Free The Heart's Shrapnel by S. J. Lynn Page B

we’ll ever see each other again. He never knows where he’ll be sent or if he’ll get badly injured or killed on a mission. It shouldn’t hurt just to talk. Maybe he is lonely as I suspected earlier. Even with Mandy and Lily, I’m lonely. Nothing wrong with trying to at least be acquaintances, right?
    Staring out the window, I try to summon the courage to speak.
    “I’m sorry about that back there,” he says in a thick voice that breaks the silence.
    I wait to see if he will say anything more.
    “I sometimes forget that not everyone is a criminal.”
    I turn in my seat to face him. “It’s okay. I guess I can understand that.”
    He peers at me and then looks at the road. “You can tell me it’s none of my business, but a few times you’ve hinted that you’re all too familiar with what I do.”
    I look out the window, focusing on random spots to keep from crying.
    “I’m sorry,” he says. “It’s none of my business.”
    “I dated a guy who was in the army— is in the army. He’s on leave right now.” I stare straight ahead, and I catch him looking at me again from the corner of my eye.
    “You said ‘dated.’ What happened?”
    “The army happened.”
    We ride in comfortable silence for the rest of the drive. Eventually, we make it to my place. He pulls up and shuts off the vehicle.
    I tense, wondering if I should invite him in. That would be the polite thing to do, but I realize it’s not so much him I don’t trust as me. And I don’t want to leave this place with a broken heart. I came here with one.
    The windows are down, and a soft, cool breeze washes over my skin. It only serves to remind me I’m in a strange place with people I don’t know and can’t trust—shouldn’t trust.
    I try to separate Phillip from his job as I sit next to him in his truck and pretend he’s a normal man. But, I’m not sure if that’s possible. After tonight, it’s evident I’ll have to proceed with caution. However, I was glad he stepped in. I was scared and about to have a complete meltdown in front of the whole bar. He stopped that.
    The night air carries his scent—woodsy like the outdoors—and I indulge in it. I swear it makes him approachable as if I could tell him anything, and I want to get to know him better.
    “So, how long have you been in the army?”
    He leans back, angling himself to look at me and laughs. “Feels like forever, but only a few years.”
    “What are your duties? You’re a sergeant, right?”
    “Yes. Uh, just typical army things.”
    “That was extremely vague. Hint taken.”
    His eyes confuse me. They’re inviting but with a warning label. I can’t help it, though. He draws me in with such a magnetic pull it’s hard to stay away.
    “You seem very skilled at what you do for someone who’s only been in for a few years.” He effortlessly tossed the drunkard to the side as if he were a sack of potatoes. That alone doesn’t make me think he’s highly trained, there’s the whole sergeant title he carries, but I’m hoping he’ll divulge some pieces of his life. Does he love the violence that comes with the job, or does he love the honor?
    Did his body just tense, or is it my eyes tricking me?
    “The army is thorough when it comes to training its troops.” He looks to be holding back something. I imagine it’s hard to talk about.
    “I can see that,” I say a little too breathy while checking out his arms.
    Phillip looks over with hooded eyes, and the atmosphere in the truck turns electric.
    I don’t move. I don’t know what to say. This isn’t me—at least this isn’t the girl I want to be after my last relationship. I made a promise to myself I intend to keep.
    Phillip clears his throat, the vibration a deep rumble. “Listen, Jane.” He places a hand on the wheel. “I don’t know what is going on here, but you don’t want to get involved with a man like me. It’s too dangerous, and the shit I do every day . . .” he shakes his head and runs his