Page 13 of Vapor
“How come you never call me colonel?” I ask sounding like the coffee shop snot from Pennsylvania.
He freezes. “You're two steps higher, you’ve always been better than colonel.”
My eyes close slowly feeling that to my core. “Thank you.” I clear the gruff out of my throat and let them know where my head is. “We’ll do this job with Badass as if we’re that Club ina Club. It will give everyone a chance to see how that works. We got four with a vote. We can do that when we get back.” I’m still hoping for supply storage options.
He’s up and kissing Sarah while I hold onto the swing’s arm. The man is quick and has Sarah in his arms as he walks back toward the door behind me. “They said whatever you decide. Mucimi said you’re taking Badasses job and I’m all for it. I may get to baking in my free time.”
I laugh pushing him away. “Go. Both of you, go bake that kid. You may get to see it grow up.”
He pushes the swing from behind sending it and me careening. Because I’m not expecting it, I’m on my ass on the deck within two seconds. The swing breeze has me turning back less than three seconds later. I’m too far for it to hit me but I’m on my ass. The bastard.
Chapter Two
Two days
SOAR
VA Vapor
The sun is bright today causing me to don the very cool aviator glasses that don’t fit military standards, but we weren’t on any one base, our orders came through coms or by phone, therefore, the cool shades are a long-standing part of my life.
“Commander, where’s Chief?”
Keeping a steady pace without a reaction that owns guilt, I shrug and swing into the truck. “He was supposed to be at the truck. We have a meet I’m not late for, Sweet. Send him to Veritable when he moseys his ass along.”
He snaps a salute and I close the door with a slam. The slam was for show but anyone who saw it will think I’m annoyed as hell and Jones’ accident will take on the accident moniker without me saying it.
“How’d you learn to do that?”
The deep voice shocks the hell out of me. “Fuuuuck!” Yelling, while straightening the wheel, slamming on the brake and pulling my gun happens all at break neck speed. When my eyes face target, I drop the gun on the seat. “Don’t fuckin’ do that? You don’t show in my truck without a warning.”
Mucimi, with huge eyes, nods. “You’re faster than…”
“No. There is no cute-ing your way out. Warn when you show up.” I re-holster my gun and start driving. “How’d I learn what?”
He watches me for a few seconds then smiles. “You didn’t aim to trap him you assumed his movements.”
My smile is huge. “Never. His curiosity causes more shit for him. I just use it. He would have to start the tractor then get down to watch the pulleys move the fabric and clip the next bolt to see where I routed those pulleys.” Figuring how to get him snagged into that fabric took me hours but I got it and set it up knowing he’d do the rest.
He looks down with a smile. “He did. Sarah is yelling at him about messing with your stuff. Why?” It’s a good question. Sarah was supposed to help me get the fabric laser cut and folded for uniforms for the teams when we get back from the job. It’s a bit of a production for the new laser cutter to make basic clothes for kids but fabric was delivered and it would give us a chance to test out the cutter. It also gave me a way to get Jones back.
“Couple days ago he carried Sarah into the house and pushed the swing I was on hard enough that I landed on the deck ass first. It was payback. He does shit when and where no one sees it so I respond the same. He always wonders but never asks.”
He shakes his head. “I left him to Sarah to see why. Badass and mean-to-be-mean doesn’t work. Sarah thinks he’s like a kid always touching or doing things he shouldn’t.” His smile has me nodding.
“I read that about Badass.Mean to be meanisn’t in me. Jones is Jones. It’s been happening since I met him and I’m sure he’s kicking himself but it’s good natured and he’s always annoying me. I never had a big brother and think he decided he was it.”
Now he laughs. “Mase is like that. Readers are tough to surprise but Mase is everyone’s big brother. He’s annoying and the most thoughtful.”
I sigh. “Don’t you hate that? There’s no way to stay mad at the jerk. I love him to death.”
He laughs. “Yeah, Mase would stand in front of any one of us but he can get on your nerves. He’s everyone’s favorite uncle.”
We trade annoying brothers that we love stories back and forth on the way to Veritable. As I pull in, I realize he’s still here. I don’t know him well but he always shows and goes intermittently. At least he was like that yesterday.
“You’re in this meet?”
He shakes his head. “Next one about the kids. My life isn’t always easy. You live to be happy like the Bits. Aaron keeps saying you’re like them. Copper is like that too. She just wants to work her job, live her life and smile more than cry. Seeing that helps my not so easy days.”
