Chapter 11
Stewart
I fired off a text to Rita wishing her a good day.
I so wanted to wake up next to her, but she was still concerned that someone would find out about us and she’d get in trouble.
I still didn’t think it was that big of a deal, but the closer we got, the more I knew I would never do anything to hurt her.
“There you are,” Devon called out when I walked around the corner to the entrance of Eagle Crest Trail.
We were about six or so miles outside of Pine Valley, but this trail was perfect for a morning run. We used to use it all the time before our last mission, but I wasn’t sure if any of the other guys had been out here since the accident.
“I was beginning to think you were going to stand me up.” He laughed and held his hand out for a slap.
“Sorry.” I went in for an embrace. “Slow start.”
“How does it feel to be back on duty?”
“Great.” I smiled.
After my weekend with Rita almost three weeks ago, I’d gone into Aspen Archer’s office and put it all out there.
I told her everything. I still had one more session left with her, but she’d signed off on my returning to duty part time last week.
I was hoping I’d be back to full-time before I left to go home for my mom’s birthday.
“We’re all glad to have you back.” He nodded.
“I also just signed my re-up paperwork.” It was a weight off my shoulders.
“Yes, brotha.” He slapped me on the back. “I knew we weren’t about to get rid of you anytime soon.”
“No chance.” Things were getting back to normal. “Race ya?”
“You’re on.” He took off before I could say start.
“Jackass.” I laughed and hit the trail behind him.
We volleyed for the lead all the way up the eight miles to the top.
There were a few places that still had a bit of ice from the frost we recently had, but other than that it was the same gorgeous view Eagle Crest was known for.
We both reached the top just as the sun was rising high above the pine and aspen trees.
I loved this view. Most people liked it because you could see the base and all of Pine Valley, but it was the surrounding mountains that sold it for me. The way they wrapped around reminded me of parts of Georgia, and it made me feel closer to my family.
“I won.” Devon was breathing as heavily as me.
I shook my head. “I don’t think so. At best, it was a tie.”
“That’s bullshit and you know it, but I’m gonna let you have that.” He gave me a half smile. “Especially considering you’re still on restricted duty.”
I flipped him off with a laugh. “What does that say about you, considering you were never injured?” He’d been one of the lucky ones.
He’d walked away with a few scratches and nothing more.
I’d been the same until I pulled a disk helping to lift part of the truck off Andre, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
“That I took it easy on you.” He pulled out his water bottle and took a drink. “Are you excited about going home soon?”
I looked out at the view. “It will be nice to see my family.” I took a drink of my own.
Honestly, as much as I was looking forward to going home, I really wanted to ask Rita to come with me.
I wanted some time alone with her where we didn’t have to hide.
I wanted to be able to hold her hand, take her out to dinner, and if I didn’t get inside her soon I was going to fucking keel over.
I loved our nightly calls, but I wanted my arms around her.
I wanted her body next to me. I needed to taste her.
The one night we had in Colorado Springs wasn’t enough.
I knew I was the one who said we could keep things secret, but I wasn’t sure how much longer I could do it. I was falling for her, and I was falling fast and hard. Every conversation I discovered something new about her that made me smile.
I loved that she didn’t cook, but one of her goals was to go on a food tour of Italy and learn how to make authentic pasta.
I found it adorable that her go to comfort food was ice cream, but she wasn’t a fan of sweets.
Like she didn’t even put sugar in her coffee.
It was fun watching basketball games with her on the phone, but I wanted to see her face in person and not through a video call.
She was so excited for her Storming Cobras being in the playoffs.
She went on and on about how they were going to the big game this year, and when she said it all I could think was how fun it would be to have a party and invite the team over.
That would definitely be breaking all the rules.
“You got quiet all of a sudden.” Devon was stretching out his legs. “What’s going on? Are you worried about going home?”
“What?” I’d forgotten he’d asked me about my trip. “No, I can’t wait.”
“Then what’s up?”
“I…It’s just…well…” Was I really going to tell him? Rita would kill me if she found out, but I trusted Devon with my life. I knew he wouldn’t say a word.
“What’s going on?” He stood back up.
“I’ve been seeing someone, and I want to ask her to come home with me, but I’m worried it might freak her out.” That was about as specific as I could get.
Devon stared for a moment. “You’ve been seeing someone? I thought you weren’t interested in settling down until you got out of the service.”
It was true that I’d felt that way, and if Rita hadn’t walked into my life, I’d probably still feel the same way.
“It came out of nowhere.” That was the best I could explain it.
“I see.” He nodded. “Why do you think asking her to come with you would freak her out? Is it because it’s too soon?”
I hadn’t thought about that. Was it too soon for her to meet my family?
We’d barely known each other a month, and under normal circumstances I might say so, but who knew when I’d get back home again.
It could be another year before I had the chance to introduce her.
Would we still be together by then? I didn’t like the idea that we wouldn’t.
“It’s complicated, but we’ve been keeping it a secret because of what she does.” I explained.
“Oh, shit.” His eyes got huge. “Are you fucking an officer?”
“What?” I rubbed my hand over my face. “No, I am not fucking an officer.” Hell, I was an officer, but I got what he meant. It wasn’t against regulations to date someone of a higher rank than you, but most everyone avoided it. The power dynamic made things too complicated.
“Okay, then why would her job be a big deal?” He let out a quick chuckle. “Is she a stripper?”
“NO!” I shouted. Not that there was anything wrong with someone choosing to do that, but Devon was being ridiculous. “She’s…she works in an office.”
“Why would that be a problem?”
There was no real way to get him to understand unless I came right out and said it.
“I need you to keep this private.” I stared right at him. “Like code to the grave.” It was a statement the team used when we needed the other to know this was something they couldn’t share with anyone.
“Got it.” Devon’s face got serious.
I looked around. This was a popular trail for people to hike in the morning, and I wanted to make sure we were completely alone.
“She’s the therapist who was first assigned to me.
” I kept my voice as low as possible. Just because I couldn’t see someone, it didn’t mean the trees didn’t have ears.
Now that I thought about it, I should have waited until we were somewhere private to say a word. Shit!
“Wow.” He dragged the word out. “Is that illegal?”
“It isn’t illegal, but she’s worried she can get in trouble.” I explained. “I don’t think it’s as big of a deal as she is making it, considering we barely spent any time together before I was reassigned. Still, she thinks it will count.”
“So her going home with you would be a big signal that something is going on?”
“Maybe.” I shrugged. “I mean, she could always tell them she is going on vacation somewhere else. They don’t have to know that she’s with me.”
“But if you both are off base at the same time, then…” He paused. “Wait, is she military? Cause that would cause a whole different set of problems.”
“No, she’s a civilian contractor.” I’d already thought about that.
“Okay, that’s good.” He nodded. “Is this serious? Taking someone home to meet the family is big. Like could be the one kind of big. Is that what is going on?”
I thought about his question. Could Rita be the one? “I’m not sure, but I know I want her to meet them.” I replied. “I know I want her in my life, and I don’t want to lose her. Does that mean she could be the one?”
“Fuck if I know.” His shoulders came up to his ears. “I think the last time I thought someone could be the one was in fifth grade when Melody Robins gave me her two pack of cookies for lunch.”
“You’re an idiot.” I told him.
“What? They were good, and you know how much I love sweets.” He laughed.
“What should I do?” I got back on topic.
“I’m not sure I’m the one to be handing out relationship advice. Refer to the fifth-grade cookie, but I’d say go for it.” He told me. “We’re Rangers. We don’t back down, and we don’t walk away. If she is this important to you, then ask her.”
“And if she says no?”
“Then maybe she isn’t ready or in the same place as you, but at least you’ll know.”
He was right.
“Thanks.”
“Sure.” He hit me on the back. “Last one down buys breakfast.” He turned and took off.
“I don’t think so.” I raced down behind him, determined this would be a clean win.