine filled with slimy slap hands. “And she wants a tat.”

I can’t help but giggle at the little girl so loosely throwing around the word tat. Beau reaches deep in his pocket and then kneels down, holding out his hand to the two girls. Their faces light up like they just hit the jackpot.

“Go ahead and pick out all of the quarters. Whatever you find is yours.”

The girls don’t waste any time and dig right in.

“Sir?”

“Yes?”

“Would you mind if we just took all the silver, because we can exchange the smaller ones for a quarter.”

My brows shoot up at her genius tactic. Stepping up to Beau’s back, I place my hand on his shoulder and bend down to get closer to the girls.

“Of course, you can. Take whatever you need.”

“Score!” the little cusser squeals.

Their fingers pick out all the silver coins from Beau’s palm, and then using their pointer fingers they move around the remaining pennies, ensuring they collected all the silver.

“Thank you, sir. This was real nice of you.”

The second girl adds her thanks as well. “Yes, sire, very nice of you.”

She receives a sucker punch to the gut while her friend not so discreetly whispers, “He’s not a sire. He’s a sir.”

We laugh at their antics. These two are going to be hell on wheels in a few short years. Watch out, world!

“Where’s your mom?” I ask. “You two better hurry along so she doesn’t worry.”

“Oh, she’s at home. She sent us on an errand.” She pauses while her sister makes air quotes with her fingers. “She needed some special time with her new man.”

Each girl rolls her eyes.

“Do you need a ride?” Beau asks.

“Um, we so don’t do rides from strangers, but thanks, sir.”

Beau just shakes his head at them and rises to his feet. “Keep it real, girls.”

We wave and begin to walk away while their voices are still audible.

“He’s hot.”

“She’s gorgeous, like a Barbie.”

“They’re going to make cute babies,” their voices ring in unison.

Beau stops before exiting the swinging door and shoots them a wink, and both girls break into giggles.

“Spend your money wisely, girls,” I say.

It’s dark outside and the air has become quite chilly while we were in the store.

“Holy shit, Beau, those two were quite the charmers.”

“It’s times like this that make everything I’ve gone through worth it.”

“You were great with them.”

He opens the door and waits for me to get in and then closes the door behind me. He rounds the front of the truck, and my heart is sad for him. I know exactly what he means by his comment. He fought for our country for little girls like those two, and then I’m reminded of the baby picture on his nightstand and grow even sadder for the soldier who once lived a very different life.

“I like kids,” Beau says as he settles into the driver’s seat. I slide all the way next to him and place the wrapped roses in the passenger seat.

“Well, you’re a natural with them. I’m not sure I’d ever have done that. I would have just shook my head and gave them a thumbs up.”

His hands are locked on the steering wheel while his eyes are zoned in on the window to the market. The two little blonde heads can be seen from the window. Just barely, though, since the vending machines cover up most of them.

“Tell me, Beau. I’ll just listen. Let it out.”

“I…” My phone rings from my purse, and I jump. I go to silence the fucker and realize Beau already has the truck in reverse. I see Danielle’s name flashing on the screen and curse her timing.

“Go ahead.” Beau nods in the direction of the phone.

“I’ll listen.”

“Naw, answer it.”

So close. So fucking close to learning one new thing about him. Over the last few days, I’ve noticed Beau is way more settled, and I want to think it’s because he’s opened up a bit and doesn’t have to be so mysterious.

“Hello.”

“Where are you guys? You’re late.”

I point to the street where Beau needs to turn.

“Calm your tits. We’re about two minutes away.”

“Jenni, I hate it when you use that language.”

“I could’ve said titties.”

“Jenni.”

“You know it’s why you love me. See you in a bit.”

“Bye.”

Throwing my phone back in my purse, I point again. “The two-story house on the right.”

“Did you just tell your aunt to calm her tits?”

“Yeah.” I don’t pay much attention to his question as I pull down the visor and look in the mirror. I touch up my makeup and making sure all forms of blemish are gone.

“Jenni, that is horrible.”

“What?” I look in the mirror to see what has him horrified.

“The way you just talked to your aunt.”

Flipping the visor shut, I laugh at him. “It’s our thing. I say totally smartass and vulgar stuff to her to give her a rise because she’s so meek and mild. She likes it, and I like giving her a hard time. I’ve even overheard her using some of the lines on her own friends, and even though she murders most of them, it’s pretty funny shit.”

“Please—and by please, I mean promise me—you won’t use the words tit or titties tonight in front of me or your aunt.”

I shoot him an evil grin. “Challenge accepted, Beau.”

“Jenni,” he warns.

“C’mon, tiger, you’ll be okay.”

Danielle is waiting on her porch. She always waits there for me with welcoming arms. She’s a hugger, and I should’ve warned Beau about that. I’m not sure how he’ll react. Their first meeting was very professional since she was in her bakery, but in her home it’s a whole new ballgame.

Her arms have me wrapped up in a hug as she kisses my cheek and whispers into my ear, “You’re beautiful, my birdie, and remember the sky is the limit.” It’s something she’s always told me every single day growing up.

“I love you, too.”

I step aside and let her have her way with Beau.

“Beau, so nice to see you again.”

“You too, Danielle.” He nods politely.

Her arms are thrown wide open and he stands frozen. I push him toward her. When he is close enough, she wraps him in her arms and whispers something to him. Beau’s arms remain at his sides. I laugh at how damn awkward the whole scene is.

“Let’s go eat, I’m starving,” I say.

“Jenni, where are your manners?” Danielle scolds me.

“These are for you.” Beau raises the roses to Danielle and hands them to her. “I’m not the hugging type, but I do appreciate your invite over here tonight. It means a lot.”

“Oh, dear.” Danielle’s hand flies to her chest. “These are beautiful. Get in here, kids.”

I swear she’ll still be calling me a kid when I’m fifty and she’s eighty. It used to drive me freaking bonkers when I was in the snotty-ass teen stage, but now I love hearing her use the term.

“This is a nice place.” Beau surveys the surroundings, taking in everything. Danielle keeps an immaculate home and could possibly rival Beau’s organization skills. “I see you didn’t get your housekeeping abilities from your aunt, Jenni.”

Danielle’s laughter—I mean cackle—fills the entire house before I can rebut his snide little joke, so instead I shrug.

“It’s her fault. She spoiled me.” I point straight at my aunt.

Danielle pulls her favorite vase out from under the sink.

“May I?” Beau asks, taking the flowers from her.

“Why, yes, and I’ll get dinner finished up. I’ve made Jenni’s favorite pork chops and stuffing. She used to beg for it.”

“I won’t even bring up her cooking skills. She damn near burnt down my apartment heating up a pizza pocket.”

“That would be my Jenni,” Danielle says between giggles.

I busy myself setting up the table and getting drinks. It was always my favorite job when I was young and visiting at Aunt Danielle’s house, and when I came to live with her in high school it was known that it was my thing. Growing up, I never got to do much with my mom or dad because their patience always wore thin, so it was a special treat to be at Danielle’s and put in charge of a job.