Page 77 of Clashing
“You served?” He pointed to the Marines tattoo on my arm with the years served underneath it.
“Yep.”
“So did my brother. Same years almost. What battalion and platoon?”
“1st Battalion, 109.”
“Ah, he was in 1st Battalion but a different platoon.” He scratched the back of his neck. “I don’t suppose the last name Loughty means anything to you?”
“Loughty.” My eyebrows shot up. “Not . . . Phillip Loughty?”
He grinned. “That’s the one.”
“Phil’s your brother?” I asked. He nodded. “That must make you Collie.”
“I’m not a fan of that nickname.” He rolled his eyes, but the grin remained intact. “I can’t believe the bastard carried that nickname through his term.”
I chuckled. “He did say it was to piss you off.”
“So, you do know him?”
“Yeah. We worked a couple missions together. How is he?” I rotated on my stool to face him. “He didn’t actually go through with that winery thing, did he?”
“He’s good. He did, actually.” Collie laughed. “Yeah, he’s doing all right with it. Bought a vineyard off this older couple over in Napa Valley. He loves it. Keeps him busy.”
“That’s great. Next time you talk to him, tell him Harding says hello.”
“Harding.” Collie cocked his head. “Ryker?”
“He’s mentioned me?”
“Yeah, he says you saved his life!”
“It wasn’t just me.”
“Still, dude.” He clapped me on the back. “You’re part of the reason my brother made it home. Let me buy you a drink.”
I started to answer but Scarlett walked in from the kitchen and her mouth fell open. “Collin?”
His grin turned a little too friendly as he focused his attention on my girl. “Hey, Scarlett.”
Collie.
Collin.
Oh,fuck.
Chapter twenty-four
My Lightning Storm
Scarlett
Collinshowingupatthe bar would’ve shocked me any day. Collin showing up and talking to Rykerstunnedme.
Once my heart restarted, it beat out of control with no consistent rhythm. My gaze bounced between the two like a ping-pong match while I struggled to get words out.
“Uh, hi.” I settled on Collin. “You two know each other?”
