The American Soldier Collection 11: Mending Hearts (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever)

by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  His buddies chuckled, but Haslow got annoyed.

  “Those assholes badmouthing me down there?” he asked then looked that way.

  She glanced over and saw the intense expressions on Geno’s, Gator’s and Jeb’s faces. She gulped. She didn’t need to cause a bar fight. She’d lose her job.

  “No, they were saying the complete opposite. Something about you being good men. Real upstanding citizens. So do you need another round?”

  Haslow nodded and then lifted the mug of beer toward Gator and the guys. Alana had to hide her chuckle. Hopefully she’d just diffused a potential situation.

  It had been a very busy night. She didn’t even want to think about tomorrow as the bar got less and less crowded and Haslow and his friends, who turned out to be nice guys, left. Alana looked down toward the end of the bar and the table filled with stragglers as she cleaned up along with Garrett and Mike. She could see Geno, Jeb, Gator, and Garrett’s two brothers, Wes and Gunner, talking. A few other men were there too. They were joking around, and every so often Jeb, Gator, or Geno would look up as if they were watching over her. She felt on edge and nervous. Just thinking about entertaining an attraction to another man besides Gabe made her panic. But to know his good friends, his roommates, and team members were attracted to her, and she to them, made her feel like throwing up.

  “You did fantastic tonight. A lot of the regulars complimented your drink making skills. Especially those specialty martinis and margaritas,” Garrett told her as they finished up.

  “Thank you. I was a bit rusty.”

  “Well, you can work on sharpening your skills tomorrow night.”

  “What do you mean? Isn’t Stella coming back?”

  “She’s not reliable, as you could tell. We were trying to help a family friend out, but it isn’t working. Besides, you’re a better bartender, have a hell of a lot better personality, and you’ve got the touch with the patrons. They liked you. Some more than others.” He nodded toward the table of men as he wiped out the inside of another glass.

  She felt her cheeks warm.

  “Well, I’m just trying to make a living. Not really interested in making new friends.”

  Garrett raised one eyebrow at her.

  “There’s always room for new friends, Alana. I can vouch for those guys. Geno, Jeb, and Gator are good men. Tough Marines who hardly ever come in here or stay this late. Their other roommates, Jaxon and Gabe, are good men too. Just not real sociable types.

  She swallowed hard at the mention of Gabe’s name. It made her chest ache.

  “Well, I appreciate the info, but as I said, I’m not looking to make new friends. Thank you for asking me to bartend again.”

  “Not just again, doll. As a new position. My dad already has my mom looking for two replacement waitresses. So welcome to the elite group of special bartenders here at Casper’s. Here. This is your share of the tips tonight.”

  She took the envelope from Garrett and felt how thick it was. She figured there were a lot of dollar bills, but as she opened it up, she was shocked. There were big bills too.

  “Like I said, you did great tonight. It was very crowded. You’ll make a lot more than you would have made waitressing.”

  She smiled.

  “Thank you so much. This will be a great help. Is it always so busy?” She reached under the bar for her backpack and light sweater.

  “For the most part. Tomorrow night might be even more crowded. This is the last weekend of the county fair, so a lot of people will be here tomorrow night. Sunday is the final day.”

  “Oh, I thought I saw some signs about that on my way in from Tranquility. Where is it located?” She pulled her sweater on.

  Garrett gave her directions and told her that he, his brothers, and their wife, Gia, would be attending on Sunday.

  “Maybe you want to go with us?” he asked.

  “I’ll think about it. Thanks.” She said goodnight and had started walking around the bar when she heard chairs scraping against the floor. She looked up and saw Gator, Gabe, and Jeb standing up and shaking hands with the other men. It was as though they were leaving with her, and she felt panicked.

  “We’ll walk you out, Alana,” Gabe told her.

  “Oh you don’t have to. Stay and enjoy the night with your friends,” she replied.

  Gator gave her a firm expression. “We were waiting on you,” he said, and boy, did those words do a number to her body.

  Jeb held the door open, and she waved to the other guys who looked smug at the show of possession from Gator, Jeb, and Geno.

  As they exited, she felt the cool night air, and it was nice against her heated skin.

  “It’s a little chilly. You should button that sweater up,” Jeb told her as he squeezed her shoulders.

  “It feels great. I was so hot in there tonight.”

  “You looked hot in there too,” Geno replied as she got to her car and turned to face him. She was shocked at his comment.

  Locking gazes with the very tall, muscular man intimidated her. He stood right in front of her, and Gator and Jeb stood on either side. They surrounded her, and she felt her pussy clench. God, this was really bad. Really, really bad.

  “Listen, I think I should tell you that I don’t need looking after. I know you must feel compelled to keep an eye on me, but it isn’t necessary. I can take care of myself.” She turned to open the car door, but Geno pressed his hand over it, stopping her. She faced the car and could feel the heat of his large, sexy body against her hip and ass.

  “Darlin’, we are not watching over you because we feel obligated to do so. We’re here because we want to be. We want to get to know you better.”

  She turned around to face him. Them. “No. It’s not a good idea.”

  Geno stepped closer and cupped her cheek and neck with his warm hand.

  “Whether we like it or not, it’s happening.”

  She shook her head.

  “It can’t. I can’t. I’m sorry,” she said, but he leaned closer, tilted her head up toward him, and touched his lips to hers.

  It felt so good to be kissed by a man again. Strong, warm, passionate lips against her more delicate mouth. The feel of him pressing closer and tasting her brought on a surge of emotions. His masculinity, the scent of his cologne, the feeling of being protected by a man consumed her, and then came images of Gabe.

  She pulled back, the tears instantly sparking in her eyes.

  “Alana?”

  She shook her head.

  “It isn’t fair. I can’t do this. You don’t seem to understand.” She pressed her hands against Geno’s chest. Gator and Jeb placed their hands on her shoulders.

  “We do understand. You still love Gabe,” Gator whispered.

  “Despite what you might think, I never dated anyone else. I never kissed anyone else. To kiss you, and to feel something, is too much. I’m sorry. I’m not ready for this.”

  She turned around and opened the car door. The men stepped back, but Geno took her hand. He brought it to his lips as she paused before getting into her car.

  “Take your time, Alana. We’re not going anywhere. This isn’t an attraction any of us can ignore or simply walk away from.”

  “I’m afraid that’s exactly the right thing to do.” She pulled away, got into her car, and started the engine. She wouldn’t look at them as she put the car in drive and slowly pulled out of the parking spot. She couldn’t look at them and wish for things to be different, to let this attraction happen. She needed to distance herself from thoughts of them and Gabe. That was the point of moving out of Scrantonville. But it seemed God was into playing tricks on her. With these guys around, she would never get Gabe out of her head. Ever.

  Chapter 2

  Gabe sat on the back porch and stared out into the woods. Jaxon sat on the chair with his feet up on the porch railing. The others had gotten in late last night. It seemed something interested them in town the last several days.

  “It’s going to be a nic
e day for the fair. The last one before they head out of town,” Jaxon told him.

  Gabe didn’t really give a shit about fairs, parties, social gatherings, or anything else. His leg throbbed, his head hurt, and he couldn’t sleep. Not even the meds from the local doctor helped him sleep. Not with his mind on Alana.

  “There’ll be something else in Salvation next weekend and the next and so forth. There’s always something being celebrated,” Gabe said, sounding bitter to his own ears. He was filled with hatred, anger, and felt as though his heart was hollow. Except seeing Alana had given him a reaction he’d thought he buried.

  “That’s because towns like Salvation, and eventually Tranquility too, like to celebrate life and bring people together.”

  “Fuck that,” he practically spat.

  “You’re really full of piss and vinegar this morning. Didn’t get enough sleep?”

  “Never fucking do anymore. A wink here and there. Not much the last few days.”

  “Thinking about anything in particular? Or maybe someone in particular?” Jaxon pushed, and Gabe turned toward him.

  Jaxon had been their leader in the Marines. Even as civilians now, Gabe looked to him for direction, for support, and even comfort. God knows if Gabe had gone off and tried living off the land and disappearing, he would have taken his own life.

  “Just aching, that’s all,” he lied.

  Jaxon was silent a moment, and Gabe thought he was clear of any potential discussion. But no such luck.

  “Why didn’t you tell us about Alana?”

  He felt his chest tighten, and the emotions he was trying so hard to bury jumped forward, and he quickly suppressed them.

  “Nothing to tell.”

  “Didn’t seem so from her reaction to seeing you.”

  “She thought I was dead. That was the plan.”

  “You reacted too.”

  He clenched his teeth. “Don’t know what you mean.”

  “Fuck that shit. You don’t know what I mean. I fucking saw it. I saw your eyes widen and excitement fill them, and then you went straight-faced. You love her.”

  “Used to, but it’s over.”

  “She still loves you.”

  “She’ll get over it. Don’t let her sweetness fool ya.”

  “Don’t even try that shit with me. You’ve never been a man to put a woman, or any other person, down. You’re a goddamn Marine. Start fucking acting like one.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “It means tell the fucking truth. We’ve all been pussyfooting around why you’re so compelled to not move on and adapt to civilian life. Why you’re depressed, angry all the time, and hurtful in your comments. The rest of us have adapted. Why can’t you?”

  “Because of this.” He slapped the upper part of his pants over his thigh. He lifted the cane and slammed it against the wooden railing of the porch.

  “So you have a war injury and need a cane. Who cares?”

  “I do.”

  “Well, she wouldn’t care.”

  “How the fuck would you know that? You don’t know her. She would act fine with it, but the moment she laid eyes on the gaping hole in my leg and the scars and welts, she would turn away. I’m not even fucking whole anymore. She’s perfection.”

  “She sure the fuck is.”

  Gabe looked up to see Geno in the doorway with a cup of coffee.

  Gabe exhaled and leaned back in his chair.

  “She is perfect. She’s beautiful, sweet, has one hell of a body, never mind a great personality. And we weren’t the only ones to notice her last night,” Geno told him.

  Gabe swung around to look at him. His chest tightened, and his heart ached. He fucking loved Alana with all his heart, but she deserved better.

  “You were with her?”

  Geno smirked as he set the mug down and looked out over the porch railing.

  “If I thought she would have accepted, then I would have invited her to come home with us last night.”

  Gabe reached out and grabbed his arm. He clenched his teeth and saw fucking red.

  “You want to fuck her?”

  “What man in his right mind would give up a fine piece of ass like that, all ready for the taking?”

  Gabe tried jumping up but stumbled and grabbed onto the arm of the chair. He felt about ready to explode.

  “You son of a bitch. She isn’t like that. You stay the fuck away from her.”

  Gabe saw Geno look at Jaxon and smirk. Then he noticed Gator and Jeb in the doorway, looking serious.

  “I told you he still loves her. He’s just feeling sorry for himself,” Geno said, and Gabe realized what they had done. They’d made him confess his true feelings. He fell back into the seat and ran his hands over his face.

  “So do you want to hear about the guys who hit on your girlfriend last night and how you weren’t there to protect her?” Jeb asked, now joining in this attack.

  “No. I don’t care. She’s not my girlfriend.”

  “So you won’t mind if the four of us make a move and make her ours then?” Geno asked, and Gabe shot a look from him to Jaxon. Jaxon didn’t look surprised. He looked intense.

  “You want to share my girlfriend?” Gabe said the words, and he was shocked at the mix of jealousy, anger, and arousal he felt. These were his brothers in arms, his team, and he would give his life for them. What were they up to?

  “She’s not your girlfriend. You gave up that right when you pretended to be dead,” Jeb snapped at him.

  “You don’t understand. You don’t get it,” Gabe told him.

  “I don’t understand? No. I think it’s you who doesn’t understand. She still loves you,” Jeb said.

  “But she’s attracted to the four of us as well, and we’re attracted to her,” Gator told him next.

  “What are you trying to tell me? You want to fight over her? She’ll pick any of you over me. You’re all whole, and I’m way past fucked up.”

  “Maybe in your head because you’re so busy feeling sorry for yourself and assuming that the people who love you would turn their backs on you and pity you,” Jeb said.

  “They would. I don’t need their pity. I don’t need to stick a beautiful woman like Alana with a man who can’t even walk without a cane.”

  “I don’t think Alana gives a shit about any of that,” Jaxon told him.

  “You don’t know,” Gabe said, feeling his anger building again. His own team wanted to sleep with Alana. His woman and they wanted her. But she wasn’t his woman. He’d given that right up when he decided not to return home. He looked at his team, his brothers, and could see all they had to offer Alana. Their protection, their commitment, their perfection. They were all big men, and Alana was feminine and petite. She had grown her brown hair longer, and her green eyes had never looked so green. They had shined that day at the estate sale. Glistened with tears. Tears and pain he caused her. His team would make her happy. His team was a group of perfect men.

  “Don’t look at us like that,” Jaxon exclaimed.

  “Like what?”

  “Like you think we’re better than you because we don’t have the depth of scars you have,” Jeb told him.

  “We all have scars, physical, mental. But we push through and don’t allow them to rule our thoughts,” Gator said.

  “Well then, I guess you’re better than I am.”

  “Come on, Gabe. Get your head out of your ass and think about this, will ya?” Jaxon said.

  “I want nothing to do with this. With Alana. It’s over. Do whatever you want.” He stood up and grabbed the cane tight.

  “You’re telling us to pursue our attraction to her and that you don’t want to be part of this?” Geno asked him.

  He swallowed hard. His saliva felt like poison going down his throat. He so badly wanted to be a part of it. He needed them beside him to get through being close to Alana. But how could he admit such weakness to men who obviously were way stronger in every aspect than he was?


  “Do whatever you want with her. I don’t care. Just leave me out of it.” He walked off the porch and into the house. He heard their curses and the heated tones of their voices as they cursed his attitude and his lack of a heart. But that was just it. He didn’t have a heart. His heart was hollow inside. He never should have made it out of Iraq alive.

  * * * *

  “So you’re telling me that she feels the same attraction, but she hasn’t kissed or been with any other man than Gabe?” Jaxon asked them, and Geno, Gator, and Jeb filled him in on everything that happened last night. Jaxon was shocked. He was also annoyed that Haslow and his friends had been hitting on Alana. They would need to nip that in the bud pretty damn fast.

  “So you’re serious? You want to pursue Alana? You want us to share her if she’s willing?” Jaxon asked, feeling his heart beat faster and tightness fill his chest.

  “We weren’t too sure until last night,” Geno replied.

  “He kissed her,” Jeb told Jaxon, and Jaxon’s eyes widened.

  “She kissed me back, but then she pulled away. She thought of Gabe. I just know it. She still loves him,” Geno told Jaxon.

  “Then how could you guys consider this type of relationship?”

  “Because the attraction is there. This could work. This could bring Gabe and the rest of us together the way we were before. He needs her, and he needs us. I think this type of relationship can serve all of us, including Alana,” Gator told him.

  “Are you certain it’s best for Alana too? I’ve thought about my own attraction to her, and honestly, I’m afraid it might cause a wedge between Gabe and me,” Jaxon admitted.

  “I think it’s exactly what she needs,” Geno told them. “It’s what Gabe needs. That push to remember why he was out there fighting, and that there are people who care about him. For Alana, hell, she lives all alone. She admitted to not kissing any other man since Gabe. We can help heal her and protect her so she’s never alone again. They’ll always be one of us with her at all times. She’ll know she has Gabe and all of us to take care of her and be here for her. We’ve seen these relationship work for men just like us, and for similar reasons. There’s not much we do alone anymore. This is a great idea.”