Chapter Nine
“This was so much fun, Henry,” Melissa told him as they were cleaning up from the pool party he’d had for Piper.
“I’m so glad you had a good time.” Henry smiled. It had been a day of fun and laughter, and the sun had long ago set.
“Mom and Piper did too.” She laughed. “I’m going to have a hell of a time getting my daughter out of your swimming pool.” She had only been out for maybe an hour and a half of the whole day.
“You can just leave her,” Henry joked with a shrug. “I’ve always wanted my very own mermaid.”
Melissa giggled. “Three days max, and I promise you’ll be begging me to come get her.” There was more laughter. “I guess I better go break it to her.”
“I bet we could lure her out with Angel.” Piper was completely in love with his dog.
“Genius,” she proclaimed with a smile then turned serious. “You are still coming to Piper’s party, right? We all really want you there.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” Piper was a great kid. He always had fun with her. She had personally invited him to her birthday.
“I was just making sure. I like you, Henry, and I really want us to be friends.”
“Of course we’re friends.” He patted her shoulder.
“Good.” She let out a relieved-sounding sigh. “I was afraid you were going to disappear while Jackson was deployed.”
Henry’s heart pounded. “What do you mean?”
She shrugged. “Well, you guys haven’t been dating long, and I wasn’t sure what the arrangement between the two of you was. I’m so glad you decided to stick it out.” The woman looked genuinely happy.
The pounding in his chest was almost painful, and he felt slightly dizzy. “Jackson’s getting deployed?” he whispered the question.
Melissa shrugged one shoulder. “I’m sure he told you that his team is one of the most deployable there is.
He’s gone, like a lot. It’s not like he has orders yet, but since he’s been cleared to return to duty, it probably won’t be long until he does.
” Melissa looked him over. “Wait, you guys did talk about this, right?” she asked with what sounded like concern.
Henry threw on the smile he used for customers. “Of course,” he lied. “It’s just that deployment is kind of a scary word, and it caught me off guard.”
Melissa pulled him into a tight hug. “Deployment is hard, especially the first one. Don’t be afraid to ask for support. Mom, Piper, and I will totally be here for you.”
“Thank you,” he managed. He was fighting the urge to throw up. Jackson had been cleared for duty. Jackson was leaving.
“I wish he wouldn’t re-enlist.” Melissa pulled away, shaking her head. “I kind of thought that having you would get him to stay home.”
Henry shrugged one shoulder. “Jackson’s a soldier, and he’s not ready to give that up.
” He struggled to keep his voice even and his tears at bay.
“Come on, I’ll help you get Piper out.” Henry walked toward Angel’s room, taking deep steady breaths, trying not to break down.
“Come, baby girl,” he said to the dog. “Daddy needs your help.” She got up to follow him out to the backyard.
“Do I have to, Mom?” he heard Piper whine.
“Hey, Piper.” He made his voice cheery. “I really need your help feeding Angel.”
“Really?” She jumped out of the pool, grabbing the towel Melissa held out to her and drying quickly.
“Let’s get you changed, then you can help Henry.” Melissa steered her in the direction of the bathroom.
Jackson got out of the pool as well, grabbing a towel to dry off where he was. “That was good thinking, Henry.”
“Yes, dear,” Jackson’s mother, Morene, said from the deck chair she was lounging in.
“You just saved us all from a mini meltdown.” Jackson crossed over to him, wrapping one arm around his shoulders.
It took every bit of strength Henry had not to break down crying right then.
“It was such a lovely day all around.” She sat up. “Thank you, Henry.”
“Today was fun,” Henry agreed with a forced smile.
“And lunch was to die for,” she continued. Jackson had prepared homemade fried chicken nuggets with potato wedges. It was one of Piper’s favorite meals.
“Thanks, Mom.”
Melissa and Piper returned wearing fresh, dry clothes. “Can I feed Angel now?” the little girl asked.
“Of course, honey.” Henry led her to the kitchen, with said dog trotting happily at their sides.
“Grab her bowl,” he instructed, pointing to where it was kept.
He opened a lower cabinet that housed the dog food, waiting for Piper to join him.
When she did, he handed her a scoop. “She gets three of these.” Piper carefully measured it out then sat it in front of his patiently waiting girl.
Per her training, Angel didn’t even attempt to eat until Piper had stood up and moved to Henry’s side.
“Thank you so much, Piper. That really helped a lot.”
“You’re welcome, Henry.” She threw her arms around his waist, hugging him tightly.
“I think we’re going to be getting home now, guys,” Melissa said after her mother had changed as well.
There were hugs and goodbyes all around, then Jackson walked his family out to Melissa’s car.
Henry stood at the kitchen sink, gripping the counter and taking deep breaths.
His head was spinning. He wasn’t sure if he was angry or incredibly sad.
There was also some confusion, worry, rejection, and abandonment thrown in.
He had no right to be mad, he knew that, but that didn’t mean his heart wasn’t breaking.
This was what they had agreed on. He had known from the beginning that one day Jackson would leave, and that would be the end of things between them.
He might never even see him again. Henry took a shaky breath.
It felt like hot pokers stabbing through his chest as an unseen force ripped out his heart.
Fuck, he might faint. He heard Melissa’s car start and knew he had a decision to make about how the night would end.
He really wanted Jackson to stay so he could have one last perfect night with him.
But he wasn’t sure if he could. He was barely keeping it together.
If Jackson touched him, there would be no way to hold it in.
He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t realize Jackson had come back in until his arms wrapped around his waist from behind, holding him close.
He fought to remain calm, but then Jackson kissed his neck up to his ear.
“What can I do to thank you for today?”
“No thanks necessary. I enjoyed having them over.” He was surprised his voice wasn’t shaky. But he wasn’t sure how much longer he could keep this up. “I’m actually getting a migraine, and I think I need to go to bed.”
“Is there anything I can do?” His tone switched from seductive to worried instantly.
Henry shook his head. “I just need to go to bed.”
“Do you want me to stay, just in case you need anything? I could get you water, or medicine, or rub your temples until you fall asleep.” Jackson put his thumbs to the sides of Henry’s head, massaging lightly.
Stop being so fucking perfect when you just plan on leaving me. Henry’s eyes stung.
“Your eyes are watering, baby.” Jackson wiped away the wetness. “It must be pretty bad.” He took Henry by the hand, leading the way to his room. “We either need to lay you down in the dark, or I could draw you a hot bath, also in the dark.”
“I just want to lie down,” Henry decided.
Jackson pulled Henry’s T-shirt over his head, then Henry pushed his shorts off.
Jackson pulled the covers back then helped Henry into bed.
He went into the bathroom then was quickly back with a warm cloth to place over Henry’s eyes.
Tears spilled over when Jackson gently stroked his hair.
“Lie with me.” He needed Jackson’s arms around him.
The feeling of complete safety and peace he got when Jackson held him was something he’d never experienced before, and he was unlikely to again.
And this might be the last time it would ever happen.
Fuck, his chest felt like it was being ripped open.
Jackson didn’t answer, simply got in next to him. Henry turned, wrapping his arms tightly around the man. He buried his face in Jackson’s chest and broke down. “What’s wrong, baby?” Jackson hugged him closer.
“I just feel completely overwhelmed all of the sudden,” Henry answered honestly.
“How can I make it better?” Jackson whispered the question.
Don’t leave me! Henry wanted to shout it, make it an order, but he couldn’t get the words out. That conversation would be the end of their relationship, and no way was he ready for that. He needed one last night. “Just hold me.”
“Yeah, of course.” Jackson’s hands glided up and down his back. Henry struggled to control himself. He focused on the steady beat of Jackson’s heart, slowing his breathing to match its pace. “I’ve got you.”
How the hell am I supposed to live without this?
Henry raised his head slightly, pressing his lips to Jackson’s neck, kissing, licking, and sucking until Jackson moaned softly.
Then he claimed his mouth, kissing him deeply.
He needed to be as close to him as possible, in every way there was.
“Make love to me.” In answer, Jackson took over, claiming Henry’s mouth while flipping him beneath him.
Henry clung to him as Jackson’s lips slid slowly down his neck, and his hands gently roamed his body.
Jackson kissed down his chest and across his stomach to his aching cock.
Within minutes, he had him panting. “Need you inside of me,” Henry begged.
Jackson reached into the nightstand to retrieve the lube and a condom.
Henry spread his thighs as he watched Jackson lube his fingers.
He claimed his mouth as he slowly pushed one inside, instantly locating his prostate, causing him to cry out in pleasure.
“More.” Jackson added a second finger then scissored them. “Please, Jackson.”