Page 70 of The Story of Danny Rose

We were getting up at four, so we didn’t need to add a hangover to the list.

“Just one,” he promised.

He was gonna ask for a second.

We walked into the pub, which was luckily not crowded, and we opted to sit at the bar. It was the place we usually went to around here. They had a rainbow flag next to the register, and it was close to work.

Given how early we were shipping out tomorrow—back to the fucking sandbox—we’d decided to sleep at Hillcroft tonight. Darius and Sid were leaving too. We’d all fly to Frankfurttogether, and then Danny and I would hitch a ride with a cargo plane heading for Fallujah, and Darius and Sid had an extraction in Pakistan.

I missed the days of extractions. But Danny and I had too much history in combat zones, so TJ and Quin only sent us to military-heavy areas these days. Where we would gather intel, not shy away from direct action, and do recon on the borders between friendly areas and enemy territory.

I ordered us two pints and brought out my wallet.

“Oh, and those gross salt and vinegar chips,” Danny added. “My man loves those.”

I smiled and kissed his temple. He knew how to keep his Daddy happy.

Someone sat down two stools away from us, and it was close enough for us to avoid shop talk. Instead, Danny rambled about our dogs. We had a new pup joining us next month when we got back, and my boy was certain we’d manage to upgrade the shed before it got too cold.

I took a swig of my beer and—why was that guy watching me? Except, he turned away when I caught him.

Hm. He looked a little familiar.

“Are you listening, Sir?” Danny pressed.

I squinted and replayed his words—something about the food dispensers in the shed. And I knew what was wrong with them. They didn’t always work.

“Replace the food dispensers?” I guessed and hoped for the best.

“Repairthem,” he corrected with alook. “I’m gonna repair them.”

Oh. Got it.

He’d have to excuse me. I was exhausted. We’d been in training all week, and we had the first anniversary of the attacks coming up tomorrow. I could barely turn around without seeingreminders. Watching the news was currently out of the fucking question. It filled me with remnants of last year’s anger every time.

“Forgive me for being out of it. I’m just tired.” I draped an arm around Danny’s shoulders and smooched his cheek.

He pursed his lips. “I think it’s best I give you a massage when we get back to our room.”

What the hell had I done to deserve this boy?

“I love you.” I kissed his cheek again. “You’re too good to me.”

“That’s a load of crap. You spoil me all the time.” He got me quickly on the lips before he pushed the bowl of chips closer. “Eat your disgusting Brit chips.”

I chuckled and grabbed a couple. Kids these days. They didn’t know good snacks if they hit them in the face?—

“Excuse me.”

Now what?

We turned toward the voice—the guy sitting a couple seats away from me.

“Do I know you?” he asked me.

I frowned. He was familiar, but I couldn’t place him.

“He’s hella taken, if that’s what you’re wondering,” Danny told the guy.

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