Is this the place we used to love?

Is this the place that I've been dreaming of?

-Keane, "Somewhere Only We Know"

Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri

Miles

Showering after another day of basic training felt like the most amazing privilege of my life. I'd been at boot camp for almost a month, and while it still wasn't a vacation by any means, it was less and less awful every day. I'd been in shape before I got here, but now I was looking pretty jacked. I felt a little big-headed saying that, but hey, I earned it.

I stepped out of the shower and dried off, thinking about the fact that we had phone time tonight. Not just texting time, but actual talking time. It will be the first time I'd heard Rachel's voice since I've been there, and Luke had messaged me earlier in the week asking me to call him.

When I got back to the barracks, Sergeant Lawson was standing at the other end, addressing the company.

"All right, Company C. You all have exactly thirty minutes of phone time this evening, starting now. You can FaceTime or just have a regular phone conversation. I would suggest using headphones if you FaceTime, in consideration of your fellow soldiers." He checked his watch and nodded. "It's 5:00 pm. Go ahead and make your calls." He gave us a little smile as he left the barracks.

We all pulled out our phones and, in a few seconds, there was a dull hum through the barracks as everyone made a call. I plugged in my AirPods and tapped Rachel's name in my contacts.

The call connected immediately, and I swear, tears sprang to my eyes as soon as I saw her face.

It had been a month since I'd seen her, and I swear, she'd gotten more beautiful. "Rachel," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.

"Miles!" she exclaimed, a grin splitting her face in half. "I didn't know you'd be able to FaceTime!"

I shook my head. "Me either. I think Sarge is in an extra good mood tonight or something."

"God, I miss you, babe. How is it? Please tell me it's gotten better," she said, her eyes concerned.

I nodded. "It has. It really has. Workouts are still a bitch, but look," I flexed my bicep at her playfully. "I'm gettin' jacked," I joked.

She raised her eyebrows. "Ayyyye, you look even sexier than before." Her eyes darted up and back down to the screen, as if she were watching for something. And right then, I noticed, something in her eyes was off.

"Everything okay, Rach?" I asked, peering at her curiously. I heard some noise in the background, almost like yelling.

Rachel looked back at me and nodded, too quickly. "Yeah, everything's fine, babe."

I cocked my head to the side and appraised her. "Are Jessica and Parker having a fight?"

She shook her head. "No..."

"Then who's yelling?"

She ran a hand over her face and let the smile slide from her lips. "Brittany and Alex."

"Who?"

"You know... Brittany from my counseling program. Alex is the guy I mentioned in that one letter I wrote you, the guy she has a crush on," she said.

"Oh. Well, why are they yelling in our apartment?" I asked, genuinely confused.

"It's a long story, babe, one that I don't really want to bore you with right now," she said, and by the tone of her voice, it wasn't a story that would bore me at all.

"Rachel... tell me," I said seriously.

She took a deep breath. "Okay, but don't get mad."

"Oh good. What a great way to start a story," I said, running my hand over my short hair.

She pursed her lips and launched into this long tale about Brittany dragging the three of them – including this Alex character – to some bar on the shady side of Tallahassee. I put that in the back of my mind for later; she really didn't need to be frequenting bars like that without me. I'll admit that I zoned out for a bit, but my ears perked up when I heard the words "me, Alex, alone, pool cue, too close" all in the same sentence.

I looked at her sharply. "Come again?"

She took a deep breath. "Brittany went to the bathroom and left us alone. I had been really sucking at pool, like usual, and Alex came up behind me to show me how to shoot. I told him he was too close, and Brittany chose that exact moment to come back from the bathroom. She lost her shit and left us at the bar."

My mouth had dropped open, and I felt myself starting to Hulk out. What the hell was this guy thinking? He had to know she's taken.

"Well, why the hell did he do that?" I blurted.

"I don't know!" she exclaimed. "I asked him, but he just said he had had too much to drink and wasn't thinking straight."

I scoffed. "Yeah. Okay. Listen, let me talk to this jackass," I said, trying to remain calm.

She shook her head. "No sir. I don't think so. This is our monthly phone time. I will not waste it on this bullshit. I took care of it," she insisted.

"You 'took care of it'? If that were true, would he be in our apartment right now?" I asked.

She rolled her eyes. "Miles, he showed up here unannounced. He feels bad about what happened and wanted to try to make it right."

I scoffed again. "Okay. I'd appreciate if he left our apartment, Rachel, and I'd appreciate it even more if you stayed away from him."

She shook her head. "Miles, I can't do that. He's in my cohort. We'll be in every class together for the entirety of the program."

"Well, don't go out of your way to hang around him then," I snapped, knowing I was being too possessive, but I was blinded by rage at the thought of another man's hands on her.

She raised an eyebrow. "And what is that supposed to mean?"

"It just means, don't give him another chance to try something, Rachel," I said, lowering my voice.

She rolled her eyes. "Whatever, Miles. Look, I know you probably need to call Luke, so I'll let you go." She set her jaw; I could tell there would be no more discussion on the matter.

My eyes softened when I realized I'd hurt her. "I'm sorry baby," I started, but she shook her head.

"Don't worry about it. I love you," she said, blowing a kiss at the screen.

I pretended to catch it. "I love you too, sweetheart. Just – just be safe, okay?"

She shook her head once and then nodded. "I will. You know I will."

I smiled, and just like Rachel's on the screen, it didn't reach my eyes.

Panama City Beach, Florida

Luke

Brooke and I sat on the couch staring at my phone, waiting to see Miles' name pop up on the screen.

"Maybe he didn't get phone time?" Brooke suggested.

"Maybe..." I said, staring at the phone in my hand.

"Or maybe his phone died and he's having to use someone else's and can't remember your number?" she said, shrugging.

"May – " I started, but then the phone finally rang, and Miles' face appeared.

I answered and put it on speaker. "Miles! What's going on, brother?! How are you!?"

"I'm good, Luke! How are you? I miss you guys," he said, and I noticed a note of sadness to his voice.

"We're good. Brooke's here too," I said, and she grinned and greeted him.

"Hey Miles!"

"Oh hey Brooke! How are you?"

She grinned at me. "I'm amazing, actually."

I smiled. "Bro, we have something to tell you."

"You do? Well, what is it?" he asked, perking up a little.

I took a deep breath. "You're going to be an uncle!"

There was a moment of silence before I heard Miles roar in delight. "What?! Brooke, you're pregnant!?"

She grinned. "Yes!"

"Oh my God, guys, this is amazing. The best news I've heard in weeks. Congratulations!" he exclaimed.

"Thanks, bro," I started, but then I heard a booming voice in the background.

"Ah, that's Sergeant Lawson. Our time is up; I have to go now. I am so glad I got to talk to you guys. I love y'all," he said, and before we could answer, he disconnected the call.

I glanced at Brooke. "Something was up with him," I said, and she nodded in agreement.

"Don't worry; I'll text Rachel and get it out of her," Brooke said after a minute, and I laughed.