A Soldier's Roots Read online

  “He’s not good enough for you.” With just those few words my blood runs cold. It’s like someone dumped a bucket of ice on me. My anger is back, and it is pushing every other feeling out of my mind.

  “Are you freaking insane?” I yell at him.

  “Certified baby,” Wyatt says with a dark look in his eyes.

  “What gives you the right to decide who is good enough for me?” He steps closer, and I take a retreating step back. I’ve never seen this look in his eyes before.

  “Because I know you better than anyone,” he says taking another step closer. Pressing my back to the frame of the door. I feel trapped like he's the ultimate predator and I just became his pray.

  I steel my nerves and give him my best back off look. “You left, you avoid me, you go out of your way to ignore me, you know nothing about me, Wyatt Cruz.”

  Wyatt takes a startling step back like my words were a slap across the face.

  “I’m sorry,” he says so low I almost miss it. But his ‘I’m sorry’ only fuels the fire.

  “I don’t want to hear you're sorry, I’m not here to absolve your misplaced guilt.” I can’t stand here anymore, I feel like I’m sinking in quicksand.

  I spin on my heels so fast I tripped over my own feet. Wyatt tries to steady me, but I can’t let him touch me. If he puts his hands on me, I will crumble.

  “Don’t,” I whisper. Turning I practically sprint back to my car. Getting in and starting it as fast as I can. Coming out here was a mistake.

  Before I turn to leave this little cabin in the woods, where the only man I have ever loved is, I look up to see so much pain on his face. I feel something warm fall down my cheek, and I realize I’m crying. Putting the car in drive, I head home as fast as I can.

  I think Wyatt had the right idea, avoiding each other is for the best. I am the fire, and he is the gas, it’s never good when the two of us are too close.

  The drive back to my house feels longer than it is. I keep replaying everything with Wyatt today. How could someone I have known all my life feel like a complete stranger? I can’t ever tell what he's thinking or what mood he’s going to be in. Sometimes it’s like we get two different Wyatt’s.

  There is the Wyatt that is my brothers best friend, the guy that is a part of my family, and spent more time at our house than he did his own, the boy I grew up with. Then there's this guy that hides his pain, shuts himself off from the world, the guy that pushes everyone away, and hides in his cabin.

  Why do I have this urge to wrap both versions in a bubble and protect him from himself? Love him unconditionally?

  Slowly pulling into my driveway, I notice Brad's car. I really don’t think I can deal with this right now. My head is not in the right place. And to be honest, he kinda scared me the last time I saw him. I have been ignoring his messages and the flowers he keeps sending.

  Only hesitating for a second before I climb out I see he has more flowers. He's standing on the porch with his suit on, and he looks a little disheveled. His hair looks like he has been running his hands through it. His tie is loose around his neck, and his face has a little stubble like he hasn’t shaved in a few days.

  This does not look like the well put together banker I know, he looks tired like he hasn’t been sleeping.

  Making my way to the door slowly; I can’t meet his eyes.

  “Hi,” I whisper when I reach the bottom of the steps.

  “Sarah, sweetheart. Can we talk?” Staring up at his face I cave at the pleading look in his eyes.

  I nod my head and lead the way into the house, heading to the kitchen to make some coffee. Today has been long, and my body is starting to crash from the day I've had.

  After a lot of begging and apologizing I decide to give Brad a second chance, I just hope I don’t regret it.

  Chapter 7

  Wyatt

  This week has been hell on me. When my sister had that prick hurt her, I thought I was going to lose my shit. That little bastard will get what's coming to him. Lucas has one of his best lawyers on it. They are pressing charges on the guy that attacked my sister and helping Dean, the boy that saved Lex.

  When Sarah showed up at the cabin, I was done for. The way her eyes ran all over my body, reminded me I was only half the man I used to be. I keep telling her this “boyfriend” is not good enough, but neither am I.

  After watching her pull out of my drive with tears in her eyes, that I put there, it resolved my feelings. All I do is hurt those around me.

  I spent the whole night in my shed working. I have a little wood shop set up in there, and I just like to play around. I made all the furniture in my place and some of the stuff at my Mama's. They told me to get a hobby, and I like working with my hands, so this is what I do.

  Lucas called, and we talked about starting work out at Elena’s ranch. I’m really happy for them. They are going to fix the place up and make it a home to start their family. That has my mind going to thoughts of Sarah here at my cabin and us starting a family. That will never happen.

  She will probably marry that boyfriend and have two point five kids with the white picket fence. That normal life she deserves. Not this mess of a man I’ve become.

  After the work week is over, it’s time for the wedding shower. It’s crazy when your oldest friends are getting married. I never thought Elena would come back. I thought Lucas would pine after her for the rest of our lives, always comparing every other woman to her. I know exactly where he’s coming from. No one compares to Sarah and no one ever will.

  Pulling up to the Waynes house I put on a smile and head into the party. I’m greeted by Sarah’s mom and dad as soon as I step through the door. Eva is like a second mother to me, and Barrett is the only father I’ve ever had. He took me in and included me in everything he did with Lucas.

  He took me on my first fishing trip, he taught Lucas and me both how to fix anything. From working on houses to working on cars. He was always there to show me how to be a man.

  My own father walked out on our family when Ma was pregnant with Lex. I have some memories of him, but the ones I have are not good. Always coming in drunk and yelling at Mama and me. The day he left he took everything. All the money Ma had saved up. Left us broke and alone.

  I shake those thoughts off as the front door opens and the most beautiful woman I know walks in the house. Fuck me! She is absolutely stunning, long blond hair in a braid over her shoulder, dark blue dress clinging to her body.

  My entire body tenses up as I follow her arm down to see a hand locked with hers. When my eyes land on the guy behind her the room tilts and I want to murder this asshole. Brad Thompson, a banker, and the town player. We went to school with this prick, and he is still the same guy he was then.

  Why would Sarah go for a guy like this? I want to walk over to them, punch him in the face, and throw her over my shoulder and leave.

  Sarah is introducing him to everyone, and I’m holding on to my control with everything I have. When it starts to slip the front door opens again, and the happy couple walks in. The room erupts in congratulations and hugs. I just stay in the corner and sulk.

  I watch Sarah congratulate Elena and Lucas, but I don’t miss the look on Lucas’s face when she tells him Brad is her boyfriend. We are on the same page. Lucas never liked that asshole either. I can't stop staring daggers into the back of this dick’s head. When I look over at Sarah, I see Elena looking at me with sad eyes. I don’t need her to feel sorry for me.

  After the note she left for Lucas before she took off the last time, I know Elena sees how I feel about Sarah. She is probably the only one that knows. I smile and wink at her, and she just shakes her head at me.

  When Sarah walks away from Lucas and Elena, I follow behind her. I need to tell her what kind of guy she is with.

  She makes her way through the kitchen and out the back door. This is my chance.

  Stepping out I see her leaning against the rail on the porch, hugging herself from the cold. I don’t eve
n think, I just take my leather jacket off and wrap it around her shoulders. She pulls it close, and I see her hold it up to her face and take a deep breath. My heart jumps at that simple act.

  She looks over at me as I lean next to her, needing to be close to that light that is Sarah.

  “Wyatt,” she whispers my name like she's begging me for something.

  I would give her anything she asked for.

  Her hands are gripping the railing, and I can’t stop myself. I cover her hand with mine and run a thumb over her wrist. I see goosebumps rise on her arms and love this reaction to my touch.

  “Can we talk for a minute?” I ask, not wanting to fight with her. I feel like what happened at the cabin was my fault, I can’t handle her crying. It tears me up inside.

  “If this is about Brad, Wyatt, I don’t want to hear it.” Running my other hand down my beard, I sigh knowing this is not going to go well.

  “Sarah, that guy is no good. Everyone knows he sleeps around. How long have you been dating him?” I feel her body go stiff, shit.

  “As opposed to you?” She pulls her hand from mine, and her eyes shot daggers in my direction.

  “Me? What about me?”

  “Don’t act like you're innocent. This coming from the guy that can’t keep it in his pants.”

  What the hell is she talking about? I haven’t had sex in way too fucking long. Me and my hand have become closer than I care to admit.

  “Sarah,” I try to say more, but she cuts me off.

  “No, you don’t get to come out here and tell me how to live my life. You have no right to tell me who I can and can’t date.”

  “I know.”

  “Do you? Because the last two times I have seen you that’s all you have done. But before that, you couldn’t run away fast enough when I was around.”

  “Fuck!” I grip the back of my head, needing to tell her, needing her to understand. But what the fuck am I supposed to say? I love you, and I can’t stand for you to be with someone else. But I can’t be with you.

  “Just stop, I get it, Wyatt, really I do.” She pulls the jacket off and holds it out to me.

  “I don’t think you do, Princess.” She shuts her eyes for just a heartbeat, and when they open back up, I see all the pain I have caused.

  “Don’t call me that anymore. Don’t tell me how to live my life. I need you to just stay away, Wyatt.” Fuck, fuck, fuck. She's cutting me out, taking my light away. I can’t breathe, I can’t think, my world is crashing.

  I do the only thing I can think and take her face in my hands. I press my lips to hers before she can protest. Soft full lips part in a gasp and I force my tongue inside. Taking every moan every shudder that leaves her body. I’m pressing her back to the post behind her, dominating her mouth with mine.

  One kiss and I’m so fucking rock hard I might bust the zipper on my jeans.

  Her hands come up, and I think she might push me away, deny me this heaven, but her arms go around my neck and she's pulling me closer. I grind my cock into her stomach trying to find some relief. She whimpers, and it drives me harder. I want to take her right here right now.

  The back door opens, and the moment is lost. Sarah jumps away from me, and her hand flies to her mouth. The look in her eyes almost buckles my knees. I see so much desire in that one look, I want to take her in my arms again.

  “What the fuck?” I hear a man behind me and finally turn to see who walked out here. Fucking great, the dick weasel himself.

  Sarah’s eyes are wide, and I see the tears start to pool in them. I take a step toward her, but she stops me with the raise of her hand.

  “Princess,” I say, but she shakes her head.

  “Don’t,” she tells me. I see her body start to shake and all I want to do is hold her.

  I feel a hand on my shoulder, and I’m being pulled around.

  “This the guy you’re fucking, Sarah? Are you just handing out charity, sucking the cripple’s dick?” I hear Sarah gasp behind me and I go into murder mode. This little motherfucker will not talk to her like that.

  I have this little sack of shit by the throat and against the wall in half a second. Nose to nose with this fuck wad. I want to kill him, and it wouldn’t take shit to do it.

  “You ever talk to her like that and I will bury you in the woods, and no one will ever find you. You got me?” He can’t talk, and my grip gets tighter. His face is turning red, and he is trying to pull my hands off. He won’t move me.

  “Wyatt, please stop. You're hurting him.” I feel Sarah's hand on my arm.

  My ears are ringing, and I barely hear the back door open again.

  “Son, let him go.” I hear Barrett to my left. I don’t want to, but I let Brad fall to the ground.

  Sarah rushes over to help him, and he slaps her hand away. I lunge for him, and Barrett is stepping in front of me.

  “Sarah, get your date out of here,” Barrett tells her.

  “You’re going to let her leave with him?” I can’t fucking believe this.

  “Yes, daddy.” Sarah and Brad walk down the steps of the back porch and walk to her car. All I can do is watch my light walk away with that asshole.

  “Come on, son, let's get a drink and cool off.” I shake my head and walk back into the house looking for Lucas.

  When I find him, I unleash. He knows Brad, he should have never let her date him. Why the fuck didn’t he tell me?

  “How long have you known?” I ask him. I probably need to tone it down before he figures out I’m in love with his sister.

  “I just found out like everyone else.” He tells me, knowing what I'm talking about without explanation.

  Elena walks up, and I lay into her next. I can’t seem to get my temper under control.

  “How long have you known?” I snap at her.

  “Hey, don’t talk to my wife like that.” Lucas takes a step at me.

  “She’s not your wife, yet.”

  “I don’t need a piece of paper to tell me she’s my wife, the minute I put that ring on her finger it made her mine.” Lucas is getting pissed, fist clenched at his side, he takes another step at me. Like I’m questioning their relationship.

  “Okay, you two, slow down. Tell me what has your panties in a twist,” Elena says.

  “How long have you known about Sarah and Brad?” I ask her.

  She looks from me to Lucas and decides to start with him.

  “Elena, you knew she was dating that weasel?” Lucas and I are on the same page.

  “Your sister is a grown woman; whoever she sleeps with is not my business.” My jaw snaps shut, and I growl at the thought of her fucking him.

  Elena turns hard eyes on me “You only have yourself to blame.” I look at Lucas, and he looks confused. Thanks, Elena.

  I turn and walk away before my best friend can ask what the fuck she means by that.

  I need to talk to Sarah, I need to make sure she is okay. I walk out to my truck, slam it in drive and head to her house. I’m so fucked.

  Chapter 8

  Sarah

  The entire drive back to Brad’s place I think about that kiss with Wyatt. You would think with the way Brad is going on, that would be all I hear. But my head only has one thing in it. Wyatt.

  That kiss was more intense than I ever could have imagined. It felt soul deep and desperate like my lips were the only source of oxygen. I was lost in Wyatt, so consumed at the moment I melted into his arms. Everything I ever wanted was right in front of me; I wrapped my arms around him, and lost myself in the moment.

  But that moment was broken as soon as the back door came flying open and Brad's mouth started running.

  I have never seen Wyatt so angry; I thought he was going to kill Brad.

  “You know, Sarah, if you wanted a dick down your throat, all you had to do was open your fucking mouth.” You have got to be kidding me. What did I ever see in him? Why did I give him a second chance?

  These are the questions I keep asking myself as I pull up to B
rad’s place. He hasn’t stopped his insistent ranting since we left the wedding shower.

  “You know Sarah, your nose is so far in the air you can’t see what you have. You think you are too good for me. You fill your head full of bullshit with those stupid romance novels you read…” I have had enough.

  “Get out.” I whisper. But what I really want to do is scream.

  “What?” He looks confused, but I couldn’t be clearer.

  “Get out of my car.” My voice is steady, unwavering. “Get out, get out, get out,” I start to scream.

  Brad huffs and steps out of the passenger side. “I can get a piece of ass anywhere, I don’t need this shit.” He slams my door so hard the car rocks.

  I let out a sigh of relief that he is finally gone. My mind feels paralyzed and my body numb. The drive back to my house is short, and I’m thankful for the warmth of my house the second I step inside.

  I head straight to the fridge and pull out a bottle of wine. Pouring myself a glass and just leaning my back against the counter. I down a few glasses before the warm buzz starts to run through my body. I need this day to be over, heck I need this week to be over.

  I decide to take a warm bath and then head to bed with my kindle.

  By the time my bath water turns cold I’ve drunk the whole bottle of wine. What am I doing? Feeling sorry for myself?

  “Get yourself together, Sarah Wayne,” I say out loud.

  Climbing out of the tub and wrapping a soft towel around me, I head to the kitchen to throw the empty bottle away and wash out my glass. As I turn to head to my room, there is a loud knock on my door. I jump and almost lose my towel. Crap, I hope it's not Brad.

  Stepping lightly to the front door, I’m hoping whoever it is will think I’m asleep and leave. Before I can even look through the peephole, a deep voice is calling my name from the other side.

  “Sarah,” Wyatt calls my name.