Page 69 of Commander in Briefs

“He and his wife divorced when he was serving. Her boyfriend killed his son in a fit of rage. He was never the same after that.”

Theo is quiet, picking at his tweed bracelet. “Oh.”

There is nothing left to say. It was a horrific nightmare that no parent should ever endure. I asked Vic what happened to the guy, thinking maybe he killed him and served time, but he said they never found him. I can’t speak for Vic but I wouldn’t rest until that fucker was six feet under.

“Mind if I join you?” Hayes’ voice is a welcome distraction from my dark thoughts.

“Sure, man.”

He drags a chair over and sits between us. Hayes has been enamored with Theo since he’s been home. I thought Theo would be standoffish and a dick like he was to me, but nope, he seems to like Hayes. As much as I tell myself it doesn’t matter, it does. Then again, Hayes isn’t trying to take his girl.

Hayes looks out over the view of the countryside. “So, your brother….”

Theo’s face scrunches up at the mention of Thad.

“He’s a cool guy.”

Theo laughs darkly at Hayes’ observation. “I suppose.”

It’s no secret the two brothers don’t see eye to eye. I guess it’s because of their mutual love for a tiny blonde. I don’t know all the details, but I do know they all lived together in college. Maybe Thad developed a love for her, too. I wouldn’t doubt it. She’s exciting to love.

“He said you threw a no-hitter the other day. I love baseball. I haven’t seen a game in forever.”

Hayes prattles on without realizing Theo is clutching his beer so hard that the glass is a few seconds from shattering. But Theo is a pro for fielding uncomfortable topics. He smiles genuinely at Hayes. “I did. You should come to a game. Tell Commander—” he looks at me and grins, “—to bring you all up.”

I can’t tell if he thinks this is all some big joke or if he says this type of shit just to piss me off. I’m going with the latter.

“Man! That would be incredible! You think she would go for it, Major?”

I want to glare at Theo. Hayes asking me that played right into his little fucked up sense of humor. Since bringing on the new recruits, as we call them, Theo has been making nonstop remarks about Anniston and I having children. I’m smart enough to know he says it because he’s jealous that she and I have something that he isn’t part of. But it doesn’t soothe my anger with him when he makes a dig like, all I’m good for is being her little bitch and babysitting.

“I’m not sure, Hayes. Feel free to ask her yourself.”

My mood is plummeting by the second. Each time I think I can handle Theo he goes and does something that tests my patience. The patio door slides open and Thad pokes his head through.

“Come join us,” I say with a smile. Theo flicks me off, which makes me laugh. Serves the fucker right.

Thad makes himself comfortable across from us, near the railing. My guess is that he doesn’t want to be close to Theo. I wish I would have made the same decision.

We’ve all moved on to a safer topic. Football. Mason, Vic, and Tim are down there with Anniston playing flag football, having a blast, tossing each other to the dirt. Theo watches her like a hawk, smiling now and then when she makes a good play. Pride is evident in his eyes. He loves her, and that makes me feel sick. I knew they had a thing but… I guess I thought maybe I had a chance. I realize now, Theo won’t let her go. He has his hooks in her and apparently, she likes it.

I glower at Theo because I’m petty but instead of giving the look back to me or doing something ridiculous he’s looking like he is seconds from launching at Thad. Huh.

Thad is twirling one of Anniston’s hair ties around his fingers and I wonder why he has it. Obviously, it’s grating on Theo’s nerves because he’s clenching his hands, moving closer to the edge of his seat.

“Will you stop twirling that?” Theo doesn’t let Thad answer as he leaps out of the chair, snatching the hair tie out of Thad’s hand, and hurls it over the deck.

Whatever beef him and Thad have going on has his patience thin. Thad’s head rotates like something out of the exorcist and he glares at Theo with hatred in his eyes. Geeze. I know Theo is annoying, but he’s tolerable, at least around here. Who knows what he does to Thad when they are alone in Washington.

Everyone is silent as Thad continues to stare at Theo.

Theo, having lost all his patience minutes ago, snaps. “What’s your deal?”

Thad traces his finger along his lips, worrying the bottom one between his teeth. His jaw clenches before he speaks. “You are,” he spits rather spitefully.

Theo balks. “What the fuck did I do? I mean really, I’ve played. I’ve behaved at work. What else is there?”

Thad barks out a fake laugh. “You are so dense sometimes.” He stares out at the backyard, his eyes zeroing in on Anniston.

---