Breaking the Silence (Hard Drive Book 2) Read online

  He caught her hand in his to keep her from escaping, and then let go and signed, Let me drive you there.

  She gazed at him for a long, quiet moment before she smiled, pulled free her hand, and nodded. That would be nice. Thank you.

  Rico stood then crossed the room to hold the door for her. As he let it slip from his hand to follow her, his other was taken captive. Avery laced her fingers between his as she grinned impishly at him. With a laugh, he led her to his Jeep and helped her in the passenger’s seat.

  Rico was tempted to drive miles out of the way just to keep Avery in his car. To watch her hair fly in the breeze. To see the sun radiating on her face, making her glow. His heart thundered in his chest. She was so beautiful.

  They arrived too soon. She pecked him on the cheek before she climbed from the Jeep and dashed up the cement steps to her classroom.

  Rico pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed.

  “What’s up, Rico?” Max answered.

  “Got a favor to ask.”

  “Another one?”

  “You’re starting to sound like your wife.”

  “You make it sound like it’s a bad thing. My wife is unbelievably gorgeous, brilliant, talented, and the best thing that has ever stepped into my life. I could only hope to be like her.”

  “And she nags.”

  “Only you, Rico. What do you want from me?”

  “I’ve had something come up tomorrow. Can we meet earlier to roll?”

  “How early?”

  Rico took a deep breath before he spoke. “Six?”

  “You want to meet at six in the morning?” Max asked incredulously. “Mark won’t even be off work by then.”

  “So you and I will get started. Mark and Dan can catch up later.”

  There was silence on the other end then a sigh. “Fine. Call the other two. We’ll meet at six.”

  “Great. Awesome. Thanks, Max.”

  “Yeah. Hold onto that thought for when Chloe comes after you for getting her up that early.”

  Rico laughed. Chloe could get pretty fierce when she was mad, but she was still tiny. She wasn’t much of a threat. “Sure. I’ll keep an eye out for her. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Bye.” With a click, Max hung up the phone. Rico quickly called the other two. With reluctant groans, they too agreed to the earlier time. Rico grinned to himself. Everything was falling together for this date. His next stop was the gas station to fuel his Jeep then home to get to bed early.

  »»•««

  Rico woke before the sun streaked the sky. Dressing quickly, he packed a clean pair of clothes then drove to Hard Drive. He expected to be the first one there. He was shocked to find the lights on and Max’s car outside. Grabbing his bag, he jogged into the building to find Max and Chloe glaring sleepily at him.

  “I owe you both big,” he confessed.

  “We’re keeping track. Trust me.” Chloe growled as she yawned. She strapped a pair of Thai pads to her arms then dropped into stance so she could help Max warm up.

  Chloe retreated to her office while Max and Rico sparred. An hour of kickboxing and Jiu Jitsu flew by before either of them needed to stop. Rico cracked a grin. Their conditioning was great. This first fight would be a breeze. The second shouldn’t be difficult, either. He jogged over to the scale in the corner. It was a great time to weigh in.

  He tugged off his sweat-soaked shirt and slipped off his shorts, leaving him only in his boxers. He needed to get as much extraneous weight off as possible. He watched the numbers anxiously.

  Rico frowned when he heard the sound of crunching. He looked up to find Mark standing beside him, a bag of nacho flavored Doritos in his hand. The big guy looked Rico in the eye, reached in the bag with his free hand, pulled out a couple of chips, and popped them into his mouth, chomping them noisily.

  “What happened to fight camp?” Rico questioned.

  “I’m not in fight camp. You are. I don’t have to make weight. You do.” Mark tossed a couple more into his mouth and crunched them loudly for effect.

  Rico scowled. “That crap isn’t good for you. You’re a doctor. You’d think you’d know that.”

  “I’ve been on a twelve hour shift, Rico. Do you know what I got to eat in that twelve hours? An apple and a cheese stick at two in the morning. Then, instead of going home for a piece of steak, eggs, and sleep, I’m here because one of my best friends feels the need to spar first thing in the morning. So, learn to love my chips. I know I do.”

  Rico snarled at Mark as the large man strolled to the locker room. He tugged his T-shirt and shorts back on then wandered to the mat to face off with Dan as the blond tucked his wire-rimmed glasses in his duffle.

  Rico kept a sharp eye on the clock as he fought. The last thing he wanted was to be late for his date. He had dreamed of Avery all night in anticipation of the time he’d spend with her. They were the sweetest dreams he’d had in a long time.

  As the clock on the wall over the cardio and weight equipment hit nine, Rico sprung out of the hold Dan held him in and sprinted to the showers. He was followed by a collective groan of relief. It sounded as if all three men were ready to go back to bed. He shrugged as he slipped into the room.

  Less than an hour later, Rico pulled up to the curb in front of a large, two-story, cornflower blue house with a wraparound porch. It had to be Avery’s home. She had trusted him enough to give him her address. He ran his fingers through his damp hair a couple of times to tame it then glanced in the rear view mirror at his own reflection.

  With a nervous sigh, he climbed out of his vehicle and walked up to the front door. He pressed the doorbell, shuffling his feet anxiously as he waited.

  The front door creaked loudly as it opened. Standing in the doorway was a brick wall of a man. His biceps bulged from the short sleeves of his security uniform. Rico could only guess by his sheer size that he was ripped everywhere else. The only hair on his face grazed his chin. The muted sunlight shone on his shaved head. His steel gray eyes bore through Rico.

  There were very few men in the world that scared Rico. Being an MMA fighter took that fear out of him. This man had Rico quaking in his shoes. He cleared his throat then prayed his voice didn’t come out a squeak. “Is Avery home?”

  The man literally growled at Rico as he crossed his tattooed, muscle bound arms over his chest. Rico swallowed hard.

  From somewhere out of sight, a petite, feminine hand slapped the man’s shoulder. Avery, dressed in an Operation First Response T-shirt and a pair of shorts, squeezed between his large body and the door then signed to him. Not cool.

  The man unwound his arms and responded. I should take you to Des Moines.

  Calm down. Avery turned to Rico and flashed him a reassuring smile. This is my big brother, Lindsay Walker. She looked up to her brother. This is Rico Choate. He is a perfect gentleman. We will be fine.

  Lindsay reached out his hand to shake Rico’s. His eyes narrowed. “I know you from somewhere. Mixed martial arts maybe.”

  Rico’s heart raced in his chest. “I go to a lot of fights. Do you go to any?”

  Lindsay’s face relaxed. “Yeah, a few. That must be it.”

  Avery stepped out of the house, slinging her purse over her shoulder. She turned back to her brother. We will be home late. I will see you then.

  Rico noticed Lindsay bristle as Avery took his hand and laced her fingers between his. She led him off the porch to the Jeep. Rico shot a quick glance over his shoulder as he helped Avery in. Lindsay still stood on the porch, clearly displeased. Wonderful. Rico hopped into the driver’s seat, fired on the vehicle, and pulled away from the curb.

  Avery tucked a piece of paper into his hand as he drove. He quickly glanced down at it, finding several addresses listed. He’d understood right. The final one had them heading to Des Moines. At the first stop light they came to, Avery signed to him. I should have warned you that we are going to Iowa.

  “Never been there,” he responded.

  She t
yped on her cell. Moments later he felt his vibrate. At the next light he read it. Like Minnesota, just more corn and fewer lakes. We have to make a few stops to pick up donations. Then, we will deliver them in Des Moines.

  “Donations?”

  To go in backpacks for Operation First Response. Avery pointed at the now-green light. I will explain in a bit.

  Rico drove to the first address, a small mom and pop store not far from Avery’s house. He smiled at the small sign next to the front door as he followed her. Veteran owned. He held the door open for her to step inside.

  She scowled. I can open the door for myself.

  He smirked back. “Not with me around, you can’t.”

  He listened to her huff as she weaved through the aisles of shelves to the front counter. His smile grew bigger. He would need to get her exasperated a few more times. Even her sigh was sexy. Hearing any sound come from her turned him into putty.

  The store owner was overjoyed to see Avery. He talked excitedly to her so she could read his lips then motioned to the box sitting on the counter. Rico swooped in and picked it up before she could get to it. He could see the look of protest in her eyes. He shook his head at her then led her back to the door, propping it open with his heel so she could pass through. She was getting clearly irritated with him. All he could do was chuckle.

  Her arms were crossed angrily over her chest as he loaded the box into his Jeep. She pulled them free then signed. You can take me home. Lindsay can drive me.

  He frowned. “Really? We are done just like that?”

  I am not helpless, Rico.

  “I am not treating you like an invalid. I am treating you like a lady. You said I was a gentleman. I am acting like one.”

  Avery blushed bright red. I like being independent.

  “I like you being independent. But I also like doing things for you. I like showing you how special you are to me.”

  She nudged the lock of blonde hair behind her ear as her face grew redder.

  Rico continued, “Your brother must have been one heck of a Marine.”

  Avery scooped up her cell to text. At the next red light, Rico read it. Lindsay was not a Marine. He went against the wishes of my parents and became an Army Ranger.

  “Oh. Interesting.”

  Avery’s eyes flew open wide in panic as she typed. Do not make fun of his name. Please. He has beaten guys for it.

  Rico chuckled uneasily. “That will not be a problem. Trust me. Making fun of your brother will be the last thing I will ever do.”

  She grinned at him slyly as she signed. He scares you a little bit.

  “A little bit? Try a whole lot.” He nudged the box. “What is this for?”

  Avery went back to her cell. They are donations for backpacks for Operation First Response. The packs are given to the wounded in the combat hospitals in Afghanistan. They have a change of clothes, a phone card, a blanket, and some other stuff. I got one after my transport was hit by an I.E.D. I loved mine. This is just my way to give back for all the good the group has done for me.

  Rico gazed at her. He still couldn’t believe the woman beside him had survived an IED blast. It was something he had seen on television. He never imagined he would meet someone who had lived through it, much less she be the girl he was falling for so hard.

  Avery motioned to the Jeep. We really should keep going.

  “Of course, my lady.” Rico helped her into the passenger seat then hopped into the driver’s side.

  They stopped at three other shops to pick up donations. At each one, Rico held the door for Avery and carried out the boxes and bags. By their final stop, she seemed willing to accept his chivalry. It didn’t bother Rico one bit. Each objection came with a huff or a snort. He relished every sound.

  Finally, they pulled onto I-35W and headed south. Since nearly the entire drive was interstate, there would be no chance to sign. As much as he wanted to look at Avery to see what she had to say, he had to watch the road. His hands couldn’t construct words, they would have to be firmly gripping the steering wheel.

  With a sigh, he flipped on his favorite hard rock station. He loved hard rock and heavy metal. It got his blood pumping. It set his heart on fire. It made him want to storm into the octagon and lock the door with just him and his opponent inside.

  He startled as the twang of country music floated from the speakers. He looked puzzled at Avery. She was deaf. Could she feel the vibrations? Was his music too much for her?

  She broke out in laughter as she switched it back to his station. She quickly let him in on her joke. I know what the stations play. I figured the last thing you would want to listen to would be country. Guess I was right.

  Rico laughed with her as he turned his attention back to the road.

  The four hours it took to get to Des Moines flew by surprisingly fast. As the city slowly turned into farmland, he felt Avery’s small fingers wrap around his hand. His heart thundered in his chest at her touch. He couldn’t figure out why, but this woman turned him inside out.

  Rico slowly drove through the mall parking lot as both he and Avery looked for the people from Operation First Response. He turned as she patted his arm and pointed. Pulling into a parking space near the cargo vans, he hopped out then helped Avery.

  The couple waiting by the vehicles approached them both with smiles and hugs. Rico glanced nervously at Avery, seeing her wrap her arms tight around the woman that greeted her. She knew these people well. If she trusted them, then he could too. He shrugged then accepted a hug as well.

  Avery introduced Rico to them. They gushed to him about how wonderful she was and all the good she did for the organization. Avery’s cheeks flushed pink from the compliments. Rico winked at her. It was easy to tell she was following their conversation by reading their lips. The man, with combed back gray hair and wearing an Operation First Response T-shirt, walked with Rico back to the Jeep to help him unload the boxes they had gathered in Minneapolis.

  After the boxes were moved to the cargo van, they said their goodbyes and returned to the car. Rico stopped short as his stomach growled. “Hungry?”

  Avery nodded. Starved.

  “We will find someplace to eat then.”

  They only drove a few blocks before they found a diner. The waitress showed them to a booth that hadn’t been bused yet. Sitting in the middle of all the dirty dishes was a copy of a celebrity gossip magazine. The waitress apologized repeatedly as she gathered the plates and glasses to take them to the kitchen.

  The magazine remained. Avery recoiled from it in disgust. She picked it up, stormed across the restaurant, and tossed it vehemently into the waste can next to the hostess stand. Then, she sunk into the seat across from him.

  Rico frowned at her. “It is just a magazine.”

  Avery sighed as she texted him. He checked his cell. I hate celebrities. Hate them. They are pompous, self-obsessed asses.

  He looked up at her. “You mean Hollywood celebrities, right?”

  His eyes dropped to the screen. All of them. Actors, musicians, athletes. Especially athletes. Any athlete who gets paid for playing a game. I hate them.

  Rico’s heart sank as he glanced out the window at his Jeep. The down payment had come from the winnings he got from his fights. “What made you feel this way?”

  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.