Page 56 of Confessions of an Apache Pilot

I picked up my own rifle and slung it over my shoulder. I stepped beside her, faced the targets and leveled the rifle as if I were about to fire at them. “When you hear the thud of the rifle running empty, push all the way out with your arm, then keeping it far out at shoulder height, sweep it behind you.” I demonstrated. “Once the rifle is behind your hips you can let it drop. It will be behind you and you won’t have to worry about it getting in your way. Then you can grab your pistol without getting tangled up.”

I watched her practice a few times. When she was ready, I told her to load up. “Same as before, five rounds in each target, then transition to the pistol and do another three rounds in each.”

She loaded the stubby magazine into the rifle. “Ready,” she said.

“Ready… Fire!” She brought the rifle up, fired five, shifted, and fired the last five. This time the rifle went dry. She stretched out and slung the rifle behind her back, pulled her pistol and put three additional rounds in each target.

Forget fine cooking. Forget the cleanest house or sewing. You can keep all the make-up, heels, and dresses. This woman was born a warrior. She was sexier in her uniform and armor than the hottest runway model in lingerie. I would take the combat boots, cargo pants, and t-shirt on her any day.

“You did amazing,” I told her, pointing at the targets. She smiled and stood up straighter. “Your groupings are great. You should come out here more with us. You would show the guys up with your skill.”

“Thanks, Mark. I appreciate it. I feel like I learned a lot. It was...fun.” The last word hung in the air, it was an invitation.

“Good, I’m glad. I’ll grab the Polaris and bring you back.” For a brief moment she frowned, before regaining her composure.

You’re enjoying yourself. Feels nice, doesn’t it?

It was a pleasant surprise, seeing her relax and not be so uptight. I had a lot of fun, too. I just needed to keep this momentum up.

I walked back toward the tables. Ty was sitting in a chair with his feet up. Grinning. “Having fun with your not-girlfriend?” he asked.

“Not one more word,” I told him. He cocked a brow at me. I kicked his foot, knocking his legs off the bench. Looking back at Jen, I saw she was stripping out of her armor and piling up her gear. She hadn’t noticed our exchange. Yet. I looked at Ty again. “Not one,” I repeated.

I hopped into the Polaris and drove it over to her. She threw her things in the back and jumped in next to me. “Is Ty coming back with us?” she asked as I started driving off the range.

“No, we’re just getting started here. I’ll drop you off and then come back. Then we’ll go through our own set of drills.”

We arrived back at the female barracks. It felt like that awkward part of the date where you try to kiss her before she goes back into her house. Of course, that wasn’t an option here. It was broad daylight and there were people all around. She climbed out and pulled her gear from the back. She dropped it at her feet, then she put her hands on the frame of the Polaris and leaned in. I had to make a deliberate effort to look into her eyes and not at her breasts, which decided that now was a perfect time to perk out at eye level. They teased me with the idea that they could possibly pop out of her bra at any moment.

“Thanks for doing this, Mark… It was fun. And good training.”

Calling me Mark, that’s a rare treat, I thought.

“Anytime, although next time don’t make me kidnap you.”

She smiled sheepishly and tried, unsuccessfully, to hide a blush.

“Hey, it’s okay not to be so guarded, you’re allowed to make friends and have a little fun. You don’t have to stay cooped up in the MED office on standby all the time. And you don’t need to use your crew as a shield to come over.” I pulled out the big guns and used her words against her. “We’re friends, remember?”

“You’re right. I know you’re right,” she said. She looked like she wanted to say more. I certainly did. But instead, I decided to end the awkwardness. For both our sakes.

Push her too hard and she’ll close back up.

“Well, you and your crew are welcome anytime. I’ll see ya later.” She smiled and stepped back. I watched her go into the building before I took off.

Ty was waiting for me when I got back to the range. “Stop off for a cold shower?” he asked

“Fuck off,” I said, smiling as I got out.

He stayed where he was, not dropping eye contact. “Dude.”

“I said, fuck off.”

“Dude,” he repeated.

“I don’t want to hear it. And she doesn’t need the headache of rumors.”

“Dude!” he yelled. Bringing his voice back down he continued speaking, “That girl is infatuated with you. You can’t just let that go.”

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