Pull You Through

by Kaylee Ryan

  He looks back and sees that he has room. “Didn’t want to squish him,” he explains, moving the seat back.

  All the way to the fair, Dawson rambles on about the animals he wants to see, the rides he wants to ride, and the food he wants to eat.

  “He gets it honest.” Slade laughs.

  I don’t even bother denying it. “Yep.”

  “What are we doing first?” I ask Dawson once we’re through the gate.

  “Animals!” he says, jumping up and down.

  “Animals it is.” I hold out my hand, and he takes it, leading me toward the barns. When I feel Slade’s hand slide into my other one, my heart stutters. I grip his hand once our fingers are entwined. We make it to the barn, and Dawson let’s go. “Stay close!” I yell after him. He turns and nods, his smile brightening his face as he moves several feet in front of us to look at the sheep.

  “He’s excited,” Slade says as we leisurely walk through the barn, keeping a close eye on Dawson just up ahead.

  “He is. He asked to go with me earlier in the week. I promised him I would bring him. Mom and Dad usually do, but not until the weekend. They’re spending the day together while I occupy Dawson. I’m pretty sure the three of them will end up back here tonight for the truck pulls.”

  “Alone time.” He chuckles.

  “Stop it.” I smack him with the hand that’s not laced with his. “I don’t need to hear that or think about it.” I give an exaggerated shudder.

  “Easy, killer,” he jokes, reaching over to rub where I just smacked him.

  “Austyn! I need a lift,” Dawson calls.

  When we reach him, he’s trying to look over a tall wall. Standing on my tiptoes, I look over and see it’s a wash station where they are bathing the sheep before their shows. I release Slade’s hand, and he stops me.

  “I got him.” He steps up behind Dawson. “I’m going to lift you so your sister doesn’t have to. That okay with you?” he asks Dawson.

  “Yeah!” he cheers. He doesn’t have a care in the world, his focus on seeing over the wall in front of him. Without effort, Slade lifts him and steps closer to the wall. “Wow! I can see everything,” Dawson exclaims.

  Slade shifts Dawson to one arm and holds the other one out for me. I take it and step closer to them. “That’s better,” he whispers, placing a kiss on my temple. Butterflies ignite in my belly and a warmth washes over me. Whether it’s his actions, or his words, they both make me feel… content.

  I stand there and listen to my little brother go on and on about the sheep and don’t comprehend a word he’s saying. Each day I spend with Slade is better than the last. The simple touches, the kisses…. Is it possible to fall this hard for someone in a week?

  “Let’s go on some rides!” Dawson says, bringing me out of my thoughts.

  “You have all the other animals to see first,” I remind him.

  “I know, but I’m ready for rides.”

  “All right then.” I hold my hand out for him, and he takes it. That’s how the rest of the day goes. Slade rarely lets go of my hand, and when he does, it’s not for long. No matter who we run into, where we are, he keeps my hand in his. Not that I’m complaining. It’s a great day, but I can’t help but wonder what it all means. If it were up to me, it would mean we’re starting something. I know he’s leaving, but it’s not like he has a choice. He’s serving our country.

  “I think he’s done,” Slade tells me a couple of hours later when Dawson gets off the scrambler. He’s lost the pep in his step for sure.

  “You ready to head home?” I ask Dawson.

  “Yeah, I’m tired.”

  Decision made, we head home. When we get there, my parents aren’t home yet, and Dawson is sound asleep. “I’ll carry him in,” Slade offers.

  “Thank you. He’s getting too big for me to carry.”

  Slade climbs out and has Dawson in his arms before I can make it to the other side of the car. I shut the door behind them and race to open the front door. “Let’s take him up to his room.” I lead the way upstairs and step into Dawson’s room.

  “Austyn,” Dawson asks sleepily, once he’s lying on his bed.

  “Yeah, bud?”

  “Thank you.” He holds his arms out for a hug.

  “You’re welcome.”

  “I like your marine,” he mumbles rolling over.

  I look up at Slade. “I like him too.”

  Slade’s eyes soften, and he holds his hand out for me. I stand and take it, letting him pull me out of Dawson’s room. “Which one is yours?” he asks.

  I point to the room across the hall. He pushes open the door. Once we’re both inside, he closes it behind us. Turning to me, he places his hands on my hips and moves me to stand in front of him. He steps forward and I step back. We continue this dance until my back hits the door. Leaving one hand on my hip, the other slides around the back of my neck. Leaning close, he rests his forehead against mine. “Angel,” he rasps. My hands find their way to his neck, and I lock my fingers together. “Can I kiss you?”

  “Please.” Slowly, painfully so, he presses his lips to mine. I rise up on my toes and pull him into me, needing to be closer. His tongue traces my lips seeking entrance, and I don’t hesitate to open for him. I’m not sure how we manage to do it, but without breaking the kiss, he lifts me, his hands on my ass, my back still pressed against my bedroom door. When he grinds his hard length into me, causing me to moan. “Slade.” I murmur his name, needing something, but not able to voice what it is. Hell, I don’t even know what it is. Just more. More, of his lips on mine, more of his hard body pressed into me. Just more.

  Like a bucket of ice being poured over us, the front door closes and I hear my mom calling out for me. “Austyn!” she calls up the stairs.

  Frantic, I scramble out of his arms. My chest is heaving for the breath that his kiss took from me. My only saving grace is that my bedroom door can’t be seen from the bottom of the steps. Taking a deep breath. I hold my finger up to Slade telling him to wait just a minute. Opening my door, I walk to the top of the steps and peer down. She’s not at the bottom. Looking over at Slade, I motion for him to join me.

  He adjusts himself.

  Right. There. In. Front. Of. Me.

  Feeling the flush hit my cheeks, I turn and head down the stairs, leaving him to follow. I find my parents in the kitchen unloading groceries. “Hey, Dawson is sleeping. We just got home,” I tell them.

  “You carried him upstairs?” my dad questions.

  “No, Slade did.”

  “Slade?” he asks.

  “Brandon’s friend from the Marines, catch up.” Mom hip-checks him and laughs.

  “Thanks for letting me use your restroom,” Slade says, walking up beside me.

  “Dad, Mom, this is Slade. Slade, these are my parents, Lee and Michelle.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.” He shakes my dad’s hand. “Ma’am,” he says, releasing Dad and offering his hand to Mom.

  “You as well.”

  “Right, honey, we better get the rest of those groceries,” Mom says.

  “I got it.” Slade gives my arm a gentle squeeze and heads outside. Blood is pulsing through my veins. I don’t know if it’s from being interrupted or if it’s from what we we’re on our way to doing. What I do know is that I just had the hottest moment of my life and now I have to stand here with my mother and act as if it didn’t happen.

  AS SOON AS I GET outside, I suck in a lungful of air. There was no way I could go downstairs and face her parents with my cock hard. I needed a minute to get myself in check. Luckily, Austyn caught on and the bathroom story passed. At least I hope it did. I was more than willing to collect the groceries to get some air, not that I wouldn’t have done it otherwise.

  “You like my daughter?” a deep voice asks from beside me. I’m standing on the porch, eyes closed, willing myself to calm the fuck down.

  I freeze. I’m not sure I’m even breathing. I’ve never met the parents, so this
is all new to me. Opening my eyes, I exhale. “Yes, sir,” I say, going with honesty.

  I don’t look at him, but I can see him shake his head from the corner of my eye. “You’re leaving soon?” he asks.

  “Yes, sir. Two days.”

  “Thank you for your service, son.” I nod. “Don’t hurt her. Marine or not, she’s my baby girl, and I will hunt you down.”

  “No, sir. Austyn… she’s special.”

  “Damn right she is. You’d do well to remember that.”

  “Always, sir.”

  “Good talk,” he says, gripping my shoulder. He lets go and steps off the front porch. “You coming?” he asks.

  Jumping into action, I follow him down the steps and to the SUV. We’re able to get the remaining bags in one trip. I follow his lead, setting the bags on the counter. I was prepared for more of an interrogation, not that I’m complaining. I’m glad that Austyn has people in her life who care about her. That she has friends and family who are willing to go to bat for her and warn a guy like me to treat her right. She deserves that, and so much more.

  “What are you kids doing tonight?” her mom asks.

  Austyn looks over at me and shrugs. “No plans. I reserved the day to take Daws to the fair.”

  “Thank you for that. He’s been talking about it all week.”

  “I had fun,” she says.

  “I’m making chicken stir-fry for dinner if y’all want to stay and eat.”

  “I’m not sure. Slade might have plans,” Austyn says, looking over at me.

  Is that hope in her eyes? She gives me a subtle nod, and there’s my answer. Of course, I would have accepted regardless, unless she made it clear she didn’t want me here. To be honest, I’m not sure I would have left then if the invitation still stood. I have two days, one if you want to get technical, and that’s not enough time to spend with her. It figures I would meet her now, at this time in my life when I can’t give her all of me, all of my time. That’s how my luck goes. “I’m wherever you are,” I say, not even bothering to keep my voice low. Her dad knows I like her. Why hide it?

  “Okay, then I guess we’re staying for dinner. You need help?” Austyn asks her mom.

  “Slade, I could actually use your assistance if you don’t mind. I’m building a new workbench out in my shop, and could use a hand unloading the materials I bought this morning,” her dad asks.

  “Sure thing.” My eyes find hers for a brief moment before I follow her dad outside. I’m not sure if he wants to grill me some more or if he really does need the help. Outside, he leads us to a flatbed trailer with a stack of lumber on it.

  “I was gonna have a buddy of mine stop over tomorrow when he had time, but since you’re here, I thought I’d take advantage of the situation.”

  “I’m happy to,” I tell him. We work in silence lifting the boards and then the heavy sheets of plywood and carrying them into the garage. “You’re building a workbench?” I ask him.

  “Yeah, well, that’s what I’m calling it. I like to tinker out here, and sometimes you just need a solid surface to work on.”

  “Need some help?” I offer.

  “You ever built anything like this before?” He eyes me skeptically.

  “No, sir, but I’m willing to learn.”

  “Well, dinner will be at least thirty more minutes. We can maybe get the boards measured and cut.” I watch him as he grabs a measuring tape and pencil and starts measuring and marking boards. “Grab that end, will you?” he asks when he gets to the longer boards. We work in silence, measuring and marking each board.

  “What next?” I ask once we’ve marked all the boards.

  “Next we cut.”

  “What are you two doing out here?” Austyn says from behind us.

  I turn to look at her. She’s leaning against the side-entry door to the garage, arms and ankles crossed. All I want to do is go to her, wrap her in my arms and repeat what we did up in her room. I can still taste her.

  “Manly things,” her dad, Lee, replies.

  I grin at his answer.

  “Well, can you two put your manly things on hold and come and eat dinner?” she sasses back with a grin.

  “Slade, you’re in for a treat,” he tells me. “My wife makes a mean chicken stir-fry.”

  “Hey, I helped.” Austyn acts as if she’s offended. She’s anything but, judging by the smile she’s wearing.

  I can’t seem to take my eyes off her. It’s not until I hear her dad chuckle and his hand clamps down on my shoulder that I’m brought out of my Austyn trance. “You got it bad, son,” he says, his voice low. He moves toward Austyn and wraps his arm around her shoulder. “I know you did, sweetheart,” he tells her.

  “You coming, Slade?” she asks.

  I nod and follow along behind them. I can’t help but think what it would have been like to have parents like hers. So open and loving. Supportive. They’re good people, and it shows in the kids they’ve raised. I know I sound like someone well beyond my years, but living the life I’ve lived, you grow up fast. If that’s not enough, thirteen weeks of Marine boot camp will finish the job.

  In the house, Lee motions for me to follow him. I do as I’m told, and he leads me to the laundry room with a big washtub. Again, I’m reminded of all these moments that I never had with my sperm donor. We each wash up for dinner. Back in the living room, Dawson is up from his nap and bouncing with energy.

  “Slade!” he exclaims, and rushes toward me. He wraps his little arms around my waist. “You stayed.” He looks up at me with a big toothy grin.

  “Sure did.”

  “Let him go, Dawson.” Austyn prods him.

  “Will you sit by me?” he asks me.

  “Sure bud.” No way can I say no to this kid. He’s cute as hell. Grabbing my hand, he guides me to the dining room table.

  When I take the seat that Dawson instructs is mine, I’m sitting right across from Austyn. If I can’t sit next to her, this is the next best thing. Although, I’m going to have to make a conscious effort to not stare at her the entire time. Her dad’s already caught me once today. With a flurry of activity, we’re all seated and filling our plates. The food is delicious, and the company’s even better. It’s a novelty for me to be a part of a normal loving family. I’ve seen it all week with Combs and his parents as well and have enjoyed it.

  “Thank you for dinner,” I tell Michelle, as I stand to help her clear the table.

  “You’re welcome. Sit, you’re a guest.”

  “I don’t mind helping.” I pick up Dawson’s plate and mine and follow her and Austyn into the kitchen.

  “What are you kids planning for the rest of the night?” Michelle asks us.

  I look over at Austyn for guidance. “Plans?” I ask her.

  “I don’t know. Daws wore me out today.” She laughs.

  Her mom laughs, and it sounds a lot like Austyn’s. “We’re taking him back,” she tells us. “He wants to see the truck pulls, and you know your dad, he’s all over that.”

  “I’m out on that,” Austyn tells her. “I’ve had my fill for the day.”

  “Well, whatever you kids get into, you be safe.” She closes the dishwasher and turns to face me. “Slade, thank you for helping with Dawson today, and then with Lee, and the dishes. I’m not sure when I’ll get to see you before you leave.” She steps toward me and wraps her arms around my waist in a hug. “Thank you for your service, young man. You’re always welcome here,” she whispers.

  Emotions swarm me, so many I’m not sure which is stronger. I’m angry at my parents for being the addicts they are. I’m mad at the universe for taking Gran from me, my one cheerleader in life. I’m humbled to be receiving generosity from this family, as well as Brandon’s, and then there’s Austyn and the long list of things I feel about her.

  Want.

  Need.

  Comfort.

  Happiness.

  The list goes on and on. My heart beats double time whenever she’s near. I’ve done
nothing but think about her since the first day I laid eyes on her in the flesh. Then there’s the worry of leaving, and never seeing her again. I had nothing, no one… so I gave my life over to my country, to serve and to protect. I had nothing to lose when I signed up. Now, now I feel like I have everything to lose, and I don’t know how to deal with it, with leaving her when I feel as though I might need her to breathe.

  THE SOUND OF FEET TROMPING down the steps wakes me up. Dawson has one speed in the mornings. Gotta love little brothers. Rolling over, I see Savannah’s still asleep. She and Brandon came over last night. We hung out in the basement watching movies. Since I picked Slade up and Brandon had picked Savvy up, she stayed the night with me. The girl is a bed hog though. I have a queen, and she takes up more than her half.

  Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I hit the home button and see a message from Slade.

  Slade: Morning, angel.

  My heart flutters in my chest and I’m grinning like a fool. How is it that in such a short amount of time, just a simple text, two words from him can brighten my day?

  “What’s got you all smiles at the ass crack of dawn?” Savannah grumbles sleepily.

  Looking over, I see her eyes are open, but barely. “It’s hardly the ass crack of dawn, Savvy. It’s nine.”

  “It’s Sunday,” she counters.

  “It is. It’s also your last day with Brandon before they leave tomorrow.”

  “I know. I’m not ready for him to leave.”

  “I know you’re not.”

  “What about you? I assume Slade is the reason you’re grinning at your phone like a fool?”

  I turn the screen to face her so she can read his message. “He’s hard to resist,” I admit.

  “Why does he call you angel?” she asks. “I’ve heard him call you that but haven’t had the chance to ask you.”

  I give her his reasoning and now she’s smiling. “He likes you, and I know you like him.”

  “What’s not to like? But he’s also leaving and has no roots here,” I remind her.