Page 14 of Salvaging My Heart
Lord, how to explain adult relationships to a ten-year-old. Leif placed his spoon on the table and reached across to direct Nick’s gaze at him.
“Nick, I do like Aaron. I hope that in the future we can work out a relationship but just like you have to fulfill your responsibilities, so do I. I haven’t told Mimi yet, but it looks like my next duty station is going to be right here at the base. So I’ll be able to be around to watch you play sports or listen to you try to figure out dating and college and whether your mom is being unfair. It’s going to be a few months before I can move but you can always call me. I’m not going overseas again,” Leif finished and sat there waiting to hear what Nick had to say. It didn’t take Nick long to process all he’d said. A big smile threatened to split Nick’s cheeks.
“Yeah!” Nick exclaimed causing a few people to turn in their direction. He seemed to realize he’d been a bit loud and dropped his head. “Sorry, Uncle Leif.”
There was no way that Leif was going to be mad that his nephew was excited he was coming home for good. “It’s okay, Squirrel. I’m happy you want me around. Now let’s hope Aaron feels the same way.”
“Duh,” his nephew pointed out with a roll of his eyes.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Leif sat in his car on the street in front of Aaron’s house. They’d had such a great time on Sunday in there. He couldn’t help but hope for more. He could picture snuggling on the couch under a blanket during a snowstorm. Warm and safe with Aaron in his arms. The only way he’d know if they were on the same page was to get off his ass and walk up to the door. Taking a deep breath, Leif pushed open the door and strode up the walkway.
The front door opened before Leif’s foot his the first step. He looked up to see Aaron leaning against the jamb with a smile on his face.
“Looked like you were thinking big thoughts sitting there. Figured you’d come in when you were ready,” Aaron said as he held open the storm door.
Leif brushed a quick kiss on Aaron’s lips as he stepped into the house. He could feel his shoulders dropping from around his ears. Guess he was a bit nervous but the comfort he’d felt being here on Sunday relaxed him. Leif heard the door close before he felt Aaron’s arms slid around his waist and Aaron’s breath caress the back of his neck.
“So what brings you here tonight?” Aaron asked. “I didn’t think I’d see you before the game on Saturday.”
And with that statement Leif felt the tension flow back into his body. Aaron must have felt it too as he pulled his arms off Leif’s waist and stepped back. Leif moved over and started playing with the picture frames on the mantle. He so hoped one day a picture of him and Aaron would have a place of honor on there.
“Having second thoughts about me?” Aaron asked, he sounded resigned to the fact making Leif snap around to face him.
“Absolutely not. If anything, I’m hoping for more.” Leif gestured to the couch. “Sit with me.”
Aaron frowned at him but sat down, almost glued to the arm leaving Leif lots of room. He ignored the open space and sat so his thigh was pressed against Aaron’s.
“All right, before I completely screw this up and go any further, I have a question for you. Please just answer honestly.” Leif waited for Aaron to nod in agreement before he asked, “If there wasn’t hundreds of miles between us, would you give me a chance?”
Warmth filled Leif’s chest as Aaron launched himself into Leif’s lap. Before he could say anything, Aaron claimed Leif’s mouth in a searing kiss. Leif opened his mouth to Aaron’s tongue as he pushed it against his lips. Their tongues twisted and slid against the other; neither dominating more of a dance of acknowledgement. That they were going to try for something. Leif tilted his head to the left to get a better angle and wrapped his arms around Aaron, pulling him closer. The weight and heat from Aaron was quickly sending Leif’s common sense on a long trip to nowhere. Before he could completely lose control, Leif gentled the kiss. He placed his forehead to Aaron’s and took a breath to calm his racing heart.
“Guessing you like that idea?” Leif teased, quietly. He wasn’t sure why he almost whispered the question. Maybe to keep the bubble that had formed around them in place. No sudden moves; no loud noises.
“I love it but I also don’t want you getting out of the Navy for me,” Aaron said firmly.
“What if I told you that I’ve been given an opportunity to stay in the Navy and work over at New London?”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Thanksgiving
Aaron rolled out of bed as his alarm went off at his normal time. Yes he had the day off from hauling garbage but he had somewhere to be. He’d started volunteering at Groton Community Meals the year his grandfather died. With no other family worth anything, he didn’t want to sit home and get caught up in his grief. Serving meals to those in need on the holiday to give thanks seemed like the perfect solution to him. The past nine years had added so much to his life. He did try and volunteer once a month when he could. Call him the local volunteer but he really wanted to give back to the community that had helped him when his grandfather took him in all those years ago.
A quick shower, some toast and coffee and he was ready to leave. As he pulled on his jacket, his cell phone rang. Who the hell was calling him this early? Looking at the screen, Aaron smiled.
“Hey you,” he said into the mouthpiece.
Leif’s came through the phone almost a growl. “Mornin’.” Leif had gotten into the habit of calling Aaron each day to say good morning and good night. They normally ended up talking for a while before one or the other was yawning.
“I didn’t expect to hear from you this morning. Shouldn’t you still be sleeping?” Aaron grabbed his keys and coffee, walking into the garage. He could talk to Leif as he drove. Gotta love Bluetooth technology.
“Had to call and start our days off on the right foot. You told me yesterday that you were up same time today so I set an alarm. I’d feel off, missing our morning ritual. Besides, I’m going to help at the mess hall today. Fuzzy roped me into it this year, claiming I could stand in for an officer.” Aaron could hear the rustling of blankets. Leif must still be in bed. One day Aaron would be wrapping himself around Leif under those blankets or his own. He understood why they waited but he was ready now — beyond ready.
Aaron put his truck in gear and backed out of the garage. He stopped at the end of the driveway to push the remote to close the door; he always watched to make sure it closed all the way. Something in Aaron had him wait, fearing that the one time he didn’t it would be open all day. His house was in a pretty safe neighborhood but why tempt fate.
“Seems we’re both going to serve people today. You go back to sleep for a bit. I’m on my way to the soup kitchen. I’m on prep duty today. I have a feeling there are a lot of potatoes waiting for me. Stay safe?” Aaron winced.Way to sound like an idiot. He wasn’t sure exactly what to say at the end of their calls these days. There was more to their relationship these days but he wasn’t sure either of them were ready to put a name to it.
