Page 50 of Unsteady in Love

“When is your…” Luke looked to Alex for guidance, but she was too busy petting Atticus after he jumped up on her lounger. “Holden…” He raised a brow. “Isn’t he supposed to be home soon?”

Tears burned the backs of my eyes, and I looked away.

“Luke,” Alex scolded before putting her arm around me. “I’m sorry, Prue. He doesn’t know. Obviously.”

“It’s okay.” I tried to smile at her. “He’s supposed to be coming home soon. I thought maybe by the end of next week, but…” I choked on my words.

“Fuck, Prue, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry.” Luke’s eyes widened with alarm.

Alex moved to sit on my lounger with me and hugged me to her. “He still hasn’t called or answered any of your messages?”

“Nothing.” I wiped away my tears. “Now when I call, it goes straight to voicemail. Why won’t he answer?”

“I’m sure there’s a good reason. Maybe his phone broke.” Alex shrugged, and I looked at her in disbelief. “Okay, it probably didn’t, but it’s possible. You never know.”

“What if he got out and ditched me?” I cried out.

“I seriously need to meet this man.” She smiled at me. “From everything you’ve told me, I don’t think he’d do that. How did he act the last time you talked to him?”

Taking a deep breath, I laid my head on her shoulder. “He seemed fine. Upbeat because he wasn’t going to be there much longer. I told him to let me know when so I could fly out there, and after we got off the phone, it’s been radio silence.”

“Maybe he had a setback,” Alex suggested, chewing the inside of her cheek.

“Oh God, I can’t imagine how he’d take it if he did have a setback. He’s been doing so well, and I’m sure he’s pushing himself harder than he needs to.”

“Is he still going to need therapy once he’s here?” Luke asked.

“I think so. He’s not very open to discussing anything about his leg, but he did mention therapy here.” My chest ached for Holden, for everything he’d been through and still had to endure. No one should have to go through it, but so many soldiers and veterans did.

“It can’t be easy, and as a man,” Luke started, and Alex giggled at his words. He shot her a stern look but smiled instantly. I wasn’t sure he could be mad at her even if he tried. “We men like to take care of our women and family. He probably feels as if he’s unable to do so now.”

“I know, and I’m sure he’s traumatized. How could he not be? He didn’t talk about what he saw over there, but I could see it in his eyes, haunting him. As much as I hate to say it, it’s probably good that he’s been in rehab and secluded instead of having to deal with all the stresses of the real world.”

“I’m so sorry, honey. I hate that he’s gone through all this and you too. I know it can't be easy, but you’ve done an amazing job supporting him. Did you get approved for a dog yet?”

“Not yet, but I’m hoping soon. I let them know that we would like to grant a few other veterans’ dogs. You’d think that would help push our application through. Since we’re willing to pay outright, it should be faster, but who knows?” I shrugged. Holden had never mentioned the dog again after the one phone call that started him talking to me once he got back. I wasn’t sure if he wanted one or needed one, in all honesty, because even though he had started to talk to me about some things, there was still plenty he didn’t speak of.

“At least you don’t have to worry about getting jobs. That should relieve some of the stress most returning veterans go through,” Alex said the last quietly, her head tilted to the side. “Who the hell is that? Luke,” she called quietly, her body going rigid.

Alarmed, I swung my head to where she was looking and almost passed out. Coming toward us was Holden. He looked intimidating as he limped our way. He stood tall, his muscles rippling with each shift of his body. Wearing only jeans and a t-shirt, his tattoos gleamed in the sunlight from under the white material, making him look like a bad boy biker. He was a sight for sore eyes, and it looked as if he’d bulked up since I’d last seen him; my mouth watered and my lady parts spasmed.

With his eyes trained on me, Holden continued to make his way toward me. Each stride exhibited pure determination.

I couldn’t move. My brain had short circuited. He was walking.

“Prue,” Alex nudged me. “Is that?”

“Holden,” I breathed.

His lips tipped up as if he heard me from all the way across the yard.

My mouth cracked into a giant grin as my heart burst with unadulterated joy. I wasn’t sure if it was a dream or not, but if it was, I never wanted to wake up. Standing on shaking legs the world around me disappeared. All I could see was Holden as hewalkedtoward me. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I ran to him and couldn’t get there fast enough. It was like in the movies when two people run toward each other and it’s in slow motion. I wanted the world to move faster so I could make sure he was real.

When there was only about a foot between us, Holden stopped, and I could see him brace himself. I wanted to throw my whole body at him, but I wasn’t sure if he could take the brunt of my weight or the impact. Instead, I slowed down and threw my arms around his shoulders.

The moment my arms wrapped around his warm body, I started to sob. Strong arms enveloped me and held me close as he swayed us back and forth. It was all too much. The feel of him, his heat so close to me. The way he smelled like home even after being gone for so long. I could hear his heart pound underneath my swirling head. It seemed impossible for him to be here with me in that moment.

I pulled back and placed my hands on his stubbly cheeks. “Holden, I can’t believe you’re here.” My lower lip quivered in disbelief. “I’ve been trying to call you and got nothing.”

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