A Soldier's Roots Read online

  I don’t dare answer. I lean my head on the door and clutch my towel to my chest. My body hums and I feel the pull, craving him in a way I have never craved a man before. The need to open the door and drag him inside to finish what he started. But I know that’s a bad idea. The only thing that would get me is a broken heart. I can’t take that chance.

  Taking a deep breath, I step away from the door.

  “Sarah, I know you’re there. Please talk to me.” I don’t answer him out loud I just shake my head and take another step back. Needing to put as much distance between us as I can.

  I turn on my heels and start to head to my room, but his words stop me in my tracks.

  “Baby, I am so sorry. I can’t stand it when you’re upset. Especially when I’m the cause.” I close my eyes and breathe slowly, trying not to crumble over his words.

  The only thing I have ever wanted was him. As long as I can remember I have wished for him to make me his. Even as a little girl, before I even knew what I was feeling, being close to him always made me feel safe.

  I will never forget the first time I met Wyatt, it also happens to be how Lucas and Wyatt became friends. It was a beautiful day, and Elena’s mom and mine had taken all of us to the park. Elena and I were seeing who could make it across the monkey bars the fastest when these boys on the playground came up to us.

  “Girls aren't allowed on the monkey bars. Boys only,” they say.

  Elena and I ignore them and continue with our game.

  “Are you deaf or just stupid?” One of the boys asks coming up to me.

  He’s bigger than me, but I’m not backing down.

  “We can all share. The monkey bars are for everyone.” I try to be nice like my mama taught me.

  “I guess you’re just stupid.” The other boy’s behind him start to laugh. Elena tugs on my arm and tries to pull me away, but we were having fun.

  “Come on Sarah, let’s just go play in the sandbox.” She tries to pull me away again, but I’m determined to stay where we are.

  Before I can turn back to the kids that are trying to make us leave someone pushes me down. Elena drops to her knees to help me up and sees my hands are scratched from the fall.

  “What is wrong with you?” she yells at the boy. “Are you okay, Sarah?” Elena helps me stand, and the boy that pushed me is looming over us.

  “I told you to leave.” Before I can say another word another boy steps in front of me.

  “Hasn’t anyone ever taught you not to hit girls?” The boy that I don’t know asks the group that was picking on Elena and me.

  “Get lost new kid.” So, this is the new boy at school.

  Elena and I are only in kindergarten, so we don’t know very many of the kids in our elementary school. We have been friends since we were babies, so we just stick together. She's like my sister.

  When the boy that pushed me tries to hit the new kid, he just steps out of the way and sticks his foot out. The bully trips over his foot and falls on his face. His so-called “friends” start to laugh at him and the boy just gets angrier. When he stands back up, he goes for the new kid again, and he just does the same thing. Steps out of the way and sticks his foot out.

  I see my big brother running to us, and the parents finally notice what's happening. The adults break up what’s going on. The new kid looks at me and takes my hands looking at the scratch.

  “You okay?” I can’t answer, I just nod.

  From that very second, he became my hero and my brother Lucas’s best friend. Lost in memory lane, I have to pull myself back to the present and deal with the situation at hand.

  “Wyatt, I can’t do this right now. I’m going to bed. Please leave.” I hear a loud thump on the door and a long sigh before he speaks.

  “Okay, Princess. I will give you some space, for now, but we will be having this talk.” I don’t say anything else. What is there left to say?

  Walking back to my room my shoulders start to shake with the sob that is tearing through my body. This week has finally caught up to me. No matter how hard I tried to act like I wasn’t affected.

  I lie down in bed and silently cry myself to sleep, wishing things could have been different.

  I spend Sunday cleaning and getting ready for the work week. Not that there was much to clean, but I kept myself busy. The rest of the week was a blur. I kept my phone off, for the most part, avoiding everyone and everything. Like a coward. When my family starts to get worried my mom calls my office at the school.

  Mom said they were all worried about me and missed me at Wednesday dinner. It’s become our thing the last couple months. We all go to mom and dad’s and have dinner on Wednesday night as a family.

  Dad must have told her what he walked out on at the wedding shower. Mom was concerned, but the thing I love the most about my parents is that they always trust my decisions. I told mom she and dad had nothing to worry about that I broke things off with Brad. I could hear the relief in her voice when she told me she loved me and if I needed anything to call.

  My parents are the best.

  I’m working on the paperwork for the incident with Lexington and the boys that were involved when there is a knock on my office door. I really just want to get through the rest of the day without having to be social.

  “Come in,” I call to the door.

  I’m surprised to see a bright and glowing Elena standing on the other side. She is beaming when she comes in and sits down across from me. I give her a small smile back and wait for her to start.

  “So?” she says to me.

  “So,” I answer back, unsure of what she's waiting on.

  “You’re not going to spill?” She gives me a cat that ate the canary smile.

  “Elena, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I get back to my paperwork avoiding eye contact.

  “Well, at dinner Wednesday, that you just so happen to miss. Barrett was telling us all how he walked out on Wyatt choking the life out of your date.” I look up, and she is raising an eyebrow at me, telling me to finish the story.

  I don’t know what to say. I got the kiss of my life from a man that I have been in love with almost my whole life. Then my boyfriend walks out and basically starts calling me a whore. Wyatt loses his mind and goes all caveman on him, and I’m left feeling lost and alone. Yeah, that is not the conversation I want to have here at work.

  I just shrug and go on about my work. I know I’m not being fair and that I should be able to talk to Elena about anything, but I just can’t bring myself to open up right now.

  “Okay, you don’t want to talk about it fine. That’s not the only reason I came.”

  “Go on,” I say standing to put the file in the cabinet behind me.

  “You know my friend Aubrey?” Elena asks, and I stop what I’m doing.

  “I know of her, yes.”

  “Well, she hasn't been able to get away from work. That’s why she missed the wedding shower.” I nod my head understanding. “I was wanting to pick dresses out for the wedding, but I wanted to go to Seattle...” That has my attention.

  “What does my brother think of that,” I say laughing.

  “It took a little persuading, but I always get my way.” She winks at me.

  “Okay, gross.”

  “But the reason I’m here is I wanted you to come with me. I’m leaving in the morning, and we will be back Sunday night. You will be back just in time for work.”

  “I don’t know?” I could use a trip and a little time away from this town and the men in it, and I would love to see Seattle.

  “Sarah, I was going to wait and ask when I had you and Aubrey both in front of me. But I want you both to be my maid of honor. I couldn’t possibly choose between my two best friends. So, what do you say?” She looks at me with a hopeful smile.

  I think I'm going to cry.

  Walking around my desk, Elena stands up as I get to her. I hug her close, so thankful I have my oldest friend in my life again.

  “I woul
d be honored.” We both smile at each other and Elena starts doing her happy dance.

  “Road trip,” she sings songs and we both laugh.

  After work, I head straight home to pack. Elena wants to leave before the sun comes up. It's an eight-hour drive but I'm sure we will make it fun. This will be our first road trip together, and the first time I get to see Seattle. I'm really excited to spend the weekend with Elena and meeting Aubrey. At first, I was a little jealous of their relationship, but hearing about Aubrey, I think she is going to be a lot of fun to be around.

  I shower and head straight to bed, hoping I can get some sleep tonight. I have had a restless week. Every time I close my eyes all I see is Wyatt and the look on his eyes after the kiss at my parent's house. And then all I want to do is touch myself. By the time I’ve had enough, never getting myself off, I look at the clock, and it's almost midnight.

  How freaking hard is it to have an orgasm. I'm so embarrassed that I've never had one. All I do is work myself into a frustrated ball of need and spend the rest of the night restless. UGH! So frustrating being a twenty-five year old virgin.

  Chapter 9

  Sarah

  I fell asleep surprisingly well last night. With the lack of sleep I've had it only took two glasses of wine, and I was snoozing like a baby. I don’t mind mornings, working at the school, I have to be there an hour before the students. So, when my alarm goes off at four a.m. I’m up and running.

  I take a quick shower, make some coffee and breakfast, then text Elena to let her know I am ready when she is. I call my parents to let them know I'm going with Elena to Seattle and I will call when we make it, and I will let them know when we are heading home.

  I hear my brothers truck pull in the drive, so I grab my bags and head for the door. Stepping out I turn to lock up the house. When I turn back around, I see Lucas sitting in his truck. Elena and Lucas both climb out. Lucas walks around the truck and grabs bags out of the back, and I look at them a little confused.

  “Sorry, this guy is going crazy over this trip,” Elena tells me walking my way. Lucas just grunts, and it makes me laugh. My brother the caveman.

  Lucas wasn't ever like this; the caveman act is a new development now that Elena is back in his life. I have to admit, it’s adorable.

  “Okay, so what’s that plan?” I ask looking from Elena to my brother.

  “I want you to drive so she can keep me updated on the way there. She can’t call if she’s driving.” I roll my eyes, and Elena winks at Lucas.

  “I will call every hour, Lucas,” Elena tells him.

  “I said every thirty minutes, darlin’. Or I will be driving to pick that sweet little ass up and bring you right back home.” Lucas points to my car wanting me to unlock it.

  “Fine,” Elena says, trying to sound put out but I see the smile she's holding back. She loves his caveman antics. “Every thirty minutes, babe.”

  “Why don’t you just stay on the phone with her the whole eight-hour drive?” I say sarcastically. Lucas turns to me with a big smile on his face.

  “No!” Elena shouts.

  Lucas walks up to her and wraps his arms around her waist. “I like that idea, darlin’.” He kisses her at the base of her neck and Elena moans. That’s my cue; this is a little awkward, watching my brother grope my friend.

  “I will just load my bags in the car,” I say, but they don’t hear anything. Too lost in each other.

  After their long goodbye, we are both finally loaded in the car and ready to go. Lucas leans into Elena’s widow and starts kissing her again.

  “We will never get there if you don’t stop sucking her face,” I tell them both. Elena giggles and kisses him one more time before pulling away.

  “I will be fine, babe, and home before you know it.”

  “Sarah,” Lucas says looking at me, “you are carrying precious cargo.”

  “Lucas, you worry too much,” I tell my brother.

  Lucas leans in again, and I sigh, we are never going to leave my drive if they keep this up. I look over to see if they are done to see Lucas rubbing her stomach and whispering in her ear.

  “I promise we will come back to you, I love you so much,” Elena says to my brother.

  It takes a couple seconds, but I finally register what she just said. Us. She said us, and I know I wasn’t included in that us, and then Lucas said I was carrying precious cargo.

  “Ahh!” I scream and start bouncing in my seat. Both Elena and Lucas jump then look of at me like I’ve lost my mind. “I’m going to be an aunt!” I yell at them.

  Lucas shakes his head with the biggest smile on his face, and Elena is looking at him like he hung the moon and the stars. I think I’m going to cry. I lean over the center console and hug her tight.

  “I’m so happy for you guys. Eee! I am going to be an aunt.” I can’t stop saying it; there will be a little baby Wayne running around.

  “We haven’t told anyone yet, we wanted to enjoy it a little before we made the announcement.” Elena gives me an apologetic smile.

  “I won’t say a word, but this one is not very subtle,” I say pointing a finger at my brother.

  “Don’t I know it,” Elena says, and Lucas just shrugs his shoulders.

  “I promise big brother, I will bring your little family home safe to you.” Lucas is beaming.

  Leaning in, he kisses Elena again and then steps away. “Okay you two, get on the road before I change my mind and drag you back home.” He winks at Elena.

  We say our goodbyes and pull out of my drive waving at my brother.

  “He looks like he's in pain.” I look over at Elena and see the same look on her face. “You sure you want to go, I’m sure we can find something here in town.”

  “No, I promised Aunt Grace I would let her take me dress shopping, and Aubrey can’t get away right now.” I nod my head and make my way to the highway.

  We are on the road for a few hours, listening to music, laughing at Lucas when Elena text and he calls ‘because he needs to hear her voice,’ he says. We reminisce about our time together growing up. Almost halfway we decide to stop and grab something to eat and take a bathroom break.

  We both slide into the booth at this little hole in the wall off the highway, and I decide to turn my phone on for the first time since we left for Seattle. I didn’t think I needed it, Elena and Lucas talk constantly, and I don’t have anyone in my life to worry about me. Ugh, that sounded more depressing then I meant it to.

  The second my phone turns on it goes crazy, text messages and missed calls start flowing in. Elena looks up from her phone at me. All I can do is raise my shoulder.

  Scrolling through them I see a couple missed calls from Brad, I will not be calling him back, ever. It’s the texts that surprises me, they are all from Wyatt. There are more messages on my phone from today then I have gotten from him all year. I hope everything is okay, my mind goes to Lexington, and I start to worry a little.

  Going through them my worry fades, but my stomach starts to flutter.

  Wyatt: Can we talk?

  Wyatt: Are you ignoring me?

  No, yes, heck I don’t know. I think to myself.

  Wyatt: Went by your house, you’re not there. But I guess you know that. You can’t avoid me forever, princess.

  Shoot, he went by my house? My stomach does a dip at seeing the word princess. I secretly love that name, but I can’t let him know that.

  Wyatt: Well I’m at the ranch helping Lucas, and he tells me you and Elena are heading to Seattle. Is he really making her call every thirty minutes?

  Wyatt: Please say something?

  That last text was sent twenty minutes ago. My head is telling me to turn my phone back off. Do I really want to open this can of worms? I rub my eyes trying to make a decision when the waitress comes over to take our order. She leaves again, and I decide to just send something short and quick, the word please has me caving.

  Me: Sorry phone was off while I was driving, and yes Lucas is making h
er call every thirty minutes.

  That was a little more than I had planned to send. I put my phone down, and it goes off instantly.

  Wyatt: We won’t get anything done if he doesn’t put that phone down. All he’s done all day is talk to her or daydream with a big goofy smile on his face.

  That makes me laugh because I'm looking at the other side of that conversation and it’s the same on this end.

  Me: Yeah, same on my end. But it’s kind of sweet.

  As soon as I send it, I wish I could take it back. I should have just stopped at the word ‘yeah’ I should not be encouraging these messages.

  Wyatt: And what would it take to put one of those smiles on your face.

  My heart speeds up, and I feel a smile pull at my lips. What is going on with him, and why the sudden change? My fingers start typing before my brain can stop them.

  Me: Done

  Oh my God, Sarah what are you doing? You are playing with fire, and you are most definitely going to get burned. All I can think is how sweet that burn would hurt though. How hot it could be, how hot he is. Whoa, where did that come from?

  Wyatt: I wish I could see that smile, it would make my day so much better.

  I just sit there reading that message over and over. My heart melting and beating faster at the same time if that is even possible. How can a text messages feel so intimate? He has never been like this with me. The only thing that comes close to this is the conversation we had at the lake and the kiss we shared before he left for the military. I make a quick decision and think why not.

  Holding my phone up I smile at the camera and take the picture. Before I can second guess myself, I hit send and wait. While I’m waiting, I look up to see Elena smiling at me.

  “What?” I ask.

  “What was the picture for?” My face heats and I know she can see the blush on my light complexion. What do I say? Wyatt wanted a picture, so I sent it to him. There will be a dozen more questions after that. No thank you. I wouldn’t even have any answers for her. I don’t even know what’s going on myself.

  “Just taking a selfie,” I smile at her, trying to brush it off.