Chapter 2
BRENT
“I haven’t even been back a week yet,” I think ruefully. And yet that didn’t stop Hillary, my cousin, from setting me up on a blind date. Goddamit. I’m really not in the mood, to be frank. I’m still in my boxer shorts, standing before the very limited wardrobe I have. After having worn nothing but army gear for the past four years, my clothes tend to be shorts and sweatpants. In fact, it’s pretty much all shorts and sweatpants because I work out like a motherfucker. That’s one thing war teaches you. Stay fit, otherwise the fight’s gonna kill you.
Sighing, I reach way into the back of my closet for the one pair of nice jeans still lying around. Fuck they’re tight. But hey, my package is my package, and it’s better to be big than small, right? I haven’t shaved in ages, but the black stubble looks okay. Kinda rugged, like I’m the laid back type. Or at least I hope that’s how I’ll come across, because laid back isn’t exactly the word to describe me. After you’ve been seen the type of gore I have, laid back isn’t really in your vocabulary anymore. Withheld and reserved, yes. But laid back? No.
Glancing at my watch, I see I’m early - you can take a man out of the army, but you can’t take the army out of the man. Not in the mood to stay in the house, where I’ll be forced to make conversation with Mom and answer questions I don’t know the answer to, I decide to go for a drive before I head to the movie theater. Reconnect with the neighborhood. See what’s changed since I left.
But I don’t get very far because I realize I’m not ready for this. For what, exactly? I feel like a pussy as I park my car, not understanding what’s wrong with me. Four years in the army and I’m scared to drive through my old hood? The only person who would understand is Cole, my buddy from the base. So I decide to give him a call.
“Brent! How are you, man?” Cole barks as he answers the phone. “How is it to be back home?”
“Weird,” I grunt. “How about you?”
“Yeah, same. I can’t get used to it. It’s good though. What are you up to?”
“I’m actually headed out for a date,” I answer.
“Yo, a date,” Cole whistles. “Didn’t we just get back? Holy hell man, you move fast. Who’s it with?”
I pause before sighing. Fuck.
“Actually, I don’t know her. It’s a blind double date. My cousin set it up.”
Cole actually giggles a little then.
“Have you seen any pictures of her?” he asks.
I’m on this one.
“Yeah,” I grunt, recalling the girl named Amy.
“Well? Is she hot?” Cole laughs. I shrug, which, of course, my buddy can’t see.
“I guess,” I rumble. “She’s, you know, blonde and little. That sort of girl.”
Cole whistles again.
“Yo dude, is that look not your thing? What’s goin’ on?”
And I don’t know what to say. Because tiny, skinny blondes aren’t my thing. I like them big and luscious, with tits that I can grip and an ass that I can squeeze. Is that wrong of me? But a man likes what he likes, and I can’t change my preferences. So I parry instead.
“I dunno, man. Guess I’ve just been watching porn for too long or something. Real girls gotta represent.”
But Cole has always been the deeper, sensitive type. He’s married, and was like an older brother to me in the Army. So I’m not surprised when he immediately gets serious.
“Brent, man, it’s okay. Don’t freak out dude. It’s just a movie.”
I clear my throat.
“Yeah, I know. I just don’t wanna go, you know? It seems pointless when I know I won’t be into the girl.”
He harrumphs like a grumpy old dad.
“Well, let your dick do the deciding. At least give her a chance. You might as well get a look at the woman first.”
“Easy for you to say since you’ve got Tiffany.”
Cole lets out a guffaw then.
“Yeah, you think that’s easier? Coming back to a wife who has all sorts of expectations of you? She’s so happy to see me, man. All she wants to do is fuck. And I’m trying my best, but it’s weird. It’s like I’m here, but not quite here yet too. At least whoever this girl is, she won’t have any expectations of you or anything. Just go out and have fun.”
And I know he’s right. So sighing, I let out another gusty exhale.
“Yeah. I guess.”
“Just follow your instincts. We’re not at the base anymore. You’re free now, and can make your own decisions. No more following orders.”
“Yeah. I know,” is my sulky reply.
“Look. Use this opportunity to get back into the groove. Do what a twenty five year-old guy would normally do if he hadn’t been in the army.”
“Which is?” I ask skeptically. “Bang girls left and right? Get pussy wherever I can after tours in Afghanistan and Kosovo?”
But Cole gets serious again.
“Yeah, kinda. Listen, for the past four years your senses have been tuned in to war. But that’s not what life is about. Not for you, and not anymore. Use your body to explore a little. Have some fun dude. Like I said, wet your wick.”
I let out a snort, although I know he’s right.
“It might feel weird at first,” Cole continues. “This is the kind of shit they don't teach you. But take it from me. All you need to do is touch a female, and your instincts will do the rest. There’s no better way to get back into civilian life than fucking around a bit.”
“You’re married!” I grunt.
“I know, I know,” Cole laughs too. “I’m not saying for me, that’s a whole ‘nuther load of crap. I’m saying for you, dude. Just get some of the rage out of your system.”
And I mutter my thanks before hanging up. Because I know my buddy’s right. Before I called him I hadn't really known what it had been that was bothering me all week. But now I’m sure: it’s some kind of weird disconnect with the civilian world. Like even going to the grocery store is surreal with the heaps of fruits and veggies piled high, and items like Choco-Puffs and Cheetos bursting from store shelves. We had none of that in Afghanistan, so coming back has been like culture shock. Maybe going on this date is exactly what I need.
So before I can change my mind I start up the car and drive to the movie theater, even though it’s still early. There’s no sense in overthinking this. It’s just a blind date. And at least with a movie, I won’t have to talk much. Thank god for small blessings.
I arrive outside the venue before any of the others and lean against the wall, my hands deep in the pockets of my jeans. I pray Hillary and Randy arrive before Amy does, to save us from awkward small talk. That stuff will kill you, and I’m not even sure I know how to do it anymore.
A few minutes pass when I hear the ticking of heels on concrete coming closer and turn my head to find myself eye to eye with a curvy brunette with alabaster skin, a round angelic face with huge brown eyes. She looks at me, smiling shyly.
“Brent?” she murmurs, confusing me.
“Unnnh?” I answer stupidly.
She smiles again and my heart literally contracts.
“I’m Janie, your date for tonight. Amy’s sick and she’s asked me to come instead,” she explains apologetically, cheeks flushing. I straighten immediately, taking my hands out of my pockets. Shit, she’s curvy and wide, and I tower over the small woman. She looks up at me like a deer caught in the headlights.
“Is that okay?” she whispers. “I know I’m not what you were expecting.”
The words are true, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing. Because this woman is exactly my type … and suddenly the night just got ten times hotter.