Ignite (Explosive) (15 page)

My dad claps my shoulder as he invites me out onto the patio to grill lunch. I know he wants to grill more than protein, so I follow him reluctantly. I give Alexa a lingering kiss on the lips before we head outside, and I can’t help but smile as she shyly grins at me. I notice my mom glancing between the two of us, and her eyes light up when she witnesses the intimacy she’s always hoped we’d share one day.

I walk out onto the deck and close the door behind me. My dad’s putting chicken and asparagus on the grill, and I’m just waiting for him to pounce. I don’t have to wait long before he asks his first question.

“Well, Jace, can you compete with a dead guy?” he asks briskly.

Well, shit. I definitely wasn’t prepared for this, and at first, I have no idea how to answer him.

“Pops, come on. We’ve just only found each other again. It’s way too soon to even think about anything else,” I tell him.

“Jace, son, I love you. You’re a good man, and you’ve always had a kind heart. I know you love this girl—you have for years. Can you handle the thought that she’s loved someone else in the meantime? And the only reason that she’s even here now is because he’s gone?”

Wow. I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut at his words, but I know he’s right. In that moment, I suddenly realize how I really feel about our time apart. I take a deep breath before pouring my heart out to him.

“Look, here’s the God’s honest truth. Does it kill me that someone else loved her in the past? Yes. Do I hate to think of someone else touching her? Yes. But in the same breath, am I glad that she spent our time apart knowing happiness? Yes. If she couldn’t be with me, I’m glad that she had someone who loved her, who she loved, someone who could make her happy.”

My dad takes a moment to baste the chicken on the grill before he turns to look at me. I’m wondering if he’s going to call me crazy and tell me I’ve lost my ever-loving mind. He takes a good long moment to contemplate over my answer, and I’m nervously drumming my fingers on the patio table as I await his response. Finally, he comes and stands beside me.

Putting his hand on my shoulder, he finally breaks the silence. “Son, you may have gotten my incredibly good looks, but you sure got your momma’s heart. Jace, I’ve gotta be honest with you. I always knew that there was something special between you two, but after you were separated, I figured you’d get over it. All these years your mother and I have been waiting for you to settle down, and it was kind of unnerving that you never seemed to be serious about anyone you were dating. Hell, I can’t even remember the last time you brought a girl home.”

He pauses as I laugh, because we both know that I’ve never brought a girl home, not since the days when Alexa and I would trade off which house we hung out at.

“As I was saying, I’ve been in love with the same woman for damn near thirty years, and I can’t even begin to imagine being separated from her for a decade of that. I don’t know how you did it or how you could answer me so calmly and maturely like that. As sorry as I am that that sweet girl lost her husband, I’m happy that you two have this chance to reconnect.”

I interrupt him with a thought that’s been troubling me for the past twenty-four hours. “That’s the thing, Pop. I hate that she lost him, but I’m so happy that she’s here with me now. Is that wrong? Does that make me a bad guy? Part of me feels so guilty that I’m pursuing her, but I care about her too much to let her go again. It’s just…conflicting.”

He sighs and sits down in the chair next to me. “That’s the funny thing about life, Jace. You never know what’s going to happen or what day is going to be your last. Suppose you’d ended up with Lexi after all, and then Heaven forbid, something happened and you were killed overseas.”

He stops, shaking his head as if trying to erase the mental picture that just flashed through his mind.

“What I’m trying to say is, put yourself in his shoes. Would you want your beautiful, young wife to spend the rest of her life alone? Or would you want her to eventually move on so that she can still have a long, fulfilling life?”

And this is one of the reasons why I love my dad. He’s probably the wisest man I’ve ever known, and his words make sense. As I process what he’s said, I start to feel a peace wash over me. He’s right, and I know it. I didn’t know Alexa’s husband, but I don’t know of any guy that would wish for his widow to live a life alone, especially if she has the potential to live another sixty to seventy years. That’d be selfish, and no man truly in love with his woman would want that.

“Thanks. I needed that, Pop. I’m just so nervous that I’m going to do something to mess this up and she’ll be gone again.”

“Well, this time make sure to get her contact information. Hell, even your mom’s on the Facebooks, so if nothing else you can find her online. It’s not 2002 anymore, you know,” he chuckles.

“Don’t worry, I’m not letting her go this time. At least without a fight. Plus, I have something that’ll work to my advantage.”

He looks at me curiously and raises his eyebrows while nodding for me to continue.

“I recently found out that when I get back from this tour I’m being stationed at Ft. Campbell,” I grin, because this means I’ll be so much closer to Alexa.

My dad’s smile widens, and he leans over to slap me on the back. I haven’t had a chance to tell her, but I’m hoping the fact that we’re going to be within a few hours of each other will help solidify the fact that we need to give this thing, give us, a try. My father and I bullshit a little bit more until the food is ready and then head inside in search of our women.

I can’t
stop the smile that crosses my face as Jace and his dad walk back into the house. Catching up with his mom has been wonderful but exhausting. She was genuinely interested in what I’ve been doing since I left Navarre, so she asked question after question. It’s actually rather refreshing because she doesn’t beat around the bush or tiptoe around the situation. She straight up asked me how Ty and I met, how our wedding was, and then she asks about different experiences we had while we were married. At one point, she even got a little misty eyed as she told me how sorry she was for what I went through. I just hugged her and thanked her for her words. I love Mr. McAllister, but it’s clear where Jace got his heart.

Jace and I decide to leave so his parents can eat lunch in peace. It’s all hugs and promises of seeing each other again, and it takes a good five minutes to make it to the car.

Once we’re both buckled in, my stomach lets out a huge growl, and I can feel my cheeks get a little pink as I timidly grin at him.

“I suppose I ought to take you to lunch before your stomach turns on me. Well, Alexa, for our first official, date where would you like to go?”

I’m slightly taken aback by his words, so it takes me a few moments to reply. I never thought about it that way, but now that he’s mentioned it, he’s right. This basically is our first date. Smiling at the thought, I shake my head that it’s taken us so long to get here.

“Well, since you pointed out that this is our first date, I think you should man up and make the command decision on what we do and where we go today,” I flirt.

Putting the car into reverse, he pulls out of the driveway. We drive for a few minutes before pulling up into a shopping center right off of Highway 98. I get out of the car and start laughing as I take in our destination. Jace comes to my side of the car and takes hold of my hand.

“So last night I get a stellar PB&J, and today I’m treated to the best sub shop in America? Jace, you are ever the romantic. How is that you don’t have a harem waiting for you to feed them sandwiches all day?” I joke.

His smile falls and I feel bad for ribbing him.

Before he can respond, I continue. “Seriously, Jace, this is perfect. The closest Firehouse to me in Ohio is almost two hours away, so I haven’t had their famous Italian sub in so long. This couldn’t be more perfect.”

At that moment my stomach decides to growl again. Laughing, we head inside, placing our orders before sitting down at a table for two. He holds my hand while running his thumb across the back of it.

“I still can’t believe I’m here with you. It’s surreal,” he says softly, looking into my eyes with an emotion that both scares and thrills me.

“I can’t either, but let’s not get overwhelmed. We talked a lot about our feelings last night, and I don’t want us to get caught up in the moment, you know? Let’s just spend this day together like it’s any other day.”

“I can handle that. After all, I’m sure it’s extremely difficult to control yourself when you’re in my presence. I’d hate to make it even harder by reminding you how much I care about you. Because I do, you know.” He winks.

I throw a balled up napkin at him for that comment. “Okay, slick, that was your final warning. Cool it. So the goal of the day is to catch up, right? So spill. Start with Boot Camp and tell me everything,” I say.

We spend the next hour or so enjoying our food as he captivates me with tales from his training and deployments, and I’m astounded at all he has accomplished since he graduated. The best part is the gleam in his eye, and I can see the pride he feels as he talks about his career. He dutifully asks questions about my life and job, but let’s face it, working as a human resources professional for an insurance company has nothing on being a bomb disposal technician. He laughs when I tell him this, but he’s keen on the idea that my company owns the Reds stadium and asks if we get employee perks in the form of free tickets. My phone beeps, interrupting our conversation.

Hey, Lex, hope you’re having fun with your Jedi. ;) Just wanted to let you know that Jeremy’s parents are taking Ava again, so you’re off the hook. I know, you’re so depressed that you have to hang out with a hot soldier instead of my kick ass four-year-old, but grandparents always win. Have fun, and if I don’t see you, use protection!! :D xx Sierra

I groan, an action that’s more often being associated with my loving sister, and Jace quirks an eyebrow up at me.

“Sierra. Apparently Jeremy’s parents are taking Ava again tonight, so I’m suddenly free to do anything I please,” I tell him.

He gets a wounded look on his face as he draws his hands to his chest.

“Alexa Sull…Tate, did you just groan at the thought of spending the entire evening with me?” He grimaces at the mention of my last name.

I place my hand on his forearm. “Call me whatever you want. I know this is weird for you, and you never knew me as a Tate, so please don’t worry about it. And no, I wasn’t groaning at that. It’s just becoming a natural reaction where Sierra’s concerned. I promise it has nothing to do with you.”

I assume my answer appeases him, because he gets up without saying anything and holds out his hand, indicating that he’s ready to leave. We make our way to the car, and I find myself anticipating the rest of the day. Jace heads out to the highway, and it isn’t until about twenty minutes later that we’re pulling up to our destination. My eyes light up as I look at the sign in front of me.

“I haven’t done this is so long! I can’t believe you remembered,” I squeal, twisting in my seat so I can throw my arms around his neck in an awkward hug.

He laughs and returns it before pulling away from me. In what seems to be his signature move, he puts his forehead on mine as his lips briefly brush across my own.

“I haven’t forgotten a damn thing, babe. For ten years, all I’ve had are memories to hold on to. They’ve replayed over and over so many times that it’d be impossible to forget. It was like a movie reel in my head and all I could see was you. Didn’t you know you were the main star of McAllister films?” He winks at me.

I blush at his words and slap his shoulder. “Oh really? Well, Mr. Producer, I believe you owe me ten years’ worth of royalties. You better start paying up.”

He laughs and gets out of the car, and I follow suit. Once he reaches me, he places a strong arm around my waist and draws me into him. The lustful look in his eyes tells me the type of offering he’d be more than willing to pay, and I silently wish we’d never left the condo this morning.

Feeling him harden against me, I suddenly don’t care if we’re in public. I slightly shift, causing a little friction.

“Oh believe me, I’ll be making good on my debt for a very long time. First payment’s due tonight,” he says, rubbing once more against me before moving away.

His words register, and I’m feeling a plethora of emotions running through me. I’m nervous at the thought of being with another man, even if I was throwing myself at him last night. Sober and clearheaded, I still want to do this, but at the same time, I’m scared to let him in my heart again. It may be a lost cause, though, because I’m not sure he ever really left it.