I caught the look on Browns face and quickly cut in, “Pilots aren’t cocky, Stevens. They are just confident.” I tried to make sure he caught my sidelong glance at the offended Brown. The look on Stevens’ face after he realized his mistake was borderline horrified and it made me laugh.
“What’s so funny?” I heard someone ask. I looked away from Stevens expecting to see White standing where the voice came from. It was Will and I had to fight myself not to let any emotion show. He set his food on the table and pulled up a chair directly across from me.
“Ms. Grey was just explaining to Stevens that us pilots are not cocky, we are just confident.” Brown was enjoying this.
“We have to be. There’s a lot riding on us. Not only are we in control of very expensive machinery, we usually have the lives of many men to be concerned with,” Will explained to Stevens.
I’d heard it all before from Brown. I agreed with Stevens but I wouldn’t admit it in front of a pilot. They were touchy about that kind of thing. I could easily understand the stigma placed on a pilot but I could equally understand them not wanting to be classed that way. I was quiet through the rest of our lunch. Will and Brown, on the other hand, were very chatty. I heard a couple of stories from their past and found my mind wandering to White. He and Will seemed to be very much alike, not only in appearance, but in attitude as well.
When we finished our lunches, Will said to me, “I’ll see you in my class.”
“No. I’m here to interview men for team assignments,” I replied.
“Oh, that’s a shame,” he gave me a look I’d seen before and I knew he was trying to charm me.
“I’m sure we’ll see more of each other.” I was giddy because of the attention but he was too much like White to make me forget myself. Flirting with Will could be fun, but I didn’t want him to get the wrong idea. I’d have to let him know, somehow, that my heart was not in it. However, if he and White were as much alike as they seemed, I was sure his heart wasn’t fully engaged either.
Stevens and I spent the remainder of the day sifting through paperwork. When it was time we ate dinner with Brown and Will. I became more open as the dinner progressed and asked a few questions. I found out Will was the younger brother but was still a year older than I. He’d followed in his father’s and brother’s footsteps and joined the Navy and loved his job. He was cocky, but I think that was a result of his last name and not his job description. He definitely had charm and I found myself really enjoying his company. Rick Malone was the only sibling he had and yes, they did have a mother. He invited me for drinks after dinner and I politely declined. I then asked if every compound had a bar.
Brown was witness to all of Will’s charms and my acceptance of them and explained away the bars as a place for the men to blow off steam. They were more than just places to get drunk, they were someplace the men could gather and be engaged in outside activities besides their job related duties.
“I don’t think you should be going into the bar yet, anyway,” Brown added.
“Why not?” This was strange. He was practically forcing Will and I together but now he didn’t want me to go off with him. Was he trying to use reverse psychology?
“White told me about your run in at the bar in Alaska,” he grinned at me.
I rolled my eyes and, of course, Will asked about it. I sat and listened to the exaggerated tale of me beating Sullivan to a pulp and more exaggeration about the run in with our guys at the Iceberg.
When Will looked at me a little funny I just shook my head.
“Yeah, I know Brown, too. How much of the story is true?” He smiled at Brown, knowing that he’d added to the story.
I went on to explain what really happened. Out of habit I went into debriefing mode and didn’t leave out any details. I told him of Sullivan’s reaction to me and I also told him of White’s reaction to Sullivan. Then, of course, I talked about the mini play we were subjected to at the Iceberg, being sure to let him know that White and I didn’t really take out the entire bar.
“So, why did you stop White from hitting Sullivan?” Will asked me. “I thought women liked it when men stood up for them.” He had a strange look on his face.
“I can take care of myself. Besides, it wasn’t necessary.” I explained.
“So, I suppose you don’t like it when men open doors for you.” He said.
“On the contrary,” Brown piped up. “She demands it.”
“Only from you. You need the training.” I teased him.
Will asked me one more time if I’d care to join him for a drink. Again, Brown objected.
“Well, in that case, I could go for one drink,” I heard myself say. What was I doing? Then I heard myself ask Brown and Stevens, “Are you coming?”
They accepted the invitation and we all left the mess hall.
The four of us ordered our drinks and found a table in a corner. I knew Will didn’t want the other men there, but I felt a need to be chaperoned.
The conversation was much the same as it was at dinner until Brown saw Sam playing pool. He said he was going to win some money, took Stevens with him and left me alone with Will. As soon as he was out of earshot the conversation changed.
“So, Brown tells me you’re single. Is this true?”
“Well, yes. I’m not looking for anyone either.”
“My kind of gal. I was hoping we could get to know each other better though.”
“I’d like to get to know you, but I’ll be frank,” we were on our second drink and I felt the need to be honest all of a sudden. Normally this kind of honesty didn’t rear its ugly head until after the fourth or fifth drink. “There will be no kissing.” I was instantly embarrassed. “I can’t believe I just said that. I better switch to coffee.”
Will laughed. “At least you’re honest. I’m disappointed but I think I can deal with that.”
I became quiet in fear of saying something else stupid. I kept looking at Brown, hoping he’d come back but he didn’t. Stevens had moved off to talk with some other men. The silence didn’t last long before Will said, “You seem distracted.”
“I’m sorry. I’m still a little embarrassed from what I said,” I admitted. Funny enough, it helped me get past it.
“Do you want to play pool?”
“Oh, I’ve never been any good at the game. If you want to play I’ll come watch. Are you any good?” I asked.
“Yeah,” he grinned.
“Are you good enough to carry me against Brown and Sam?”
“Yeah. Do you want to go see if we can win some money?”
“Sure,” I shrugged my shoulders.
When we reached Brown and Sam, Will asked if they’d like some fresh players.
“I know how she plays,” Brown said. “But I know how you play too. We won’t be playing for money tonight.”
Will chided them while I ordered another round for us, making sure to get only soda for myself.
Brown still refused to play for money but we began a game anyway. He and Sam cleaned our clocks the first couple of games and I made sure to keep the drinks coming.
“You really suck tonight, Will.” Brown was beginning to slur his words.
“Yeah, so play me for money,” Will was also getting a little tipsy.
“Alright you two, that’s enough. Are we going to play or not?” I cut in.
“Okay, okay.” Sam took his shot and won another game for them. Standing behind me, Brown let out a holler and I felt a smack on my behind. Instantly I went into action and Brown was lying on the floor with a stunned look.
“I’m so sorry,” I started to help him up. He was grinning from ear to ear.
As I pulled him up he put his hand on my shoulder and whispered in my ear, “I knew I’d get you with that. Thanks for the material. Now I don’t have to make anything up.”
I looked around and noticed the entire bar was watching us. Even Stevens had a stunned look. For the second time of the night I was horribly embarrassed.
Will had come
to stand by my side.
“What’s going on? Are you okay?”
“I hope you get a black eye,” I said to Brown.
“Feels like I will,” he was gingerly touching his cheek below his eye, still grinning. “I’m sorry, but the men were starting to question me. I had to make you do something to back me up.”
“You’re an asshole.” I wanted to be angry with him, but I just couldn’t when he was grinning the way he was. He took a good shot to the eye and wasn’t complaining. “I really hope you get a black eye and it swells shut.”
“Me too.” We both laughed even though I fought against it.
“We better get out of here for the night,” Will was looking around at the still quiet bar.
“I’m ready to go.” I headed for the door with the rest of the men right behind me.
We parted outside and Brown walked back to the barracks with me. When we reached my room he invited himself in and asked me to make some coffee. I chided him and told him to make it himself but he begged, saying my coffee was the best. Flattery and guilt does get you places; I made him coffee.
“White didn’t tell me he was going to pummel Sullivan.” He had a strange look on his face.
“He said that we couldn’t tolerate that kind of disrespect.” I tried to explain it away. I didn’t realize how much it was out of character for White until I’d seen Will and Brown’s reaction. He was generally level headed and Sullivan’s treatment of me had bothered him more than it should have.
“I see,” was all he said. “So, you seem to have taken a liking to Will.” His voice seemed to have a touch of regret in it.
“Yeah, I do. He’s a nice guy. He reminds me a lot of White,” I added to help his conscience.
“Well, they are brothers,” he said. We continued to talk into the evening. Brown tried to get information out of me by asking sneaky questions about White. Where Will had been the main topic, now White was in there. I wished I had thought about how people would take it, before I had told them how White had acted out of character with Sullivan. However, I told myself, people would have found out anyway. There were witnesses, after all. I knew he had been standing up for me, but didn’t put it together how much it really meant.
I hadn’t even really talked to Colin about my infatuation with White so I wasn’t sharing with Brown either. When he realized I wasn’t going to admit an affair with White or admit to falling in love with Will he left me alone for the rest of the night. I had trouble falling asleep, but I did eventually nod off.
Stevens and I continued searching through the mountains of paperwork and had a nice pile of candidates in only a couple of days. Will, Brown, Stevens and I made a habit of visiting the bar after dinner, but I didn’t allow myself any more alcohol. Brown’s little trick seemed to bring up the level of respect the men gave me and it didn’t hurt that he wore a nice shiner to remind them of that first night.
Early one morning I found myself on the phone with Colin. I really didn’t know why I was calling him so I just asked him the same mundane questions.
He asked me if I’d memorized the identity he’d given me.
“Of course. I’ve been Emma Robertson in my off time.”
“This is serious, Grey.” He used my company name.
“Well, Commander, if you want to be that way about it. Yes, I’ve memorized her. Do you have a job for her?”
“I’m sorry, Alex,” his voice lost its spirit. “I just think you don’t give me enough credit,” he complained.
“I must. I really do have the identity memorized. You’re just too touchy.”
“Well, I think I’m going to recall you for a job.”
“Make sure it’s worthwhile, I’m having fun here.” I tried to lighten the mood. Colin sounded depressed and it was making me worry.
“I didn’t think searching through paperwork was your thing.”
“I don’t know if I’d say that. It’s tedious and boring, but I’ve been having fun with Brown and Will.”
“Will Malone?” His voice became terse.
“Yeah. He’s a great guy.”
“Did you know he’s Rick’s brother,” his foul mood returned.
“Yes, I do. I’m not that stupid. I don’t know what’s wrong with you but I’ve had about enough. First you think I’m underestimating you and now you’re angry with me because I’ve made a new friend. What is going on?”
“I’m sorry. Now that the Admiral has given me more access to things, I worry about you more. And,” he sighed, “I’m under a lot of pressure to fill your father’s shoes.”
“If he didn’t think you were up to the job, he wouldn’t have given it to you, you know that. As for me, when did you start worrying about me? I’ve found myself in some sticky situations before and you’ve never come to my rescue. What makes you think you have to do that now?”
“I’ve always watched out for you. You’ve just never put yourself into a position that’s life threatening before you got this job so I’ve never said anything.”
“Sorting through paperwork, memorizing a new identity and making friends with my partners brother is hardly life threatening. Sky diving lessons, scuba diving, rock climbing and a ton of things I did before I came to this company are more life threatening than anything I’ve done lately,” I countered.
“Well, what I’ve got coming up for you could be extremely dangerous if you don’t know your identity or if you step out of bounds at all.”
“I see,” now it was my turn to sound defeated.
“What do you mean, I see?” Colin was defensive.
“You aren’t confident I can do the job, whatever it is.”
“No,” he was instantly apologetic. “It’s not that at all. If you get hurt doing this job,” he paused. “I’m the one putting you in this position.”
“Not really,” I felt better knowing he didn’t think I’d go into this unprepared. “I’m the one who took this job and you had nothing to do with it. Besides, I’ll be fine.”
“I just want you to be careful.” The call was ended shortly after this last comment and I began to look forward to my potential job.
Later that morning I started the interviews. Brown had recommended Sam and I had to tell him that he was already one of my picks. He was more than happy to join my team when I explained the additional training to him. When lunch rolled around I joined the men at the table. Will asked me if I’d like to go for a ride in the T-45 Goshawk. I was instantly excited and accepted without thinking first. I really wanted to go, but I didn’t know if it was appropriate.
“Don’t let her fly it,” Brown cut in with a serious look.
“Why not?” My indecision was quelled with his statement.
“You aren’t ready for that much plane yet and you know it.” At first I thought he was kidding around like usual but realized he was sincere when I met his gaze.
“We’ll be fine,” Will reassured him.
“I’m serious, Will. Do not let her fly that thing.”
Will looked as if he were going to argue in my defense so I quickly cut in and said, “It’s okay. I don’t need to fly it anyway. I would love to go for a ride though,” I threw a cross look at Brown and stuck out my tongue for emphasis.
“Good. Meet me in the hanger at three and we’ll take her up.” He nodded a quick good-bye and headed for the door.
“Why don’t you want me to fly it?” I asked Brown when Will was gone.
“I wasn’t kidding when I said you weren’t ready for that plane. It’s for intermediate or advanced jet pilots. If you want to learn to fly that kind of plane you’ll need to do a lot of training in a simulator first. If he’s going to let you take the controls up there, don’t. It’s nothing like anything you’ve flown before.” He was very serious.
I sighed and said, “I won’t try to fly it, but when will you train me?”
He got a large grin and answered, “I won’t. I’ll have Will teach you.”
I shook my head and l
eft him standing there. I quickly walked back to my office. I had a couple of hours to kill so I finished my interviews but they didn’t take long enough. I found myself walking circles so I forced myself to get on the computer and look up the Goshawk. I didn’t want to look like an idiot if he asked me any questions up there. I became engrossed in the information I found and the time passed quickly. Soon it was time for me to start getting ready.
I had gotten into the habit of wearing my hair down lately but I pulled it back for my flight. I didn’t want it in my face. After I did that I went down to Headquarters and asked the cadets if they could find me a ride to the hanger. They instantly jumped to help. I guess the bar scene didn’t hurt anything but Brown’s eye.
I was early getting to the hanger but I was so excited. This was a once in a lifetime chance for most people. Granted, I was in the position to make this opportunity not that unusual, but I wasn’t going to throw it away.
As I got out of the jeep Will came up to me with an armload of equipment.
“Here,” he handed it all to me. “Put this on and we can get going.”
I did as I was told and found myself weighing about thirty pounds more. After I finished putting on the flight suit and headgear I walked over to Will who had been standing near the jet, watching me. He stuck his hand out to help me up the stairs to get into the jet.
“Sit in the back,” he instructed. “If we were going on a training flight you’d sit in the front, but this is just for fun and the view is a little better from there.”
Again, I did as I was told and before I knew it, Will was in the aircraft with me and we were taxiing down the runway. The pull of gravity as we lifted off the ground made my stomach do flips and I found myself smiling from ear to ear.
I watched as the ground grew smaller and Will asked if I could handle some fun. “Of course,” I replied as our speed picked up.
Soon we were far enough from the ground that it no longer was the most interesting view. Will showed off by maneuvering the jet into seemingly precarious positions. I found myself holding my breath at times and laughing out loud at other times. Before I knew it, it was time to head back. When Will set her down on the runway I let out a sigh of regret.
Reflections of Grey: Book Three of the Alexis Stanton Chronicles Page 11
