23
The next day, we pull up outside my uncle’s house and I shove the car into park. It’s exactly as I remember it from when I was a teenager. It’s a small white house in the suburbs further inland about half a mile outside of town.
The same beat up old pickup truck sits on the driveway as it always has since I was a child. I don’t understand how he’s managed to make it last all these years, it was a death trap twenty years ago, I hate to think what it’s like now.
My stomach rolls with the thought of seeing my uncle again. Our relationship was strained towards the end. I resented him for giving me an ultimatum, the one where I had the choice of getting kicked out on my ass or signing up to serve my country. I’ve never been the type to feel uncomfortable in any situation, regardless what it is, but today I feel totally out of my depth, though having Sierra here eases some of those nerves inside me.
As if sensing my discomfort, Sierra’s hand slips into mine as we head up the steps to the house, giving it a comforting squeeze. “It’s gonna be okay, you know?”
Something has shifted between us since last night. After I made her come on my fingers in the dining room, I carried her up to her room and did the same with her laid out on her bed.
My mouth watered to throw her legs over my shoulders and taste her pussy on my tongue, but I didn’t want to push her too hard too fast. Didn’t want to try to run before we learned to walk. She still has a lot of insecurities and fears to conquer, and I don’t want to put any pressure on her.
I shouldn’t have kissed her. I shouldn’t have touched her but I was powerless to stop it.
Whatever this is between us—because there’s no denying that there is, I want to take it at her pace, with the ball firmly in her court.
At some point during the night, we both fell asleep, because the next thing I knew I was waking up in her bed with her body tucked against me, her head resting over my heart, exactly where she’s always meant to be. Just the thought of waking up this morning next to her has my heart swelling with a mix of emotions.
When we reach the front door, I ring the doorbell and through the frosted glass, my heart thunders when I see movement on the other side.
A few moments later, the door opens and it’s like being transported back in time. Suddenly, I’m eighteen years old again, saying goodbye to my uncle for the last time before I headed off to serve my country.
His hair has turned grey and thinned out over the years and he’s lost a little weight since the last time I saw of him, though the one thing that hasn’t changed is the prickly salt and pepper beard that covers his face.
I give him a tight-lipped smile. “Ray.”
He looks me over for a good few seconds, his eyes sweeping over me with a look I can’t decipher before he breaks out into the widest smile I think I’ve ever seen him wear. “Damn, it sure is good to see you, son.”
He steps out onto the porch and pulls me into his arms in a tight embrace and I don’t hesitate to hug him back. All of the nerves that coiled in my belly faded the second he wrapped me in his arms and I didn’t realise until right now just how much I needed this. Uncle Ray has been the only family I’ve known since my parents died, and rather than give me up, he took me in and raised me alongside his own son, Daniel. Things weren’t easy, but he made it work.
“I’m so happy you’re here.” Pulling back from me, Ray’s eyes fall on Sierra who’s watching the display in front of her. “And who’s this beautiful young lady? Alec, are you going to introduce us?”
I slide my arm around Sierra’s waist. “Ray this is Sierra. She’s…” What the fuck do I call her? My boss’ sister? A woman I call a friend but would love nothing more than to call my girlfriend, my future wife?
I glance down to her to find her hazel eyes on me, waiting patiently for me to continue.
“…she’s… very special to me.”
Sierra smiles softly up at me, letting the warmth of my words wash over her. She knows I’m not lying, but I’m not going to even begin to label what we are because I have absolutely no idea, just as she has no idea how far my feelings for her really go.
“Princess, this is my uncle, Ray.”
She beams at him, reaching out her hand. “It’s lovely to meet you.”
He takes her hand in both of his. “Likewise, sweetheart. I’m guessing you’re who I have to thank for bring my nephew back to me?”
“Inadvertently, I suppose.”
“Well, however you both came to be here, I couldn’t be happier. You don’t know how long I’ve waited for this moment, Al. Too damn long.”
“Me too,” I say.
“Come on in,” he ushers us inside as he nudges a dog out of the way gently with his leg. “Don’t mind Gus, he’s blind as a bat, the old boy.”
As we step inside, I’m invaded by memories, some I thought I’d forgotten as a feeling of nostalgia settles over me like a blanket. I remember the many hours me and my cousin would chase and play around this house, when I was little.
Sierra bends beside me to pet the dog who laps up the attention, rubbing himself against her leg.
“Place hasn’t really changed since you were last here, Al,” Ray says.
Everything is as I remember it, all the furniture in the same place as it always has been. Every wall covered with photographs from over the years, some all the way back to when Ray and my dad we’re kids.
“Would you like anything to drink? Coffee? Beer? Water?”
“I’ll take a beer, thanks, Ray.”
“Make that two,” Sierra adds.
“A girl after my own heart, keep this one close, Al.” Ray smiles, giving her a wink before turning for the kitchen at the end of the hall.
My eyes find hers. “Oh, I intend to.”
∞∞∞
The sound of Sierra’s laughter rings in my ears as I watch her from the kitchen doorway as she laughs with my uncle. She insisted she repay his hospitality by helping cook dinner for all of us and not wanting to argue, he agreed. I don’t think any man would find it easy to say no to a woman like her.
Her eyes find me over her shoulder and she smiles.
“My ears are burning, which I can only assume means that I’m the subject of your jokes,” I say, letting my hand drift over Sierra’s back as I come to stand beside her and I don’t miss how she leans into my touch.
“Ray was just telling me what you used to get up to when you were little.”
My eyes roll. “Oh, boy…”
“It’s all good stuff, I promise,” she says.
“If you want me to crack open the embarrassing stuff, I got a stack of photo albums from when he was a kid just waiting to see the light of day,” Ray tells her.
“Yes! Now those I have to see!” Si laughs, clutching to my shirt as she doubles over.
“Oh, you really don’t.”
“Nope, I really think I should. I could do with a good laugh.”
“Oh, you’ll get that alright,” Ray adds.
“I’m just going to use the bathroom, I won’t be long.” Sierra excuses herself from the room, her footsteps receding as she makes her way upstairs.
“She’s wonderful, Al. You got a good’n there,” Ray says, stirring the pot of stew that bubbles on the stove.
“She’s not mine,” I admit.
He shoots me a knowing look. “But you want her to be.”
“It’s complicated.”
“Then un-complicate it for me.”
I sigh. “You know I mentioned I’m in private security now? Well, I work for her brothers.”
“Alright…”
“Gage made me promise not to touch her. Out of respect to him, I shouldn’t. I’m lucky enough to call him and Rafe friends and I don’t want to jeopardise that. But every day that passes, it gets harder and harder.”
“I’m still failing to see what’s so complicated.”
“She’s been through a lot of shit lately, that’s why we’re out here, for her to get away and have time to heal. She’s in a vulnerable place right now, and I don’t want to take advantage of that.”
Ray turns to face me. “The way I see things, all those hurdles between you and that sweet, beautiful girl, you’ve put there yourself to convince yourself you’re no good for her. But you and I both know that ain’t the truth. That girl is head over heels for you, any dumb idiot can see that. And where her brothers are concerned? If they were any kind of friends, they’d know you’d never hurt their sister.” He places a hand on my shoulder. “You’re a good man, Alec, and that little lady needs a man like you in her life, to love and protect her like a man should.”
One of the things I always admired about my uncle was how wise he is, and together with his directness and lack of bullshit it’s a dangerous combination, because nine times out of ten he’s always right.
Sierra’s footsteps skip down the stairs and a second later, she heads back through the kitchen.
“Just in time. Looks like dinner’s ready,” Ray announces.
We sit down to eat around the table, reminiscing about old times—minus the years where I was a total asshole, and Sierra listens with rapt attention. I think I spend more time watching her than I did actually eating. I can’t keep my eyes off her.
“You took your dad’s old boat out on the water yet?” Ray asks.
“Not yet.”
“You should take Sierra out there, take her around the gulf. It’s beautiful this time of year.”
Sierra’s eyes light up. “I’d love that. Alec?”
“I’d love that too.”
“Thank you for having us today, Ray. I’ve loved meeting you and hearing about Alec growing up.”
“It’s my pleasure, sweetheart. Couldn’t think of a better day than today for my favourite nephew to visit after all these years.”
“Only nephew,” I correct.
“Why, what’s today?” Si asks, looking between Ray and me.
Fuck.
“It’s um…” I clear my throat, “It’s my birthday,” I admit.
Her eyes widen as her cutlery falls from her hands onto the table with a clatter. “What? Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I haven’t celebrated my birthday in a long time, I guess it just slipped my mind.” It’s not a total lie. I didn’t forget what day it was, but I haven’t celebrated a birthday since I lost my parents, it never felt right to celebrate another year without them, another year that leaves them behind.
Her eyes soften and there’s a hint of sadness in them as she peers over at me. “But I would’ve got you a gift.”
I offer her a comforting smile, sliding my hand across the table to cover hers. “I don’t need a gift from you, princess. All I need is you, with me, safe. That’s all I want.”
I know she wants to press for more, but to my relief she lets it lie, for now, and after we’ve eaten, we help clean up the table and talk a little more over drinks, and much to my dissatisfaction, Ray pulls out the family photos.
Sierra sits beside Ray, peering over the album that sits open in Ray’s lap. The two of them chat and laugh like they’ve known each other for years, and I love how at ease she feels here.
I did wonder whether bringing her here was a good idea. I’m supposed to be protecting her, that’s what I’ve been hired to do, and I should be minimising unnecessary risks, but I couldn’t come back to Maine after almost two decades and not reconnect with my family.
But now as I watch them, I know it was a good call to bring her with me. I’ve never allowed anybody in, never revealed too much of myself for fear of them getting too close. At first I tried to hold Sierra at a distance, but that soon became impossible.
“How old was he here?” Sierra asks, pointing to one of the photos.
“About four years old. He was always getting into mischief, and unfortunately for her, that day he chose to experiment with his mom’s beloved paints.”
“Oh my God! That’s classic!” Sierra howls, tears streaming down her face as she clutches her stomach.
I know exactly which photo they’re looking at. It’s one of me covered head to toe in a rainbow of colours. Apparently I’d snuck into my mom’s office which doubled as her art room and subsequently taken a liking to the dozens of coloured paints.
“You were so cute when you were little,” she says, her eyes lifting to mine, so much sincerity and warmth in her gaze.
“Are you saying I’m not cute now?” I tease, taking a swig of my beer.
“I have a dozen words for you, but cute’s not one of them.”
“Oh yeah?”
She nods. “I’ll tell you later,” she mouths silently before turning back to the albums.
“Oh! Now this was Alec and Daniel’s first lobster festival.”
“A lobster festival? What’s that?” Si asks.
“Takes place over a few days here in Maine. There’s food, games and contests, a parade. It’s coming up in a couple weeks. We go every year but this year’s set to be the biggest yet!”
“You still go to that?” I ask.
“Every year. Daniel and his wife, Steph, you remember her, Al? They bring their son, Sam and we all head up together. If you’re staying a while, the two of you are welcome to join us. I’m sure Daniel and Steph would love to see you again.”
Steph was our childhood friend. Whenever me and my parents came here to visit, Daniel and I were inseparable, more like brothers than cousins, and no matter where we went, there was Steph. It was always the three of us against the world. It doesn’t surprise me in the slightest that he made her his wife.
“That sounds amazing. Can we go?” Si asks me.
“I’ll think about it.”
I glance out the window to see the sun beginning to set. Have we really been here all day?
“We should probably think about heading off. Get out of your hair,” I say.
“Maybe you’re right.”
As we step out onto the front porch, Sierra turns to Ray and throws her arms around his neck. “Thanks again for today, I’ve had a great time.”
“Me too, sweetheart.”
Sierra heads for the car as I turn back to my uncle. “I know this is long overdue, and I should have come to see you sooner, but… thank you. For everything you did for me back then. I know I didn’t show it and I made your life hell, but I want you to know how much I appreciate you. And joining the Marines was one of the best things I’ve ever done.”
There are tears welling in his eyes. “You never have to thank me, son. You’re family. You’re my brother’s boy and I love you like you’re my own. Always have. What I did back then, giving you that choice like that was the hardest thing I ever did, but sometimes it’s the hardest choices that have the best outcomes, and I’m so happy it worked out for you.”
He brings me in for a hug, and neither one of us speaks as we embrace, everything we need to say is in this hug. I love you.
“Don’t be a stranger, you hear? And promise me you won’t let that girl go, it’d be a damn shame if you let her slip through your fingers. She looks at you like you’re her hero and you look at her like she’s your everything.”
“Are we that transparent?”
“No, but I know the look of love when I see it.”