TEN
Brooks
One Year Later…
I lookover at my wife as we sit sprawled out on the couch watching some romance movie that she picked out. Rae’s eyes are locked on the screen and she’s mouthing the words along with the characters.
She’s adorable.
We’ve watched this movie at least a dozen times in the last year but I always watch Rae. She’s so cute when she reacts to it that it’s much more entertaining than any movie ever could be.
“Watch the movie,” Rae chides as she kicks my leg with her foot.
I capture her foot and start rubbing it as I pretend to turn back to the screen.
Rae and I got married six months ago. It was actually a month after Palmer and Banks got married. Palmer had been pushing for us to have a joint wedding but I wanted a day to celebrate just Rae and I.
Jasper and Evangeline flew in for the big day and ended up staying for a few days. It was nice to catch up with him again and to see him so happy with his own wife.
Her mother didn’t come. Well, we actually didn’t send her an invite. Rae and her haven’t really talked since she stormed out of our place. I would say that it’s a loss, but neither Rae nor I miss seeing her or having her be part of our life.
Rae did try to reach out to her about two weeks after she left. I sat by her side for the phone call, praying that it would go the way that Rae wanted. I think we both knew that it wasn’t going to go that way though and it didn’t.
I held her while she cried and did my best to console her. That was the last that we heard from her.
“You’re not watching,” Rae says again, a laugh in her voice.
“Sure, I am.”
She rolls her eyes and I grin.
Rae is still in college. She has two years left before she gets her degree and we’re trying to decide if we want to stay in Pittsburgh after that or travel somewhere new.
I started working at the VA Hospital a few months ago. I was volunteering with Ender every week and one day they offered me a job. I was happy to accept. Working and being around veterans, people who were going through what I went through, was never something that I had thought I would like before, but once I started going, I loved it.
Rae has even been volunteering with me on some weeks. She loves helping people and since we’re working with the service dogs and training, she’s been dying for us to get a dog. I don’t want to ruin the surprise but I found us an adorable golden retriever, her favorite breed, a few days ago and I’m all set to go pick him up tomorrow.
“If you’re not going to watch…” Rae starts and I grab her other foot and start to rub the sole.
We’re still living next door to Palmer and Banks and we see them all the time. Rae and Palmer go out with Sylvie, Everly, and Phoenix for girl’s nights at least once a month, and I get to hang out with the guys from King’s Gym.
I don’t get to see them as much now that they’re big, famous boxers and I’m working during the day.
“That’s it,” Rae sighs, grabbing the remote and turning off the movie.
I look over at her, and she grins at me as she moves to straddle my lap.
“I think that we can find something else to hold your attention,” she purrs against my mouth, and I grin.
I’m one lucky bastard,I think as her lips land on mine, and I get lost in the woman that I love.