Stunned
Wrenly
Before walking into the banquet room, I was nervous. It almost felt like my heart was going to jump from my chest and my legs felt weak. I knew I was early, but I thought I would waste some time by having a glass of wine at Club X. I wasn’t sure what came over me, but I had an overwhelming feeling that told me I needed to walk into that banquet hall.
I heard some noise behind the bar and instinctively knew it was him. My heart raced so fast that I felt a pain in my chest. I was frozen, unable to move or react as I saw him stand facing away from me. I was forced to take a sharp breath at what I saw, and he hadn’t even turned around yet. He was crazy tall, just like Tony, and it was obvious by just looking at him from behind that his body was toned and muscular. I wondered if he knew I was there without seeing me, because he hesitated to turn around and look at me. There was a burning sensation behind my eyes and I could already feel every built up emotion that collected in my heart over the last fifteen years exploding inside me.
He turned and our eyes met, almost instantly making my legs weak enough to fall to the floor, but I fought to stay strong. The look on his face was unreadable and I took a sharp breath just before I felt the tears building in my eyes. Flashes of those same eyes from years ago ran through my memory, but I was no longer looking at a boy. The Travis I knew was long gone from this earth, replaced by the most handsome man I ever saw in my life.
“Wrenly.” He spoke my name softly and I nodded my head as the first tear escaped. I watched as he placed a hand on his chest and took a few deep breaths. “My girl?” I could see tears building in his eyes and I nodded my head again.
“Always.” I drew in a broken breath then laughed through my tears when a smile finally formed on his face. The beautiful eyes I missed so much sparkled in the light. “Always your girl.” I let the tears fall as he suddenly jumped over the bar and ran for me. Then I laughed through my tears as our bodies collided and he pulled me into his arms. He swung me around and squeezed me so tightly I could barely breathe. When my feet met the floor he pushed back then clasped my face in his hands.
His eyes studied mine for just a moment before he pulled me back in and kissed the top of my head as he wrapped his arms around me. “I can’t believe it’s you.”
“I missed you so much.” I sobbed and also heard him sniffle.
“You have no idea.” He kissed my head again as I took in his scent and the feeling of finally coming home. I had felt empty for so long but realized instantly that being in his arms was filling me with everything I lost all those years ago. There was no doubt left, I hadn’t lost an ounce of the love I always had for him.
“I’m sorry.” He whispered and I shook my head.
“There is nothing to be sorry for, Travis.” There really wasn’t and it wasn’t a lie. He did exactly what I did when I joined the Marines. I was running away from all the bad memories, the pain, and the grief of losing my baby and Travis. He ran for almost the same reasons. “We’re not as different as you might think.” I sniffled.
He pushed back then looked me up and down. “You’re all grown up.”
I wiped my tears away as I nodded. “You are too.” He had no idea how grown up he looked to me. Between those muscles, same intense blue eyes, and chiseled jaw line, he was all man. He was no longer that boy I once knew, or that scared teenager they took away in handcuffs. The girls of Creed’s Lake were not joking when they said he was just as handsome as Creed, Axton, and Magnus. In my opinion he was the most handsome man I ever saw in my life. I couldn’t help myself when I reached up and ran my fingers through that sandy but sexy messy haircut. I studied his eyes then ran my fingers down to his cheek. He had stubble like he hadn’t shaved in days, but it looked sexy as hell on him. “This is new.” I giggled just a little. He looked so much like Tony it was unreal. Then again, biologically they could have been father and son since Tony and Robert were identical twins.
His eyes were soft and warm as I looked into them while his pointer finger caught a tear on my cheek. “Where’s that tough as nails Marine Raider I heard so much about?” He asked.
I felt the smile form on my face. “I left her over in that sandbox. I’m just Wrenly again.”
He nodded as his eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I should have come back home, even if it was just to you and Clint. I’m a fucking coward, Wrenly. I didn’t want to face all that pain again.”
I nodded. “I know the feeling, so don’t ever apologize.”
“What the?”
Both of our heads turned and Axton, Magnus, and Drakos stood in the doorway. Two of them looked confused while Magnus stood with his arms crossed while wearing an adorable smirk.
Travis turned and pulled my side closer by putting his arm around me as we looked at them. “As usual, you were right, Magnus.” The smile on Travis’s face was gleaming and lit the room. I couldn’t help but study that smile. I could honestly say I never saw him smile that way as a kid. He always had pain in his eyes, but as a man he seemed genuinely happy.
I wasn’t sure what that meant.
“About what? And don’t go telling him that shit, he already has a fucking ego.” Drakos narrowed his eyes on Travis. “This is bullshit. You always get the hot chicks, and this one just arrived. Couldn’t you have at least waited five minutes and given the rest of us a chance at her?”
I looked up at Travis as he chuckled. He looked relieved and happy, much like I felt.
“I don’t understand. Do you two know each other?” Axton looked at both of us.
Magnus spoke up. “Let’s grab a beer and let them catch up.”
Obviously, Magnus knew something, and I was curious what Travis said to him about me. All three men turned and walked toward Club X. “Why am I just now learning they know each other? Is that why he didn’t vote on her invitation to interview?” Axton was asking as they walked away and finally their voices faded.
Travis turned and our eyes met again. “I didn’t tell anyone I knew you because I didn’t want to influence their vote. Your accomplishments are the reason you’re here, not because of anything I said or did. By the way, I need to know how the hell all those accomplishments happened when we have more time to talk.”
I gave him a short nod then he pulled me back in for a hug. “Sorry, I just need to convince myself you’re really here.” He kissed my head again and I could have sworn he took in my scent. I was always drawn to Travis, even when I was six years old. That only grew into something more intense as we got older, but I was too young to understand those overwhelming feelings. Even after all the time apart, that feeling was just as strong as ever, maybe even stronger. It was as if time just stopped and nobody else existed. I thought it was going to be awkward to see him, or he might even have been angry that I was stepping into his life, but all I felt was the attraction that was always there, the friendship, and the love. There was always love, but he would never fully accept the love I was offering. I practically started life being drawn to his friendship, and twenty four years later, it was no longer friendship so to speak that I needed from him. I felt it the moment his eyes met mine. My body, heart, and soul wanted him, similar to when I was fourteen years old. I loved him in a way only adults loved each other, and I told him that over and over again as we grew up.
“Uncle Trabus! Dats a Maween!” We both looked over at the door and saw Addie standing there with a red face and her arms crossed.
“Addie, this is my friend, Wrenly.” Travis said.
Addie stomped her foot. “No Maweens, you say day stewpid!”
I took a step back and looked Travis up and down. “We are?” I was more than amused but tried to hide it.
“That’s just the boy Marines, not the girls. They have to have someone smart enough to lead them, don’t they?” Travis looked guilty as hell as Addie looked him up and down then finally shrugged then nodded her head.
“Yep, da girls always da best. Somebody has to punch da boys in da dick when day dumb.”
I gasped then whipped my head around to look at Travis. “What have you been teaching this child?”
He put his hands up in surrender. “I didn’t teach her that, I promise.”
“Yes you did.” Addie stepped closer and Travis pulled me close with his arm around my waist. His grip tightened the closer the little darling stepped toward us. “You say Weston too dumb for Army and stewpid boys like him go to da Maweens.” She stopped in front of us with one hand on her hip as she looked him up and down. The moment was even more comical as his grip on me tightened like he had something to fear.
“It was a joke. Where’s your mom? Still sleeping?” He asked.
“I not her keeper.” She looked serious as her eyes narrowed on him. I couldn’t hold it back, a small laugh escaped my lips.
“Alright, what about Melissa? I thought the new rule was for you to stay with an adult at all times while in the community center.” He said.
She rolled her eyes, which was adorable. She looked like a miniature teenager. I met Addie before, and I learned quickly not to be surprised about anything she did or said. “Mewissa had to go to da commiswery and told Uncle Scott to watch me.”
“He’s not doing a very good job, is he?” Travis asked.
“It not his fault he dumb. Why you hug da Maween like dat? You don’t hug mommy like dat.” She looked genuinely curious.
“I missed Wrenly, I don’t miss mommy because I see her all the time.” Travis explained.
She pushed her glasses up and scrunched her nose. “You hug dat Maween like daddy hugs mommy. She got a tight…” Travis moved fast and put his hand over her mouth.
“Do not finish that sentence. We talked about this, Addie. You can’t say that kind of stuff. Jesus, you’re like a human tape recorder. Do you ever forget anything? Is there anything you won’t repeat?”
Addie shook her head no.
“Daddy said that during their private time and you shouldn’t have heard it. It’s like a secret you’re not supposed to know, let alone repeat. Okay?”
She rolled her eyes then nodded yes. When he let go, she looked up at me. “You pwetty, but not as pwetty as my mommy.”
Travis sighed then pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath then looked down at her. “Addie, you’re on a roll tonight aren’t you?”
Addie stood with her hands clasped behind her back and nodded real big.
“Oh, thank God, there you are.” Drakos walked into the room as he looked down at Addie.
Addie giggled as she pointed at him. “You taught dat girl was reawy looking at you. You too easy to twick.”
Drakos reached for her hand. “Come on, the other kids just arrived so I’m supposed to take you to the bowling alley.”
I looked at Travis as they disappeared out of sight. “I’m not sure if she’s a phenomenon or an anomaly.”
He chuckled. “Both.”