Love After War

Chapter 3

“NATE!” I heard Jamie yell before feeling her slam into me. 

“Oof,” I exhaled as she knocked the wind out of me. “Hey!” I lifted her up and hugged her. She had the biggest grin plastered on her face. “Boy, you’ve gotten big since the last time I saw you.”

“Well, duh,” she said and squirmed to get down, much to my back’s relief. “It’s been two years.”

“True,” I nodded. “And you’re six, right?”

“No,” she laughed. “I’m ten. You must be the dumb one.”

“Hey, I am much smarter than those two.”

“I don’t know, you did get shot,” she said, matter of factly. I gave Relda a look.

“She has ears,” was her response.

“Yeah, Nate, I can hear things,” Jamie said with an eye roll. “He must really be dumb,” she told Ace, who just snickered.

“I think it’s all those cigarettes,” Ace told her. “Making him lose brain cells.”

“Really?” Jamie said, her eyes going wide. “I am never smoking then. Now I know you are really stupid, Nate, cause Sky and Nick don’t do that.”

“Trust me, those two have done plenty of stupid things,” I told her.

“Like what?” she asked.

“When you’re older,” I said, patting her head, not wanting to get into my brothers’ man whoring in high school. She just shrugged.

“I like her,” Ace laughed. 

“Can we stop at a gas station on the way home?” I asked Relda.

“For what?” she asked.

“I need a new lighter,” I told her.

“No he doesn’t,” Jamie said. “Nate I don’t want you to get dumber.”

“Jamie, I love you,” I told her. “But until you join the military, I don’t think you should decide if I should smoke or not.”

“I don’t smoke,” Ace chimed in.

“He doesn’t count,” I told her. “He’s a weirdo.”

“Then why is he your friend?” she asked. She was getting too opinionated for my liking... too bad she couldn’t stay six and think I was the cool big brother.

“Shut up,” I told her while Relda and Ace just snickered.

When we pulled up to the house, I got out of the car and immediately lit up a cigarette. A five hour plane ride and an hour car ride were making me a little desperate for a smoke. “I’ll be in after I finish this,” I told them, savoring my two minutes of me time.

“Alright,” Relda said, heading in. 

“You’re an addict,” Ace said shaking his head.

“Mhmm,” I nodded, flicking ashes on to the grass as I leaned against the car. “And I enjoy it. Gives me a sense of calm and peace.” I dropped it on the ground and made sure to put it out before grabbing my bag and heading in. 

“Surprise!” a bunch of voices yelled. I blinked as someone threw confetti at me. I was very much taken off guard, though I should have known. I grunted as Nick and Cyrus both through themselves at me.

“Welcome home,” Nick said as Cyrus kissed my cheek. I heard Ace chuckling behind me. Oh the stories that were going to be spread around the base when we got back.

“Who’s the cutie you brought with you?” Cyrus asked, his eyes bright.

“No,” I said firmly.

“Ooh, don’t want to share him,” Cyrus grinned before slinking over to Ace. “Cyrus, Nate’s best friend.”

“How many best friends do you have?” Ace asked. “I thought I was your best friend.”

“I never claimed anyone as my ‘best friend’,” I said as I sat my bag down and made a beeline for the kitchen. I knelt down to the lower cabinet and dug around for my bottle of Angel Rum. It was the only thing that could get me buzzed.

Being half angel made most humans alcohols more like nasty water. It didn’t really do anything to me. But Angel Rum was created by the Angels in their early days before the entire race got a stick up its ass and it was toxic to full humans but just alcoholic to other beings.

“What are you doing Nate?” I heard my biological dad, Kanai ask.

“Getting a drink,” I said as I frowned, unable to find my stash. “Where’s my Angel Rum?”

“I picked it up,” he replied. “I knew you would do this.”

“Well, it’s not like I can just smoke in the house,” I said.

“You’re on pain medication,” he said. 

“No I’m not,” I frowned. “I haven’t taken any since I got out of the hospital.” Kanai gave me a look. 

“You got shot,” he said. “Three times.” He held up his fingers for emphasis.

“Uh-huh,” I nodded. “So where’s my alcohol?”

“Picked up, go enjoy your friends and family, sober,” he said and ushered me out of the kitchen. Which just led me to being grabbed by Nick and pulled to a corner of the room.

“Where are you taking me?” I asked him.

“To meet my boyfriend,” He said.

“Boyfriend?” I repeated. I don’t think I ever heard my brother say that word. 

“Mhmm,” he grinned. “He’s amazing.” I frowned when I saw Nick’s ‘boyfriend’. He definitely did not seem like the kind of guy that was all yes sirs and no ma’ams. He seemed more of the thug type.

“Hi, I’m Nate,” I said, holding my hand out to the guy.

“Altair,” he grinned, flashing me his teeth. They looked more like fangs than teeth. He took my hand and I felt his nails bite into my skin. Nick hugged the guy’s arm and was all smiles. I nodded, not sure if my brother was oblivious to the whole bad guy vibe this guy was giving off.

“Nice to meet you,” I said with a nod, before releasing his hand. What the hell was Nick thinking? “So, how did you two meet?” 

“Me and Cyrus took Ari out clubbing and I was being manhandled by this creep,” Nick explained. “And Alty stepped in and the rest is history.” I looked over Nick and noticed plenty of scratches and bruising. Nick wasn’t being abused, was he? Altair wrapped an arm around Nick and Nick just cuddled in more. No, Nick was definitely not being abused. 

I nodded. “Alright,” I said. “As long as he treats you right, Nick.”

“Trust me, he treats me perfectly,” Nick grinned. At that, I walked away. I was glad I had my dog tags on so I didn’t have to see the porn display that was sure to be going on in my brother’s mind.

“Where’s Dad?” I asked Relda when I spotted her.

“Out back, you know how much he hates parties,” she said. I moved around the crowded living room to go outside. 

“I was wondering how long it would take you to get out here,” Dad said. 

“Well, Kanai wouldn’t let me drink and then Nick had to introduce me to his new thug, I mean boyfriend,” I said and grabbed up a beer. 

“So you met him?” Dad asked. I nodded and we were obviously in the same train of thought when it came to Altair.

“I thought you didn’t drink,” Ace said, soda in hand.

“Not on the base,” I replied as I popped the tab. “But I’m home, so I drink.”

“You are the definition of unhealthy,” Ace said shaking his head. I ignored him and turned to Dad.

“So how are you doing, old man?” I teased seeing the slight graying in his hair.

“Alright,” he said. “Jamie is a handful.”

“Can’t be worse than the three of us,” I replied. We were the definition of hell on wheels. My brothers were very flirty and I was fighty. Jamie seemed normal compared to our dumbasses.

“That reminds me,” Ace said. “You didn’t tell me you were a twin.”

“I’m not,” I told him. He frowned, confused. “I’m a triplet.” He coughed a bit.

“A triplet?” he repeated. That fact always caught people by surprise. Twin was like ‘Ooh interesting’ but triplet was a spit take and a prayer to god. It was both amusing and aggravating as hell.

“Yeah, one of three photocopies,” I told him. “Where is Sky, anyway?”

“In San Francisco,” Dad said. “But he said he’d be here in a couple of weeks. Couldn’t get off with such short notice.”

“Gotcha,” I nodded and took a sip. “Probably ran out of girls here.”

“There you are!” Kanai said, looking offended that I left him inside.

“Here I am,” I said. “Want one?” I offered holding up a beer only for him to give me a look. “Right, sorry o’healthy one.” Kanai sat down at our table. Kanai was always preaching about how we should eat our fruits and vegetables and less fried and what not.

“What are you talking about?” he asked.

“My man w***e of a brother,” I replied.

“Ah, Sky,” Kanai nodded.

“The one and only,” I agreed. “Nick is just a w***e, or was it seems.”

“Altair isn’t that bad,” Kanai said.

I gave him a look. “He has ‘thug’ written all over him. He’s probably seen the inside of a prison cell.”

“Records clean,” Dad said. “I’ve searched him on every database and he’s not there.” I nodded, still not crazy about Nick’s new found love interest. 

“How long have they been together?” I asked.

“Three, four months,” Dad said.

“Damn,” I said and finished off my beer. “This might be a turning point for him.” And it was unfortunately with a guy that screamed violence. 

“Unfortunately,” Dad said. “So, Ace, how did you and Nate meet?”

“He was my commanding officer on the Special Ops team,” he replied. “We’ve been working together for the past year and a half.”

“He’s my right hand man,” I said. 

“And he let you get shot,” Kanai scoffed.

“He didn’t let me do anything,” I said. “I sent him and my other guy ahead to wait for the chopper when we were getting shot at. I held them off and ran when it arrived. They got me when I was making a break for it, Kanai. Besides, you should be thanking him. He’s the reason I stayed on bedrest as long as I did. Talk about being Corporal Hardass.”

Ace snickered. “Corporal Hardass?” Kanai asked.

“Nate’s nickname from the rookies,” Ace explained. “When Nate has to take up basic duties he tends to be harsher than the other ranks.” I shrugged.

“Better me than Ace,” I said. “Ace probably wouldn’t allow smoke breaks.” Which reminded me... it was about time for one. 

“Nope,” Ace said. “Nasty habit.” He gave me a look as I pulled out another cigarette.

“I like him,” Kanai smiled.

“You like everyone,” I said, lighting it up before walking to the far side of the yard. No sense in making them all suffer because I was the addicted one.

I felt my phone going off in my pocket. “Hello,” I said.

“Hey, Nate,” my other friend Hatter said. “Is everyone still at your parents’ house?”

“And as annoying as ever,” I chuckled. “You guys on your way?”

“Yeah, Buggs was insistent we get you a gift, but I am pretty sure you aren’t going to like it,” Hatter said.

“He’s going to love it,” Buggs said in the background. I felt myself groan. Buggs and his stupid rabbit obsession. There was no telling what that rabbit lover got me.

“Well see you guys in a few,” I said before hanging up. I savored my cigarette as everyone slowly made their way outside. Much better than the cramped living room. 

“You and Alty have the same gross habit,” Nick said, wrinkling his nose as he came up to me.

“Mhmm,” I nodded. “And I doubt either of us are going to stop anytime soon. He is treating you right, right Nick?”

“Of course,” he said, placing a hand on my arm. “Trust me, he may be a total asshole at times. But he’s really sweet and everything. He’s kinda like you. Prickly asshole on the outside but once you get close you know he’s just a big teddy bear.”

“Alright,” I said, putting my cigarette butt out on the fence. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“Which is why I’m ok with you and Dad being anal about my boyfriend,” Nick told me and gave me a hug. “It’s good to have you home, even if it's just for a little while.” I hugged him back.

“It's a whole three months Nick,” I told him. “We have plenty of time.”

“I know,” he smiled. I watched as Dad started the grill for dinner. I walked around catching up with everyone and was enjoying being around everyone. Even Ace looked like he was enjoying himself.

“We’re here!” Buggs announced when him and Hatter stepped onto the back patio. I immediately zeroed in on the box with holes.

“What’s that?” I asked, wary of it.

“Your present,” Buggs grinned, holding it out to me. I took it and sighed when I opened it up. It was a black and white rabbit.

“Buggs... what am I going to do with a rabbit?” I asked him with a sigh. “I’m only here for three months.”

“I could take care of him, Nate,” Jamie said, immediately scooping the bunny out of the box. 

“Don’t you have to get permission from Relda and Dad first?” I asked her.

“Mom, can I keep him?” Jamie asked.

“I suppose,” she said after a minute.

“Yay!” she grinned. “Buggs, did you bring a cage for him and everything?”

“Of course,” he grinned and brought her to their car to get the stuff out.

“He insisted,” Hatter said once they left. “But I figured Jamie would love to have a pet.”

“Ah,” I nodded. “What are you and Buggs up to these days?”

“I actually finished up Med school,” he said. 

“Good for you,” I said, punching his shoulder. “And Buggs?”

“He works at the gym helping train people,” he told me.

“At least it’s not a pet store,” I smiled.

“No, it’d be a rabbit store,” Hatter said blandly. “It’s bad enough he wants to get a third rabbit to be friends with Dusty and Rusty and we have a rabbit fun house all over our apartment.”

“You decided to date him,” I teased. Those two had been dating since they were eighteen, especially once Hatter realized that Buggs had been harboring a massive crush on him for a couple of years.

“Yeah... well, he’s sweet,” Hatter said with a soft smile. “You have anyone you’re interested in?”

“Nah,” I said and felt a slight sting in my chest. “I’m not interested in dating. Not since Anna...” Hatter nodded but didn’t voice his thoughts. I knew he wanted to tell me that it’s been six years and she’d want me to move on. But I couldn’t...

“Food’s ready,” Dad proclaimed and we all went in long enough to fix ourselves a plate before moving back outside where it was much roomier. Everyone talked and ate and I nursed another beer just ready to go to bed...