Page 26 of Never Always
“I meant to tell you, I only have another week of hours before I’m done.”
“Wow. That was so quick! You must be so happy? Your life will be back to normal in no time. That’s it? No other court-ordered stuff?”
He clears his throat and runs a hand over the steering wheel. “I turned in hours and they seemed to be happy with what was served and only requested one more week of full-time hours. It’s been a while, Fire. Since I’ve been at the Teams. I’ll be rolling directly into a workup.” He glances over and sees my confusion. “It’s training before a deployment. The trips are usually about two weeks long and they’re all over the U.S. I’m home in between and they’ll be a bit less in length just because we’re focusing on intel a little more this time. Less of the guns and glory stuff this time.”
“Oh, you’ll be gone a lot then.” There’s no way I can keep the disappointment out of my voice. “I’ve gotten used to being annoyed by you every day. Who is going to offend me now?”
He reaches over the console and takes my hand. “My offensive prowess isn’t just in person. It can be used via telephone and face calls. Fear not. I’ll annoy you like no other.”
“Then you’ll deploy after the workup is finished?”
Grange turns on his directional and we make our way down a road that isn’t quite paved and isn’t gravel either. Something in between—we’re almost there according to the GPS. “I don’t know yet. It’s quiet these days.”
“That’s a good thing?”
He nods. “For you it is.”
“And for you?”
“A bit boring if we’re being honest.” He parks the truck in a dusty spot, his headlights illuminating a field with a hot air balloon basket waiting. “It will be great to get back to normal, though. It will be like I can forget the last six months happened. A new start.”
My stomach sinks. This makes a little more sense. Why he chose me to latch onto. Maybe I am the best distraction in his given environment. Not the best choice overall. “Except meeting you, Fire.”
He groans when he glances at my face. “I know you’re over there thinking self-deprecating thoughts because for some reason that’s where you automatically go, even though you’re crazy hot and desirable. Don’t make me go on, it’s awkward.”
Breath catches in my throat. “Say you’re right. What of it? You’ll be back in your new life with all of your friends doing what you love. I’ll be part of that piece of life you’re trying to forget.”
“I love where you work. I love what you do. I love the water. You blend into my life effortlessly.” That was a whole lot of love. It gives me pause, dissecting if he’s used the word purposefully or if he’s using it out of context like most individuals do. No one means what they say. Not really anyway.
We’re both quiet as we exit the truck into the early morning chill. Grange grabs a bag from his backseat and waits for me to round to him. The pilot is waiting by the wicker basket and looks to be testing things when we introduce ourselves. Grange locks my arm in his elbow and I’m grateful. For the warmth and because it’s a possessive gesture I think means something. There are forms to sign even though it seems Sue-Ellen did some of that last night when she booked, so I take the clipboard. Grange releases me to walk nearer the balloon and basket. That’s when I see him shrug on his backpack and fasten it in the front.
It’s not a normal backpack, I realize. “Is that a parachute,” I exclaim, voice cutting the silence of the morning.
The pilot glances at Grange.
“Yes. It is,” he says casually, like it’s not completely abnormal.
“Fire, when shit goes sideways, this is my backup plan. There’s another in the back of the truck if you want it. I packed the chutes myself so it’s totally safe.” He seems to be lost in thought as he inspects the basket closer than any normal human should. “You probably don’t know the first thing about sky diving, but I could give you a crash course.” He laughs at his unintended joke.
“Why are you so abnormal?” I ask, horrified that the pilot thinks I’ve brought some unhinged nutcase who is going to jump ship, or balloon rather, mid-flight.
“Why are you so abnormal?” He shakes the basket with one hand, a firm grip. “If I’m going to die, this isn’t going to be the way. I’m sure the pilot is skilled and the wind will be in our favor, but if it’s not, well?” Grange grabs his straps and points to the little ball on a cord.
I look at the pilot. “You’re going to let him wear that?”
He shrugs, uninvolved in my trepidation about allowing a skilled sky diver into his basket. “He won’t need it.” With those few words, I lost a lot of credibility with the man who will be piloting our balloon into the sky. Grange lets out a low, throaty chuckle.
“Did you seriously bring me one too?”
He looks excited. “Yeah, you want it?” he whispers, raising his brows. “We can jump out and really freak him out.” He slides his eyes to the older man testing ropes.
“Of course, I don’t want it. If I’m deemed dead today, then I guess today is my day. You’re turning the best date ever into an insane alpha fueled circus. Do you realize this?”
“You planned the date and Rexy made me sound like a pussy when I said I didn’t want to go. This is my compromise.”
My hair blows into my face so I take the beanie out of my jacket pocket and pull it over my head. Grange does the same with his tight black hat. Except now with the parachute on his back, he looks… tactical. Like a covert operative about to do scary things. “You don’t look like you’re ready to enjoy a sunrise,” I say, looking at the horizon. The flight will last around three hours and I know our time on land is dwindling. “We don’t have to go up if you’re really that scared.”
He lets out a burst of amused laughter. “Stop it. I’m not scared, I’m prepared. Are we going to get this party started?”
