Breaking the Silence (Hard Drive Book 2) (6 page)

Avery wrung her fingers together then skipped them across the screen.
While I was recovering from the explosion, we were visited by celebrities organized by the USO. Some professional athlete, basketball I think, visited me. I could not hear him as he talked. I could not respond. I had trouble reading his lips. My throat was so swollen no sound came out. I tried to speak but I couldn’t. Then, he began to make fun of me. The nurses tried to intervene and explain my condition. He did not care. He stormed out and left me in tears. I felt like a freak. I tried to get past it but have you read those tabloids? They’re full of stories of pretentious people who only care about themselves. They certainly don’t care about those who deserve the honor, the ones who defend our country.

Rico reached across the table and took her hands in his. After he caressed them for a bit, he spoke. “You are far from a freak. You are perfect. But not every celebrity is like that.”

As far as I am concerned, they are.

He gazed into her eyes as he fought back his disappointment. He could never share his greatest passion with her. If he did, she would piece the truth together, and he would lose her. How could he keep the two things he loved the most apart? It would be near impossible. But he would have to do it. He couldn’t live without either of them.

Avery followed his gaze as he stared at his vehicle.
You really love your Jeep.

Rico shrugged. “Yes. It is the first major purchase I ever made.” He chuckled. “It makes me feel like an adult.” He looked at her and smiled. “What kind of car do you drive?”

I don’t drive. I can’t.

“
Deaf people can’t drive?”

It’s not that. I know many deaf people who can drive. I just can’t.

“
Did you drive before you joined the Marines
?”

Yes. I had a cute red Bug.

“
Then why can’t you now?”

Avery shot Rico an exasperated look.
I just can’t, all right? There are many things I can’t do now since Afghanistan. Like drive. Or talk. I have learned to deal with it.

Rico raised his hands in mock surrender before he signed.
“All right. I get it.”

They chatted for a little while longer until the server returned toting their plates of food. Once their meals were set before them, they dug in. Rico slipped his credit card to the waitress despite Avery’s protest. They climbed back into the car and started again for Minneapolis.

Rico was consumed with his thoughts as Avery drifted to sleep. How long could he keep his deception up? Maybe Avery would understand his circumstances. He remembered her reaction to the magazine and sighed. There was no way she would accept the fact that he was an MMA fighter.

It was nearly midnight when he pulled up in front of Avery’s house. He reached over and nudged her awake.

She rubbed the sleep from her eyes then rubbed her closed fist against her chest.

Rico understood what she signed. “No need to apologize. It was a long ride. Plus, I liked watching you sleep.”

She smiled shyly as he walked her to the door. It was a clear, warm summer night. The moon softly lit their path as they reached the porch. It was the perfect moment for a first kiss.

Rico looked up to see Lindsay at the door watching them. He gently kissed her on the cheek. “Good night.”

Good night.

He waited as she opened the door and stepped inside, casting a final glance toward him. He stifled a chuckle as he noticed her punch Lindsay in the arm as she stormed past him.

»»•««

Avery stood at the corner, waiting patiently for the bus to arrive after her shift at work. She let go a huge yawn. Getting up at five in the morning to open the coffee shop was miserable. It was even more miserable for Lindsay, who had to get up to drive her to work. But it was Monday, and her classes started at one in the afternoon. It was the only way to get decent hours. Not that she needed the job. Since she was medically retired, her military retirement certainly paid all her bills, but her job made her independent.

Avery sighed as a small smile graced her lips.
All right. Maybe I’m a bit too stubborn.

She looked to the trees above her and watched the birds flying from branch to branch. She did miss listening to them sing. She closed her eyes and felt the sun on her face. Her thoughts drifted to her date on Saturday. Her heart ached. It had been two days since she had seen Rico, and she missed him. They had texted all day Sunday, but texting was nothing like being with him.

With a sigh, Avery opened her eyes to look for the bus. It should be there by now. Then, she startled, her eyes growing wide. Instead of the bus, Rico sat at the corner in his Jeep with a wide grin on his face.

Can I take you to class?
he signed.

She glanced from him to the bus waiting impatiently behind him. She nodded excitedly as she hopped into the passenger seat and kissed him on the cheek. He reached across and took her hand in his. This surprise was better than she could have hoped for.

At the first stop light, he turned to her. He brushed a lock of hair behind her ear.
You look tired.

I have been up since five. Lindsay probably looks worse. He had to get up to take me.

Rico frowned.
I have to be at work at six. I could drive you.

You would drive out of your way to take me to work?

Always.

She smiled at him as the light changed. How could she say no?

Rico held her hand the entire trip to the college, letting go only to sign something quick whenever they stopped. Before she hopped out to jog off to class, she promised to text him her work hours and class schedules. He kissed her forehead before she scampered off.

Avery sank into her seat in the front row so she could see the interpreter. Her mind raced. Rico had managed to kiss nearly every part of her face but her lips. What would it be like to kiss him? She closed her eyes for a moment as her imagination ran wild. Her heart raced at the thought of his lips on hers, his hands pulling her closer. She popped her eyes open as her breath quickened.

Then, she frowned.
Crap. Just missed a huge part of the lecture. It sucks being deaf. I hope someone will let me copy their notes.

She managed to miss the entire class daydreaming of Rico. She sighed. Why on earth was she getting so hung up on this guy? She didn’t even have to think about the answer. He was simply incredible. He was unbelievably sexy. He learned sign language to talk to her. He went out of his way to take care of her. How could she not fall in love with him?

The rest of the week went better than she could have imagined. Whether it was class or work, Rico was there to take her and after to pick her up. She only had to take the bus a couple times. She certainly couldn’t ask him to take off work to chauffeur her around. He would if she asked, but she could never do that. But nothing changed. She was still independent. She could take care of herself, deaf or not. Avery had to admit, though, it was nice to have a knight in shining armor.

Lindsay, however, wasn’t happy about the new situation. His face was a full out thunderstorm when she left in the morning, and he stalked the front door when she came home. Any chance of getting a goodbye kiss from Rico was long gone with her hulking, intimidating brother standing sentry on the front porch waiting for her. She huffed a big sigh. Lindsay would just need to get over it. As far as she was concerned, Rico was here to stay.

The weekend finally arrived, but it was no break for Avery. She still had her early Saturday morning class to attend. She trudged down the steps wearily. Of all the times for the air conditioning to go out, this was the worst by far. The ninety-degree day seeped into the building, making the rooms hot and stagnant. Every last person in the classroom was drenched in sweat. Even for one class, it was unbearable.

Her face brightened as she stepped out the door and found Rico in his Jeep waiting for her. She nearly ran for the vehicle. Dropping her backpack on the floor, she climbed in beside him.

He looked at her concerned. “Are you all right?”

She texted him
. No air. I baked for the last hour.

“
Do you still want to do something?”

Yes. You are the highlight of my day.

“
Where do you want to go?”

Someplace cool.

Rico thought for a moment then grinned. “I know the perfect place. But you are going to want to bundle up.”

It is the middle of summer. Where are you taking me?

“
You’ll see
.”

Rico drove her home then waited in the Jeep for her to get clothes. Apparently, he wasn’t about to push his luck with Lindsay.

He then stopped at his place. Instead of having her wait in the car, he escorted her inside. His apartment was a loft in an old, renovated warehouse, complete with the freight elevators. It was sparsely decorated with a leather sofa and chair. It was the typical guy’s apartment.

There were several MMA magazines scattered on the end tables.
He must really be into mixed martial arts.

It only took a moment for Rico to come out of his bedroom changed. Instead of the shorts and T-shirt he had worn before, he now had on a pair of jeans and a snug fitting Henley that accented his muscles. She swallowed back a moan. She hadn’t thought he could get any hotter.

He smiled. “Ready
?”

Yes.
Avery took his outstretched hand in hers. She waited as he locked the door then walked with him to the elevator.

Rico weaved from one interstate to the other until they were in Saint Paul. The entire time, he held her hand in his. He parked the car in front of a large, concrete building lined with windows.

Ice skating?
She signed.

He laughed. “You wanted to be cool
.”

That is true. But I can’t do this.

He frowned.
“
Why not?
”

“I can’t ice skate.”

“You don’t know how?”

I do. When I was young, I was very good at it. But I haven’t since I lost my hearing.

“
What does ice skating and being deaf have anything to do with each other. Do you skate with your ears
?

Of course not.

“Then what’s the problem?”

I don’t want to embarrass myself in front of you. I have pride.

“
Come on, Avery. We’ll have fun. I promise I won’t let you fall.”

She gazed at him as he grinned at her. Her eyes wandered over his chiseled physique. He certainly could keep his word. She sighed as she hopped out of the passenger seat and turned back to him.
All right. Let’s go.

“Absolutely!”
Rico jumped out with her and raced around the vehicle to take her hand. He pulled her close and wrapped his arm around her waist as they strolled in.

Rico paid their admission as Avery slipped into the restroom to change into her lightweight sweater and jeans. She watched his gaze wander over her head to toe as a smile spread across his face. He certainly seemed pleased. He took both pairs of skates the attendant offered before following her to a bench. They tugged on their skates and, carefully stepping on the thick, black mat on the floor, they made their way out to the ice.

They skated around the rink laughing, sometimes hand in hand, sometimes trying awkwardly to race each other. Avery hadn’t been ice skating in years, not since she’d lost her hearing. She had let go of so many things after she lost her hearing. She believed she could live without them. Rico had proved to her she was so wrong.

She gazed up at him as he smiled at her. He certainly was turning out to be her hero. Not that she needed one. She didn’t. But it was definitely nice to have one, just in case.

They were so wrapped up in each other, neither of them noticed the little boys that flew between them until it was too late. The last one hooked his skate with Avery’s. She was off her feet in a split second. She clenched her eyes in anticipation of the cold impact on her butt. Instead, two strong arms kept her from falling. Her eyes fluttered open, and she glanced around.

Rico caught her just as he’d promised. Her gaze locked with his sapphire blue one. She wanted to protest, to joke just how cliché this was. Here he was, cradling her in his arms after saving her from falling, his lips dangerously close to hers. They must have looked like they belonged on the front of a romance novel. But her breath caught in her throat as she clung to him, her gaze drifting to his mouth.

She gasped as he gathered her closer and softly kissed her. Her fingers buried into his hair as he deepened it, his lips parting hers as his tongue slowly grazed across her teeth then tangled with hers. Their eyes met for a moment as the kiss broke. Avery fought against her breath coming out in ragged gasps, but it was no use.
So, that’s what kissing Rico Choate is like.
It was light years better than she had imagined.

With a grin, Rico gently set her on her feet. As soon as her weight hit her left foot, she winced. His smile faded as his face filled with concern. “Are you all right?”

Avery shook her head.
I can’t put weight on my foot. I must have done something to it when I almost fell.

Rico wrapped a protective arm around her waist as he helped her from the ice. He guided her to a bench and motioned for her to sit. Before Avery could reach for her own skate, he was kneeling before her, unlacing it.

I can take off my own skate, Rico.

“I am sure you can.”

Then let me.

“
No
.”
He tugged it off carefully, so as not to cause more pain, and then started on the other one.

I am not a child.