Her Soldier (That Girl #3)

by H. J. Bellus

“Don’t I always?” I laugh at my own joke.

  “You look really good, sugar.” She holds my hand as Beau drives to her favorite Chinese restaurant. It wasn’t even a choice as to where we were eating. Whenever Auntie ate out, which wasn’t often, it was always at the same place.

  “I thought you were meeting us there.”

  “I was going to, but Beau and I decided we needed some time to talk strategy before there was a lot of distraction.”

  “Whoa.” I throw both hands up in the air dramatically. “Are you trying to say I’m a distraction?”

  They both laugh at my over-the-top response and know I’m only playing around.

  “But wait a second,” I add. “So, that means the two of you have been talking?”

  “Yeah, we text,” Beau says, turning into the parking lot.

  “You what?” My eyes stare down Danielle. Hell, the woman barely texts me.

  She shrugs, reaching for the door handle. “Well, sugar, Beau doesn’t blow up my phone with selfies or weird combinations of letters that don’t stand for anything.”

  “You both suck. Damn traitors. I need new people.” Swinging my leg up, I kick Beau in the ass as he gets out of the truck. His quick reflex catches my ankle in his hands and drags me toward him. I wrap my legs around him, and before I go in for the kill I double check to make sure Auntie Danielle is already on her way into the restaurant, and she is. That woman is all about routine.

  “You’re cheating on me.” My lips brush against his, gently teasing him.

  Beau sticks his bottom lip out and melts me with dark eyes as he tries to look as pathetic as possible. I give in to the man, laying a hot and heated kiss on him. He plays back, flicking his tongue in my mouth and rubbing it along my teeth, but then pulls back. And I know exactly why.

  “Chicken.” I taunt him.

  “Get your ass in there, woman. Your aunt is waiting on us.”

  He drags me from the truck and we walk hand in hand to the restaurant. Danielle is already seated at a half moon shaped booth. I shove Beau over to the booth, and like a gentleman, he waits until I’m seated and then slides in next to me.

  My blood run colds the second I hear his voice. It’s Maxton. I don’t see him, but can hear his cackle booths over. There’s a loud roar that accompanies it, and I can only assume he’s with his whole posse of boys.

  “Something wrong?” Beau asks, and I notice all eyes on me.

  I shake my head quickly and down some water before I rapidly shoot him a text.

  I can hear Danielle’s voice in the background as I text. “Okay, Beau, I’m ordering for all of us. Trust me, you’ll love it, and I’ll get the family size so there will be plenty.”

  She chuckles, and he responds with small talk, but my mind can only focus on the sound of Maxton and my fingers trying to hammer out a message. I don’t want to alert Danielle of anything and don’t want a reaction from Beau if Maxton tries to start any shit.

  Me: Maxton is here. I can hear his voice. Please don’t do anything. Danielle can’t handle it.

  I feel Beau’s phone buzz, but know him and his goddamn good manners too well, and he won’t pull it from his pocket. Our server comes up to the table and starts talking to Danielle. They know each other and easily start a conversation.

  “Look at your phone, now,” I mouth to Beau, emphasizing now. Before he has the chance to fish his phone from his pocket, the waitress gets our drink orders, distracting him. Maxton’s voice is either getting closer or becoming much louder. It’s like I’m in a tunnel and the only sound I don’t want to focus in on is the only one I can hear.

  Beau’s phone is finally out, and I know he’s received the message when his jaw locks and his head swivels to the booths behind us. He discreetly types out a message and then places his phone back in his pocket. Danielle talks cards with him while I check my phone. I left it laying in my lap, so all I have to do is peer down at it.

  Swiping the screen to the left, I see his message.

  Beau: Okay. Which one is he?

  Me: Dark hair and scar along his right eye.

  Our food arrives promptly. Steaming plates filled with all different types of chicken covered in various sauces, rice, and noodles are placed before us.

  “Ladies, I hate to do this, but I need to make a business phone call real quick. Please excuse me.”

  Beau goes to stand up, and I catch his wrist before he’s in full standing mode and try to convey everything with just a look.

  “No worries. Hurry back, my dear.” Danielle is already serving up everybody’s food, and I sit quietly as I watch Beau’s movements.

  He steps outside the restaurant, pacing back and forth. I can barely make out that he’s on his cell phone and talking to someone. I’m stunned he didn’t make his way straight to Maxton’s table.

  “Jenni, you need to eat up before it’s time to go.” Danielle pushes a heaping plate of food in front of me and unwraps my chopsticks.

  Food is the last thing on my mind right now. Something in my gut tells me things aren’t going to be okay, and if we all make it out of the restaurant in one piece it will be a miracle. Of all the fucking times for Maxton to be here. I’ve never once seen him in over ten years of coming here. Nice fucking time.

  “Save me any, ladies?” Beau is sitting back down next to me.

  My face can only display one thing right now, and that’s a state of shock.

  “Sorry, that was the construction company, and it looks like I’ll have a new job in the near future.” Beau kisses my forehead and goes straight to the food.

  “Congratulations, Beau. Chopsticks?” Danielle holds a pair of wrapped chopsticks. He takes them and is shoveling in food within seconds. He eats like a pro, not dropping one ounce of food.

  The loud group of voices nears our table, and I know they are exiting. I scoot over as close as possible to Beau since his back is to the crowd and snuggle in. I stab a piece of his chicken with my chopsticks. It’s the only way I know how to use them.

  “Jenni.” Danielle’s voice is loud and echoes all over the restaurant.

  My heart sinks. The men are nearly past us when Maxton looks back and sees me.

  “Now don’t be stealing his food. I made you a plate,” Danielle continues to scold.

  “Okay.” It comes out shaky as my whole body begins to tremble. It starts in my feet and creeps up my legs. My shoes are bouncing off the ceramic tile, and the harder I try to steady them, the worse it gets. Beau grips my hand and I look up again to see Maxton staring me down from the door. I quickly avoid eye contact and stare at my food. Beau’s grip tightens and I pull back on it, trying to anchor myself to him.

  When I hear the door finally shut and the loud voices subside, I let hope rise a little within me. Beau’s breath is in my ear.

  “They’re gone. I’m here.”

  I’m able to glance and check for myself. He’s right, they’re gone. A parade of taillights leave the parking lot, and I know it’s them. I’m stunned nothing happened. Maxton never steps away from a confrontation. What is he up to? Why wasn’t he over here in our faces? Something just doesn’t settle right with me. I want to tell Beau all of this but clearly can’t. It’s too much to text.

  We finish our dinner in peace. Beau picks on my use of chopsticks to lighten the mood. I warn him to stop or I’ll stab his eyeball with it. Danielle scolds me every time, but I know deep down she loves the banter.

  When we make it back to campus, Beau walks me up to the front door and turns me to face him.

  “You’ll wait your ass inside until I come get you. Nobody followed us. Do you understand me?”

  “Yes.” I nervously fiddle with my fingers. “But, Beau, Maxton would never step away that easy. Ever. I’m really scared. What is he up to?”

  “Keep your phone on you. Stay in class and know I’m only blocks away.”

  He grips the sides of my cheek, forcing me to look at him. “It will all be okay. Just trust me.”

  We
kiss quickly and Beau slaps my ass.

  “Now get in there, sugar.”

  I giggle at his use of my aunt’s nickname, but an odd feeling washes over me at how calm Beau is over this whole situation. Taking a seat in the filled classroom, eyelashes are the last damn thing I can focus on, but I was lucky enough to secure a seat in the class. My professor, a good friend, pulled some strings for me, so I don’t dare ruin it. I place my cellphone on the desk in front of me and push the home key every so often, revealing a picture of Beau cooking. It helps calm my nerves after a few moments and I let the lecture start to sink in.

  I’m one of the first students to pass the certification. My prior hours have really come in handy. In a normal situation I’d walk the few blocks to the Senior Center and surprise Beau and Danielle, but there’s no way in hell I’d even attempt that tonight. Even if I made it there unscathed, Beau would kill me for sure for being so careless.

  I take a quick break from the classroom, buying a soda from the vending machine and checking my phone for the hundredth time. No news is good news, right? I decide to text Beau to let him know I’m finished.

  Me: I’m done here early. Take your time, I can hang out.

  Beau: Be there in five minutes.

  I race down to the classroom and pack up my messenger bag and bid farewell to my friends and instructors. I wait by the double glass door in the front, not daring to step a foot outside. Beau makes good on his promise and is in front of the building in a matter of minutes. I wait for him to get me.

  “Beau, you could’ve waited.” My arms fly around his neck, hugging him hard. These last two and half hours have been hell without him.

  “We have to hurry. They were taking a break. These damn people take more breaks than anyone I’ve ever met.”

  I laugh at his words and begin walking with him back to his truck. When we enter the center, everyone looks like they’re taking their seats back at the tables. Beau explained on the way over that he and Danielle were at the number one table, and I guess that’s where they started. When you’re at table number one you stay there and don’t have to switch partners or some shit like that. I pull a chair up by my aunt and snuggle into her side and watch as they play cards. Beau is seated directly across from her and is in total game mode. My phone vibrates in my pocket and I ignore it, seeing as I have everyone I need in my life right in front of me. It vibrates a few more times, so I finally pull it out and step away from the table. It’s Maxton. I don’t slide the message bubble over; I simply ignore it, knowing I’m safe here with Beau. He makes eye contact with me and I shoot him a quick smile. After about ten more vibrations over the next hour, my phone either dies or Satan gives up.

  After we drop Danielle off, I show Beau my phone.

  “Beau, when you were playing cards, Maxton kept texting me like rapid fire. He quit about an hour and half ago. I can’t bear to look. Can you please erase them and take me to get a new number tomorrow?”

  He silently takes my phone, reads the texts, and sets it down on the dash and continues to drive toward the apartment.

  “We’ll get you a new number tomorrow if that makes you feel better, but trust me when I say I will deal with him.”

  Chapter 12

  “Have a good weekend, Jenni.” I wave goodbye to my new friends at school and head for the front doors. When I reach them, I see Beau standing there with a bouquet of pink and yellow roses.

  “We having dinner with Auntie tonight?” I ask, throwing my arms around his neck. He’s swift and moves the cellophane wrapped roses to one side, avoiding my body crushing them.

  “They’re for you, baby. You survived your first week back, and kicked ass at that.”

  “Really?” It comes out as a squeal. I snatch the roses from him and hold them to my chest. “I’ve never gotten flowers from a lover.”

  “Really?” Beau takes my hand and guides me to the truck.

  “Really.”

  “Damn, you had shitty taste before me.”

  “You’re telling me,” I joke back, finally able to laugh at my past mistakes.

  “So, Lynlee and Jazzy want to surprise you for lunch. You know I flip my fucking shit over surprises. So, sorry I’m ruining it for you. Are you up to it?”

  “I love you, Beau.” I lean over in the cab of the truck and kiss his cheek. “And yes, I’d love to have lunch with them.”

  We begin driving toward the main part of town where some of our favorite restaurants are located. “So, don’t let the girls know I spoiled the surprise for you. I have a feeling they may cut my baguettes off for ruining it.”

  I can’t control my laughter to respond to him as we’re pulling into Applebee’s.

  “I won’t tell on you, but Jazzy’s one of a kind black Escalade might be a dead giveaway.” My finger points out the black beauty in the parking lot.

  “Just don’t rat on me.”

  When we walk in I’m blasted by two voices, shouting out, “Surprise!” I look in the bar to see my friends. I’d think the two idiots were drunk if I didn’t know better. Maybe they’re on an extreme sugar high from their preggo cravings.

  I offer them a weak wave, hoping they’ll shut the hell up. They don’t, so I grab Beau’s hand and speed walk to their table as if my ass were on fire. When we reach it they both hop up from their seats, squealing and hugging me. It feels good that they’re so proud of me, but also more than a little embarrassing.

  “Good hell, you two, I just finished one freaking week at school. You’d think I just won an Olympic gold medal.”

  Jazzy sits with a shrug. “Well, I mean…”

  “Shut up.” I can’t help but break out in a smile at her smartass response.

  Lynlee rounds the corner and hugs me. “I’m so proud of you, sister.”

  “Thanks, Michelle.”

  She darts away from my arms. I pull her back in and whisper, “Everything is okay.”

  We are abruptly interrupted by the server who lays platter after platter of appetizers in front of us.

  “Don’t judge! I couldn’t decide.” Jazzy says.

  The three of us fall into easy conversation. I catch the girls up on school and the familiar faces, since they know some of them. Then I listen to their pregnancy updates. Lynlee still refuses to find out the sex of her baby. Both girls are lonely without their men. Lynlee is leaving in a couple days for her first official assignment with ESPN, and it happens to be in the same city where Lincoln is. Jazzy, on the other hand, is stuck in Fort Collins for a bit longer, waiting until Levi is finished with some intensive training.

  By the time our main courses come I’m so stuffed from the appetizers that I pick at my pasta until Beau is finished with his steak and pass it on to him.

  “How the hell do you stay so fit?” Jazzy asks him. “I thought Lincoln could put away the food until you.”

  “I run.” Beau doesn’t elaborate as he continues to devour the pasta.

  “Holy shit.” I flinch hard at Lynlee’s unexpectedly loud voice.

  “Look.” She points to the large television screen in the bar.

  Breaking news flashes across the screen, which shows a crime scene marked by yellow tape in the background. The tape ropes off a street where a man’s body lies covered by a tarp. It takes Jenni a little longer to understand why Lynlee is so passionate about the news. She’s ready to ask her what in the hell is going on until the words jump off the screen, slapping her in the face. “A deadly hit and run.” Victim, Maxton, dead.

  Beau stops eating and I look straight at him.

  “What happened?” he finally asks after several awkward moments.

  The table falls silent when a young news reporter live from the scene begins announcing all the fine details.

  “Witnesses say it’s as if the victim was singled out by a black Chevy truck on Wednesday evening. A group of friends were crossing the street to visit a bar when the accident occurred. Police have confirmed that the group of men had been drinking. It’s clear
this was a targeted hit and run. Authorities are desperate for answers. If you have any information on the crime, please call in.”

  My whole body melts into the booth as a sense of relief washes over me. I know it’s not right to feel so good about something so awful.

  Beau takes a long drink from his soda. “No details on the driver? Bullshit to call it a targeted crime. Sounds like karma to me.”

  My gaze flies straight to him and my heart sinks as the words truck and details soak into my brain. My ears buzz with static, and even though I’m staring at Lynlee’s mouth and trying to listen to her take on the situation, I don’t process one word.

  “When did this happen? What night did the news reporter say?” My hand trembles against the table as I try to steady it.

  “A couple nights ago,” Jazzy says, looking questioningly over at Lynlee for approval.

  “Yeah, Wednesday night.” I watch as Lynlee scoops a large forkful of salad in her mouth. “Around nine o’clock is what she just said, and I guess he was already trashed by the amount of alcohol in his bloodstream.”

  The news reporter is still divulging details, but again it’s just all a fuzzy static to me.

  Wednesday night. Wednesday night, I repeat over and over in my mind, trying to remember where we were and if I was with Beau. Think, Jenni, fucking think.

  I feel Beau place his hand on my leg under the table. “That was the night we went to the Senior Center with your aunt to play cards, Jenni.”

  “We were there till almost eleven.” It comes out so soft that Jazzy asks me what I said. “Oh, nothing. I’m just in complete shock.”

  Beau was with me, so there’s no way he could have had anything to do with it. No way because he was with me.

  “I hate to talk ill of the dead,” Jazzy slaps her white napkin down on the table, “but the guy was a dick.”

  “Nothing to be ashamed of, saying that. Shitty people don’t deserve air to breathe.” Both girls look up at Beau, stunned at his response.

  “Beau?” I turn to face him and clutch his shoulder to steady myself.