“Yeah, he did. Kind of the reason I want him to move out here. As awesome as Montana is, he’s got nothing to keep him occupied, and having an unoccupied mind after something like that can be dangerous. You know I hire ex-service men in mysecurity firm to help them reintegrate into civilian life. You sort of feel like you’re living in limbo once you get out, your life was so regimented, you were surrounded by your brothers, and then one day you wake up and they're no longer there. It’s hard to adjust for a lot of people.”
“Are you worried about him?”
“He’s had a tough time, and I guess …” Jackson rubs the back of his neck nervously, “… I kind of would like him around so I can keep an eye on him.”
Oh. Wow. Jackson’s never been so open with me before.
“He’s lucky to have a friend like you then.”
“I guess. And don’t think I didn’t notice the flirting going on between the two of you.” Jackson raises a brow at me.
“You know I’ll flirt with any handsome man, it doesn’t mean anything.”
“Yeah, but Charlie doesn’t flirt with just anyone.” Jackson smirks.
“Hardly think he was flirting with me.”
Jackson’s eyes narrow on me. “He was. And he asked about you after we left your birthday.”
He did? Why the hell has he not told me this sooner? “And?” I ask him.
“I gave him your socials to check out, but I’m not playing matchmaker.”
“Do you think I’m not good enough for him?” I ask defensively.
“No. Nothing like that. You’re both grown adults, you don’t need me playing wingman. Pretty sure you of all people don’t need my help.” Jackson smirks.
“He lives in Montana. And I’m probably not his type. I mean, the guy looks like he’s as straight as an arrow.” I huff.
“He may look straight, but he most certainly is not. He used to be a good time, I think he would have given you a runfor your money in the partying stakes.” Jackson chuckles as if remembering some crazy memory they had together.
“Used to?”
“People change when they come back from war, D. You see things that change you, and sometimes those images are hard to get past.” Oh. “Charlie is a little broken at the moment, and I’m hoping being in LA will fix him,” Jackson confesses.
“You’re a good friend.”
“If Charlie decides to move, um … like …” Jackson rubs his neck again, looking uncomfortable.
“Don’t flirt with him?” I finish for him.
“Does that make me a bad friend?” Jackson asks me.
I shake my head. “No. It makes you a good one. There’s plenty of hot cowboys in LA for me, don’t you worry,” I say, trying to sound upbeat, but inside I’m a little devastated because he’s the first guy I haven’t stopped thinking about in a long time. But it sounds like the war has messed him up, so maybe it’s for the best. Look at the disaster that was Chance and me. I don’t need something like that happening again.
“I knew you would understand, D.”
Thanksgiving
We are all at Vanessa and Christian’s place for Thanksgiving this year, and talk has turned to Isla and Finn’s wedding, who now seem to be on board for a Valentine’s wedding, which is great, it gives me something to distract myself from the fact that the hot cowboy has started following me online. He didn’t think I would notice, but after Jackson told me he had given Charlie my socials, I’ve been religiously stalking my followers until Ifound him. Unfortunately, his profile was locked to private, so I couldn’t see a thing until one night I accidentally stalked him, and after one too many glasses of wine, I might have requested a follow. In the morning, there was a message waiting for me when I woke up.
Charlie: Hey there stargazer.
Cue panic. I thought and overthought every single reply I could make until my brain was frazzled.
Derrick: Hey there cowboy.
Real smooth I know.
