All I Ask

by Nicole McLaughlin

  Reeve looked forward to these weekends. They always included a healthy dose of shit-talk and video gaming. Yeah, they were also hard work, but it was work he chose and was proud of. He’d never regretted his decision to join the Guard after his years of being a marine. He did it for similar reasons that many of his post-active friends did, to maintain that feeling of brotherhood that comes with being in the military. Man or woman, it didn’t matter. Having a group of people that you knew had your back no matter what was a powerful feeling.

  When he’d come home years ago, he’d been beyond ready to go inactive, but the transition to civilian life was hard. Something a lot of them didn’t speak about except with one another, and his close marine friends were scattered all over the country. Starting his own business with his childhood friend Brad had helped some. Especially since they’d talked about it for years. But something had still been missing. When another friend and marine mentioned he’d joined the Guard in his state of Minnesota, Reeve had decided maybe it was a good idea for him. Being his own boss made it easy, because he didn’t have to ask an employer to work around the Guard schedule. It didn’t take him long to know he’d made the right choice. Joining the Guard filled the odd void after leaving the marines, and it hadn’t taken long for him and the other guys in his unit to form a pretty tight bond.

  They hadn’t trained and fought together, or watched comrades die together. But they’d all done that somewhere along the line so they came to the table with an understanding. Some things didn’t need to be said, and just knowing that these guys had gone through basic, been deployed, and made the same sacrifices he had meant that he knew they understood him in a way other people couldn’t. Military life was hard to let go of, especially when you didn’t have a partner and a family to come home to. This had been Reeve’s—and the other guys’, too—way of easing into a life without the military in it. Eventually they’d give it up, but in the meantime they had their monthly weekends and two weeks a summer.

  “You got my supper ready? I’m starving,” Aiden said with a grin after taking his helmet off. The guy was massive at six foot three and made of solid muscle. He was usually shaved bald but today he sported about an inch of hair on his head. Same with his face. He looked like a total badass with his menacing goatee. Reeve wouldn’t be surprised if he scared small children, but he also couldn’t really picture the guy around kids at all.

  “I’m heating the grill now so you can cook my supper.”

  Aiden chuckled. “Can’t a guy get a break?”

  Reeve just smiled, knowing full well that Aiden wouldn’t allow any of them to cook while he was there because food was his passion. As soon as he’d left the military he’d taken over a bar and grill up in the small town of Preston, just north of KC. The first weekend they’d all met he’d invited them back to his hotel room in Junction City and cooked up the most amazing chicken with wine sauce and sautéed vegetables Reeve had eaten in his life. And the beast had done it all on a portable charcoal grill.

  Aiden walked into the house and immediately took his belongings to the spare bedroom. They all knew Reeve was a neat freak. They teased him about it, but they accepted it, even though they didn’t know the root of his issue.

  “You got everything on my list?” Aiden asked when he stepped back into the living room. Being two hours away—and riding a motorcycle—meant that he’d gotten used to texting Reeve his grocery list for the weekend. The other guys would then toss him some cash when they got there to cover their part.

  “’Course I did. And I checked it twice, so don’t even ask.” They all still liked to give Reeve shit about the year before when he’d accidentally bought jalapeño peppers instead of poblanos. Aiden had been so annoyed, going so far as to pout about his subpar chiles rellenos, informing Reeve repeatedly that the two peppers were nothing alike. Tyler, Jase, and Reeve had eaten the hell out of the stuffed jalapeños, though, and hadn’t thought one thing about it. They had also enjoyed the sight of their friend throwing a mini fit, though no one said it out loud. “Everything’s ready for you on the counter.”

  Aiden nodded. “First I have to use the restroom. I didn’t stop once on my way.”

  Just as the big guy went down the hall, Jase barged through the front door. “Honey, I’m home,” he called out. When he began to drop his bag on the floor, Reeve gave him a look.

  “Put your shit away,” he said. A single bag sitting on the floor was enough to make him twitchy.

  Jase chuckled. “Sorry, Mom. I almost forgot.”

  Reeve always hated when they suggested he was like a mother in his cleanliness, because the truth was that he was nothing like his mother. It just reiterated how not normal his upbringing had been.

  “How’s it going?” Reeve said when Jase came out of the bedroom.

  “I’m hungry. Aiden have dinner ready?” They all looked forward to the meals their friend created.

  “He just got here,” Reeve said.

  “Tyler coming over?” Jase plopped down on the sofa and aimed the remote at the television.

  “At work, still, but he’ll be here in about an hour.”

  Aiden came back down the hallway and reached over the back of the couch to scruff Jase’s head. “Hey, man.”

  Jase grinned over his shoulder, calling out toward the kitchen where Aiden was headed. “What’s for dinner? I’ve been looking forward to this all week.”

  “It’s a surprise.”

  Jase turned to Reeve and raised an eyebrow. “A surprise? Really? What was on the list?”

  “I’m not gonna kill his buzz. But I will tell you that I bought blue cheese and Sriracha.”

  That answer obviously appeased Jase, who nodded and leaned back into the couch. Reeve kicked back in his favorite leather recliner and they watched ESPN in silence. It wasn’t long before the soothing sounds of Aiden cooking, and the aroma of garlic and onions in the air, had Reeve relaxing and his mind wandering.

  No surprise it went to the same thing it had all week. The only woman in his life who’d managed to blow him off not once, but twice. Part of him was starting to wonder if that’s why he was struggling to let thoughts of her go. Was this only a matter of wanting something he couldn’t have? Or was there really something about her that was different from all the others? He kept thinking the third time would be a charm and they’d run into each other again, but so far no such luck.

  “Aw shit.” Jase interrupted Reeve’s thoughts.

  “What’s up?” Reeve asked, staring at his friend. Jase was rapidly texting someone on his phone. “Everything okay?”

  “It’s Hannah. She’s locked her keys in her car.”

  Reeve’s lips twitched. “Sounds about right.”

  “It does. She’s . . . a little scatterbrained.” Jase stood up, clearly intent on playing the knight in shining armor to his childhood infatuation. At least that’s how Jase described his and Hannah’s situation. The rest of them would call her his ball and chain, but they all knew better than to mention it anymore. They’d just learned to accept that Hannah had Jase wrapped around her finger.

  “You gonna go pick her up?” Reeve asked.

  Jase frowned down at his phone and then resumed his seated position. “I guess not. Some guy’s going to bring her by here to get my key.”

  “Some guy?” Reeve could see the annoyance on his buddy’s face, then watched as he purposefully erased it with a forced look of indifference.

  “Probably just somebody she works with. Easier for me, though, I won’t have to leave to help her.”

  “True,” Reeve said, knowing full well that Jase was irritated as hell. Reeve could somewhat understand that, considering the guy allowed her to be the woman in his life minus any of the physical perks. Sometimes Reeve wondered why they didn’t either get married, or cut each other loose.

  “Hold that thought,” Jase said. “She’s calling.”

  Deciding to give his friend some privacy, Reeve headed to the kitchen. When he didn’t
see Aiden in there he went out the back door to the patio, where he found him standing at the grill flipping burgers.

  “Smells good,” he said.

  “It will taste even better,” Aiden said. The guy did not lack for confidence when it came to his cooking.

  “You happen to have extra just in case?”

  Aiden looked over his shoulder. “Someone else coming?”

  Reeve shrugged. “Hannah may come by.”

  “Not a surprise.”

  “Not at all,” Reeve said, sitting down on one of the cushioned patio chairs. They’d all gotten to know Hannah well, and they all liked her. She was a sweet girl, and very cute.

  Silence stretched between them a long moment, only the sound of sizzling meat and frogs chirping in the air. Wasn’t unusual, though, Aiden was the type of guy that was totally cool with long stretches of no speaking. He didn’t waste time with needless chatter or pleasantries, and when he had something to say it was usually worth listening to.

  “So, Hannah, huh? I did make a few extra burgers. She really liked the fajitas I made a few months ago.”

  Reeve’s brow creased in confusion at the statement. Aiden might as well have just recited a monologue, as unusual as it was for him to say so much for no reason. The tone of his voice as he’d mentioned Hannah sent warning bells off in Reeve’s head, and he knew it had to mean one thing. He instantly decided to test his theory, because if he was right . . . that would suck.

  “Reeve said she locked her keys in his car. You know how she relies on him for everything,” Reeve prodded, watching Aiden’s jaw tighten. “The odd thing is that she told Jase some other dude may be driving her over here.”

  Aiden’s head jerked to the side, his face full of annoyance and obvious jealousy. “Some other dude? She seeing someone else?”

  Reeve held back his laugh. Busted. “I don’t know, but you know her and Jase aren’t a couple.”

  Aiden had turned his eyes back to the grill. “Please. They might as well be.”

  Anyone else might have missed the resignation in Aiden’s words, but Reeve didn’t. Damn. There was no good way for Aiden to unhook Hannah from Jase without ruining a solid friendship. Something Aiden would never do. He’d take his feelings for this girl to the grave before he betrayed a friend. Reeve felt for the guy. “I kind of wish she would start seeing somebody. Put Jase out of his misery. Stop hustling him.”

  Aiden only grunted as he sprinkled blue cheese on each burger.

  Reeve knew his friend well enough to know that bringing it up would be a mistake, so instead he gave him a brotherly slap on the back and headed into the house. In the living room, Jase still looked frustrated. Reeve was tempted to suggest that maybe Jase should put up some healthy boundaries with the girl, but just like Aiden—he knew it wasn’t his place to say anything.

  “Everything okay?” Reeve asked.

  Jase looked up, pasting on a half smile. “Of course.”

  Reeve let it drop at that. “Come out back, foods almost ready. Tyler should be here any minute.”

  “Thank goodness, I’m starving.”

  In the kitchen, Reeve tossed Jase a Coke—they didn’t usually drink on drill weekends—and they headed out to the patio. All he could think was that it was obvious that he wasn’t the only guy here fucked up over a woman. Maybe he was the lucky one since he didn’t have to see her with another man. Hell, he’d probably never see her again.

  * * *

  Emily gasped when the drunk idiot next to her let his flaming sparkler get too close for comfort.

  “Sorry,” he said with a chuckle, before turning his attention back to the door where the couple would soon exit.

  With a sigh, she held her own sparkler out and turned her head, waiting for her best friend to rush through the mass of people hand in hand with her new husband. They’d be all smiles, happy as clams as they rushed off to their honeymoon suite before taking an early-morning flight to Hawaii. Knowing Amanda and her overeager efficiency, she’d come home from her honeymoon knocked up. Soon Emily would be attending baby showers, christenings, and then high school graduations. In fact, she should probably just keep this dress she was wearing so she could wear it to Amanda’s daughter’s wedding. No doubt she’d still be single at that glorious event.

  Oh God, she shouldn’t have drunk that last glass of wine, her pity level was reaching an epic level. Something she rarely let happen, because in general her life was enviable.

  Cheers erupted from the crowd and Emily craned her head to try to catch sight of her friend. And then there she was, glowing and exuberant in her gorgeous wedding gown. Amanda had truly been the most beautiful bride and the day had gone perfectly. No drama, no slip-ups, no bullshit. Just happy tears, great friends, and a couple that was so genuinely in love with each other, the sight of it made Emily’s heart ache.

  After the couple had run through the aisle, Emily made her way to the parking lot, hoping to say good-bye before they pulled off. She waited as Amanda had a few moments with her mom and dad.

  “Oh God, I love you,” Amanda said as soon as she met Emily’s eyes. Emily sat down her now burned-out sparkler and pulled her friend in for a hug. “Thank you for being my maid of honor.”

  “I love you, too, and I know I’m always busy, but you know I’d have killed you if you’d asked anyone else.” Emily smiled when she felt the shaking of Amanda’s laughter. Over her shoulder, Devon, the groom, smiled at her.

  “Thanks for everything, Em.”

  “You’re welcome, Devon. Please take care of my girl in Hawaii,” Emily said, smiling at Amanda, who was now tucking herself back into her groom’s side. “She has a tendency to overindulge when the drinks come with little umbrellas.”

  “Shhh,” Amanda teased, and then they were off, loading into the limo and pulling away into the night. The crowd began to disperse around her, but Emily couldn’t take her eyes away from the taillights pulling onto the road. A long sigh escaped her lips.

  She was now officially the last unmarried friend.

  “Wasn’t that the loveliest evening?”

  Emily turned to find her mother standing next to her, accompanied, unfortunately, by her stepfather, who was wearing his favorite expression of too important to be here.

  “It was. I enjoyed it.”

  “I saw you dancing some, but I wished you had a date. Weddings are so much more fun when you do. You know, just so you aren’t alone.”

  Emily winced, hating when her mother made such comments, but hating them even more when they were said in vicinity of the general.

  “I wasn’t alone, Mom. And I danced plenty.” Luckily, in the process, she’d been able to catch up with all of her friends’ husbands and brothers. At least it had kept her busy and not feeling like the ultimate wallflower.

  “If you say so. Well, we’re going to head up to the room. I’m beat.” Her mother patted her husband’s arm. “I wish we could get together for breakfast, but we’ve got an early flight out.”

  Emily just smiled. “That’s okay. We can say our good-byes here.” She leaned in and gave her mother a tight hug. “I’m glad you came down early and spent some time with me.”

  She meant it, too. Spending time with her mother was something Emily didn’t do often.

  “I am, too. I’d like to do it again if that’s all right with you.”

  “Anytime, Mom.” She turned to her stepfather. “Nice to see you, Allen.”

  “Emily.” He nodded. “Thank you for hosting your mother this week.”

  Hosting? What an ass. “My family is welcome anytime.” She’d let him try to determine if she meant for that to include him or not. Then again, he probably couldn’t care less. Her hatred of the man had taken up such a huge part of her adolescence, she really hated to waste the energy on him now, but sometimes it was a challenge. Just looking at him reminded her of the biggest reasons she was so quick to shut a man out of her life before things got too serious. And of course that brought to mind the man s
he’d been trying not to think about all evening.

  She’d failed miserably at that.

  Now she was curious, and there was someone right in front of her who could answer her question. She’d rather ask anyone else for intelligence, but screw it.

  “Allen, I have a question for you.”

  He looked surprised, his eyebrow quirking. He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his tuxedo pants. That was his way of saying he was ready, as if speaking words was unnecessary in his case.

  She really couldn’t blame him for being surprised at her request. Their history made them both have their guard up around the other, especially since she’d moved out and was completely unwilling to take any of his shit. But no, tonight she really did need him to answer one simple question.

  “I was just curious. Can a former marine join the National Guard?”

  He scoffed, his head jerking back in amusement. “Sure he could.”

  Emily wanted to sneer at his exclusionary choice of the word he, but she refrained. Instead she just smiled and was about to force out a thank-you when he went on.

  “But only if he’s a pussy.”

  God, he was a dick. “I’m sure that’s . . . entirely your opinion, but thank you for answering my question.” Emily turned and smiled at her mother. “Talk to you soon, Mom. Safe travels tomorrow.”

  “Thank you, sweetie. I’ll text when we land to let you know we’re home.”

  Emily nodded and headed into the reception to say her good-byes and grab her things. It had been an incredibly long day, with hair, makeup, and brunch starting at ten. After that had been photos, then the ceremony, more photos, and then finally the long evening of food, dancing, and one too many cupcakes.

  Twenty minutes later she was pulling into her driveway and dragging all her belongings inside. Not caring about tidiness now, she dropped all her bags onto the sofa in her living room. She’d deal with the mess tomorrow.

  Eyeing the extra bottles of champagne in her bag that had been left over from the morning’s mimosas, Emily grabbed one and then fetched a glass from the kitchen before heading for the bathroom. She poured herself a tall bubbly serving right there on the bathroom counter before ditching her dress, pulling off her false lashes, and scrubbing her face clean.