LFAW Excerpts (Amy's Story)

“What am I to you, anyway? Just someone to sleep with occasionally when you can’t get laid, or do I actually mean something to you?”
 “Good Lord, Amy!” He stopped halfway to the front door and spun around. “Is that what you think?”
 “What am I supposed to think?” Angry tears rolled down her cheeks. “Last year, I never dreamed I’d even see you again then I thought I’d surprise you when I got that free ticket. You called me your girlfriend and told me you loved me, so...”
 “That’s right.” He walked over and took her hands. “I love you. I broke up with Jeri as soon as I got back, because I couldn’t get you out of my head.”
 “Wait a minute.” Amy stepped back. “You... I thought you had already broken up with her when you met me.”
 Matt shook his head. “We’d had a huge fight, because I wouldn’t bring her with me. Then I met you. I thought Jeri and I would maybe get back together, but after being with you...hell, I couldn’t get you off my mind, so I quit seeing her. I was planning to look you up this fall, but you showed up on the base in July.” He pulled her inside the house. “Do you want to go upstairs or get something to drink?”
 Amy shook her head, digesting everything. She circled the room as Matt went to get a beer for himself. “So, what you said in California was true; you wanted to keep seeing me, and the fact you’ve not seen me for a week was due to...?” She raised an eyebrow at him.
 Matt sat down in a chair and looked at the floor. “My friends kept me busy. I...I slept all day, and I knew you needed your sleep, so...” He gestured with his hands.
 “And with your friends all partied out, you just happened to remember my number?” Amy gave a short laugh and rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I can tell you really care about me.” She sat down in a corner of the couch. “Thanks, Matt.”
 “It’s not like that. It’s just, you’re not like anyone I’ve ever been with. You...do something to me, something I can’t explain.” He ran a hand through his blonde hair.
 Amy stared at him and raised an eyebrow. Oh yeah? I can’t wait to hear this.
Matt continued to drink his beer. He crushed the empty can and sat down in the chair across from her.
 “All right, it’s like this. I love you. And, but you scare me. I don’t want a repeat of my friends trying to take you away from me.”
 “What do you mean, I scare you?” Is he serious?
 Matt cocked his head and leaned forward. “Remember I once told you I thought you looked like the serious type, the kind that doesn’t party very much?” Amy nodded. “Well, I always thought I liked the party girls best, the ones that let loose and have a good time. You’ve shown me that’s not the type of girl I want at all. And if I’ve had that all wrong, then what else have I screwed up?”
 Amy laughed. “Maybe you’re just going through a change.” She stood and perched on the padded arm of his chair. “I never dreamed I’d fall in love with someone I’d only see twice a year.” She gasped as Matt hooked an arm around her waist, spilling her onto his lap.
“Sometimes, you just have to trust your feelings.” She sighed as his lips covered hers.
 “Now that we’ve got that settled, am I forgiven?”

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An arm draped around her shoulders. Startled, she turned to find Troy also watching
the foursome weaving their way to the keg. “You, my dear, are in need of refreshment.
Here.” He offered a cup of the golden, frothy alcohol.

“No thanks; I’m not a beer drinker.” Amy shook her head.

“You know, if you were my girl, I wouldn’t leave you unattended.”

She shook off his arm. “Why don’t you go find someone else to charm?”

“Just doing my job as head chauffer. Your friend seems to be enjoying herself, why
don’t you do the same?” Troy nodded his head at the other couple.

Amy observed Stephanie laugh at something Don said, and taking his arm, walked
toward the now-roaring bonfire. She rubbed her bare arms, the night air getting a little
chilly. “You’ve got a point. I think I’ll wander around.”

She followed the other couple toward the fire and found Matt pumping the last of the
beer from the keg. His infectious smile directed at the girl on his left as he handed the full
cup to the girl on his right. Amy felt an arm slide around her waist at the same time Matt
looked at her, his smile quickly fading. She turned her head as Troy’s low voice and
warm breath caressed her ear.

“It’s just me, don’t worry.” She tried to pull away, but he held her in place. “I think a
little jealousy is in order. Slagal’s an ass to ignore you like this.”

“Will you quit it?” She hissed. “It’s his party; he has a right to mingle. He just hadn’t
seen me yet, that’s all.” She succeeded in pulling away as Matt slapped the pump and
stalked away from the crowd in the direction of the house. “See there? You made him
mad.”

“If you know him so well, why aren’t you running after him?” Troy faced her, one
finger through his belt loop.

“He needs time to cool off. He’ll come find me in a little while, you’ll see.” Amy
looked around for Steph and Don, but they were gone.

“They went off toward the trees. I’m going to see about getting another keg. Want to
go with me?”

“No, I do not.” Amy gaped at him. You cause my boyfriend to think I’m flirting with
you and now you ask me to leave the party with you? What kind of moronic friend are
you?

Troy shrugged. “Suit yourself.” He spun on his heel and hurried toward the house.

Amy shook her head and joined a group of people near the fire. As she made small
talk, Matt came up and called her over to a private place near the garage.

“I've got one thing to say – don’t mess around with anyone here.” His blue eyes were
stormy.

Amy's pent-up shock and anger exploded. “You can't come get me, but you can leave
to pick up three others?” She struggled to stay calm, balling her fists at her side.

“Well, I'd already sent Anderson after you-“

“I know.” She thought of Troy’s earlier statement. “Would you be jealous if I did?”

Matt gave her a strange look. “No, go ahead. Do what you want.”

Amy softened her tone. “I came here tonight to be with you. The only man I’m
interested in at this party is you. And when you get that through your thick skull, you
know where to find me.”