Page 15 of Tattered
“Well, I’ll be fucking damned. Look who it is.” The husky voice has my lip curving up in a small smile.
Hitting send on my text, I slide my phone back in my pocket and move to stand. Holding my hand out in front of me, I’d be lying if I didn’t say it was good to see Dean again.
A lot has changed between us since the last time I stood before him. He still looks just like he did that night, except for the change in his build. He’s obviously changed his workout, adding a lot of bulk and muscle to him than what he had when we were eighteen.
“Here you thought you ran me out of town,” I joke, winking at him.
“Fuck you,” he retorts as I let out a laugh.
Pulling me closer, he claps me on the back in a hug as he mutters how it’s good to see me in my ear.
Leaning back, he widens his stance as he crosses his arms in front of him.
“It’s good to see you back. You plannin’ on staying long?”
“He’s not going anywhere, I’m giving him a job,” Graham says from behind me as I turn to face him. My eyes narrow, knowing now he’s mentioned it in front of Dean, I’m going to have the two of them hounding me until I agree.
“Really? Man, that’s great!”
I shake my head at Graham and the small smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
“Yeah, I don’t know about that. I’m due back on the base after I get everything in order. I’m not sure where I’m going from here.”
Dean’s hand wraps around his jaw, pausing as he tries to read me. It’s no use, I’m a closed book.
“Well, it’s good to have you home. You should stay; I know Ryan will be happy to see you, too.”
Graham passes by Dean, walking around to the other side of the lobby. He glances at me over Dean’s shoulder, knowing that I’ve already been reacquainted with his sister for the first time in years. The rare grin that stretches on his face has me silently telling him to fuck off, which earns me a silent chuckle as he begins shuffling through the papers on the table.
The mention of staying in Everton and Ryan has my mild filtering back to all those nights I spent alone with my thoughts while I was away. I told myself if I ever made it out of there, when I got out of the army for good, I’d come back for her. The only time I feel any peace is when I am wrapped in her arms.
I don’t know if I can bring myself to walk away from her for a second time.
