Page 86 of Brighter Shades of Light

I didn’t have to hit the road for another hour or two and planned to soak up as much Sebastian-time as I could.

We ate breakfast, a simple one of eggs, bacon, and toast with jelly. The July morning was too humid, so we didn’t eat on the balcony like we sometimes did.

“Once you have your training schedule, let me know,” Sebastian said, after refilling our coffee cups.

“I will.”

With my schedule, he would know when I’d be back in my room for the evening, so we could plan phone calls or text back and forth. After a few weeks on base, I would be granted liberty on the weekends, so he could come visit me.

After we killed as much time as we could, I helped him clean up, and then packed my things into the truck. He stood beside me as I placed my laptop bag in the cab and turned around.

I knew it wasn’t the last time I would see him. My whole life was about to change, though. Everything I had worked so hard for was finally happening, and I was scared. Scared of the unknown…and the known. I was excited, too. Being an officer in the United States Marine Corps had been my dream since I was a kid. And that dream was finally coming true.

“Call me when you arrive.” He hugged me.

I nodded and tucked my head under his chin, holding him closer.

“I love you, Second Lieutenant Miller.”

Tears sprang to my eyes, and I hated myself for crying. Again.

“I love you, too, Sebastian.” Finally, I looked at him, seeing tears in his eyes, as well. But he beamed, his smile full of pride. It chased away the heaviness in my chest. “Remember to eat and sleep while I’m gone.”

“Yes, sir,” he said, kissing my forehead. “You should go before it gets too late.”

“Yeah. I’ve got a long drive ahead of me.”

Neither of us moved. Saying goodbye to him was hard—I knew it would be—but this was even harder than I thought.

Sebastian grabbed my hand and lifted it to his mouth, placing a kiss on the ring he bought me. Regulation allowed one ring per hand, so the entire time I was gone, I would be able to wear it. Maybe it was silly, but it helped me feel better knowing I’d have a piece of him with me.

Our lips touched again, then once more. I caressed the tops of his shoulders before snaking my hands up and gripping his hair.

“Fuck,” I said, tearing my mouth from his and backing away from him. “I have to go.”

“Yes. You do.” Sebastian smiled.

I got in my truck and started it, keeping my eyes away from Sebastian. If I looked at him right now, I’d lose my nerve and not go. He seemed to realize that, too, because he walked up the steps and went into the house. Briefly, I glanced at him and saw him standing in the doorway. He waved, and I returned the gesture.

Putting the truck in reverse, I started backing out of the driveway. My gaze flashed to him standing at the front door, and every instinct screamed for me to stop the truck and go back home, because that’s what he was to me. My home.

But I didn’t stop. I got on the road and drove away, leaving my heart in Emerald Falls.

***

The Basic School was located at Camp Barrett at the Marine Corps Base Quantico complex in Virginia. It was also the place I had gone for Officer Candidate School last summer, so I was familiar with it.

Quantico was the only town in the US surrounded by a military reservation, so we had to go through a Marine-guarded sentry gate to even get into it.

Tristen and I got there a day early and hit Q-town for some drinks before checking in at the base. Just to unwind from the long drive and have one last night of freedom before we started the fourteen hour days—five days a week—of classes and hardcore field training.

We had been lucky to be sent there at the same time. Marcus and Keith wouldn’t leave for TBS until September and Rachel until November. I couldn’t imagine doing this on my own. Being away from Sebastian was hard enough without being separated from my best friend, too.

I had called Sebastian shortly after we arrived, but we hadn’t talked long. It was hard to hear his voice right now, knowing I wouldn’t be coming home to him for a while.

“Thinking of your guy again?” Tristen asked, as we entered the bar.

“Yeah. Sorry.”