Page 66 of Just Breathe

“She did. She figured they would whip me into shape, and I guess they did, but having to do tours was hard. Being in foster care was hard on me mentally.” I looked at Matthew, the sting of the needle keeping me calm.

“Yeah, getting deployed is no joke.” Matthew looked lost in thought. He looked just like Aiden and most likely me when we think about our deployments.

“What made you join?” I asked.

“I didn’t want to go to college, so I figured that was the best route.” He shrugged. “I’m just not…”

A loud ring from a phone interrupted Matthew. He got up, looking for it on the counter, and answered it.

“Speak.” He put the phone on speaker.

“You know what this little shit said to me today?” Jane’s voice came through the phone and they both chuckled.

“Now it starts,” JD whispered.

“This fucker said since I’ve been gone on vacation being selfish, I need to finish his fucking favors and go pick up the stupid cake for today in fucking McKinney!” She all but shrieked into the phone. “It’s fucking three pm, and he wants me to be ready with the favors finished and the cake by five thirty.” She was fuming.

“I can go pick up the cake,” Matthew offered.

“No, I’m on my way to go pick it up. I just need someone to give Callum a ride back to the hotel and I’m sorry I just needed to vent.”

“It’s fine,” He answered her. “I can give Callum a ride. He’s safe with us.” He gave her an evil laugh.

“Matthew, I swear to god if you guys gang up on him and give him the ‘don’t fuck with my baby sister’ speech, I’m going knee you in the nuts,” she growled. Angry Jane was really hot.

“Too late!” I yelled, laughing at the glare both of them gave me because I tattled.

“Guys!? Fuck, I’m sorry Callum, these idiots think they can protect me. Thanks for putting me on speaker and not letting me know. For all you know, I could have called to gossip about Callum or worse, talk about sex.”

JD laughed. “If you talked about sex with us, it would be a cold day in hell, Jane. You know that.”

“Shut up, Jax. Callum don’t listen to these guys. I’ll see you later and be ready by five, please. Alright, I gotta go. Mwah.” She made the sounds of kisses before she hung up.

“Damn, this is going to be a long weekend.” Matthew leaned back in his seat.

“I’m finished.” JD got up from his chair, cleaning my tattoo from the excess ink. “Take a look at it.” He nodded to the mirror in the corner.

I got off the table and rushed to the mirror. “Damn, that looks awesome.” Matthew whistled his approval.

“Fuck dude, this is amazing.” It was exactly what I wanted.

“You mind if I take a picture for the gram?” He took his gloves off and grabbed his phone.

“Yeah dude, do whatever you need to do.” I turned to the side so he could get a better picture. After he took his pictures, he wrapped it in Saniderm, giving me aftercare instructions and we finally got to take a sip of our beers.

“Cheers to a decent weekend and let’s hope no one fucks it up.” Matthew raised his bottle and so did JD and me.

“Cheers,” I said.

“Fuck, let’s have one more before we have to take you back and get ready for tonight,” JD said, opening three more beers.

“We might need shots.” Matthew started looking like he was bracing for impact.

“We might need a bottle,” JD added.

I laughed, grateful that these brothers were not crazy and I just might survive this weekend with them.

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