Chapter 1
I dove for the ball thinking I was being sporty and awesome, but when I landed on my face I didn’t feel so graceful anymore. The volleyball slammed into the net never making it over, and I planted my face to the ground.
My team was surrounding me, “Are you okay?”
It was my pride that got me off the ground, and biting my cheek that kept me from crying. As soon as they got back into the game, I excused myself to go get ice. That’s when the tears started. The shock of the moment wore off, and I was left with pain.
“Let’s get you some ice,” Heather chimed in, guiding me to the kitchen.
We were enjoying the last of summer, having a barbecue with some friends, when I made my fabulous move on the volleyball court. Well, basically it was the lawn with a net set up, but you know what I mean.
“Fudge, it hurts so badly,” I said, trying to keep the flow of bad words that wanted to come out to a minimum.
She grabbed a bag of frozen peas and wrapped them in a kitchen towel. Handing them to me, I placed the moldable ice bag on my nose and face.
“I hope I didn’t break it,” I groaned, not wanting a bump to adorn my nose.
Scott found his way into the kitchen, “You okay, Tiger? Nice dive.”
“I’ll survive,” I said, trying to act tough.
“I’m going to make a quick beer run. Austin and Jake are on the way over, and they’re ready to let loose.” Scott and Heather had been married for awhile now, and were just about the cutest couple.
“Okay,” she said, turning her attention back to me. “I was hoping they’d make it. Austin is the one I was telling you about.”
“Are you still trying to set me up? Seriously, give it a rest,” I said playfully, certain Austin would be another of her “he’s perfect for you” pitches. Not that there weren’t some nice people along the way, but it was getting old. We just had different opinions of what was good for me. I hate to say it, but I need chemistry. If there isn’t a spark, I wasn’t interesting in kindling the fire hoping to make a fake one.
She rolled her eyes, “I know what you’re thinking, but this is Austin, you know the soldier I told you about. Jake and Austin just got back from deployment awhile back. He’s not looking for a lifetime career – I know that’s something you were worried about with some of Scott’s other friends.”
“Heather, I love you, really I do, but we have different ideas of what’s best for me,” I finally sighed.
“Fine, be that way. Just know Jake is in a relationship and off limits. Austin, on the other hand is free game, and he’s a site for sore eyes,” her tone went up playfully, “you’ll thank me for introducing you,” she finished.
Shaking my head, “Aren’t I a peach, a swollen nose, red and rosy from slamming my face on the ground, and you want to introduce me to Prince Charming now? You’re never going to stop, are you?”
“You know me so well,” she grinned gleefully. “Anyway, you’ll thank me.”
Heather and I became fast friends working side by side the last year. We knew right away we’d hit it off, and it was nice to have a best friend again. Her husband Scott was in the military, as was half the town. It was a way of life here with the base not far away. Our cubicles are a little farther apart these days, but we’re still in the same office.
During this short year, she’d all ready set me up with five or six guys. It’s not that they weren’t nice or attractive; it’s just that we didn’t click. I think she had other ideas of what I wanted in a relationship, and I kept trying to let her know I’d find my own guys, but she never gave up. I could only laugh, because she got so much joy out of the matchmaking process. It’s not like I had anything better to do anyway.
We headed back out to join the others after a solid twenty minute icing and some girl talk. Scott was due back shortly from his beer run, and the party was going strong. There were easily thirty people talking, eating, playing ball, and hanging out. What were one or two more? Jake and Austin showed up awhile later, and it was obvious everybody knew them.
There were hugs and smartass comments, while laughter roared loudly across the backyard. They’d gone through their last tour, had their reintegration period, and were finally on their block leave ready for some fun.
I didn’t know which was which, but damn, one of them held my attention. As they made their rounds, I finally got an introduction. I couldn’t look away from one of the guys. He was H-O-T!
Heather walked over with me, “Austin, Jake, so glad you boys could make it. This is my friend Kate. We work together,” she said. Turning she said, “Kate, this is Jake, and this is Austin.” I could almost feel her smile.