Page 13 of My Starry Valentine

“You sound like you’re eighty years old or something. What the heck?”

“I’m twenty-four,” I correct.

“How does someone so young talk like they’re so old?”

“You’re not the first to accuse me of being an old soul. I’ve seen a lot. What can I say? Since we’re sharing personal information, how old are you, Starboy?”

“Are you really going to persist in calling me that?”

I shrug. “Last time I checked, I have nothing better to do.”

“I’m thirty-nine.”

“Okay.”

Cocking his head, he orders, “So, tell me more about how you got so jaded.”

“There’s nothing to tell,” I reply with a shrug. “Grandpa and Grandma raised me because both of my parents were immature deadbeats who never got their acts together. I may not wear my scars as visibly as you do. But believe me, I have them.”

“Is that why you don’t flinch when you look at me? Because you’re used to seeing human wreckage?” As soon as the words leave his mouth, regret clouds his face.

“Human wreckage?” I shake my head. “I don’t even know what you’re talking about. My grandfather is a good man, and despite spending all of the time I’ve known him in a wheelchair or trying to get around on prosthetics, he’s never let those injuries keep him down or hold him back. The same goes for many of his friends, though not all.”

“It’s different when it’s your face,” Ledger grumbles with more of the same fierceness. As if he needs to believe with every ounce of his being the lie he tells himself.

“Maybe. But all I know is my grandpa would give anything to walk around or run one more time, let alone ice climb…”

Ledger flinches.

“Look, I’m not interested in comparing one man’s war injuries to another’s. We all have our crosses to bear. Who knows why? And I’ll grant you the selection process for life’s burdens makes very little sense. But what are any of us going to do about it?”

Silence.

Ledger looks down for a long moment as if he’s processing my last statement.

“I don’t know how long you have on that pizza crust. But it’s smelling pretty darn amazing, and I’m hungry enough to eat a horse after the day I had. So, would you mind if I pull it out, top it, and get it back in the oven?”

To my surprise, the big, brawny man closes his eyes, his Adam’s apple working as he swallows hard. When his baby blues flash open again, they’re red, and his voice sounds raw as he says quietly, “Thank you.” Somehow, I feel like he’s saying “thank you” for far more than dressing a pizza, and it makes me long to know him better and to understand the hidden undercurrent of his communication.

Even though I can’t read him, tears well in my eyes, and I beeline for the fridge. Kneeling before the bottom shelf, I spend an inordinate amount of time getting blasted by cold air and staring indecisively at his beer collection as I pull myself together.

He finally asks, “Are you striking out on brews? I have more in the garage if you want to take a peek.”

I shake my head, discreetly wiping my cheeks. “No, it’s just been a long day, and my brain is flat-lining.” I grab the first bottle my hand reaches Uncompahgre Pale Ale. “As for pizzatoppings, you strike me as a cheese and pepperoni guy. Simple, to the point, but always delicious.”

“I hope you’re talking about the pizza. Otherwise, you’re going to make me blush, Luna.”

My cheeks flush, and I stand up, holding bags of cheese, pre-sliced pepperoni, and my beer. I close the fridge door with my hip before setting the toppings on the counter. Then, I twist the cap with the bottom of his hoodie to protect my hand. “Guys like you don’t blush. You smolder, right?”

“Hey, wait.” He chuckles, much to my shock. “Is that a reference to theJumanjireboot with the Rock and Jack Black?”

“Indeed, it is,” I smile, taking a swig from the bottle as I look in his direction. “I love that movie.”

“I love both of them, actually. Tough to beat Robin Williams, after all. That said, I must admit the second one’s better.”

I search the drawer behind him for oven mitts, finding two I can use. Donning the gloves, I say, “You’re behind the times, Ice-Climber. There are three movies out now if you includeThe Next Level. Although I still agree with your assessment that the second one’s the best.”

The brawny Marine moves to the side, allowing me to open the oven door and pull out the first crust.

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