Saving Easton (Oakside Military Heroes Book 2)(10)

"You should probably face the music and get it over with," I tell her.

"I know. Thank you for listening to me, Easton."

Does she have any idea what effect her saying my name has on me?

As I watch her leave, I know I have to try harder for her.

It's time to start pushing.





Chapter 7





Chapter 7


Paisley





It's been a few days, since I showed up and had my breakdown with Easton. My mom was in tears by the time I called her. We talked, and by the end of the conversation, she promised to stop trying to set me up or push me on any guys. I guess we will see how long that lasts.

Apparently, after I walked out, my dad blew a gasket and kicked them all out, and then went off on my brother, who sobered up real fast, when he realized what exactly had happened.

He then called apologizing, but I'm still mad at him the most. It will fade, it always has. I just need time. This is what he does. He screws up, Mom and Dad clean up his mess, and eventually, we all forgive him and move on. Rinse and repeat. But I shake all that off, as I go to visit Easton.

I expect to find him sitting in the chair today, but he isn't. He's standing looking out the window. I can tell Molly is put off, because she’s at my side, looking up at me with a 'what is going on Mom' look on her face.

"Easton?" I ask softly, hoping he's okay.

He turns his head to look at me, and then takes a deep breath.

"Let's go for a walk." He says, and I'm pretty sure my jaw drops to the ground.

He walks slowly over to where I'm standing in the doorway, and other than handing him the meatloaf that day, this is the closest I've been to him. His gray eyes haven't changed a bit, but the beard is still new to me, and I want to reach out to touch him so badly that my hand twitches, but I stop myself. This isn't about what I want. Though we are just going for a walk, this is a big step, and I won't mess it up.

I clear my throat. "Do you want to hold Molly's leash?"

He shakes his head, "No, but I'd like her to come with us. Just to the lobby."

"Lexi is at the desk out there, so we can go say hi, and then come right back here."

He nods, and I back out of the door to the other side of the hallway.

"You set the pace, and remember, Molly and I have your six," I say, using the military term that means we have his back.

It seems to loosen him up just enough that he takes that first step out of his room. "Want me to talk?" He nods, his jaw clenched, and his fists closed tightly at his side. Molly is right there next to him, touching her nose to his hands, letting him know she's there, too.

To distract him, I talk about the conversation with my brother, what my father did after I left, and how my brother even called to apologize. By the time I finish, we are standing in the archway that leads from the hallway to the lobby.

To our left are floor to ceiling windows that overlook a courtyard. Ahead of us is the desk Lexi is sitting at, and the lobby is in front of us and to our right. When Lexi looks up, she does a double take, seeing Easton out of his room.

Looking behind him, I see another patient coming down the hall, so I hold my hand up, and he stops. Holding up a finger in a one-minute motion, he nods and goes back down the hall.

"Still want to go say hi to Lexi?" I ask him.

His eyes are searching over the lobby, and I know he's taking it in, planning.

He nods and takes a step forward. His steps are slow and measured. When a woman on the other side of the lobby laughs a little too loud, he jumps, and Molly is right there, licking his hand. She switches sides and puts herself between him and the lobby, and that seems to relax him slightly, but not by much.

A few more steps, and someone walks by a little too close, and he tenses, but Molly forces the guy away by getting in his way. I make a mental note to spoil her rotten tonight.

Noah walks up and stands by Lexi at the front desk in as much shock as Lexi is, even though he tries to hide it. Once we reach the desk, Easton reaches out and grips hold of it, like it's the only thing anchoring him to this world, and it might be, I don't know.

"Hey, Easton," Noah says, offering him a big smile.

Noah doesn't make a big deal out of this, and I'm thankful. I think the last thing he needs is to be the center of attention no matter how good natured it is.

Easton is breathing hard, his jaw and fists are still clenched, and Molly is right by his side.

"We can go back, Easton. You did really well." I say in a soft voice, and he nods again and turns back towards the hallway, but he doesn't move right away.

Lexi looks at me and mouths 'Wow,' and I mouth back 'Talk later,' and she nods. Noah catches my eye and mouths 'Thank you,’ and I give a slight nod and turn back to Easton.

"Ready?" I ask.

He doesn't respond, just starts walking. He walks a bit faster to his room, like he can't wait to get back there, and I can understand, since that’s his safe place.

Back in his room, he heads right for his chair and sits, and Molly is in his lap a second later.

"Close the door, please." He says, as I step into the room.

I do as he asks and sit down in the chair across from him.

"You did really good, Easton. I very much wish I could give you a hug and hold you right now." I almost whisper the last part.