Saving Easton (Oakside Military Heroes Book 2)(28)

"What is it, Brooke?" I ask.

"Well, there’s no doubt you’re helping him more than anyone here has been able, too."

"But?" Lexi asks.

She sighs. "But I just want you to be careful that he isn't using you as a crutch to get better. This is an odd time to start a relationship. Lexi can tell you from experience, so just be cautious."

"Brooke is a worrier," Lexi says softly.

"Comes with the territory of losing your parents and seeing what I have, being a nurse." She shrugs her shoulders.

"I won’t lie and say it hasn't crossed my mind. But I just can't think Easton's changed that much, because I know he wouldn't do that."

Needing to shift the spotlight, I turn to Lexi. "That leaves you, Lexi."

Lexi smiles and looks into her drink.

"Things with us are good. We have been trying for a baby. Just fun trying, and nothing too much. Noah is thriving at Oakside helping the guys out and all. The news I have isn't really guy related, though."

"Oh, yeah?" I ask.

"Well, remember Owen and Ellie, when they came with their two girls to tour Oakside?"

"He's the billionaire that lives in Knoxville, right?" I ask.

"Yes. Well, they’re doing a family trip this summer, and that leaves Ellie's friend, Mia, who is their nanny, free for the summer. She contacted me, and we talked. She’ll be coming here, staying with me, and volunteering at Oakside for the summer."

"That's great, but if you’re trying to have a baby, are you sure you want someone staying with you?" Mandy asks.

"Oh, the basement is a walk-out basement and was set up as a two-bedroom apartment, when we bought the place. We kept it the same, so she’ll be able to come and go as she pleases, and my dad installed a security door at the top of the stairs here, so we just have to remember to lock it more." Lexi says with a slight blush on her face.

We all laugh. We spend another two hours talking and chatting, before everyone heads out to pick their places to sleep.

After taking Molly out for the night, I go to the family room, where they have a large sectional couch. I grab a blanket, curling up with my head in the corner, and Molly on the other side, cuddling up with me.



Me: Goodnight, Easton. Hope you and Noah had a good night.

Easton: We did. I'm glad you texted. I was thinking of you, and it was stopping me from sleeping.

Me: Well, Molly and I are curled up on Lexi and Noah's couch for the night.

Easton: Okay, sunshine. Get some sleep, and I’ll see you for dinner.

Me: I really like when you call me that.





Chapter 18





Chapter 18


Easton





It was very hard to sleep last night, knowing Paisley was so close, but not here with me. But I'm glad she had girl’s night and got to hang out with friends. Even though I know they were talking about me, and I wanted to ask, but figured it best not, too. I'm still new to this whole couple thing, and I haven't seriously dated before, so I'm still learning.

"Hey," Noah greets me.

"Man, aren't you sick of me yet?"

Noah hung out with me, while the girls did their thing. He said Lexi kicked him out of the house, and I needed the distraction, so it worked out. We had dinner, then played some cards, and just talked, more than we have in the past. Noah is a great guy, who also got dealt a shit hand, when an IED blew up and injured most everyone in his unit.

If you ask him though, he doesn't regret it, because it brought him Lexi, and he's channeling it all into this place, and I’ll agree, it's a great outcome for him.

"Playing cards with you? Yes, but I heard back from the cop on Alec, the kitchen guy, and wanted to tell you." He comes in and sits on the couch.

"Is it that bad?" I ask, reading his face.

"Yeah. His fingerprints tied him to another name out of Atlanta. He has several warrants out for his arrest, including rape and murder. Apparently, he stalked a girl he worked with for months, hounding her for date after date. She kept turning him down, so he kidnapped her, brutally raped her, and then murdered her and dumped the body, and fled. The body was discovered the next day and has his DNA all over it."

"Didn't you do a background check on him?"

"Of course, I did with the name he used. It's his brother’s ID, who hasn't talked to him in a decade. They look a lot alike, so they passed with the company we use."

"Well, you obviously need a new company," I mutter.

"I obviously need you, so do us all a favor and hurry your ass up here."

"How did you find out about me?"

I did security and intelligence work in the military. It's something I hadn't shared with Noah, though.

"Doing some digging. I was hoping to find something that might help you back when you weren't talking, except for a grunt here and there."

"Maybe, let's not mention the gory details to Paisley?"

"I’ll let you tell her, and I plan to keep the gory details from Lexi as well."

Noah leans forward, resting his elbow on his knees and folds his hands. “Listen, I know you still aren't talking to your therapist.”