Page 86 of Trust

“Too bad I wasn’t ready for it.”

“I doubt many people are, even if they haven’t been in war.”

“Guess that’s possible.”

Linc folded his napkin. “You know it is since you’ve seen every single man in this family struggle with transitioning from life in the military to one at home. We’ve all spent years at the tip of the spear and brought darkness home like some horrible souvenir we should’ve left behind. Our souls tell us we don’t deserve happiness because we lost brothers on the battlefield. And then our guts shout that it wouldn’t be right to make something of the life we’ve been spared if they can’t. Which is all total BS. Make no mistake about it.”

Zane took a breath and watched his little dog press his head into his hand. “I mistakenly thought if I stayed buried under the layers of pain and guilt, it would do my fallen brothers some good.”

“Same, cousin. I tried to tell myself that rolling around in my misery would show them their sacrifice was worth something.”

“How do so many of us get it all wrong?” Zane asked.

“Because we’re not taught differently. There’s no post-war training we can attend that gives us the tools to navigate the new normal.”

“Amen to that.”

“And let’s face it, this thing between men and women is a whole kinda battlespace of its own. If you catch real feelings for a chick, then strap up because you are about to face the greatest test of your life.”

“I failed that challenge spectacularly and lost the battle.”

“You just had a lousy first round. The trick is to stay in. Fight for Olivia while she still gives a fuck because one day, you’ll be too late.”

“I might already be.”

“Nah, a woman who looks at you the way Liv did needs a lot more than two weeks to fall out of love.”

“Here’s to hoping she’s got some previous undetected well of patience because I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me before I’m worthy.”

“Women don’t want perfect. At least, that’s what Lucy alluded to the other day. They just want to know there’s light at the end of the tunnel.”

Was that possible? He sure hoped so because he wanted nothing more than another chance with his neighbor.

Even if he wasn’t ready.

Linc heaved himself to his feet. “I’m gonna head out. Catch ya later.”

“Yeah, later.” The moment his cousin cleared the doorway, his phone buzzed, and he glanced at the display. “What the hell?” He answered the call immediately. “Birch, you son of bitch. I hope this call doesn’t mean I have to rescue you out of some hell hole.”

“Brother, I would call the team boys if that were the case, not some pansy-ass Green Beret.”

“Good to know,” he snorted.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, you know, just out here shaking shit up,” Birch answered with a laugh.

“When are you coming home?”

“Soon, brother.”

Knowing Birch wouldn’t call without a real good reason, he waited, hoping that whatever it was wouldn’t require him to stand at another grave.

“Got some intel, and I wanted to pass it on.”

“Oh, yeah…”

“Seems your girl is on her way home. My source suggested that you get your act together and do something called a grand gesture. I’m not sure what that means, but I was assured you would understand.”

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