Page 33 of Confessions of an Apache Pilot

“Good, fucker’s gotta pay for interrupting my movie night,” Laura blurted out.

With that, they left the Ops Center and headed for their aircraft. The tension in the air lingered, as I stowed my gear underneath my cot. Sarah and Karolyn came in, laughing together and took the empty cots on the other side of Laura. There was only one left next to me. Maybe I’d be lucky and wouldn’t end up with a noisy neighbor.

“Jen!”

My head popped up as my name echoed around inside the huge room. Other people glanced over my head at the familiar voice who’d called my name. My eyes darted to Sarah. Her blue eyes were wide as saucers and even Karolyn was grimacing.

“Please tell me that’s not-”

“It is,” Karolyn said, voice soft so it didn’t carry. “He’s coming up fast.”

Turning, I faced Scott as he stopped right in front of me. “Scott,” I replied, tone cool. It was all I could do to keep the neutral mask covering my expression. He was lucky Laura wasn’t here. She was unfailingly loyal and had never gotten a chance to tell him off. She’d relish the opportunity. I’d have to speak with her about it. The last thing I wanted was to cause a scene here.

He smiled at me like we were old pals and he hadn’t gotten pushy with me a little over a month ago. Absolute sociopath, his behavior never required an apology, my behavior was always unreasonable. “Fancy both of us being here together.”

My eyes narrowed at his choice of words, and I glared as he set his stuff down on the bed next to me. “That’s taken,” I told him.

“Soldier at the door said it was first come-”

“Someone else got there first,” I interrupted him. “Had to go get the rest of his stuff.”

He searched my face for a moment before picking up his things. “Why don’t we go catch dinner together?” he suggested, giving me his most charming smile.

Taking in the flashing white teeth, I wondered how I deluded myself before? Sure he was handsome, but even his smile was smarmy. There was nothing redeeming or even likable about Scott Harris.

“Look. I’m not sure what you think is happening here,” I told him, my voice ice cold. “But whatever it is, you’re wrong.” The girls snickered from behind me. “You already had your chance and you blew it.”

“You can’t seriously be holding onto that, Jen,” he replied, daring to roll his eyes.

“What? Catching you in bed with another woman? That’s not something I can forgive, Scott.”

“You’re being ridiculous.” His eyes narrowed. “You’re screwing someone.”

“What?” I asked, shock melting the cool exterior I’d erected.

“Why else wouldn’t you be willing to look past one little mistake?”

One of the girls snorted in disgust and I heard Sarah whisper, “Did he seriously just say that?”

A quick glance around showed that we were drawing attention. It made me want to slink away in embarrassment knowing people were watching this. It was bad enough having to just speak to Scott. Doing so publically was humiliating. I shook my head, sending him my most withering glare. “You’re really something, you know that?”

A slow smile spread over his face. “I know.”

Before I could respond and ask him in what world did someone take those words, said in that tone, as a compliment, one of his buddies called out to him.

He winked at me. “See you later, Jen.” He strolled away as though he didn’t have a care in the world.

“Ugh.” Sarah and Karolyn flanked me, offering their support.

I gave them a grateful smile. Knowing they had my back meant a lot to me. “His ego could sink an aircraft carrier.”

Karolyn giggled, “I bet he has a tiny dick.” She gave me a prodding look and though I didn’t want to spread rumors, I nodded in confirmation. After all, the truth wasn’t technically a rumor. We all burst out into laughter.

Rather than wallow in self-pity over the fact that my ex was here, I decided to round up my crew and make sure everything was ready in our bird in case we were called out. It didn’t matter that I’d gone over it all before we’d left for Pamir. It never hurt anything to double check.

It would turn out to be a slow night for us. Although Sheppard and the Beards were out for several hours, we never got a call.

I sat in the Ops Center and listened to the radios. When I heard that they were returning to base I told my crew to get some rest. I laid in my cot and tried to sleep. Thankfully, Scott didn’t bother to approach me again all night. I had a feeling my luck wouldn’t hold out where he was concerned, but there was no point in thinking about it now. I could hear someone bringing in a helicopter to land. Must be the Apaches coming back. I never heard them come into the bay, though. I was asleep before they shut down.

---