Saving Easton (Oakside Military Heroes Book 2)(19)

We’ve reached the courtyard door, and Easton pauses, so I ask, "Want to go out? We don't have, too."

The courtyard has no roof and is exposed to the elements and surrounded by the walls of the building, so it's not as scary as going outside with all the wide-open spaces.

I watch Easton look the courtyard over and think about it. I won't push him. I want him to feel in control.

"Not today, but maybe next time," he says.

"Okay, ready to head back?"

He nods, and we turn back right, as the kitchen guy comes from the hallway that leads to the dining room. He sneers at me, and I know he has to walk by us to get back downstairs.

I try to get ahead of Molly, but I'm not fast enough. She growls and barks at him, and then lunges towards him, as he gets closer. This makes him drop the tray of dishes, causing them to shatter on the wood floor.

"Molly, no! Sit!" I yell, and though she obeys, she still continues to growl at the guy. Lexi and Noah arrive to see what’s happening.

"Get him out of here." I all but growl, and then I turn to Easton, who has his back pressed against the wall, and a glazed look on his face. He’s staring past me, but I know he isn't here. His whole body is trembling.

I take a hesitant step towards him, trying to get into his line of sight.

"Easton, it's me, Paisley. You’re okay. I'm right here. Can you look at me?" I ask in a gentle voice.

He blinks, and the shaking starts to subside, but he’s still somewhere else. His nurse, Kaitlyn, his doctor, and the therapist are all now here.

"I think it's your voice." Dr. Tate, his therapist, says.

I nod and keep talking. "Easton, you’re safe. You’re at Oakside right here with me and Molly."

With the kitchen guy gone, Molly is now back at my side, looking up at me.

I nod to Molly, as she’s the only one who can touch him, and might pull him out of this.

"Gentle, Molly," I say, as she walks up and rubs against his leg.

"Easton, Molly wants to go back and sit in your room. She wants her Easton time. Can you come back to me?"

This time he turns his head in my direction, but his eyes are still fixed and glassy.

"Paisley?" He says, his voice dry and gravelly.

"Yes, Easton. It's me, and I'm right here. You’re safe."

He blinks a few times, and his eyes focus, and then he starts petting Molly.

"There you are," I whisper.

His eyes stay on me and mine on him for a few moments.

"Let's get back to your room."

The lobby has been cleared out. I'm sure thanks to Lexi and Noah, who are standing in front of the desk.

"I'm sorry. Molly has only acted like this with two people, and that guy is one of them," I tell Lexi and Noah.

"She's protecting you. Both of you," Noah says.

"Take care of Easton, and we can talk later," Lexi says.

When we get back to his room, he collapses into his chair, and Molly climbs into his lap.

"What can I get you? Water, food, shot of whiskey?" I ask.

"Only you. Just talk, please."

I sit down in my chair and tell him about my conversation with my dad last night, and how things are going with Atticus and Jake. After several minutes, he seems much more relaxed.

"You did really well today all things considered." I pause. "Can I ask you a question?"

"You can ask me anything, Paisley. I don't think there’s anything I won't tell you."

"Where did you go just then?" I ask, hoping maybe understanding will allow me to help him in the future.

"When I was imprisoned, they would take turns coming in and beating on me, yelling, screaming, talking, or whatever the torture for the day was. I never knew what tactic they would use next. I had no idea what information they thought I had, but I didn't have it. So, after a few weeks, I learned when they came in to just zone out. Stare right ahead and block it all out. I'd go back to the summers when we were at the beach, fishing, and swimming."

"Is that why you wear long pants and long sleeves? To hide the scars?"

"Yeah." He rolls up one of his sleeves. First, my eyes are drawn to the beautiful ink there, but then, I see the scars that slice through his skin and the burn marks.

"Do you have any more ink?" I ask him.

He stares at me, and I know that’s not what he was expecting me to say, but he shakes his head.

"Yeah, a lot more," he says.

"Maybe, when you’re ready, you’ll show me. I always thought you'd look hot as hell with some tattoos."

This time I get a real smile from him, just a small one, but it's a victory nonetheless.





Chapter 13





Chapter 13


Paisley





Today, I'm having lunch with Lexi at her house. They live in a beautiful colonial house that’s next door to Oakside, and the best part is I can bring Molly. Lexi even said she’d cook up a hamburger for her, so I know she will be happy.

I pull up to her house and look off towards Oakside. You can't see it from here, because there are a bunch of trees that separate the properties, but I know Easton is close.