Page 55 of Seamus: Unconventional
Ben turns my way laughing. “He knows you’ll follow.”
I nod, then throw chin to Joshua and Luke Rayne. “Brothers.” Keeping up with the nutty beast isn’t easy. They have food and Prospects outside the Club serving Brothers. I guess everyone likes the drone show. A fire blazes to life like it’s gas powered. When I follow the source, I shake my head, it’s gas powered or fuel sourced and settles to a normal pit fire level.
Maiyun and Aylen are both smiling at my spiffed-up partner. “The hat makes him look more powerful or he’s been working out.” Maiyun makes me laugh.
I stop when said strapping partner gives me a caustic look. Clearing my throat, I throw in a nod for a second to get control of my blank look. “Could be a little of both. We’re working out more now.”
Aylen laughs while pointing to my side. I shrug and take the drink from the Prospect. “Thanks.”
My girl kisses my cheek and sits, happy to have her red drink with the piece of melon wedged on the glass and full strawberry on top. Not my kind of drink but I wouldn’t mind some fruit.
Freedom glares at me, so I step back and bow cheekily to the women. They laugh as I get lost in the crowd. Holy shit, they look too serious sometimes.
Mase laughs. “They do it on purpose. It keeps us in line.”
I can see that. “I wouldn’t fuck with them and don’t need a reminder.”
He laughs putting his arm over my shoulder. This isn’t new but he hasn’t done it in a while.
“I’m not your partner, Mase.”
His arm falls and he walks away. Ben and Ranger laugh.
I smile. “He knows it but wants me to agree so when I do take an Op, he can jump in by holding me to it.”
Ben nods. “He tries it on everyone.”
I’ve seen it and Marks told me how to stop it. Music surprises me but it’s nice. I sit with the Brothers watching the crowd ebb and flow around the outside of the Club up to the pool area. I think the pool is new. It’s almost magical with the flashing drone lights and stars coming to life in the darkening desert sky. A Prospect drops chips and salsa on the table and stocks the miniature metal trough with water, beer and ice.
I take a water and smile when another Prospect drops a platter of fruit and cheese. It’s like a wish granting genie is following me around. Light chuffs getting my attention. All I can do is laugh. He’s got a white straw boater hat with a red, white and blue band. His medals are the same as Shadow but they stand out against his bright white shaved athletic body. My partners are good looking Brothers no matter what hats they’re in. He barks softly. I touch my finger to my temple like I’m tipping my imaginary hat.
“Here, Seamus!” Vinny runs toward me with a Bit I don’t know carrying a porkpie hat with a thin flag band.
I take the hat from the Bit and a smiling Vinny. “Thanks, Buds. This is more my style than the cowboy hat I wore in Texas.”
Vinny nods. “Light showed us. Asa found music for you too. Shadow showed you dancing.”
Fuck. “That was a few years ago, Vin.”
He shrugs running away with the Bit. “Kristos said it’s like riding a bike!”
I don’t bother answering. I put the hat on, grabs some grapes and cheese and eat.
“You dance?” Ranger sits across from me.
“I used to. It’s a good way to connect in some foreign communities. I learned more from the locals than the classes I took, but my uncle was right, if I needed an in, dancing was it. I’d move from the edges of a gathering to the center then walk away drawing people my way. It saved a week of me listening and culling through inane intel.”
Joshua sits by Ranger looking surprised. “You use a lot of sociology in the military.”
“I guess. I was just looking for quickest solutions. My uncle was elite so he gave me usable advice before I was old enough to enlist. I spent years being groomed for the job I wanted.”
Ranger nods. “It shows. I grew up similar but lost my dad and uncle before I made it back home.” There’s a sadness in those eyes that usually are lit with amusement.
“They did a good job. Ross is a name I heard in California. My uncle died at the base shooting there.”
He’s surprised. “Just a few years ago?”
Too many. I smile knowing it’s sad. “About six now.”
