Titanium (21 page)

It came as no surprise that Jeremy was blaming everything
on his muscle man, who'd been in and out of jail on assault and
battery charges. I told Brian who was really in charge. He assured me
that he'd get to the bottom of things and promised there'd be
consequences for everyone involved. Hoping he was right, I happily
watched them being hauled away.

* * * *

If my father minded my apartment overflowing with guys
when we finally left the ER and got home, he didn't complain.
Probably because they all worshiped him.

The two of us escaped to the back porch for a bit. With both
of us sitting on lawn chairs I stole from Cheap Charlie's side, Dad
talked about himself, Mom, and me, freely taking responsibility for
the mistakes that had fractured our family. Listening to him, I
struggled to remove my resentment from the equation. The longer
he talked, the easier it got until I found the compassion that was so
much the core of my existence that it had even influenced my career
choice. Dad had regrets that time and my forgiveness wouldn't erase.
Wasn't that punishment enough?

Both of us satisfied with progress so far, we rejoined the
others. They pretty much pounced on him. Amused and, I'll admit it,
sort of proud, I stayed back and watched while he fielded questions
and brainstormed a new graphic novel series centered around
wounded veterans. The guys batted around some pretty outrageous
ideas, and the sound of their laughter made me relax, even though
my splinted right hand with its two broken fingers was throbbing.
Luckily my ankle pain had been fleeting.

Everyone cursed a lot, particularly Wilson, which earned
them some glares from Zander, who was quietly removing mics and
cameras from my walls instead of joining the guys. He hadn't exactly
warmed up to my father. I hoped he'd feel better about him after I
relayed our conversation.

Around ten, Dad ordered pizza--make that pizza
s,
plural--a dozen of them. He also gave someone cash for a beer
run. Thank goodness Dom didn't drink. I really wasn't up for a mass
sleepover. In fact, though I knew I should offer my father my couch at
some point, I didn't even do that. I wanted to sleep with Zander in
my bed, something he probably wouldn't do if Steve McConnell were
anywhere around.

After setting up a breakfast date for the next day, Dad finally
left, but the guys just settled in deeper, which flattered me even
though I wanted them all to go. Zander and I really needed to talk
about what had happened when we kissed in his truck. If he thought
I'd settle for less than his love, he was in for a big surprise.

But first I had to talk to Leslie and Clint. Although I knew I'd
scare them, I retreated to my bedroom again so I could call
home.

"Riley? It's so late! Is something wrong?" Leslie, sounding
panicked as I'd known she would.

"Actually something is right," I said. "But it hasn't been. Is
Clint around?"

"He's right here."

"Turn the phone on speaker. I don't want to tell this story
twice."

"I'm here." Clint.

"Okay, here goes. Some weird stuff has been going on. I
haven't called before because I didn't realize just how weird it was.
So before I explain, I want you both to know that I'm fine except for a
couple of broken bones."

"What!" said Leslie.

I began telling them everything that had happened, starting
with Halloween and only leaving out random things like Zander and I
sleeping together and the fact that I adored him. Leslie's first
comment when I finished?

"This is all Steve McConnell's fault!"

"Now Leslie--"

She interrupted Clint. "Well, it is."

Oh boy. "Aunt Leslie, I love you, and I forgive you for
keeping secrets from me. You and Clint have earned the right to be
my replacement parents, and that's what you'll always be. But I still
want to get to know Dad. We all deserve second chances. You. Clint.
Steve. Me. So can we please just chill out and see how it goes? Can
we?"

A long silence followed my question, and when Leslie did
speak, I could barely hear her. "Of course."
Sniff. Sniff.

"Thank you. Now I've got to talk to a stubborn vet, so I'm
hanging up. But I'll call you tomorrow, okay?"

"Vet?" said Leslie. "Have you bought a pet? You know how
much trouble they are."

I couldn't keep from laughing. "Vet as in veteran, Leslie. You
know...soldiers. Camouflage. Boots. Guns. I have a houseful of them,
and most are a little buzzed."

"Riley Ann McConnell! What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking that I've never been safer."

When I walked back into the living room, I found Zander and
Dom on the couch, Simms and Wilson sitting on the floor, and Sparks
in the recliner with a girl perched on his knee, all of them glued to
the TV. I also saw Rogers in his uber-wheelchair and, sitting on the
kitchen stool, Patrick. When the spares had arrived, I had no clue.
Patrick offered me a brownie by pointing to plate of them that had
miraculously appeared on my table.

A glance at the TV revealed they were glued to a classic
football game, which meant they'd probably all seen it before and
knew who won.

Or maybe they hadn't. After all, they'd missed a crap load of
football games while serving their country. My heart swelled with
love for them all--guys who'd shown up when Zander needed them.
Brothers by experience, by commonality, by love.

Brothers showing no signs of leaving.

Hmm.

I stared at Dom until he glanced at me, when I slashed my
hand across my throat one time, a quick move no one but him
saw.

He grinned. "So tell me, Xman. Is Riley your woman or not?
Because if she's not, I'm thinking there are some guys here who'd
like to ask her out. May I have a show of hands?"

Four shot up in the air. None of them were Zander's. His
mouth fell open. I almost lost it. Clamping his lips together again and
with his jaw stubbornly set, Zander shook his head, but it wasn't
exactly a
no
kind of shake. It was more of an
I don't
know
.

"What's holding you back, man?" asked Dom, frowning.

Zander's gaze dropped to his leg.

That did it.

"Are you freakin' kidding me?" Fuming, I stomped into the
room and straddled his lap, a move that caught him by surprise and
made a couple of our witnesses hoot. I framed my guy's face in my
hands. "We need to talk."

"Now?" His self-conscious gaze swept our companions, who
watched with interest.

"Now. Do you regret enlisting in the Army when you
did?"

"Not at all."

"Excellent. That cancels out your guilt for not doing what
your parents wanted. I mean, you can't have both, can you?"

"Nooo." He glanced to the left and then right as if looking for
an escape route.

My "
Ennk!"
vetoed that plan. I made him look me in
the eye again.
"
Do you regret not finishing college?"

"I'm going to finish. I've already enrolled."

"Then that cancels out your guilt for delaying your degree.
Do you regret saving Marty and Dom?"

"Hell no."

"Then would you please focus on the 'glass-half-full shit'?
You. Saved. Two. Lives. Yes, more were lost, one of them a brother in
arms, one an innocent child. Our hearts ache for them. But something
good happened, too. You did the very best one man could do. No one
can ask more than that."

"She's right, man." Dom nodded, lightly shoving his arm.
"You're my hero."

The others murmured solid agreement, some of them
nodding.

"I know that." My guy's voice sounded a little husky.

I smiled. "Then we're finally getting somewhere. Now I only
have one more question--"

"Thank God."

A couple of chuckles followed that.

"Do you regret not dying in that blast?" Before he could
answer, I kissed him, one of those sloppy wet ones that last forever. I
also threw in a two second--okay, maybe three and a half--lap dance
I hoped no one noticed. "Well, do you?"

"Not right this moment, no."

That raised the roof. Now Dom affectionately ruffled his
hero's hair.

"I love you like crazy, Zander Bennett. And if you don't love
me back, I'll be sad forever. Is that what you want for me?"

"No."

"Then you'd damn well better give happiness a try. We can
work through this stuff if you'll just give us a chance. I'm sure of it." I
began to kiss him again, this time planting my lips on his forehead,
his poor bruised nose, both flushed cheeks, and, finally, his waiting
mouth.

Zander kissed me right back--amazing all-consuming kisses
like the ones we'd shared at the cabin. He slipped his hands under
my tee in back so he could pull me closer. No guy had ever tasted so
amazing. Better than pizza. Better than beer. Better, even, than those
chocolate brownies, which was saying a lot.

Someone snorted. Someone else sniggered.

Zander pulled back slightly so he could look me in the eye. "I
can't."

I gasped. All frivolity instantly ceased. Every gaze in the
room shifted to Zander.

"I know it's wrong, but I can't not love you."

Squealing my joy, I hugged him
soooo
hard. Chaos
erupted again. I heard cheers, shrill whistles, a catcall or two.

"Party's over! Everybody out!" Zander's eyes gazed into
mine.

No one moved.

"Cut a choagy, men." Dom stood up and motioning for the
others to do the same.

Grumbling, the guys filed and rolled out the front door
except for Dom, who gave Zander a high-five and me, a wink. "It's
about freakin' time someone saved
his
life for a change.
Hoo-ah!
"

I couldn't drag my eyes from Riley, who sat on her dad's
couch, holding her half-sister and singing a song about bus wheels
with the voice of an angel.
My
angel, thanks to a miracle I'd
never understand. I sure didn't deserve her.

Ginny, the cutest little baby I'd ever seen, laughed when
Riley took her hands and swished them like windshield wipers. We
were in a huge den at her dad's house in Dallas with flames crackling
in the fireplace and a colorful garland draped across the mantel. To
my left, his wife, Kari, set a tray of holiday food--cookies, candies,
some salty stuff--on the coffee table. Steve McConnell sat to my right,
his eyes glued to his eldest daughter, whose bright smile rivaled the
glow of the Christmas tree's twinkle lights.

Did I feel like I had the right to be there? Not really. But
she'd endured the torture of Christmas Eve at the Bennett house, so I
owed her. Had I reconciled with my parents? Not exactly. But I had a
feeling Riley wasn't going to rest until we did. At the moment she
was all about happy endings.

I should've felt like an outsider, but I didn't. From the
second we got there, her dad and step-mom had done their best to
put us at ease, and it had worked. So well, that I found the nerve to
catch Steve's eye and surreptitiously point to the nearest door. He
quietly rose and followed me into their enormous kitchen. Riley and
Kari, who were both laughing at Ginny, didn't seem to notice us
leave.

Facing Steve took some nerve. Not as much as meeting
Riley's aunt and uncle at Thanksgiving, but more than I'd ever had to
muster back home in the states. "Mr. McConnell, I--"

"Please call me Steve."

"Yes, sir. I--"

"You don't have to 'sir' me, either, Zander. You're family
now."

With a nod, I pounced on that convenient segue and blurted
what was on my mind and in my heart. "That's exactly what I want to
talk about, Mr.-- I mean sir-- I mean Steve, sir."

Shit.

Though the guy didn't laugh, I could tell he wanted to as he
stuck his hands in his pockets and patiently waited for me to get it
together.

I tried again. "I'm going to marry Riley. I, er, just wanted you
to know."

He nodded thoughtfully. "When?"

"Well, I'd like to get a couple of semesters at UT under my
belt first and make sure I'm a fit for the activities internship at
Children's that my OT landed for me. So maybe this time next
year?"

Steve nodded. "Christmas weddings are always nice. You can
have it here if you want, though that might piss off Leslie. She's not
exactly thrilled I got Riley on Christmas Day." He glanced toward his
daughter, who now bounced Ginny on her knee while she and Kara
sang about a deformed camel named Sally. "I can't believe Riley
didn't announce this the moment she walked through the door."

"Actually...she doesn't know yet."

Steve couldn't keep from laughing this time. "You are going
to tell her, right?"

"Yeah, sure. When I give her this. My sister helped me pick it
out." I dug a tiny black box from my UT hoodie pocket, where it had
been stashed for three days, brushed off some lint, and opened the
hinged lid. A diamond engagement ring set in black velvet caught the
glow of the tree lights or maybe Riley's hundred-watt smile.

"And when will that be?"

I didn't lie. "When I get up the nerve."

"You're among friends here, Zander. Why don't you go for it
now?"

"So you're good with a wedding?"

Steve put his hand behind my neck and kissed me on the
forehead, much to my surprise and, yes, appreciation. "More than
good, son. Welcome to the family."

What could I do but go back to the den? I walked straight to
Riley before I chickened out and dropped to my right knee. Clearly
startled, she stopped singing and thrust Ginny at Kara.

"Riley." My heart beat harder than it ever had. "I know we've
only known each other a couple of months--"

"Fifty-five days, actually."

"Is that all?"

"Yes, but who cares? Go on, please."

"Er, right." Deep breath. "I know we've only known each
other fifty-five days, and I still have a lot of rehab ahead of me, plus
my job is iffy, and we both have school..." I stopped. Should I really
be doing this now, with so much of my future still up in the air?