Chapter 12
One month, one week, and four days. That’s how long it’d been since Brain had gotten back from Afghanistan, and since he and Aspen had been exclusive. They’d talked every day, had seen each other as much as their schedules allowed, and still Brain wanted more.
They hadn’t had sex yet, but he wasn’t too worried about that.
Their relationship was moving along at a comfortable pace.
He was happy to make out and simply hold her.
They hadn’t spent the night together, not all night, but they’d fallen asleep on each other’s couches a time or two.
Waking up with her in his arms always felt so right.
Today, they were spending the day relaxing with his team. Everyone was coming over to his house. Trigger and Lefty were bringing Gillian and Kinley, of course, and Grover was bringing his sister, Devyn.
He’d talked about his friends so often, Aspen pretty much knew everything about them.
She knew their funnier quirks, and all about the troubles Gillian and Kinley had been through.
He knew Aspen and his friends had gotten along at the previous get-together at his house, and he hoped they continued to click.
A knock on the door brought him out of his musings and he answered it with a smile. Aspen was standing there with her arms completely full. Brain quickly reached for the casserole dish she was holding, and she smiled gratefully.
“You should’ve let me help you,” he admonished her lightly.
“But then I would’ve had to make two trips to and from my car,” she said with a laugh.
Brain simply shook his head. He’d already learned his girl would do anything to avoid making two trips to her car, even at his house, where it wasn’t a big deal to walk the ten extra steps it took to get to his driveway and back.
He supposed it came from the fact her own parking lot was so far from her door.
Regardless, it always amused him. Aspen would load herself down with twenty grocery bags just so she wouldn’t have to make two trips.
She came into his house and, as soon as the door closed behind her, Brain leaned into her. Both their hands were full, but that didn’t mean the kiss they shared was any less hot.
“I feel as if I haven’t seen you in forever,” she said after they’d broken the kiss.
Brain led the way into his kitchen and turned the oven on low. He opened the door and placed the casserole inside to keep it warm until the others arrived. He turned back to see Aspen unloading one of the bags she’d brought.
“I told you I had all the food covered,” he told her.
“I know, but I was at the store, and I thought it couldn’t hurt to have more food than we might need. Your friends are big. I’m assuming they eat a lot, and I figured having a few vegetables wouldn’t go unappreciated.”
Brain reached out and pulled her into him. She let out a small, surprised screech, but smiled when they were plastered together chest to chest.
“Hey,” he said quietly. He took some time to admire the view.
She had on a black tank top and a pair of jean shorts, the latter of which showed off her long, muscular legs.
She wore a pair of flip-flops, and he loved seeing she’d painted her toenails pink.
She’d left her hair down, and the curly locks tumbled over her shoulders, making him want to see it spread out on his pillow.
In short, Aspen looked casual and comfortable, and Brain still had a hard time believing she was with him.
Aspen smiled. “Hey.”
“It feels like I haven’t seen you in forever either. How was work yesterday?” They’d texted a bit the night before, but it was mostly about today and when she should come over.
Aspen sighed. “It was all right.”
Brain hadn’t been in many long-term relationships, but even he knew that meant things weren’t going well. “What happened?” he asked.
“Derek’s just being a jerk,” she mumbled, not meeting his eyes.
Brain put a finger under her chin until she was looking at him. “What happened?” he repeated.
He was alarmed when Aspen’s eyes filled with tears. Every muscle in his body tensed.
“It’s stupid,” Aspen said, unconsciously petting his chest as if she knew how on edge he was at seeing her upset.
“As you know, everyone’s kinda been doing their own thing during the day, and we’ve only been together at PT.
Well, in the last week, we’ve all been training again, and Derek’s been trying to command both teams, just like he did before.
My new sergeant isn’t happy with the way Derek’s trying to order him and his platoon around, especially since they’re the same rank, so he’s pushing back.
“Yesterday, Derek made some smartass remark about females not being strong enough to cut it in the Rangers. He wasn’t specifically talking about me, it was more of a blanket statement, but it was obvious he was including me in his disparagement.
My team’s been a little more receptive and friendly toward me in the last few weeks, probably because of all the equal-opportunity classes we’ve been taking, and maybe after what happened with Vandine and Holman.
Anyway, my new platoon sergeant told him he didn’t know what the hell he was talking about, and they kinda got into an argument.
It was awkward and uncomfortable for all of us.
I just…I hate being the reason no one is getting along. ”
“You aren’t to blame,” Brain told her. “Derek is. And you’re fighting decades of discrimination. I’m glad to hear your new sergeant isn’t putting up with Derek’s shit though.”
“Yeah, I was surprised. At first I didn’t think he was the kind of guy who’d even tolerate a woman on his team, but he’s actually encouraged me quite a bit in training,” Aspen said.
Brain knew how badly Aspen wanted to be on a team like his own. A supportive one, comprised of people who would do absolutely anything for one another. He couldn’t make the Rangers accept her, but he could give her the team she craved when she was off duty. He’d gladly share his own team with her.
“You made any decisions about your upcoming reenlistment?” he asked. They’d talked at length about the pros and cons of getting out of the Army, and what her options might be if she left, but as far as he knew, she hadn’t made a final decision.
“No,” she told him. “But I’m leaning toward getting out.
I looked into it, and I’m qualified nationally as a paramedic because I passed the exam, but I have to get my Texas state licensure.
I haven’t actually looked at what jobs might be open, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to find one. If not here, in Austin for sure.”
“What’s holding you back?” Brain asked.
“I just…I feel as if I’d be letting down all the other women who are still trying to claw their way into combat specialties.”
Brain shook his head. “Fuck that. You can’t think that way.
Aspen, you’ve already broken so many barriers, it’s not even funny.
You’re attached to a Ranger team. Hell, you are a Ranger, for all intents and purposes.
Even if you get out now, no one can take that away from you.
And as your new platoon sergeant has shown, not everyone thinks the way Derek does.
Even he was all right with you being there until his ego took a hit when you didn’t want to go out with him anymore.
He’s made it personal, which is bullshit. ”
“Thanks,” Aspen said quietly. “The last few months have just been really stressful. One day I’m determined to stick things out, and the next I’m ready to throw in the towel.”
“Well, today you don’t have to make a decision. You can enjoy spending time with our friends.”
She smiled. “I’m not sure I can call them my friends yet, since I’ve only hung out with everyone that one time, before I was deployed.”
“They’re your friends,” Brain told her firmly. “Don’t ever doubt that. If you need anything, you can call any one of them, and they’ll bend over backward to help you, no questions asked.”
“That’s because of you,” she said. “Not me.”
“Maybe right now, yes. But after you get to know them better? Nope,” Brain said.
“You know, that first time might’ve been a fluke,” she said. “They may not like me once they really get to know me.”
“Whatever. You’re likable,” he told her. “And you put up with me. So there’s that.”
“Because you’re sooooo hard to put up with,” she quipped as she rolled her eyes.
Brain laughed with her, then dug his fingers into her sides, tickling her.
Aspen screeched and tried to wiggle away from him, but Brain held on.
They were both laughing when they heard someone clear their throat from not too far away.
Brain looked up and saw Trigger and Gillian standing nearby. He straightened and wrapped an arm around Aspen, turning her to face their guests.
“Oh, hey,” he said, still smiling.
Gillian returned his greeting, then said, “I like her more than I did before. Anyone who can make you laugh like you just did is okay in my book.”
Aspen looked up at him. “You don’t laugh much?”
Gillian answered before Brain got a chance. “Lord, no. I mean, he’s not all broody like Doc is, but close.”
Aspen stared at Brain for a moment before she turned back to Gillian. “Let me help you with that.” She reached for the bottle of wine the other woman was carrying, and Gillian gladly handed it over.
Trigger gave Brain a chin lift. “Sorry if we interrupted anything. I should’ve known better than to just walk in.”
“No problem. You know my house is your house,” Brain told him.
“Yeah, but now that you’ve got Aspen, I wouldn’t want to get my ass kicked for walking in and seeing something I shouldn’t.”
Brain chuckled and nodded. “Okay, good point.”
“Whatever,” Aspen muttered. “As if we’d get naked five minutes before people were supposed to arrive.”
Gillian shook her head. “Never say never around these guys,” she countered.
Everyone laughed.
There was a knock on the door but before Brain could answer it, Oz, Lucky, and Doc wandered in.