Page 53 of Caged

I laughed with everyone else. SSI reminded me of the Marines. Having no siblings, and being a military brat, the sense of brotherhood quickly became one of my favorite things about serving. Another thing Gavin took from me, my ability to trust my teammates on a personal level.

“Let’s focus,” Jaden said.

“Damn, I expect that from your big brother…” AJ trailed off.

“Fuck you, Andrew,” Jaden said with a shit-eatinggrin.

The room went quiet. AJ glared at Jaden. Jaden smirked at AJ.

Jack broke the tension. “Let’s not poke the bear, shall we? Ma’ll kill us if we let AJ kill you.”

Jaden displayed the trademark Sheppard grin, the left side lifting a smidge more than the right, while holding eye contact with AJ. “He could try.”

AJ laughed, diffusing the tension.

“Can we get back to work?” I asked. “Please.”

“Back, we haven’t started,” Jamie said with a hint of humor. “What do you need from us?”

We worked late into the night, until Jamie insisted it was time for everyone to get some rest.

Chapter 22

Jay

“I’ll drive,” Maxwell said. We’d just finished the Thursday morning meeting with the team and agreed on our plan of attack for the day.

“No, I’ll drive,” I argued.

“What’s your problem?”

“I don’t have a problem.”

“You have a problem with women driving,” Maxwell huffed.

It wasn’t that I had a problem with women driving; I didn’t like giving up the control.

But I wouldn’t tell her that. “You know what they say about women drivers.” I shrugged it off like I hadn’t just insulted her and her gender.

“Fine, but only because I don’t feel like arguing,” she grabbed her phone and shoved it into the back pocket of her jeans.

Jeans that fit her perfectly round ass.I bet I could bounce a quarter off that ass.

“Sheppard!”

“What?” I yelled back, pretending it was a conscious choice to ignore her.

“Did you hear a word I just said?” she asked.

“Of course.” One look at her exasperated expression warned me I should fess up. “Fine, I didn’t hear you. Happy now?”

“No. I need to know I can trust you.”

That stung. I might be a smart ass, but she could trust me.

I couldn’t tell her what I was thinking about, so I forced the image from my mind and focused.

“You can trust me. I’m sorry I got distracted.”

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