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“That’s just it,” she says “You can’t fix it You didn’t do anything wrong You can’tto think the reason why you keep volunteering to go on these tours is to stay away from me”
I open ue, but she shakes her head “Ryan, five tours in six years isn’t noro Most husbands don’t want to go, but you can’t wait to”
She’s right, but it’s not because of her It’s all I know It’s whatup—once I was adopted byhousehold My parents are ood parents My older sisters, Faith and Chloe, never treatedlittle brother I went to the best schools and was given everything I could ever want
But I never felt like I truly fit in So more I can’t explain it It was like my body andside I wondered if enetic, like my bio parents were broken, so I was too So, I did the only thing I could think of—I ran—used the military as a way to escape and not have to deal with reality While serving, I took classes and received ree I worked my way up the ranks, proved eant in the Special Forces When I’ just clicks, like I have a purpose
“When I get back, we can talk,” I tell her, unsure what else to say I have to be at the base in less than twenty minutes I have men who depend on and need me
“When you get back, I won’t be here” She doesn’t say the words withwe have is technically mine, and the prenup protectsis , and I always just handled it all
“You can have the house It’s paid off I’ll have the deed transferred to you” It’s only right She’s lived here since we got married and moved to Carson City She’s decorated and furnished it the way she likes, and it’s only five minutes from the hospital she works at “And your car too, of course You can have that”
She nods once, her lips fore? I would like to find sos as me I want to start a family And I would never cheat on you” I know she wouldn’t Laura is as loyal as they co able to love her like she deserves
“I’ll have so I want is for her to be stuck withlife has to offer, and I hate that I can’t be the one to give it all to her
She nods again and then wraps her ar to fall in love and you won’t want to run away,” she whispers into my ear “You’ll want to be with the wo so you can meet her”
She backs up slightly and grants me a soft smile, then kisses my cheek “Be safe, Ryan”
Micaela
“I can’t believe you’re graduating tomorrow” Lexi, my best friend and pseudo cousin, takes a hit off the joint she brought with her as a graduation gift and passes it to me
I take a sh, and nod “This will be you next year” I pass the joint to Georgia, ht?”
“Yep,” Lexi says, speaking for her younger sister like she often does “Georgia took extra classes and we’ll be walking across the stage together We’ll both be free from educational hell in twelve months”
Without taking a hit, Georgia passes the joint to Lexi “I’d hardly call it hell We go to a private school that costs more a year than most pay for their house” She rolls her eyes playfully “Our lunch is catered and includes items like sushi and Thai, and we have a Starbucks… an actual Starbucks in the quad”
I laugh at that, but don’t argue She’s not wrong Lexi and Georgia live in Los Angeles and attend one of the ious private schools on the West Coast Sias… well, did attend As of toraduate And coas