Free Rediscovering Peace (Military Love Book 1) by Steffy Rogers Page A

while they were still in Germany. It sucked that they couldn’t be there when I graduated but that’s just how life works.
    “After that I was stationed to Ft. Bragg. I loved being Airborne, just like Dad. About a year in I deployed for the first time. It was rough but I try not to think about it too much. I was engaged to a girl named Chelsea while I was deployed but when I came back I found out she was cheating on me so I left her. I wasn’t even upset – I had planned on breaking things off anyways. She wasn’t who I wanted to spend my life with. I realized that while I was in Afghanistan and I didn’t miss her at all. After my time in Bragg, I went to Ft. Campbell and from there I ended up here.
    “I’m no longer in an Airborne unit since there isn’t one here, but I am okay with that. Jumping out of planes got old anyways. All I care about is that I’m close to Dad and can take care of him. He needs me here. Mom’s death has been rough on him. I feel like he took his last breath with her three years ago.”
    “I am so sorry about that, Braden. I feel so bad for not being there for you through all this.” I reached out to touch his hand and instantly regretted it when I felt a familiar sensation go through me. By the look on Braden’s face, he had felt it too. I was in so much trouble.
    “Don’t feel bad. It’s in the past. Though I can’t say I didn’t often wish that I could talk to you about all that but what matters is that you are here now. I am so glad I found you again, Skye. I missed you.”
    “I missed you too, Braden. I hate that I was so selfish and stayed away. Back then I couldn’t handle just being friends with you. I had loved you so much. I hated my dad for taking me away but I realize now that it wasn’t his fault. It’s just how life is in the army.”
    “What about now? We could be more than friends.”
    “Braden, we already went over this. I just left my fiancé. Granted he was a cheating asshole, but I am still not over it. If you can’t be my friend maybe it’s better if I leave now. I don’t want to lead you on.” I put the napkin I was holding down and was getting ready to get up and leave.
    “Stop! I don’t want you to leave, Skye. I’m sorry I shouldn’t have gone there again. I can do friends. I... I had just hoped that you felt the same thing I am feeling.” I could see the hurt in his eyes and I hated myself for putting it there. How could he still feel that way about me after all those years? After I walked away from him and gave up on us? He couldn’t possibly still be in love with me – we broke up forever ago.
    “Okay, I will stay. But if you ever feel like you can’t do this and can’t simply be friends please let me know. I really do not want to hurt you, Braden. I might be damaged from what Oliver put me through but I am not heartless and I care about you. I always have.”
    “I already told you I will take you anyway I can get you. I would rather cut my tongue off than risking you walking away from me again. I didn’t only miss my girlfriend I missed my best friend as well.”
    I was glad that Braden agreed to be friends. As much as I was still attracted to him, being friends was all I could handle at the moment. I thought I was going to marry Oliver. There was no way I would get over that any time soon. The wounds were still too fresh and I doubted I would ever heal from them.
    “Have you seen Fast and Furious 6 yet?” Braden interrupted my thoughts of Oliver.
    “No I haven’t. I have wanted to see it but haven’t had the time to go.”
    “Okay, Fast and Furious it is. We should probably head out considering I still have to go home and change. The movie starts at 9:00 p.m.”
    I looked at my watch and noticed two hours had flown by in no time. Spending time with Braden had always had that effect. When we were together time went by fast, sometimes too fast.
    Braden refused to let me pay for my dinner and once he covered the bill we left