Jace's hands were tightly clenched around the smooth rocks he had gathered from the shore. The rhythmic sound of the waves crashing against the shore provided a comforting white noise that helped to ground him. But it was sand beneath his feet, not solid earth.
His gaze fixed on the rolling waves, but his mind was in turmoil. The sand beneath him felt unstable, mirroring the uncertainty he felt in his heart. Aria's decision not to date him had shaken his sense of stability, leaving him restless and searching for a way to win her back.
He traced his fingers through the soft grains of sand, contemplating his next move. His mind raced with thoughts of how to prove himself worthy of Aria's love and trust. He knew he had to find a way to break down the walls she had built, to show her that he was different from her past experiences.
The sun continued its morning stretch over the horizon, casting a warm glow over the beach. The breeze rustled through his hair, stirring his thoughts. But he kept coming back to one singularity; he wanted Aria in his life.
She was the puzzle piece he hadn't known he was missing. She was the calm in his storm, even though the turmoil was brewing inside her. He wanted to help her. He just wasn't sure how.
He sipped at the bottled tea he'd purchased from the convenience store. It was only his good manners that had him not spitting it out. The tea tasted nothing like Aria's brew. It was filled with chemicals and too much sugar. It didn't have her personal touch that calmed the frayed edges of his nerves.
"Thought I'd find you here."
Jace looked over his shoulder to find Alex coming toward him. It took Jace a moment to recognize him. Alex was a serious man, always dressed impeccably. But he had his shoes off and was walking barefoot in the sand toward Jace.
"Figured I'd find you out here," Alex said. "Last few days of freedom before you're a clock puncher like the rest of us."
Jace would begin working at the base on Monday. His R&R would officially come to a close. But he felt like he'd barely gotten his feet under him.
"Why do I get the feeling you're not moping because you're headed back into the workforce?"
It was Mason who was the more perceptive one of their bunch. Even when his head was mostly in a book, Mason had a knack for reading between the lines. Alex was a numbers guy. He searched the data and often missed emotional cues. But Jace supposed he was very transparent in this moment, his feelings written all over his face.
"Did your date with the coffee maker not go as planned?"
"No," admitted Jace. "That was not how I planned last night to go."
"Buddy, if she's unwilling to be with you because of your past, then-"
"No, it's not my issues she's afraid of. It's her own," Jace confessed, his voice filled with disappointment. "Aria's been through a lot with her ex-husband's PTSD. Originally, I thought it would affect her ability to trust soldiers, including me. But she's still hurting from trying to support him."
Alex nodded, his expression sympathetic. "PTSD can have a profound impact on relationships. It's not easy for either party involved. Have you considered suggesting that Aria seek out a support group? They have some on the base. It could provide a safe space for her to share her experiences with other men and women who've been in her situation."
Jace leaned back on his arms, mulling over Alex's suggestion. It made sense. Aria needed to know that she wasn't alone in her struggles, and connecting with others who had gone through similar situations might offer her a fresh perspective. That was, if he could get her to talk to him again.
"Same goes for you, too," Alex continued. "You've been walking this beach for the past couple of weeks all by yourself. But you don't have to do it alone either."
Jace took a moment to process Alex's words. The idea of joining a support group had crossed his mind before, but he had been hesitant to take that step. He was already having trouble sitting still now that he was out of the service. Sitting still and talking about his feelings to strangers seemed a tall order.
"I joined a PTSD support group when I came to work on the base. At first, I did it to score points with command. But then, as I sat there listening to other men and women like me, it began to help. I saw that I wasn't alone. I saw that my experiences weren't unique. Others had gone through them and come out the other end better. Now I look at it as one of the best decisions I've ever made."
Once again, his friend surprised him. Alex was so analytical that Jace hadn't thought the man could hold a conversation with another person that wasn't tactical.
Alex took a deep breath, his gaze drifting toward the horizon. "Sharing my experiences with others who have gone through similar struggles has been incredibly healing. In that safe space, I've found understanding, empathy, and a sense of belonging that I didn't think was possible."
Jace leaned in, his interest growing. "What's it like? I mean, what do you talk about?"
"We talk about everything. Our experiences in the military, the challenges we face daily, and how our time in the service affects our lives today. But it's not just about sharing the difficult moments. We also celebrate victories, offer support, and provide guidance based on what has helped us individually."
Jace's gaze shifted to the waves crashing against the shore, contemplating Alex's words. "And you think it would help Aria?"
Alex's hand came down on Jace's shoulder. "I think it'll help both of you. It'll help you separately, and it could help you come together."
The fact that Jace put Aria's happiness before his own was just another clue to how deep his feelings for the woman were growing. If it weren't for her, he might spend the rest of his days walking this beach alone, searching for solace. But he'd found it in her smile, in her laugh, in the very air she breathed.
Last night when she'd looked so lost and a bit broken, Jace wanted to move heaven and earth to make her smile again. To see that twinkle in her eye. He would do anything to make that happen for her.
He knew how deeply rooted she was in their hometown community, relying on familiar faces and comfort. But he also recognized the limitations of that community when it came to understanding the complexities of PTSD. Aria had been the one to coax him out of his shell, encouraging him to participate in the town events and connect with others. She had shown him the power of community, and now it was his turn to help her see the potential benefits of joining a support group.
