Page 42 of The Soldier

Ugh, I want to scream and demand they give me more details, but I know they won’t. I’ve sat in enough rooms with military people who talk in codes and sideways glances.

They don’t break.

Ever.

What do I care if he’s in Sudan or Iraq? Or Greenland or whatever. Who am I going to call? What am I going to do?

My phone beeps and I immediately pull it out of my pocket. It’s a work email.

Damn it.

I scoff and slide it back in. Then take my shot and slam it way too hard, and the ball misses.

Fuck.

“Told ya,” Cole says. “Fridays are my lucky day.”

“Not anymore. I need you to work tomorrow,” Ryder says as he walks in the room. “Toby just called in sick.”

“Is he dying?” Cole asks as he watches me take my next shot.

“Man flu, so yeah.” Ryder winks at me.

I roll my eyes.

“And this is why women bear children.” Briar chimes in and we share a grin.

“WhenisMarshall getting back?” Cole rolls the blue chalk over the end of his cue and glances at Josh.

“When he’s done.” Josh pulls his phone out of his pocket as it beeps. “And it looks like that might be...”

His voice trails off and the room goes quiet.

Except for the clinking of the balls hitting one another, all I can hear is my heart pounding hard in my chest.

Josh glances over at Aidan and I watch him stiffen.

“What’s wrong?” I ask before thinking.

Shit.

As if they’re going to tell me.

Josh swipes his phone up and down, glances at Aidan once more, then nods at the doorway. Aidan pushes his chair out, kisses Briar on the head and takes a draw on his beer before following the Navy SEAL out of the room.

“What just happened?” I ask staring between the girls, Ryder, and Cole.

The two of them share a look, then Ryder glances at me and shakes his head. “Play your game, Trina.”

What?

No.

Fuck that.

“Ry, tell me.”

“I don’t know, okay. He’s on a top-secret mission and none of us have access to that information. Nor would I be able to tell you if I did.”

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