Page 31 of Waiting for Redemption

TANK

Everyoneexcept for Tucker is currently at the airport getting ready to fly out for Shane’s art exhibit in San Francisco. Max is the only one who’s seen the pieces being displayed tonight and the only thing the rest of us know is that it’s military-themed. I’m kind of looking forward to getting out of town for a little while, even if itisjust for the weekend. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy my routine of going to work, the gym, and soccer practice with Hendrix and Ruby—but I think it’ll be nice to have a change of scenery.

Apparently, this event has been advertised widely enough that there’s supposed to be a massive turnout, with members from multiple military branches expected to attend. The amount of anxiety I had to fight off when I first found that out was intense, but the more I thought about it the more I convinced myself there’s a very slim chance I’ll run into anyone I worked with directly. I miss those guys like hell, but I just don’t think I’m quite ready to talk about what happened or re-live thegood ole daysjust yet.

“What seat are you in?” Ruby slaps my arm with her boarding pass and nods to the one in my hand.

“Uhh. 15B.” I flip the paper over to show her my seat number.

“Oh, hell yeah. 15A.” She sinks her teeth into her bottom lip, and it immediately does something to my brain chemistry—something I’m becoming more and more accustomed to. “I’m gonna annoy the shit out of you the entire flight. I hope you know that.” She points at me as she backs away, heading towards some of the other girls standing by the charging station.

“Greaaat,” I drag out sarcastically. “You better at least have snacks,” I call out, granting me acome on sonlook as she pulls a bag of candy from her backpack. I let out a chuckle because, of course, she has snacks. Then Taylor’s voice catches me by surprise.

“Hey, where’s Tucker, he said he’d be here?”

“Ah, don’t worry. He’ll show.” I adjust my duffle bag on my shoulder. As if on cue, my phone silently buzzes in my hand with a text from Tucker.

Tucker

Just got here. Have a safe flight.

Me

I mean, I’m not the one flying the plane but I’ll eat my snacks safely.

Tucker

You’re an idiot.

Me

Don’t be jealous of my quick wit.

Tucker

Jealous? Who do you think you picked that up from?

Me

Max. Definitely.

Tucker

Good one.

Me

See you in a few hours.

“Flight 429 to San Francisco, now boarding.”

* * *

I’m not sure what plans she had toannoy the shit out of mefor the entirety of the flight, but making me share an earbud while she played the first five songs of theCluelesssoundtrack didn’t bother me at all. I think she may have actually glitched when I started to sing along to one of the songs. After realizing how unbothered I was, she rolled her eyes and turned on a podcast calledDark Historythat I found rather interesting, though itdidlull both of us to sleep after about 20 minutes.

The feeling of the plane preparing to land wakes me, but Ruby is still out like a light with her head propped up on my shoulder. She’s hands down the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met—captivating in a way that could bring any man to his knees. Not only does her long black hair make me want to run my hands through it, her lips make me want to taste every sweet smile she gives and her body makes me ache to touch her in a way I’ve never experienced before. She also makes me laugh, stands her ground when bar patrons get a little too rowdy, and doesn’t let anyone push her around. To top it off, she’s the best damn mom to Hendrix, which makes me feel things for her I don’t dare try to unpack right now.

I know Ruby and I can never be more than just friends, so I am content with the way things are. There’s less of a chance I’ll fuck everything up this way.

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