Page 24 of Salute, To Bravery
Jessenia
“T wo more squats,” I groan as I lower myself into position, hold for a count of three, and then straighten. My thighs are shaking, and my shoulders burn as I hold the bar across them.
“I don’t think…” My leg gives out, and the physical therapist, spotting me, grabs the weight before I fall to the floor of the gym.
“Shit,” I gasp as I crumple to it anyway.
“Not bad, Jesse.” She grins down at me as she replaces the bar on the machine before offering me her hand to help me up.
“Sure, I’m on my ass again, but thanks for the compliment,” I hiss as I accept the help.
“Hey, only one way up from the bottom, right? Remember, you couldn’t even walk six months ago. Now you’re squatting your body weight.”
I roll my eyes at her but nod.
“Where’s your cane?” she asks, passing me a bottle of water before crossing her arms over her chest.
“Don’t need it,” I say between drinks.
Her eyebrow raises, and I sigh.
“Alright. Point made. Are we done for today?” I’m ready to get the fuck out of this gym.
I’ve been spending the majority of my life inside it, recovering from my injuries and rehabbing my body.
She nods and waves a hand towards the door. “See you Monday.”
I smile and grab my towel and gym bag before she changes her mind. “Later,” I slowly limp to the door.
I may not need the cane, but it does make life a little easier for me. Today, though, I am determined to walk into my old barracks with no aids. I want to earn the smiles of my friends when they see me healing.
They all know I’m home but have respected my space.
I get into my Jeep and groan when I sit down.
My muscles are screaming for the ice bath I skipped out on today.
I crank the engine over and pull out of the reserved parking spot.
The sign reads ‘Disabled Veteran Only,’ and every time I come to physical therapy, it reminds me of what I gave to this country. I frown.
If the recruiting officer had said the Army would take my soul along with almost my life, I would have just gone to college.
I sigh and shake off my mood as I work my way across the base. I’m mission focused on seeing my friends. I’ve put it off long enough, and my therapist has been urging me to see them. Apparently, rooting myself in the familiar is a good coping mechanism.
Nothing else has stopped the nightmares, so I’ll try just about anything at this point.
I pull up to the building and groan when I see a few people outside smoking. Their faces turn my way, and I wave half-heartedly, at which they start to holler.
“LT, IS THAT YOU?”
“BLAKE!”
“LOOK WHAT THE CAT DRAGGED IN.”
That last comment makes me cringe as I’m stepping out of my Jeep.
“Hey guys,” I say lamely.
“Nah, you can do better than that.” Jasper grabs me in a rib-breaking hug and spins me like the fool he is.
“Damn good to see you, girl. You had us all so worried,” he whispers in my ear before setting me back on the ground.
“This place lacks decorum. Last I knew, you saluted commanding officers, retired or not.” I try to hide my embarrassment behind rules and regulations, but it only works for a moment.
They all fall in line and show their respect, wearing smirks on their faces.
“At ease.” I smile as Ethan throws an arm across my shoulders and turns me towards the barracks.
“You’ll never guess who’s retiring today.”
I shake my head at him. “Still the Company gossip, I see.”
Ethan clutches his heart, faking an offended look that’s too comical not to laugh at. “Little ol’ me?”
I push him away as Oscar opens the doors for us.
“Major War,” Oscar says as I pass him, and I stumble.
“What?” Major Warren Davis has been the CO of this Company for almost twenty years.
“He doesn’t have his twenty-five in yet. Does he?”
Jasper nods.
“Last year, but even if he didn’t, after the divorce—”
“DIVORCE?” I look around when my voice comes out higher than I intended.
“Yeah, it turns out Mrs. War was a cheating whore.”
A throat clearing behind me stops him, and suddenly, the temperature in the room drops as all the color drains from the guys’ faces.
“Shouldn’t you all be working?”
Almost two years since I heard his voice, and it still sends shivers down my spine.
“Yes, sir,” the guys say, scattering to their workstations.
I turn deliberately to face the most handsome and unavailable man I’ve ever laid eyes on.
He’s gone silver around his temples, but everything else is exactly as I remember. Well, the tattoos on his arms are new and only improve his sexiness.
“Major.” I salute him, and his lip tips up into the smirk that still manages to ruin my underwear.
“Lieutenant Blake, my office. Now.”