Page 6 of D-Day

“That big, annoying purple dinosaur again?” Blitz asked with a frown.

Everyone groaned, including D-Day. How the fuck did they get on this topic? But he couldn’t complain because the heat was off him.

“No, Barney Rubble from theFlintstones.”

“You’re all wrong,” Bear said. “It’s Gromit. Loyal in every sense of the word. He’s righted Wallace’s wrongs through a jewel-thieving fugitive penguin, a sheep-rustling robot dog, and a fucking were-rabbit.”

“You would choose a dog,” Professor said with a smirk and Bear just grinned.

“I thought you’d say Tonto,” Blitz said.

Several of the guys threw their empty water bottles at him. “That’s offensive and racist,” Gator growled.

“No, it’s not,” Blitz said. “Tonto was one of the earliest Native Americans to act in a television show, and Bear is Native American. That’s something to celebrate.”

An argument erupted and Bear held up his hand. “Enough. It’s not offensive to me, and Blitz wouldn’t know a racist comment if it bit him in the ass. He’s just being sincere.”

Blitz bumped fists with Bear and grinned. “Yeah, the big man gets me.”

“At least someone does,” Gator said, rolling his eyes. Blitz shoved him off the couch.

“Yeah, right. We’re just a bunch of PC guys.”

“Don’t we have a plane to catch?” D-Day said, starting for the door, relieved that the topic had switched away from him.

“Wait…wait a second,” Buck said. “We’re not done here. What is up with you?”

“Chatty Kathy didn’t fill you in?” D-Day said, shooting Zorro a pointed glance. He just shrugged and looked innocent.

“We know what happened,” Buck said, his drawl getting thicker. “You haven’t been yourself for some time, D.”

“I’ve been dealing with some family issues that aren’t resolved and need more time to work through. I don’t have a better answer than that.” Technically, he hadn’t lied. His family was a problem for him, and he hadn’t processed everything that had happened to him in the past. He started for the door, then stopped. “Look, I’m sorry for missing the brief, and I’m sorry that this is affecting the team. I’m done with drinking…while on call. It won’t happen again, and thanks for covering for me with Joker.”

Buck kept his gaze on him, a familiar stubborn set to his jaw, the rest of his face obscured in the shadow of his Stetson. Shit was just about to get personal. “Guys, load up.”

“But Buck—” Zorro said.

“Load up or we’re going to be late. Go.”

There was a lot of grumbling, until Blitz stopped at the front door and turned back. “Who’s your fav sidekick, D?”

“Blitz—” Buck growled.

“It’s Piglet, Blitz. He’s timid, skittish, and self-conscious; Pooh is oblivious, adventurous, and rumbly-tumbly cute. They were practically made for each other, and he’s strong enough to pooh, pooh Winnie for being a ‘silly old bear.’ But when the chipsare down or during a quiet moment, it’s Piglet that Pooh always turns to for support.”

“Wow, kind of like us, yeah?”

“Yeah,” Professor said, shoving Blitz through the door. “You’re rumbly-tumbly cute.”

“You take that back,” Blitz demanded, his voice fading.

“I think he’s more like Tigger—bouncy, clueless, and one of a kind,” Zorro said as the door closed.

“I heard that!” Blitz shouted.

“I work with a bunch of crazy eights,” Buck said. He sighed, stood up, and came over to D-Day. “Does this have anything to do with my sister?” Buck scrutinized him intently, his contemplative tone tinged with an undercurrent of tension.

“Which sister?” D-Day said, playing dumb, yet his desolation stripped him bare, washing him with a whole spectrum of emotion.

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