Before the Wrongs: Fragile Hearts, #1

Chapter One

I HAD NOT BEEN IN the Navy Seals long, but for the time that I was, it was one of the most pivotal moments of my life. One thing that stood out the most in my mind during that time, as far as I was concerned, was the way I felt when I met my Allie.

I was still a high school senior in 1994, but once graduation would come, I was set to head off to the Seals and begin my training. We were going to be taking off for boot camp come the first of July, and so myself and a couple of the guys who were also enlisting decided to make the best of the last days of irresponsibility we had.

On one particular night in March, John, Chris, Mickey, and I all hit up a party. We were going to drink and see what kinds of trouble the four of us could get into. The majority of us had just turned eighteen right before joining the force, but Mickey was definitely the most mature. I looked up to him; he was like the older brother I never had.

We were all single with no girlfriends or obligations, so we didn’t have any real cares in the world. We were free to do as we pleased and we were going to make the most of our time. We knew we probably weren’t going to see a pretty face for months, so that night, all we wanted was conversation and possibly more with the opposite sex.

As we all huddled in a corner, laughing and nursing a few beers, I looked up and saw an angel. She was stunningly gorgeous, more so than anyone else I’d ever seen before. The place was boisterous and crowded, but everyone suddenly faded as our eyes connected.

Her long, chestnut-colored hair cascaded past her shoulders in soft curls, her cheeks were a rosy-pink, and her lips were pouty in a cherry-red tone. Her big brown eyes linked with mine, and I knew right at that moment that I had to make her mine. I had never seen anyone more beautiful.

I watched her for what felt like hours that night, and we kept exchanging glances. It was hard to follow the conversations with the guys, but I pretended to be all there. Mickey wasn’t fooled. He always was one step ahead of me.

So, you gonna go over there and talk to her, man? Or are you gonna let some other guy take her attention away? he asked, and I suddenly turned to face him.

What are you ta–

Aww, don’t give me that bullshit, man. I’ve seen the way you two have been all googley-eyed all evening. You’re digging her, and from the looks of it, she is, too. She’s totally already spreading her legs open for you, man.

The rest of the guys laughed, but all I was thinking about was how he said she was into me, too. That had to be the best thing to ever hit my ears.

Come get it, Nick! Come get it, Nick! That’s her pussy talking, Mickey said, jokingly.

There was no sense in denying it. He knew I was into her, and he wasn’t going to stop until I went over to her and engaged in a, hopefully, confident conversation.

I punched him in the arm and said, Shut up, man. She’s totally not like that. She’s an angel. Look at her... she couldn’t be any more perfect. She’s not like those other whores from town. She’s different. I know I don’t know her, but something about her is telling me she’s a sweet girl. I gotta make her mine, Mick. I just gotta.

So, go get her, man. She’s waiting for you, he responded as he chugged a mouthful of beer.

I nodded and gathered all the courage I ever had inside, making my way over to her side of the room.

Once she noticed me walking over, she looked everywhere but at me, smiling to herself, sipping from her cup. She obviously knew what I was up to.

I stood close enough to her that my heart was racing at a million miles per minute. I could smell her floral scented perfume, and notice the golden sunflower design printed on her sundress. It completely brought out her smile and eyes, making her look radiant, even in the dim lighting of the room.

I backed up against the wall next to her and looked straight ahead into the crowd. It seemed that everyone else was in their own world. I recognized a few of the people from school, but most of them, I had never seen before.

Lame bunch, I said, bringing my bottle of beer up to my lips before taking a chug. I still looked straight ahead, too nervous to look directly at the beauty beside me.

Uh-huh, she responded, still looking ahead as well. It had kind of helped my nerves that she wasn’t staring at me; I was probably going to make a fool of myself and get rejected. This girl was most likely out of my league and I was sure she knew it, too.

Her voice, even though she hadn’t said much, sounded as angelic as she looked.

I knew it. See, Mick. She’s an angel. What did I tell you?

"We should totally get out of here and go do absolutely nothing outside together," I casually suggested like I knew this girl from years before. I was hoping she’d pick up on my little bit of humor.

She took one last sip draining her cup, and slammed it down on the mantelpiece to her left.

Geez, I thought you’d never ask me to get the hell out of this dead zone, she replied, finally looking at me with the sexiest grin I had ever seen.

Her eyes looked like she was promising trouble, too, and that was something I had definitely been looking to get into. I had the slightest feeling she was my dream girl.

Could it be possible? Had I just found her amidst the crowd? And right before I was set to join the Seals?

Suddenly, she grabbed my hand and led me out of the room. Before we could leave, I looked back over at Mickey and the guys, and they all raised their beers at me, celebrating my success at getting the girl. Although, somehow it seemed like she was in control at that moment.

As we made our way out the front door, she continued leading me towards the back of the house. There was a wooden porch swing set with blue and white striped pillows situated, and thankfully vacant.

She was first to sit down, and I just stood there a few feet away from her, admiring her beauty. The moonlight shone brightly and reflected in her hair and big, gorgeous, hazel-gray eyes. She was definitely a sight to see.

Come sit, soldier, she said.

I, er, we, enlisted in the Navy. Mick, John, Chris, and I. We’ll be off to boot camp right after graduation.

See, I knew it, she said, giggling.

After a few moments, she asked, You gonna stand there all night and just look at me, sailor? she asked in the most sensual voice I had ever heard, and I had just about melted.

God damn, this girl is going to be the death of me, I thought.

She patted the spot next to her, and I finally walked over.

I was actually thinking about it, I responded.

She giggled, and I knew I had never seen a more beautiful thing than I was seeing right now.

After I sat down, I asked her, How did you know I was a sailor or whatever?

She giggled again, shrugging.