Page 22 of Spilled Coffee

“How would they know?” Ethan mumbled, desperate. “They wouldn’t.”

“Eddie catches every damn thing, every detail, every slip. I can’t have him digging around. You’re no use to me now. Go home.”

Logan’s decision was final, and Ethan’s whole body sagged, the fight draining from him.

“You don’t know how much I wanted this—wanted you.” Logan opened the outer door, then looked back.

He walked out, the heavy outer door thudding behind him.

“Logan…” Ethan choked on a sob as tears welled hot and bitter. His chest was tight with an ache deeper than any physical pain and he sucked in a breath, trying to steady himself.

He turned and faced the mirror, his appearance was disheveled, eyes reddened and glassy. “I’m sorry,” he sighed, meeting his own gaze.

Another tear escaped, and he wiped it away with angry determination. He disposed of the tissue wrapped toy, his resolve hardening like armor around his wounded pride. He’d messed up badly, but he wasn’t giving up without a fight.

Straightening his vest, he forced himself to stand taller.

“I’ll fix this. I’ll make you want me again.”

CHAPTER 11

Logan marched down the corridor,each fall of his foot echoing off the concrete walls. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting stark shadows across his clenched jaw.

Brick intercepted him halfway, planting a hand on his chest. “He alright? Ethan, I mean—is he okay?”

Logan’s jaw worked as he tried to contain his anger. “Seems like a dodgy gut. He’s sitting this one out.”

“What? Why?” Brick’s brow creased, surprise flashing across his eyes. “He said he was fine when I checked on him. What happened?”

“Nothing happened,” Logan snapped, sharper than intended. “He’s just not up to it today.”

Their conversation halted as the bathroom door opened down the hall, and Ethan emerged, shoulders slumped.

Brick’s frown deepened. “Hey, buddy, you ok?” He squinted, studying Ethan’s pale face. “Maybe Tank should take a look?”

“No,” Logan interrupted him. “He can report to sick bay, let them check him over. We don’t have time to wait—wheels up in thirty minutes.”

Ethan swallowed hard, meeting Logan’s intense stare. “I’ll be ok now.” His voice was small, a crack in his usual confidence.

“What did I just say?” Logan towered over the smaller man. “Get to sick bay, then go home. Goddammit, can’t you follow one fucking order? I’m sick of looking at you, now go.”

“Hold up—” Brick intervened, then positioned himself physically between them. “You can’t talk to him like that. What’s gotten into you, man? He doesn’t deserve that. Hell, he can’t help bein’ sick.”

Logan inhaled slowly, his gaze never leaving Ethan’s dejected face—those wide, guilty eyes that Brick mistook for simple disappointment. “He should’ve told me before the briefing he was sick. Now I’ve gotta rework the whole damn plan. It’s not good enough—it’s not how I run my team.” With a last glance at Ethan, Logan strode off, boots echoing down the hall.

Brick scratched his jaw. Logan’s temper was a wildfire sometimes—unpredictable, blazing hot—but this felt off, even for him. He shrugged. Hell, no one ever fully cracked what churned inside Logan’s head. “Well, you sure pissed him off. What the hell did you say to him?”

“I don’t know,” Ethan mumbled, shoulders hunched. “Guess when he said I wasn’t fit for the mission, I told him I was fine.”

Brick nodded slowly. “Yeah, well, in the mood he’s in, I’d just do what he says and go home. Last thing you want is to rile him up more.” He clapped Ethan on the shoulder, a strong, firm, brotherly pat. “He’ll cool off. Few days away, mission done, he’ll be a new man. C’mon, buddy, get to medical, then home. Rest up—drink fluids, flush it out.” Brick offered a smile. “You’ll be back on the team in no time.”

“Hope you’re right,” Ethan said, forcing a nod.

“I’m always right,” Brick teased with a wink. “Look, when I’m back, we’ll catch up—grab beers, hang out, maybe chase some women. Been too damn long since we had some fun.”

“Sure,” Ethan hesitated as a question flickered in his mind. “Brick, can I… nah, forget it. You best go. You don’t wanna catch Logan’s bad side too.”

“Hell no,” Brick laughed. “I’ve got six hours of him in a tin can in the air, anythin’ could happen.” He chuckled, fist-bumping Ethan before he headed off. “Catch you later, buddy.”

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