Page 62 of Zero
“I’m serious.” I insisted. “If you want this friendship, it’s yours.”
“I want.”
I leaned over to kiss the side of her head.
Crash jogged from where he was having a conversation with another soldier and stopped beside us.
“You do know Germany has some marvelous races.” I escorted her from the building and toward where she’d parked. “If you’re ever there, you have a place to stay and a tour guide.”
“For sure.” Crash put in. “You’ll have an entire team. And even though the only soldier my girls have eyes for his Benny, they’ll get a kick out of your stories about Jamaica.”
“I’ll take you up on that.” She promised. “I’m already planning presents for little girls.”
“Oh boy.” Crash groaned.
Nitro laugh out loud. “Hey, you said little girls, okay? Aunty Nitro is gonna come through in grand fashion!”
We laughed.
“I’ll get changed then report for duty in helping you pack.” She told us.
Crash and I ensured she left the base safely then climbed into the jeep.
“Are you going to stop and speak with Bailey?” Crash asked.
“No.” I replied. “I tried speaking to her over the past few weeks. She has nothing to say to me. I just want to go home.”
“All right, brother.” Crash reached across to pat my shoulder. “We don’t have much left to pack so we can leave a little early if you want.”
I wanted.
With Patrick, Eton, Jasmine and Nitro helping, we were finished in no time. Justice drove Crash and I to the airport with Jasmine. I had to say my goodbyes to the others at the house.
The trip to the airport was only interrupted by a stop at the hut store to pick up some junk food. I’d promise Eden and Anya I’d try and bring them back some candy from the island.
When we finally arrived at the airport, Justice pulled out a bottle of bourbon with a few plastic cups and poured us each a shot.
“I’d like to propose a toast.” Justice lifted his cup. “To friendships forged through fire.”
We all agreed, touched the cups together then tossed the liquid back. Jasmine gathered them and went off to find a trashcan. I took that moment to return my JDF badge.
Justice shook his head. “Keep it. I don’t want you to forget us.”
“I won’t.” I promised.
“You saved my life, Zero.” Justice told me. “There’s a friendship and a loyalty that comes with that.”
“That’s not why I did it, Prime.”
Justice smiled. “I know. But here we are. You need anything—you call. Okay?”
I nodded.
“Be safe.” Justice told me.
After hugs, they walked me as far as they could go, and I was left to be on my way. Though my heart was heavy, I knew I only had to wait ten hours and forty-two minutes before I would have my team around me again.
Ten hours and forty-two minutes until I would be home again.
