0.
OWEN
Four Years Ago
Pulling his fatigue cap off his head, he scrapes his nails over his scalp through his short hair. There were only two things that sucked when he joined the Army after high school: cutting his hair short and leaving his family.
He's rattled back to reality of why he's sitting in a too-small seat in the crowded Dallas airport waiting for a flight back home. Olivia, his twin sister. Their other brother, Will, called him three days ago. He made the call because Liv couldn't bring herself to do it. He doesn't remember most of the conversation other than the word 'cancer'. Everything else just faded in comparison to that. His formidable twin sister had brain cancer. His mind has been snapping between emotions like an out-of-control slide show the past three days, while he arranged to go on leave. One minute he's raging with anger and the next he's crumpling to the floor with unimaginable grief over something that hasn't even happened. His heart is aching not only for himself but for his brothers, his parents... and Lyla. She's only four years old and now her mom is... dying. It isn't fair. None of this is fair, but that most of all.
Something hits his left foot that's extended out in front of him and his head snaps up to see a mess of long black hair careening downward. On instinct, his arms wrap around her to keep her from face planting on the ground. Somehow in the mix of him trying to save her, because yes, it's a woman, she ends up sitting in his lap. "What the fuck?" She snaps, turning to glare at him over her shoulder. His eyes widen involuntarily because holy shit, she's beautiful. Like the kind of beautiful people write songs and shit about. And suddenly, he's very aware of how close their bodies are pressed together. "Why were you sticking your foot out like that?" She demands, seemingly more bothered by his foot placement than the fact she's still perched on his lap with both of his arms wrapped around her.
"I needed more room. These seats are fucking tiny." He shrugs. She's already cussed, so he's guessing she doesn't have a delicate nature that would be offended by him doing the same.
Her eyes rake over him for the first time, obviously taking in his 6'4 frame clad in army fatigues. She cocks her head to the side. "I guess you would need more room than the average person."
"I've been told I'm above average size." He fights the smile that wants to break free.
"Ah, so those extra-large boots that almost sent me to an early grave have a matching counterpart in the size department."
He can't help but smile now. "I guess you'd have to give it a test drive to see."
Her stoic face remains in place for one, two, three seconds before she bursts out laughing. She leans back until her head is resting on his shoulder. Seeing her laugh so freely makes him do the same. They both draw in lungfuls of air. She turns her head to look at him. Her lips are only inches away and he wants nothing more than to close the distance and press his lips to hers. The way her eyes are locked on his mouth tells him she's thinking the same thing. It's probably a shit idea, but he doesn't care. He kisses her. He half-expects her to pull away in horror, but she doesn't. Her body settles more against him as she parts her lips for him on a small gasp. Their tongues slide against each other like they have all the time in the world to explore one another, not like they're stealing a kiss in the middle of a bustling airport. This angle isn't exactly ideal, but neither of them are moving. He's sure as shit not doing anything to break this moment of bliss they're both trapped in right now. He doesn't really know how long they kiss for, but he knows it's long enough for him to be half-hard. She pulls away just enough to look him in the eye. She grinds her ass back against him, making him bite his cheek to keep from groaning too loudly. "I guess you aren't a liar, Mr. Above Average." She says with a devilish glimmer in her hazel eyes.
"It's only halfway through the show right now, angel." He lowers his voice so he's sure no one else can hear. "Keep grinding your perfect little ass against me like that and I promise you'll get the grand finale."
She laughs, quieter this time. "What the hell just happened?" She shakes her head.
"I don't know, but I'm not mad about it."
Her eyes soften. "Neither am I."
"I'm Owen." He tells her, stroking his thumb over her hip where it's currently resting.
"That name fits."
"Well, that's good. It would be a shame after 27-years if I discovered my name didn't fit me." She snorts out another laugh, jutting her elbow against his abs. "Ouch." He says even though it didn't hurt. "Do I get to know your name?"
"Avery."
Maybe her comment about his name isn't total bullshit because her name fits her too. "Nice to meet you, Avery."
"You too, Owen." They stay there staring at each other for a long moment before she sits up. He's reluctant to let her go because he's already grown addicted to the feel of her cradled against him. She gives him a small smile over her shoulder before standing and retrieving her bag, which fell to the floor in the commotion. "I guess I should go." She looks around.
He grabs his bag from the seat beside him, setting it between his feet. "Sit down."
"Oh, uh.... no..."
He raises his brows. "Was the kiss that bad?"
She bites her lip, eyes sparkling with amusement. "Fine." She huffs, plopping down into the seat. Her bag falls to the ground below her. "It was the best kiss I've had in a long time, maybe ever."
It was a phenomenal kiss. He knows practically nothing about this woman other than her name and the depth in those mesmerizing eyes, but he feels like he's known her for years. How that's even remotely possible, he has no idea. "It was above average."
"What's your story, Owen? Where are you flying to today?" All the levity from the last few minutes whooshes from his body like a deflating balloon and reality settles back in. The pain inside of him is threatening to squeeze the very life from his lungs. She must see the change in his expression because her face falls too. "Shit, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything."
He waves his hand in front of himself. "No, it's fine. You had no idea. It's just been a rough few days."
She nods in what looks like understanding. Maybe it's this undeniable connection that's already snapped into existence between them or some other force at play, but he feels the need to spill his guts to this woman. "My twin sister has cancer."
