falling for you

chapter 2.

I'm f****d up.

Corbin pov.

the day flew by and I know that's because I'm having dinner at the Marshalls tonight. I love them they are my second family but I'm not ready to show them how f****d up I am.

and to put the f*****g cherry on top. Emma! Emma Lynn. little sunshine literally grew up and turned into a woman, a beautiful damn woman.

I know she's off limits especially with all my issues, mark wouldn't want his sister dealing with that and neither would their dad. plus the age difference.

and let's not lie I'm getting way ahead of myself she wouldn't even look twice at me. a girl that beautiful has probably got men falling at her feet.

I clean my hands up some what and knock lightly on Jim's door to let him know I'm headed out.

I hear him grunt a come in I lean my head in

" I'm gonna head out unless you need help with anything"

he waves his hand at me

" you go ahead I'm about to call it a day also"

I nod turning to leave

" you okay son?"

he asks I'm sure he can see how tense my body is, and I didn't take lunch today just worked through trying to keep my mind off this dinner

" uh yeah. just a lot going on in my own head"

I say looking back at him and he gives me a smile and a nod

" they are your friends Corbin you knew you couldn't hide out here forever"

I roll my eyes at the old man.

" not hiding just wasn't ready to face reality yet"

he chuckles

" you'll be fine. just remember you are still a war hero even if you don't see yourself that way"

with that I nod and leave. I'm not a war hero hell I got sent to the hospital in the middle of the s**t leaving my men behind.

once I got home I showered and threw on some clean jeans my boots and a t-shirt before I even made it to the kitchen my mama cornered me

" where are you headed?"

she lifts a brow at me and I can't hardly hold back the laugh

" not running away mama. having dinner at marks dad's"

this brings a big smile to her face. I guess that's good for her it'll help her think I'm not as bad off as my mind lets me think I am

" that's great honey! I knew you'd reach out today I had a feelin"

I nod giving her a smile. didn't actually reach out but don't need to tell her that part

" not sure what time I'll be home. do you need anything before I go?"

I ask

" oh nonsense I can take care of myself boy you go enjoy your night okay. and remember to breathe. do you need to bring your pain pills?"

she ask brushing her hand over my shoulder.

I shake my head

" no ma'am I'll be back later I should be fine"

she lets it go and I hug her goodbye before I head out.

I drive slow trying to take as long as possible because I know as soon as I see mark and me Marshall they are gonna want answers.

pulling in I groan as I ring the door bell. my leg is hurting today, maybe I should've taking some medicine before I came.

before I can think to long me Marshall pulls the door open giving me a large hug

" it is so good to have you back son"

I nod giving him a smile" thank you sir. good to be back I think"

he chuckles leading me into the house.

marks in the kitchen snacking, not much changes there we both eat like nobodies business

" bro! I'm so glad you made it. we've got some catching up to do. and if course beer!"

he says excited waving a beer at me

I take it with a smile.

we make some small talk while mr Marshall prepares the hamburgers.

I'm about two beers in and thankfully it's helped keep my mind off my leg when me Marshall heads out back and mark turns to me

" what happened man? you haven't said much and from what you've said you've been home for a bit but haven't reached out"

I can hear the worry in his voice and I sigh downing my beer and walking to get another.

" wasn't ready for reality mark. it's been hard."

he's silent waiting for me to finish I chug some more beer

" there was a bomb. it got me and f****d me up pretty good but thankfully no one else was badly injured. just trying to get my own head around it and being home"

he nods his head before patting my shoulder

" you know I'm always here for you man. wish you would've told me. let me know if I can do anything"

I nod before I can reply the front door burst open and in come a beautiful Emma with a small little girl hanging on her both laughing with Casey not far behind. I know Casey had a baby from marks letters and the dad ran as fast as he could when finding out.

" hey guys y'all aren't starting trouble yet are ya"

Emma asks

and I can't help but laugh along with mark

" we would never cause trouble. he's a solider and I'm a cop now we're grown"

mark replies trying to sound serious but it only makes Emma and Casey both bust out laughing.

we make small talk and I get introduced to little Miley who is by far the cutest little girl. she has everyone around wrapped you can tell.

Emma drops the bomb that Steven her boyfriend will be joining us and I try not to let my disappointment show. she isn't mine she could never be mine.

but mark and Casey both groan out and Emma rolls her eyes.

Mikey was ready to swim so the girls went to get themselves and her changed while we took the beers out back with his dad

" does it hurt?"

mark ask nodding towards my leg I'm rubbing

" like a b***h but I'm working on it"

he nods.

my attention soon goes straight to the laughter off Emma and the girls as they make their way out.

God damn why'd she had to go out on that bikini?!

I watch as she jumps in the pool without a care in the world coming up and holding her hands out to Mikey as the little girl bravely jumps to her.

Casey gets in also.

they girls play around laughing and having a good time and I can't seem to keep my eyes off of sunshine.

she has a tattoo along her ribs and one on her ankle

I'm trying not to state so I can't make out what they actually are yet.

when the doorbell rings mark groans and his dad rolls his eyes getting up.

" be nice mark"

he says before leaving to get the door

" what's the problem with you and the boyfriend"

I say sipping my beer and he huffs

" she could do so much better. he's douche bag who thinks the sun rises just for him. she couldn't even call him this morning when her car wouldn't starts because she knew he wouldn't come help her."

my eyes go wide. why would she be with someone who acts like that surely she's got her choice of men.

before I can think to much him and their dad walk into the back yard, he's still in a suit with slicked back hair. looking like he did when I left.

me Marshall hands him a beer and he thanks him taking a seat next to us. he doesn't even greet Emma.

" hey mark. uh Corbin right? thought you were in the military or something"

he says and mark groans

" yeah army but I'm back for a while"

he nods

" crazy stuff over there right now"

before I can reply mark jumps in

" dude. shut up if he wanted to talk about war he'd let you know".

Steven rolls his eyes

we go silent just watching the girls in the pool until he opens his mouth again

" don't think she's ever gonna grow up. still acts like a child"

Steven says shaking his head. I take a long sip of beer avoiding the conversation. I don't see anything wrong with her playing in the pool with miley

" she's playing with her niece I'm sure a little fun won't kill her"

mark grits out.

it's gonna be a long dinner I can tell. definitely gonna need more beer.

Emma pov.

playing in the pool with miley helped keep my eyes off Corbin. when we got here Casey was talking about how hot he was and how he kept looking at me before we left to get in the pool. I shook my head at her letting her know I still have a boyfriend and he's marks best friend she just shrugged.

we were watching Miley play in the shallow end when I saw Steven show up, we haven't seen each other in two weeks because he's been so busy working with his dad and he didn't even bother to come say hello so I ignored him

" so I hate to ask because I know it's your weekend off but mama is out of town and I already picked up extra shifts for the weekend.."

before she finished I cut her off.

" you already know I enjoy watching her case just leave her Tonight and get a good night's rest for your extra shifts. no problem"

she hugs me tight

" thank you girl I hate having to ask I'll even pay"

I shake my head at her

" no you won't. you know she's my bestie"

this makes her laugh.

we enjoy the pool a while longer before dad lets us know dinner is done. grilled burgers my favorite.

we get out and wrap up in towels. making plates before I sit down I walk inside to grab a drink for Miley.

Steven comes in behind me

" not even gonna say hello babe"

I can hear in his tone he's mad I didn't throw myself at him like he thinks I should

I shrug at him

" you didn't say anything. but hey how was your day?"

I replied sweetly

" he smiles kissing my lips

" it was okay. better now that I'm seeing you"

I give him a smile getting Miley's cup. I feel said because the sparks aren't there anymore I feel like he only wants me around to be his arm candy at his dad's events.

" so this weekend"

he starts and I sigh. there it is the real reason he came today

I stay silent letting him continue

" dad's got a dinner tomorrow so I was thinking you could spend the night at my place and go with me tomorrow"

he says rubbing up my arm

" I'm sorry Steve but I'm watching Miley this weekend".

I can see the anger on his face as he grunts

" hell Emma I haven't seen you in two weeks just tell her you can't watch it"

I roll my eyes

" that it is my niece and I'm watching her so she can work extra Steve'

" seriously? she should've thought about that before getting knocked up you can't always be a around to babysit"

I snaps and I try my hardest not to snap back

" watch it Steven. you haven't seen me in two weeks because of your dad always keeping you late so that isn't my fault you know I work the early shift most days. I can't go with you this weekend"

I turn to leave going to find my food. I could careless about him being here now if he's just gonna be a d**k.

I run into Corbin as I'm walking out

" hey sunshine where is the fire"

he jokes and I can't help the smile that comes to my face I didn't realize I was basically running out the house.

I pull back from his hard chest blushes a little

" uh no fire just hungry"

he chuckles

" sunshine?"

Steven says from behind me

and I can't help but roll my eyes

" yes he refuses to call me my name still"

Steven lifts a brow at us and Corbin shrugs

" can't say you've changed since I left so you are still sunshine"

this makes me chuckle shaking my head

" whatever I'm going to find my food".

I say walking away because I can't keep my eyes from Corbin's beautiful ones and my body is literally right there.

I shake the thoughts from the head.

sitting down getting ready to eat Casey wiggles her brows at me and my dad starts talking about my car issues.

the other guys came out and joined the conversation thankfully Corbin lets us know if shouldn't take to long to find out and fix whatever is wrong.

Casey had left and I got Miley cleaned up and in jammies soon after. my dad, brother and Corbin were sitting around a small fire catching up and Steven was on the front porch on a phone call when I came back down.

I walked out with miley and watched as she gave hugs and kisses to my dad and brother telling them goodnight she turned to Corbin and shocked us all when she wrapped her little arms around his neck squeezing he chuckled

" night sweet girl. I'm sure I'll be seeing a lot more of you"

she giggled

" alright guys I'm gonna go watch a movie in my room with her to try to get her to sleep. bub come tell me by before you head out"

I say hugging my dad

" nah we're probably gonna have to crash here tonight we've both been drinking a little much if that's okay pops"

my dad of course didn't have a problem with this

" well then goodnight in case y'all pass out before I get done"

I go and get Miley settled in my bed and let her know I'll be right back before going to tell Steve goodbye I find him still on the porch and as soon as I walk out he hangs up like usual

" well I'm gonna call it a night gotta get the little in bed"

he tried to hide his eye roll

" yeah okay. I'm gonna head home when is your company leaving"

he ask nodding towards the back yard

I shrugged

" they are gonna crash here"

" excuse me? that dude doesn't need to be staying in the same house as you"

this time I roll my eyes

" really isn't the first time they used to basically live together in highschool"

he points his finger at me some what getting in my face

" yeah okay but you aren't a little girl anymore and I don't like another man sleeping in the same house as you Emma"

I back up a little before saying

" well it isn't like anything has changed since then so it's isn't a big deal."

he lets out a huff

" whatever I've gotta go I got a busy day tomorrow"

and with that he turns and leaves and I roll my eyes. no kiss no I'll let you know when I make it safe nothing.

he didn't even tell my dad goodbye.

Corbin pov.

man I have no idea why I drank so much last night. okay well I do I was trying to numb the pain and Emma and her ass of a boyfriend. I had heard what he said to her about the babysitting and then about me crashing here.

I don't understand why she puts up with it. her dad and brother both had lots to say about the situation once he finally left and Emma wasn't around. I finally asked why mr Marshall hasn't said anything to her about it and he said he's trying to let her see on her own that he isn't doing anything but dragging her down. it really isn't my business.

now that I'm awake I can smell breakfast.

I'm sitting up trying to rub the pain in my leg away I need to get up and splash some water on my face from sweating. I had another nightmare but it wasn't anything to bad thanks to the alcohol I was passed out most the night.

before I can find my shirt there's a small knock on the door

" wake up sleepy head"

my head flies to the door and I see Emma smiling.

but I can't let her see me like this f**k the pain in my leg and I don't have a shirt on

" get out!"

I basically yell and her eyes go wide she turns her head

" I'm so sorry. uh my brother just left and said to.."

I cut her off snapping her

" I'm up just go now!"

I grit out and she closes the door quickly. I let out a breathe and stand up stretching my leg out limping around the room a little.

shit I need to apologize! she doesn't know about any of it and she was just being polite.

I go rinse my face and slowly make my way down the stairs trying not to groan. I've gotta get home and get my pills

I find Emma, Mikey and her dad sitting at the bar eating he nods his head at me sipping his coffee. I feel guilty I try to make eye contact with Emma but she doesn't look up from her food. I'm not sure if she said anything to her dad or if he heard me yell at her.

" mornin"

I great and Miley smiles real big

" I go to park today"she says bouncing making me chuckle

" sounds like a great day"

she nods her little head from her highchair.

" mornin son. gotta remember I'm not longer young can't be drinking like that"

Mr Marshall says chuckling

and I chuckle back

" alright guys thanks for a great night and a place to crash but I've gotta get home gotta check on mama"

I say

" oh no need to rush off. sit eat."

I shake my head holding myself on the counter trying to keep the weight off my leg. as much as if like to between the pain and the silence from Emma I can't do it. so I do what I do best and go hide

" thanks sir but I e gotta get going. I'll be seeing you."

he nods before getting up and putting his plate in the sink patting my back

" always welcome"

I nod

" sunshine I'll be in touch about the car"

she doesn't look at me just replies with

" okay thank you"

I make my way to my truck and lunch the steering wheel

" damn it this is why I wasn't ready to be around people! I hurt her and I didn't even mean to do it!!