Page 15 of Fire for Effect

“Well, that cat’s out of the bag now,” she smirked. “He wanted to make sure we did something for you before your mother called and ruined everything.”

Her sour face made me laugh.

“That woman, I swear,” she placed her hands on her hips, shaking her head. “Can’t appreciate what she has.”

Charlotte never approved of my mother. If she had had kids, she would have been a good mom. It was ironic that the best parents were often the ones who were prevented from having them.

“Amazing how he’s taking time out of his very, very busy venture capitalism schedule to make sure we’re taking care of you,” Goose said, his voice dripping with dry humor.

“Is that what he’s doing?” I said sarcastically. “Venture capitalism? That is the worst cover ever. They really phoned it in with that one.”

Venture capitalism, indeed.

“Where is Veder, anyway?” I tried to change the subject, forcing everyone to turn their minds back to the real trouble child, and then maybe they’d stop talking about me.

“In the barn, afraid to come in. He thinks you hate him,” Goose laughed.

“Why would I hate him?” I asked, shocked.

“Oh, come on, you and Griff were always partners in crime!” Goose laughed. “I’m surprised you two didn’t get together once he dumped the piece of work he was married to… what was her name?”

“Kristin,” Top said, biting into a piece of garlic bread.

“Dreadful woman,” Charlotte said from the kitchen, turning off the stove and filling up a couple plates.

“Let me help you with that!” Goose came to his feet and ran out to the small kitchen. “Anyway, Veder thinks you hate him because Griff hates him.”

The last part was true. Griff did hate Veder ever since he accidentally slept with Kristin when they met in a bar, drunk. They were both trolling for tail in Fayetteville. Veder didn’t know she was married to Griff until he was sneaking out and saw the team picture on the mantle.

Griff had never introduced them. She’d barely showed up to any functions, and she made it clear that the whole military life was far beneath her.

“Oh, hey! By the way, that firefighter asked about you again today,” Goose said, crossing his arms and pursing his lips, eyes bright with mischief.

“What firefighter?” Charlotte popped her head up, looking at me with a scandalized expression. Drama queen.

“Rilo something-or-other,” Goose said, totally throwing me under the bus. “I guess he thinks you’re kinda special. He said you two went on a date…”

“Shut up,” I said, kicking him under the table. “And his name is Riley.”

“He was walking his kid to school and asked me how I knew you. Kinda fishing to see what your deal was.” Goose was throwing what semblance of a personal life I had on the table. “Told him you were single, and all.” He gave me a sly wink. “Don’t worry, I didn’t embarrass you.”

“You’re a walking, talking embarrassment,” I groaned.

“Yeah, Dad!” Mary said.

“Yeah!” Tyler chimed in. “A total embarrassment.”

Goose beamed, as if they'd just paid him the greatest compliment in the world.

Chapter 5

That’s a Girl’s Name

Griff

Komrat, Moldova

The stalks of wheat rustled in the breeze. The sky was gray, overcast, and dull, pounding on the rooftop.

---