Page 73 of Fade (Fighting Fate)

Pushed even faster still by the speed of the setting sun, we flew toward our destination. Even though Sergeant Cooper had met with this particular group of fighters a number of times before, it was common knowledge that the Kurds fought for no side but their own. With so many different groups involved in the war, with no real side to fight on but whichever one benefited them the most at the time, it was dangerous to think even for a minute that anyone was your ally. We had to stay vigilant.

Driving up to the compound, it was clear from their body language that the Kurds thought the exact same way. The hostility in their stares sent nervous energy through each and every one of us.

We waited behind Sergeant Cooper’s Humvee, watching while he and our translator, Regir, approached their guards. After a few tense moments, they finally motioned us in.

Sergeant Cooper didn’t waste any time, disappearing inside with the Kurd leader to discuss intel, while Nelson and the rest of us stood watch. After four days of constant training and movement with no sound sleep, my body was tiring. We all were. I could see it etched on all of our faces. But rest wasn’t an option. Not until we were safe.

Shifting on my feet, I tried to ease the ache in my legs.

“How you holding up, man?”

I looked over at Nelson to see him eyeing me warily and nodded. “I’m doing okay.”

The corner of his mouth crooked upwards. “You’re all right, man. You’re doin’ good.”

Giving him a quick nod to show him I appreciated it, I resumed my watch of the area.

“You got a girl back home?”

I glanced back at him, hating the pang of sadness that stabbed at my gut from his question. Inhaling slowly, I met his gaze. “Yeah. My wife. Amy.”

It felt good to call her that out loud. Other than saying it to Amy as a tease, I didn’t think I’d had the opportunity

until now.

Nelson’s eyebrows rose. “You’re married? Jesus, aren’t you like only twenty-one or somethin’?”

I just nodded, not really bothered to correct him and admit I was only twenty. Age was just a number anyway. Society was to blame for the way people thought about it. It was no different than eating just because the clock told you it was time to do so.

“That’s crazy shit, man,” Nelson said, shaking his head a little. “How long you been married for?”

Biting back my irritation, I told myself it wasn’t his fault he couldn’t understand. “Not long. Only a few weeks before I was deployed.”

I watched his head start bobbing up and down like he finally understood. “Ah . . . I get it.”

Exhaling steadily, I refrained from shaking my head at him. I knew he thought it was just a rash decision based on the fear of deployment, but I also knew it was impossible for anyone to understand something when they had no knowledge of it to start with.

“In any case,” Nelson said, his gaze moving out around our perimeter. “You should probably prepare yourself. I don’t know anyone your age whose woman has stayed faithful while he’s been on tour. That’s just reality, man.”

Throwing him a knowing smile, I straightened my stance. “Well, it’s a good thing we met, then. I’d hate for you to go through life without meeting at least one person my age who can make a relationship work. And I’ll take great pleasure in proving it to you.”

I met Nelson’s amused gaze with my own determined one. After a moment or two, he gave me one slow nod, and if I read the look in his gaze right, he was hoping I would.

It was another two hours before Sergeant Cooper emerged and we were finally able to sit down and have something more substantial to eat than the rations we carried in our packs. We were also given a room to catch up on our much-needed sleep.

As the lowest-ranking marine in our team, I was prepared to be on first watch, so it was a surprise when I was included with Nelson and McAdams to rest up first. My body ached, so I sure as shit wasn’t going to argue.

Removing whatever gear was necessary, I crawled onto the farthest bedding spread over the dirty floor and closed my eyes. Releasing a long, slow breath, I unleashed my mind, letting the memories of Amy finally assault me. At least for a small moment in time.

Chapter 37

Amy

Deployed time: 2 weeks

Silence filled the room.

Amber sat staring at me, her eyes wide and her hand frozen mid-action of tucking her hair behind her ear.

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