Always Army Strong

Chapter 4

        "We came to visit you before you left! We couldn't bare you leaving without final words from us. So here we are." Dani explained, gesturing their arrival. "Dean and I want to take you out to dinner to talk." 

       "Sounds great! Let me grab my wallet!" Nicole responded.

        "Heck no! We've got this." Dean insisted, with a pearly white, perfect smile lighting his face.

        They headed to Dean's car, a black sports car. Dani hopped in the back seat. Dean opened the door for Nicole as she slided into the passenger seat. He made his way around the car to the driver's side. As they begin the drive to the restaurant, Nicole started to hate the fact they can't be together. Not only was he an extremely attractive guy, but he was also a gentleman with a kind heart. Though his perfect brown hair, emerald eyes, and super toned muscles didn't hurt anything.

        Nicole had a hard time looking away from his perfectly tan skin. All she could think about was how good it would feel to kiss him again. To have someone worth fighting for back at home. He noticed her stare out of the corner of his eyes and a slight smile crept upon his face. He reached for her hand and held it for the rest of the ride. His hand felt warm and firm, like he knew exactly what to do to make her fall for him all over again. 

        They pulled up at the restaurant and made their way inside. The restaurant had dim lighting and dark furniture. The music was borderline too loud, and the tables were dressed with a nice white cloth. Nicole seemed to be a tad bit underdressed. 

        "Y'all didn't tell me that it was a formal place! Look at me! It's a wonder they even let me in!" she complained!

        "We wanted to surprise you with a nice dinner before you left. Plus you make anything look pretty," Dean attempted to justify the situation.

        "Oh stop, that was cheesy even for you!" Dani exclaimed laughing. 

        "Yeah, that was pretty lame," Nicole said blushing and chuckling to herself. 

        The waiter showed them their table, and Dean gently pulled out the chair for Nicole before sitting himself. The waiter handed out the menus and told them the specials before he walked away.

        "So, Nicole, you are really going into the military?" Dani asked incredulously.

        "Yup! It's official. I will be a patrol explosive dog handler for the army, with training at Fort Hood!" she answered excitedly.

        The waiter took everyone's orders and brought out their drinks. Dani and Nicole began to get into a deep conversation about all the small military details. They were smiling and laughing thoroughly entertaining each other. Meanwhile, Dean played with his fork in his own thought. He couldn't stand all this military talk. The more they talked the more annoyed he got. 

        The waiter brought out the food and the conversation simmered down a little bit as they ate. When they finished eating, Nicole and Dani continued right where they left off. Dani asked about what it would be like to be surrounded by hundreds of guys all day. Dani even mentioned that a few of them could be extremely hot. Dean had reached his maximum annoyance level and finally snapped. 

        "So you are just leaving everyone you love here," Dean grumbled. 

        "Unfortunately, yeah," Nicole stated. 

        "And what are they supposed to do while you're gone? What are they supposed to do if you die?" Dean snapped. 

        "I don't know," Nicole mumbled, "I guess I didn't really think about that."

        "No! You didn't! If you thought, for one second, how I would feel if you died you wouldn't be going," Dean revealed, before jumping up from the table and rushing out. 

        Nicole looked down at the table eyes rushing from side to side. She didn't mean to hurt anyone. This was never supposed to happen. This was supposed to be a happy time when she got to say goodbye to her past, and hello to a wonderful new future. It never hit her that maybe there were some people that loved her and would miss her more than she thought. 

        "Well I didn't see that one coming. Let's go, I got the bill." Dani offered.

        Dani and Nicole headed out to the car, and saw an expectant Dean waiting in the drivers' seat. The girls made their way over and they all headed home.

        The car ride was uncomfortably quiet. No one said a word. Dean drove. Dani and Nicole looked out their separate windows. Music did not even come out of the steroes. Nicole never wished to be at home watching Netflix more than she was now. As they pulled up to her house Dean readied himself for something difficult.