Page 12 of My Starry Valentine

“Liar?” Her voice cracks over the word, and I look up, shocked to see her face flushing. Maybe the misguided woman is sincere.

An acute ache pierces my chest, and deep discomfort grips me. “You need to get out more if you think I’m impressive,” I grumble with a frown.

She presses her lips firmly together, staring at me long and hard.“What’s there not to be impressed by? You’re a Marine and an ice climber. You live in a cozy cabin on a Colorado peak,working as an astronomer. You wear cowboy hats and boots. You drive a massive Jeep that can basically power through any blizzard. You make pizza from scratch, and you appreciate local brews. Those are all impressive things, Ledger.”

I shrug.

“You know, the ice climbing thing in particular is insane to me. I’m sure the fact I’m afraid of heights has something to do with it. But you guys are fearless. Since coming to Ouray, I’ve visited the park every chance I get, sitting there and watching you climbers ninja up the ice chutes like arctic monkeys.”

“Arctic monkeys…” Despite myself, I chuckle.

“How often do you visit the park? I wonder if I’ve seen you climb and didn’t even know it?”

Considering how frequently I go with or without Chuck this time of year, it’s a distinct possibility. Especially since I’ve packed in extra time there this week in anticipation of the storm. Before I think through my logic more carefully, however, I finally let self-pity get the better of me. “You and I both know you’d never forget seeing me at the ice park. I’m the only Freddy Krueger looking guy in the place.”

Luna’s eyes round, and her mouth drops open into a lovely little O shape that I’d give my grandfather’s cabin and all my worldly wealth to kiss. Her eyes narrow, and she turns her head to the side. “That doesn’t make any sense. Everyone has to wear helmets at the ice park. It’s a rule. Are you trying to test me or something?”

“No, just trying to get the elephant-in-the-room part of our meeting over with.”

“Alright then. If you’re ready, I’m ready.”

The silence is deafening, and I immediately rue opening this Pandora’s Box.

“What happened to your face?” she asks calmly, never taking her eyes off my forward gaze but cutting a careful balance between looking at me and observing my scars unflinchingly.

I give her the answer I give all individuals brave enough to ask, “I lost in a contest with a roadside bomb.”

“Where?”

“Afghanistan.”

“How long ago?”

“Five years. It ended my career, engagement, social life, and future as I’d always imagined it. Fun times.” Her expression remains unreadable despite my unsolicited confession. It’s the opposite of the pity I expected to flood her face.

Chapter Eight

LUNA

“What, no pity stare or words?” Ledger asks, a strange fierceness animating his face as if he’s preparing for an argument.

“That sucks.” I shrug.

“That’s all you have to say?” He scrunches his brows together, leaning towards me.

“Life sucks for you. For me. For Naomi and my grandpa. For everyone at some point or another.”

“Yeah, but you have to admit this is a lot of suckage for one man.”

“It is. But it could also be worse.”

“Worse? Do you have an eye problem or something?”

“No, but I’ve definitely seen worse. So, I’m not quite sure why it seems like you’re hiding out from the world. No offense, but that’s not much of a contingency plan…especially for a Marine.”

“Who are you to speak to me like this? And how do you know anything about being a wounded warrior?”

I frown. “I more or less grew up around them, thanks to my grandpa, who was a double amputee. We went to the VA a lot and visited his friends. Some came by the house, too. So, I got to see the full spectrum of how people dealt with their injuries.Some soldiered on despite horrifying injuries. Far worse than yours. Others gave up for far less…too angry at God, life, whatever to keep trying.”

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