Page 75 of Fight Or Flight

Eric

Well, that went well…not. I knew my parents wouldn’t take my decision lightly, that’s why I waited so long to tell them. But, I didn’t expect the backlash I received tonight. I didn’t expect my dad to throw Brooklyn in my face either. That one fucking stung and to make matters worse, she heard every fucking word. She heard him berate me for leaving her. It’s like every time I think we’re about to take a step forward, we take twenty back. At this rate, I’m never going to get the girl and that’s a fucking shame because I think, together, we’d make the fucking angels sing.

And you know what else stings? The fact that my parents assume I haven’t thought this through. They have no idea that I weighed all the potential outcomes. They don’t know that I considered their feelings too. But in the end, every time I doubted myself, I thought about what Stryker told me…

A true soldier doesn’t go to war because he hates the enemy in front of him, he goes because he loves what’s behind him.

Folding my hands behind my head, I stare at the flag hanging on my wall.

It’s just me and you, Old Glory.

‘Til death do we part.

A knock sounds on my door, but unless it’s a DoorDasher bringing me food, I don’t really want to be bothered with anyone. I should’ve raided the cabinets before I descended to my dungeon. I’m lonely, feeling sorry for myself, and I’m all out of snacks to boot. I suppose it’s a glimpse into my future. I have burned all my bridges and now who the hell is going to send me care packages when I’m fighting the bad guys? I better find myself a pen pal or something. Maybe I can pay Anthony to send me snacks, he’s been an awesome employee.

“Eric, it’s me.”

Okay, so I take it back.

I really don’t mind being bothered by Brooklyn so long as she’s not visiting my lair to kick me to the curb again. I think that might throw me over the edge.

“Come in,” I call.

She opens the door just enough to poke her head inside and I sit up straight, leaning my back against the back of the pull-out.

“I come bearing snacks.”

It’s like we share one brain.

If there was any question if I could love this girl, it’s obliterated.

She pushes the door open all the way and enters with her arms full of all my favorite things. Kicking it closed, she makes her way toward the pull-out and deposits all the snacks on top of it. There are chips, beef jerky, two cans of coke, a gallon of milk and…you guessed it, Oreos. Oh, and is that a fruit roll-up? Why, yes, I think it is.

“How the hell did you carry all this shit down here?”

She shrugs her shoulders and pushes the food out of her way. Taking a seat, she blows her hair away from her face.

“It wasn’t easy, but at least I know I’m a pretty good juggler.”

I stare at her for a beat.

“Marry me and have all my babies.”

I’m kidding.

Kind of.

We’d make really cute kids.

“We might want to graduate high school before we do any of that.”

She’s got a point, not to mention I’d really like to be out of my parents’ house before I start populating the world. Imagine that family discussion.

Hey, Pops, if you thought the Army thing was bad, hold my beer.

I divert my attention to the bed, taking in the smorgasbord and lift my head to meet her eyes.

“Thanks for this,” I murmur.

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