Page 102 of Not Faking it with the Colonel

No.Noelleneeded to apologize. And mean it. Not that an apology would change the circumstances. “How did Noelle even know?”

Pete shifted in his seat before returning Graham’s gaze head-on. “I asked that, as well. I’m sure I got the whitewashed version, but after you started dating Erin, it came up in a conversation between Noelle and Sally. My wife had a misguided notion that I should have replaced Thomsen.”

“The dinner with Maribelle?”

“I asked her what the hell that was about after you two left that night. They’d sat together at the Gold Star brunch, and when Maribelle came back to the table after trying to catch you following your speech, you became the subject of conversation. Knowing McKittrick was on the fence about you staying for another term, Noelle thought if your relationship with Erin went south, this could be my shot at taking over 3rdGroup and a step toward brigadier general. She understands now that I will never command 3rdGroup, and she is never to interfere with my career again. Or yours.”

Graham gave a nod. Unfortunately, the bomb had already been dropped, and there was no taking it back.

“That adage about picking your battles, I’ve been avoiding one I should have engaged in long before now. I was deployed so much that I didn’t want to make waves at home and tolerated her behavior. I’m sleeping in the guest room for a while, and I insisted we go to a marriage counselor. Time to admit we need help because we are not operating as a team.” Pete’s voice broke. “I wanted Noelle to apologize to you and Erin yesterday after talking with the McKittricks, but you weren’t home, and it wasn’t a conversation for a phone call. I swear I didn’t know he planned to ship you out. You and Erin didn’t deserve this.”

Pete didn’t know the half of it. He was also an innocent party. Instead of helping Pete with her ploy, Noelle may have also negatively impacted his career. “I appreciate you apologizing.” While Noelle owed them one, he wasn’t sure if he or Erin were ready to hear it yet. “I hope you find a counselor to help you two get to a better place.”

* * *

Erin lookedup from working on her laptop at Graham’s kitchen table when he opened the side door. “You’re early,” she greeted him. One look at his face sent her spirits plummeting and sucked the oxygen from her lungs. “McKittrick heard what happened at the ball?”

“Yes. The Ayers went to see them yesterday.”

“Great. I wonder how she spun that.” That likely took things from bad to worse.

“Sounds like she did take some ownership. However, McKittrick is concerned about how the men may view our relationship in light of what Noelle said.” Graham sank onto the sofa and angled to face her. “He’s sending me to Africa to check on the team and meet with local leaders to let things die down and see how they shake out.”

Was all the blowback on Graham? What about Noelle? Erin didn’t ask. “When does he want you to leave?”

“He’s already got me booked on a flight at 0700 on Wednesday.”

That barely gave them any time. “How long will you be gone?”

“That’s still to be determined. But it sounds like at least three weeks.”

“Then what?” She could barely get the question out with her mouth so parched she couldn’t even lick her lips to moisten them.

“I’m not one hundred percent certain yet. With Noelle claiming heorderedme to marry, McKittrick’s concerned the men may feel I betrayed a code in giving you access to the teams. That we engaged in a trade for me to stay in command. He’s not totally wrong.”

The bad news kept coming. “This is my fault. If I hadn’t engaged with Noelle—”

“This isn’t your fault. I knew there were risks but figured it was worth a shot at staying here. I never anticipated we’d encounter friendly fire.”

“I wouldn’t exactly call it friendly.” And itwasher fault. She couldn’t remember what she’d said, but she had blurted out something about spending time with Bryson’s team. Now, she may have cost Graham the thing he wanted most—to stay here with his family. With Megan pregnant, he had another important reason to stay. Why had she ever agreed to this? “Is there any scenario where McKittrick will keep you here?”

“One.” Graham shook his head as he said it.

“Get married?” There were worse options—like life without him in it. That thought felt like a bullet ripping through her heart. But would her girls understand?

What were the chances a hasty marriage would work out? She’d dated Phil far longer, and look how that turned out. She did not want to end up another statistic in the failed second marriages category or further hurt Graham. Her head shook of its own accord, and numbness spread through her body. “What will that mean for your career if we don’t?”

“I find another assignment. It’d only be for two to three years. Or I retire.”

“You aren’t ready to retire.”

“I wasn’t planning to, but it’s an option. I could go into the public sector or with a private defense contractor. An overseas assignment would mean long trips back here after Megan has the baby, and I don’t know how you feel about that. Fort Lewis in Washington or maybe a base in Texas could be possibilities and would put you nearer LA or Madison.Ifyou would consider going with me.”

Go with him? Her heart fluttered that he’d want that, especially in light of the situation she’d contributed to putting him in. She hadn’t planned past the four months she’d be at the beach since she was waiting to see what happened with the series. She squeezed his hand. “I’d need to know more and have time to think how it would work.”

“I don’t expect you to commit without details. While I’m away, we’ll see what the options are. We may have to do long-distance commuting for a while, but we’ll figure something out.” He kissed her forehead and pulled her into his arms.

The disappointment in his face and tone tore at her. If only she knew if the series would get picked up. She’d begun to hope she could make it as a writer and still have a relationship with him, but what would that look like if she went overseas?

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