Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 97275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
The send-offs are sad, almost like a pall hangs over the room. I’ve been through two deployments in my lifetime. This will be the first time I’ll be leaving a woman I loved waiting for me to come home. This time I’m leaving so much more. My sister. My brothers, the men who watched my back, and kept me safe and breathing. My niece and nephew. Payton.
That’s what was so hard. I had so much to love, and leaving them behind, knowing I wouldn’t see them for an undetermined amount of time made something deep in my chest ache.
A shout disrupted the quiet, and the soldiers responded instantly. Some disentangled themselves from their crying children. Others walked sedately to the plane; no one there to see him or her off. While some gave one final kiss to their wives and girlfriends. We watched as the men lined up in perfect unison just outside the ramp that led to the back of the plane. The families watched on with pride, sadness, and love in their eyes.
One by one, the men made their way to the plane. The massive C-130’s engines roared to life, and there was nothing left to hear but the beautiful sound of that monster running. It would be responsible for taking these men and women into a battle zone. It would also bring them home, whether dead or alive, and that was what had everyone scared to death.
I heard Payton’s breath hitch beside me, and I turned and watched her struggle to hold it together. She looked scared to death, and I hoped everything worked out; that I would come back to her. It broke my heart seeing her fight this battle. She’s gone through so much this past year, and she was about to lose the only lifeline that was able to help her battle the nightmares.
I gathered her up in my arms and gave her one last thorough kiss. Her body melted against me, and I longed to take her back home and use her for hours, until both of us had no strength left to move. Regrettably, duty called.
“If you need me, all you have to do is call. Same number. If I can’t answer, I’ll call you back as soon as I can. Make sure you call me; I’ll know if you need me. If I don’t answer, call James, and even Sam, Gabe, Jack, or Elliott. They’ll be there for you just as I would.” I said before kissing her one last time.
She nodded, but kept silent as she watched me toss the duffle over my shoulder. The rifle still in my right hand, I looked into her eyes to gauge her control. Her chin was set at a stubborn angle; her hair was in a crazy disarray around her head. She was still wearing my Pepsi shirt, but had on her jeans and ugly ass yellow Crocs she always wore. There were no tears, which I was grateful for since crying women gave me hives.
A sudden commotion at the gate of the airport made me lift my eyes from Payton’s ugly shoes. What I saw made me want to groan and curse. Ember’s ugly piece of shit car was barreling down the side road that ran up to the parking lot of the airport. Tires screeched as she came to a halt in the fire lane, and practically fell out of the car, running to me. She looked like she just ran out of the house in what she was wearing, which was a threadbare tank top and tight shorts that showed off way too much skin.
“Jesus Christ, Ember. Don’t you wear any fucking clothes?” I ground out once she reached me.
“Don’t you curse at me, asshole. Why would you just leave like that! I was supposed to take you. I wanted to see you before you went!” She screeched, but immediately started tearing up, but refusing to let the tears spill over.
My heart dropped when I finally figured out why she was so upset. The last time I’d had an accident, and she’d gotten a call in the middle of the night saying that I was in Germany. Nothing was released other than that, and it scared the crap out of her. I didn’t think it was that big of a deal myself, but she was a girl. Girls did weird shit all the time, and I never understood why.
“I’m sorry, Emmie. Come give me a hug before I go. Be quick about it, they’ve already loaded everything and everyone. Now they’re just waiting on me.” I said and then braced myself when I saw her take a running jump at me.
The hand with my duffle in it went around her back, and the one with my M-4 went to my side so I didn’t hurt her. “I love you, Emmie.”
“I love you, too. You big shit head.” Ember said from the crook of my neck.
“Take care of Payton for me. She’s going to be your sister-in-law as soon as I get back.” I whispered, and then was rewarded with the laughter that I intended when I made the statement.
“Does she know that?” Ember wheezed.
“Not yet. Keep her out of trouble. Go hide that death scooter for me. I love you, booger.” I said before kissing her on the cheek and stepping away from her.
Payton and Ember watched as I walked purposefully towards the plane. I could feel their stares in the back of my body, but I didn’t turn around.
“Stay out of trouble, Bubbles.” I yelled right before stepping onto the ramp that led into the belly of the plane.
Chapter 2
Maverick: Tower. This is Ghost Rider requesting a flyby.
Air Boss Johnson: That’s a negative Ghost Rider, the pattern is full.
-Top Gun
Max
The men were seated, buckled, and in the upright position as I made my way to the front of the plane. Some were eyeing me with contempt for holding up the plane, but mostly they watched in curiosity as I walked to my seat. It was a tight fit, and I realized that maybe I shouldn’t have waited so long since I practically had to crawl over every one of them. Murmurs followed me, and I just smiled. Of course, they were curious as to who I was, and why I was so special that I got to come in ten minutes late and not get into trouble. At the very front, I sat down in the one remaining seat that was open, and started strapping myself in.