Chapter Seven #4
Sam sighed heavily, sounding almost disgusted. “Why do you keep coming here?”
“Because, regardless of what you say to me, I love you.” Henry leaned down to hug him. The man only allowed it for a few seconds then jerked backward.
“Who’s this?” Sam pointed in Jackson’s direction.
“Jackson Owens.” He walked toward them, extending his hand. After a few seconds and a headshake, Sam finally took it. “Henry’s boyfriend.” Why do those words sound so good to say?
Sam turned back to Henry. “I don’t want you here and you know it. What made you think I would want to meet some dude you’re banging?”
Jackson’s hand involuntarily clenched into a fist. This guy was already pissing him off. Only Henry’s hand on his arm kept him calm. “I just felt like—” Henry was interrupted by Sam’s rude snort.
“Feel?” he spat. “You always want to talk about feelings. But you have no idea how I feel. You have no idea how it feels to have an IED blow up in front of you and ruin your life.” The man’s volume rose until he was practically screaming at Henry.
Jackson was infuriated. “Enough!” The loud, firm order echoed through the room.
Both of them turned to look at him, their eyes wide.
“Your cousin cares about you. He’s trying his best to help you.
And what does he get in return? You yelling and being downright mean.
Thankfully, he will never know what that feels like.
” Jackson took a deep breath. “But I do.” He heard Henry gasp, but he couldn’t look at him.
He hadn’t wanted the man to know. Pity was something he didn’t want Henry feeling for him.
After a couple of deep breaths, he turned to Henry.
“I think I need to talk to your cousin privately.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Henry whispered, worry written all over his face.
“You trust me, right?”
Henry nodded immediately. “I’ll be in the living room.” Jackson pulled him close, kissing him lightly. He watched him walk out before turning to Sam.
“Are you always this nasty to Henry?” He made sure his voice had a hard edge to it.
“If Henry has a problem with the way I treat him, he can stop coming,” Sam sneered.
Jackson shook his head. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“What the fuck makes you think I want to talk to you?”
“You need to talk to someone.”
“I’m fine,” Sam said through gritted teeth.
“Yeah, so was I.” Jackson softened his tone a little. “Look, what happened to you is horrible, and it’s not fair that you have to deal with the aftermath for the rest of your life. But you only have two options now. You either overcome or you let this end you.”
“Why do you even care?” The man sounded like a brat.
“Because you’re important to Henry, and Henry is important to me.” Jackson shrugged.
Sam made a scoffing noise. “There’s really no need to go that extra mile to get in his pants. I’m sure he’s already letting you fuck him.”
“That’s it, you little son of a bitch.” A deep primal instinct took over and Jackson fisted the collar of Sam’s T-shirt. “If you ever talk about Henry like that again, I will personally kick the shit out of you,” he snarled.
“Whoa Jack—”
“It’s Major Owens.” Jackson used the voice he used when he needed to scare his subordinates.
“Major,” Sam stuttered, a look of shock on his face.
Jackson let him go then took a step back.
“Playtime is over, kid. I’m sure that everyone has been coddling you since you came home, but that’s not my style.
My doctors were able to save my arm. I’m sorry yours weren’t able to save your leg.
But here’s the hard truth, you and I are both fucking lucky to be here.
” Sam stared at him in a way that made him realize that being grateful to be alive had never crossed the man’s mind. “How long have you been home?”
“Almost a year,” came the whispered reply.
“And in that year, have you done anything to try to help yourself? Any counseling, any physical therapy, any looking into prosthetics?” Something about the man’s demeanor told Jackson he hadn’t.
“Or have you just been hanging around making your family miserable and worried?” He knew he was right when Sam hung his head. “Do you want your life back, Sam?”
“I’ve just been so angry.” Sam’s voice was a soft whisper.
“I know.” Jackson patted his shoulder. “The question is, do you want to stay that way?”
There were a few seconds of silence, then Sam looked him in the eyes. “No.”
“Let’s get you some help, then.” Jackson took out his phone.
“I’m going to give you a few numbers to call.
You need to get in touch with Second Lieutenant Martin Schwoz for physical therapy, and Lieutenant Emma Zene to help you work through all the feelings no one else understands.
Now get your phone because you will be calling them. ”
Sam shrugged one shoulder. “I don’t know.” But Jackson had already seen the crack in his armor.
“You could sit here and waste the rest of your life, probably alone, with your poor me attitude. But I’m not going to let that happen. What you are going to do is get your ass to physical therapy and learn to walk again.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“That was an order, not a request.” Jackson called out the numbers to him. “Don’t think I won’t be following up on this. You will get your act together.”
“I’ll call Monday.” Sam stared at him for a few moments. “Thanks, I needed that.”
“Wise choice. You need to remember that there are people who love you and are willing to help. You are not alone.”
Jackson saw the realization of Sam’s behavior dawn in his eyes. “Thank you.” Sam sounded severely grateful.
“I’m glad I could help, but I’m warning you, if you don’t stop being a dick to Henry, you will not like the outcome. This is a very fuck around and find out situation. I advise you not to find out.” Jackson kept his voice matter-of-fact. “Understand?”
Sam nodded then let out a heavy breath. “Henry is my favorite cousin. We were so close. He’s been trying to help me this whole time, and I’ve done nothing but treat him like shit.” He shook his head. “I’m an asshole. I need to make this up to him.”
“I’m sure what he wants the most is to have his cousin back,” Jackson told him.
Sam nodded. “Can you call him back in so I can talk to him?” Jackson got up and went to the door. “Major,” Sam called out.
Jackson turned back to the man. “Jackson is fine, as long as you don’t piss me off again.”
Sam nodded again. “I really think you are exactly the kind of man Henry deserves.”
“Thanks.” Pride bloomed in his chest. He opened the door then got Henry’s attention. “Sam wants to talk to you.” Henry rose and walked over, stopping in front of him. “I’ll wait in the Jeep. Take your time though.” He kissed him softly then walked out of the house.
In his Jeep, he started the engine then turned on the radio.
An old country station played softly. He rolled his neck then leaned back against the headrest. His shoulder was a little sore from all the physical activity he’d done today, but it wasn’t too bad.
Nothing a little water therapy wouldn’t fix.
About fifteen minutes later, Henry came out.
“Thank you,” he said with a bright smile as he got in. He leaned across the console, pressing their lips together.
“Anything to see you smile.” Jackson ran his thumb across Henry’s bottom lip. “Ready?” he asked, pulling out of the driveway when Henry nodded.
Jackson’s hand rested on the console, and as they drove, Henry covered it with his own. “Did you really threaten to kick his ass?”
“Yes,” he said simply, hoping that Henry wasn’t mad.
Henry chuckled. “If I had known that was all it took, I would have done that months ago.” He looked over at him. “But, then again, I’m not quite as intimidating as you, Major.”
Jackson chuckled. “What good are titles if you can’t use them to your advantage every now and then.”
“I’m going to have to think of some way to show my appreciation.” Henry’s voice turned seductive.
“How about a few beers while we relax in the hot tub?” Jackson suggested.
“I do like the sound of that,” Henry agreed. “My muscles are pretty sore. I don’t know how Maddox and Justin do that every day.”
“You’d be surprised what you can get used to.” Jackson’s shoulder cramped, so he stretched it a little.
“You didn’t aggravate your shoulder, did you?” Henry sounded worried.
“No, I’m good. I’m probably not any sorer than you are.” Jackson was quick to assure him as they pulled into his driveway. They walked over to Henry’s, where he opened the door. Angel came bounding over to greet them. “Hey, beautiful.” Jackson scratched behind her ears while Henry got her leash.
“Do you want to walk with us or hang out here?” he asked.
“I’ll set up the tub, that way it’s ready by the time you get back.”
“Great idea.” Henry kissed him lightly then walked away with Angel.
Jackson went out into the backyard. First, he took the cover off the Jacuzzi, then he turned it on.
Henry already had it set to the perfect temperature.
He thought briefly about going over to his place to grab a T-shirt and swim trunks.
While Henry said he wasn’t bothered by the scars, did he really want to put them on display?
Ultimately, he decided against it. He trusted Henry.
If he said it was okay, it probably was.
“We’re back.” Henry came through the door.
Jackson watched as he went into the kitchen and grabbed Angel’s dish to fill with food.
He put it down then joined Jackson. “Let’s take a shower while she’s eating.
” He held his hand out to Jackson, who immediately took it, letting Henry lead him to the bathroom.