There Were all The Signs

12. Coming Home

Sam

    I am on the last leg of my book tour. For the past four months I have been to thirty different cities all over the country. I just got back from a book signing at a small bookstore in Austin Texas. The small bookstores are my favorites because of all their charm. I also like being a newer author and bringing new customers to the local businesses. 

    Tomorrow I travel to Fort Worth. I am really happy to have the evening to myself. I have been missing just snuggling on my couch with a book and a glass of wine and that is what I plan for tonight. I get a few chapters into the book when there is a knock at the door.

    "Just a second," I yell, untangling myself from the blanket I am wrapped in. My klutz comes out when I trip and fall over the blanket and land face first on the carpeted floor. I push myself up and run to the door.

    "Sorry to keep you waiting," I say flinging the door open thinking it is my publicist.     

    "You're worth the wait. What was that big thud?" Marcus asks standing in front of me looking perfectly put together. It isn't fair that he looks so good while I look a hot mess.

    "What do I owe the honor?"

    "Oh you know I figured I would drive up and finish out your last couple stops with you and then take you back to my place so we can be there when Miller gets back."

    "That sounds like a great plan. Why didn't you tell me you were coming? You seem to like to drop in on me when I look a mess."

    "I just like surprising you. You going to let me in?"

    I realize we have just been hanging in the doorway. I move out of the way to let him in. I turn around and shut the door and when I turn back to the room Marcus sweeps me up in his arms and pushes me up against the door and captures my lips with his.

    "I missed you babe," Marcus says pulling away.

    "I missed you too. I was just relaxing, having a glass of wine and doing some reading. Do you want to go do something, get dinner?"

    "How about we chill inside and you can keep relaxing? You have been non stop for four months. How about we order some food and I give you a foot rub?"

    "Were you sent from Heaven? Seriously I don't think you could be more perfect!"

    He grabs my hand and leads me to the couch. Seeing the mess of my blankets he looks back at me with a questioning look.

    "Ok that noise was me falling on my face. Although I am very coordinated on the field I sometime like tripping over my own two feet."

    He just smiles at me, holding his laugh in and pulling me down on his lap on the couch. 

    "You know every time I am near you I find you more adorable than before," he says snuggling me and kissing my temple. 

    "So tell me what's new."

    "Well I finished your book."

    "Oh no. Ok give it to me, what did you think? And don't lie I won't break up with you if you don't like it."

    "Romance isn't my preferred genre but I thought the story was great, it really captures your attention."

    "Awe honey, that's sweet," I say giving him a kiss. I was really scared about him reading the book. I am not sure why. Was it because I was scared he wouldn't like it? No not really. Was it because I pulled a lot of the story from my own feelings of what love is? Pulling thoughts and stories from my own past? Yeah that is probably it. 

    "I want to say that I am proud of you but at the same time I am thinking that I never knew you not to be a writer. Everything you have done you have done all on your own and that makes me even more proud."

    "You know I like to think that I am above needing praise but I would be lying if I said I don't feel amazing hearing it."

    "You could hear it every day if you would just move in with me."

    "We have only been seeing each other for six months and we live so far away."

    "But we don't have to. You can write here and I will travel with you when ever you need to go to New York to see your editor."

    "How about I keep thinking about it?"

    "I want you to be sure but can you make me a promise?"

    "Depends on what it is."

    "Will you promise that you will give me an answer before you go back home from this trip? I want us to move forward."

    "I promise I will try and have an answer for you before I leave."

    "That's all I ask. Now come here and let me give you that massage."

    We laid on the couch and watched a few movies while he rubbed my shoulders, played with my hair and rubbed my feet. Even though he says he isn't into romance novels he has to be the most romantic guy I have ever met. 

    "So do you know what day Miller is suppose to be back? My tour ends Friday and I haven't heard anything from him in the last month. When was the last time you talked to him?"

    Marcus gets a really uncomfortable look on his face. "Well he is suppose to come back next week. I don't know the exact day either. Last time I spoke with him he asked me to check in on Brittany and we didn't talk about much else. I gave him some really bad news though and I question if I made the right decision telling him."

    "You want to share with me?"

    "Well I just spoke with him last week. I went to his house to see if Brittany was ok. When I got there her car was in the driveway but when I knocked no one answered. I tried the door and it was unlocked. Miller said he hadn't heard from her in over two weeks because he had just got back from mission and she didn't answer his call before he left or when he got back. I wanted to make sure she wasn't hurt. Once I got in I heard some noises that made me think that she was hurt. I followed the noise up to their bedroom and that is when I finally realized what I was hearing."

    "What was it?"

    "Brittany was having s*x with someone else. That was what I was hearing. The door was cracked open so I decided to take a video of it. It is horrible, but I wanted proof because just telling someone what is going on  isn't always believable. So I took a video of just the sounds but then I realized the guy wasn't saying anything anymore so I cracked the door further open so I could have a visual. What I saw and the things she was saying was just horrible. I sent him the video."

    "You what?" I asked sitting up in my seat so I can look at him eye to eye.

    "I don't know at the time I was so pissed, it was all I could do not to bust in there and beat the s**t out of the guy. If I wasn't against hitting women I would have went after her too. I thought about it before I hit send but I felt like if it were me I would want Miller to tell me."

    "I am not against him knowing, he should know the truth but knowing Miller, he is probably beating himself up and doing something dangerous because there is nothing he can do right now. That f*****g b***h! I knew she wasn't right for him."

    Marcus gives me a look and it sends my anger up another degree. He's looking at me sideways like there is another reason I don't like her.

    "What?"

    "Nothing."

    "Why are you looking at me like that?"

    "I didn't say anything. I agree with you she is a b***h but they did seem to have a solid relationship. They were always really happy together."

    "Who does that though? What was she saying that was horrible?"

    "I would rather not say. I think if Miller wants to share that information that is up to him. It was some personal stuff."

    "Yeah, I get that. Poor Miller. I have to get all my sympathy out now because he won't let any of us feel sorry for him when it all comes out."

    "Have you stopped to consider that he might want to stay with her?"

    "Would you? Stay with her I mean."

    "It's hard to say. Love can make you do things that you wouldn't normally do. Like love someone while they love someone else."

    "Do you think she loves this other guy?"

    "No I think it was just s*x but I don't know that was all I saw."

    "Wow. I don't know what else to say. So that was the last contact you had with him? Have you heard from Brittany or his parents since?"

    "I heard from his parents that he would be home this week but that is all. It is actually earlier then he was suppose to come home but they seem clueless about anything between Brittany and him. That is why I am wondering if he decided to stay with her."

    "I would be surprised if he did. There are a few things we discussed growing up and cheating was something we were both very adamant about never forgiving."

    "Well I guess our answers will be given in a few days when we see them."

    "Yeah I guess so."

    We ordered some pizza and laid out on the couch being lazy the rest of the night. I kept thinking about what I learned tonight but I didn't bring it up anymore. I had a feeling that Marcus was uncomfortable talking about it.

**

    The next few days Marcus drove me to each book signing. Between the road trip and our nights together, my love for him just grew more. He is seriously the sweetest guy I have ever dated and I can't help but wonder how he was still single. But at the same time I think of myself as pretty wonderful and I too was single. I guess sometimes the good ones slip through peoples fingers.

    We were at Marcus's house, I finished my last signing yesterday and now we are waiting for Miller to get in. Mrs. Smith called Marcus yesterday to let him know Miller's flight gets in at 2:00 pm today.

    "So listen, I told you what happened because you asked and you are my girlfriend but can you act like you don't know. It isn't my place to tell any of Miller's business and I feel like he should be the one to tell anyone he wishes to."

    "Agreed. I won't say anything."

    "Ok you want to grab something to eat before we head to the airport?"

    "Let's just get a small snack here. I am sure after six months of chow hall food, Miller is going to want some real food."    

    "Sounds good to me."

    We went and got a sushi roll from a local restaurant and shared it sitting on the tailgate of his truck overlooking a lake. Looking around at the big trees that shaded the sprawling lawn, I took a big breath and started to think of how nice it would be to write in a place like this. I love writing in New York but sometimes it is hard to find a place with pure peace. In the coffee shops everyone is a writer of some sort and some of them like to talk loudly about what they are writing and it becomes hard to concentrate. I am so scared to pick my life up and move for a guy. I love being independent and making it on my own and only relying on myself but at the same time it gets so lonely living that way.

    I also have a new terror haunting me. Look what just happened to my best friend. What if that happens to me and I gave up all my independence? If Miller does bring up what happened to me I will ask him if he saw any warning signs before. Because although Brittany was nothing but a brat in my eyes that doesn't mean she ever acted that way to him. I have absolutely zero signs that Marcus is anything but a truly genuine person. He is amazing, I almost feel as if I do not deserve him.

    "It's such a nice day."

    I smile at him in response and when he finally looks at me I lean forward and give him a firm kiss.

    "What was that for?"

    "For being you," I say smiling.

    "In that case.." he says giving me a passionate kiss in return. He licks my lips and our tongues start to tango, deepening the kiss. "That's for being you," he says pulling away. 

    We enjoy a few more minutes wrapped up in each other and then we clean up our mess and head to the airport.

    "I made us signs," I say taking them from the back seat.

    "Oh yeah let's see them."

    I showed him two signs one said, "Congratulations on your s*x change" and the other says "I hope you are still attracted to men because I still love you."

    "Is it too funny with everything going on?"

    "Hopefully it can lighten the mood somewhat."

    "That was what I was hoping for. Ready?"

    "Yup," he says grabbing the second sign in one hand and my hand in the other.

    When we get inside we see a bunch of families in small patches all over waiting for their loved ones too. We search for Miller's parents and when we finally find them we see Brittany standing with them. She has a sign as well that say "M Smith report for duty". My back arched up like a cat getting ready to scratch someones eyes out. How f*****g dare she? I felt my hand be squeezed and I looked over at Marcus and he gave me a knowing look. I can see he is just as pissed but I can tell his eyes are reminding me that I promised not to say anything. I just couldn't imagine Miller staying with her but if she is hear she obviously doesn't know anyone knows what she has been doing.

    I plaster a smile on, I can do this for my friend. I walked up to their small group and give Miller's parents a hug. 

    "Oh, dear I am so glad you two could make it. He should be out any minute. You brought signs, let me see," Mrs. Smith said.

    I started laughing and I showed her my sign and then Marcus held his up for her to read after. Both of his parents were laughing but Brittany is giving us a death look.

    "You couldn't be a little more mature? He was just in a war and now he comes back to your stupid jokes."

    I wanted to show her who was a joke. If only I could bash her face in without everyone in this airport wondering why. I take a deep breath and just smile, "It's so nice to see you again Brittany, very cute sign you got."

    "Yeah I saw it online thought it would be funny."

    "So when's the last time you heard from Miller," Marcus asks. I guess even though he isn't going to bring up what he knows, he is trying to figure out where everyones head is at.

    "Oh I spoke to him yesterday when he got to Ireland for his layover. He said he couldn't wait to get back to me."

    Again I feel so confused. The Miller I know would never be able to get past cheating. I didn't even see the video and I know him seeing those images, he would never be able to get those out of his mind. Again I bite my tongue so I don't let it lash out.

    "Is he wanting to go straight home or is he wanting us all to get together for a late lunch?"

    "He didn't say. But I am sure he will want to go home so we can have some time alone, I am his wife."

    "Oh dear, don't worry we will give you two your time alone but Miller actually asked me last night if I would host a small get together with just the six of us for some cocktails and snacks," Mrs. Smith replied.

    This seemed to piss Brittany off. I assume it is because Miller didn't tell her of this plan. Well, well plot thickens. 

    The crowd around us starts to get excited so I turn and face the hall where the escalators come down from the gates and I see men and women in military uniforms coming down to greet their families. I instantly feel myself start tearing up watching them hold their children and spouses. I feel the sacrifice they made and I just want to hug each one of them. It also makes me so sad to know that Miller doesn't get this happy welcome, not knowing what was done while he was away.

    Never the less I see him walking our way and to my surprise he has a huge smile on his face. He walks up and gives his mom a hug and kiss and then hugs his dad, and then he turns to Marcuse and I laughing.

    "You two are assholes!"

    "Does that mean you still love me?" Marcus asks smiling big.

    Miller gives us both hugs and kisses me on the cheek. "Thanks, Sam, I needed the laugh and I know this knucklehead didn't come up with the idea. We are all laughing and then I feel an icy stare coming from the center of the circle and I realize Brittany is pissed she is the last to be greeted.

    "And I saved the best for last," Miller says picking Brittany up and spinning her around in a circle. When he stops he plants a kiss on her mouth. 

    He is smiling and seems so happy to see her. I look to Marcus with a what the hell look. He just shrugs his shoulders. I was not prepared for this and I don't know if I can keep my cool.