Page 48 of Hard to Lose

“Thank you for telling me this much. I didn’t mean to make you—”

“The Humvee, on the way out the third time . . . it hit an IED. I have no fucking clue how he didn’t hit any before that considering the whole goddamn village was surrounded by them—something we found out after the fact. But he found one on the third and final way out.” He shakes his head. “I remember seeing it explode. How parts, how everything—just blasted into the air. It was about that time that the air support arrived, so we had to take fucking cover from them hitting the town. We didn’t know if Gunny or the other two guys he’d rescued were alive or dying or anything.”

I reach out and squeeze Nix’s hand. I don’t know him other than the two times I’ve met him, but the emotion that swells in his voice tells me all I need to know about the man beside me. Gunner may be a hero in Nixon’s eyes, but Nix was also in that firefight. He’s a hero too.

They both made sacrifices. Something the men and women sitting around me possibly have too.

Silent heroes.

Unsung.

Humble.

No wonder they congregate here at a bar where others understand them. No wonder they’re inseparable. No wonder I—

“He was alive. Barely. Shrapnel had hit him everywhere. He was a goddamn mess while the other two he had tried to bring to safety didn’t make it.”

“Jesus.” I take a sip of my drink as I stare at Gunner laughing at the other end of the bar. I think of the scars on his chest. Of the physical damage to his body that probably has nothing on the psychological damage. And yet there he is, lighting up the whole damn room with his infectious smile and quick-witted sense of humor. “No wonder you two are like brothers.”

“There’s definitely a bond between us that I can’t really put words to.”

“Are you part owner of this place?” I ask.

His smile is slight. His eyes somber. “He opened it in their memory. The men he wasn’t able to save. We all pitched in with the start-up money, but he’s since paid us all back. He said he had to have a clear conscience with his debts before he started sending a percentage of the profits every month to the families of those who didn’t make it.”

“Wait. What?” I ask, wanting to make sure I heard him correctly. But I did. I know I did and the slight lift of his chin toward Gunner affirms it.

“Yep. You heard right. He busts his ass day in and day out and then sends money to the wives of the men he didn’t save, because it eats at him that much.”

“I don’t even know what to say,” I sputter.

“I know what you mean.” He chuckles and lifts his empty beer in the direction of Gunner when he looks our way. “It’s hard to believe men as good as him really exist.”

“It is,” I say quietly as Gunner makes his way toward us, sliding tips off the bar and putting them into a jar behind the table as he goes.

“Are you two going to cause me trouble?” he asks and grins when he reaches us.

“Always,” I say and smile, wanting to stare at him, study him, a little longer than is normal.

“Then I’ll stay over there.” He laughs and hooks a thumb over his shoulder. “I have two burgers coming up for you guys. Is that okay?”

“Yes. Sure. Thank you. I didn’t expect—”

“You said you wanted food, drinks, and company. You found the two”—he motions to Nix and Nix just smirks—“so I figured the least I could do was help your date along with the third.”

“Funny,” I say and roll my eyes as Nix belts out a laugh, slapping the counter.

“Dare I ask what the two of you are talking about down here?” he asks as he takes a sip of a beer himself.

“I told Nix that you were taking me on a date tomorrow and—”

“I am, am I?” he asks, tossing the towel onto his shoulder and crossing his arms as his eyes hold mine.

“Yes. You are,” I state matter-of-factly. “And so, I was taking suggestions on what he thinks we should do.”

“I know exactly what we should do,” Gunner says with a suggestive smirk.

I stand from my seat and motion for him to come closer, leaning across the counter to whisper in his ear. “While I’m all for jumping in, sometimes a little foreplay is appreciated.”