Page 25 of Tango

I chuckled. “No, I got Ty with that one.”

“Ha! I wish I was there for that.”

“No, this is about June and a sext I accidently stumbled across.”

“Oh, my God. This is like Christmas for me.” Savi sat up straight with a smile as she prepared herself for the news. “Okay, so tell me, do you know who she’s been dating?”

“If that’s what you want to call dating, sure.” I laughed loudly.

“Well, spill it!”

“They’re back!” June shouted through the house. We both jumped up and hurried out of the office. There’d be time to pick this up later.

The SUVs pulled in one behind the other, and the doors opened. The guys’ heads hung heavy, and they moved slowly. Keith was stopped by someone I couldn’t see. I squinted through the snow flurries but couldn’t get a good look. Whoever it was placed a hand on his shoulder, spoke a few words, and then stepped back as Keith disappeared around the SUV. A moment later, he returned holding a dark green urn.

“Who’s that?” I asked Olivia when she appeared by my side with a book hugged to her chest. The fact she didn’t recognize him made me more curious as to who our guest was.

“Probably one of Uncle Frank’s team. Eagle Eye. But not sure.” She shrugged then made a funny little noise when Ty made a rush toward the front door of the house. “What’s with Ty?”

“I’m not sure.” The rest of the guys started toward the house, and the wives all gathered in the entryway to greet them.

“I’m not sure I’m ready for this,” Cat whispered loudly enough for me to hear. She reached for Brandon as he came up the stairs from playing Xbox. She kissed his head, but he didn’t react, just stood there with his face blank. We watched as Keith carefully shifted the urn from one hand to the other. My uncle held Reagan in his arms, and she had a death grip on his neck. Her eyes were puffy from crying, and her sniff made my insides hurt. Those poor kids. What a confusing time for them.

“Wait, who is that?” Abby stepped out on the porch to get a better look at the mystery man. I leaned forward to see, as Cole moved closer to Savi.

Why does he look so familiar? Just then, Ty came up and made a beeline for me.

A scream from Abby made us all freeze as the guy looked up and moved toward her.

“Abby?” Savi flew to her side and then followed her line of sight to a man about John’s age with a duffle bag at his feet. “It can’t be!” Her knees buckled, and Cole wrapped an arm around her, holding her close.

“Hey, Sav,” he smiled widely, “I missed ya.”

Reagan reached for her father when he got close enough, and June quickly whisked the urn out of sight. She curled into Keith while Brandon stood next to Olivia.

“It’s okay,” Keith assured Brandon with a hand to the top of the head. Sue grew pale and stepped into the other room, most likely just needing a moment.

Ty drew me protectively to his side. It wasn’t a show of ownership. It was more that he was nervous, which quickly put me on alert.

“Apparently, Major Paul has returned from the dead,” Ty whispered into my hair. “It’s been a strange day, to say the least.”

Oh, the picture, the one the guys always touched. Now I knew why he looked familiar. “Just when I thought the house couldn’t take any more blows.” I sighed and tucked myself closer to absorb his warmth. I needed some comfort as I scrambled to figure out just what effect this latest news would have on everyone.

“If this doesn’t fuck us up more, I don’t know what will.” Mark slapped Paul’s shoulder with a classic Mark grin as he gave us all a look. “Wait, what am I smelling? Is that pie?”

“It’s kind of amazing how he processes shit.” Frank shook his head. “Come on, Paul. Why don’t we come inside, and you can share some of your story.”

“Or all of it,” June chimed in next to him.

“We have a lot to go over, and we have to prep for this afternoon, so not too many questions,” Frank warned.

“Ah, before we start,” Paul held up a hand, “Frank and Cole, can I just have three minutes of your time?”

“We can do that.” Cole jerked his head toward his office. John began to follow, but Paul looked at him and he stopped. “I promise I’ll be quick.” His face was unreadable, but John nodded then turned and began to walk toward the others in the living room. I had heard that John and Paul had been very close before he’d supposedly died. They obviously had a connection, as he didn’t question Paul.

Olivia grabbed her mother’s hand, and they walked together to join the others. I had noticed Olivia seemed to need to touch her mother more lately. I tucked that information away.

Keith came in and gathered Brandon with a one-arm bear hug, then they sat down. I saw Abigail and June go over to them. I knew they would know just how to soothe the grieving family.

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