Chasing Halos And Heroes by Riley Knox

Author:Riley Knox
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Gay & Lesbian
ISBN: 9781611247541
Publisher: Amber Quill Press, LLC
Published: 2015-04-04T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Don't dwell on what went wrong. Instead, focus on

what to do next. Spend your energies on moving forward

toward finding the answer.

--Denis Waitley

Ben was sitting on the middle of the staircase when I came out of Felix's room. I gave him the condensed version, and by the time I was finished, the little vein at the corner of his left temple looked ready to explode.

"I knew it had to be Eddie starting it," he said looking up at the steps above us. "He's rubbed me the wrong way since day one, but I've never caught him in the act, and Felix wouldn't talk to me."

"If it makes you feel better, the kid didn't want to tell me either."

"But he did. Thank you, Sam."

I shrugged, uncomfortable with the praise. "It's not a big deal. You were right. He's not a bad kid, just having a tough time."

"Maybe you can make this a regular thing? Come and hang out with the kids? We're always looking for volunteers."

It was on the tip of my tongue to say no, but for some reason I found myself offering a short nod. "Maybe after I get settled in at Tara's."

Ben's eyes narrowed in curiosity. "You're staying with Tara?"

"We talked about me renting her basement apartment this morning. I think giving Sofia and the girls some breathing room might reduce some of the strain at the house."

"Or it could cause more. I can tell you Sofia won't be thrilled."

"I know, but Tara lives close by. It's not like I'm going back to Afghanistan."

"How are you feeling about that?"

I considered the question before answering. Whenever I'd been stationed in Afghanistan, I'd feared I'd never be able to leave my experiences behind me. Like the constant adrenaline fest would leave me marked, craving the chaos like a junkie in need of his fix. Civilian life was supposed to be mundane, something to stay the hell away from lest I lose my edge because that edge was all that kept me alive back there. But being home was changing that. Now that I knew there was no going back, I allowed myself the luxury of settling in. Despite the recurring nightmares, things were better. I could feel the difference in the way I allowed my body to relax, and held my jaw less rigid. I no longer made an immediate move toward my gun when I was startled. I was learning to cope, and each day got a little easier.

"I'm doing okay," I said aloud. "Though I should probably get going. I promised Emma we'd do lunch today."

"You're good with her," Ben said, getting up when I did to walk me out to the porch.

"One day I hope I can say the same about Adelyn."

"She'll come around. In the meantime, enjoy being the object of a five-year-old's adoration."

"Split adoration," I corrected. "She recently told me I'm just one of her best friends, you being among that elite group. Though she did assure me I could share you."

"Oh? Are we talking 50/50 splits or do I get to choose who I want to stay with longer?"

Ben's smile was addictive.

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