“Commander. Major would like to see you in his office.”
I am elbow deep scrubbing disgusting man juice or whatever foreign substance someone secreted onto the sink. I don’t even want to consider what it might be. Who knows what these jerk-offs do when I’m not here. I keep on task, barely registering Vic’s request until he clears his throat. Again.
Slowly, I raise my head from the sink and level him with a look. “Do you know what the fuck this is, Petty Officer Reed?”
He has the audacity to look sheepish. He clears his throat again and stumbles over his words. “I will finish cleaning, ma’am.” He takes a tentative step forward and reaches for the Brillo pad in my hand.
I squint my eyes, trying to figure out just what they were up to. But you know what? Sometimes ignorance is bliss. I toss it to him, wiping my hands on my shorts. “It better come off,” I warn.
He nods his understanding before swallowing thickly. “Yes, ma’am.”
I mutter, “nasty asses,” as I pass him and head to Cade’s office.
It’s interesting that Cade summoned me. Someone has some balls today. I’m kind of excited to see what he wants. This is the first time I have been “summoned” to his office. I feel like a naughty schoolgirl.
When I reach the downstairs nook that we created for Cade’s office, he is perched behind the desk, his black-framed glasses resting on his nose. He reminds me of Superman. Hot as fuck, stronger than any man should be allowed to be. I take a moment to admire my friend. He’s come a long way and I have to say, I’m not sure what I would ever do without him. But that’s the goal. I want him to be healthy and meet someone. I want him to pop out lots of babies for me to hold. I want him to be cherished. I want someone to honor him and worship the man he is.
“Commander.” His gruff voice pulls me from my daydream about his future. He extends his hand, motioning for me to enter.
What is this? The twilight zone? I start to laugh but quickly reign it in when I see how serious he is about this meeting. Color me intrigued.
I plop down in the leather-bound chair across from him, tucking my legs under me. “Yes, my liege? You rang?”
He glares at me, not all at amused with my humor this morning. I grin, hoping to lighten the tone of this meeting. It’s too early for drama or bullshit, so if it’s going to be bad news, give it to me with a smile.
Eventually, Cade breaks when I blow him a kiss. Shaking his head, amusement etched in his features, he slides an envelope across the desk. “Markell is pitching tonight,” he says confidently.
And… I knew that. Markell is Theo’s best pitching rival. Their stats are neck and neck, Markell gunning for the CY Young award this year. He may actually get it if I’m being honest. Hopefully Theo has his head out of his ass and throws worth a fuck tonight. He left yesterday in a pouty ball of hateful ass.
I nod in agreement, taking the envelope. Inside are two plane tickets for this afternoon. Confused, I look at Cade. “You want to go?”
His lips quirk up in a sweet smile. “I would, but someone needs to stay here.”
When I just stare at him with obvious bewilderment, he explains. “He needs you there. Hayes will be going with you. It’s all arranged. I will take care of everything here.”
I start to protest when he cuts me off.
“Let me do this, Commander. He would want you there.”
The sincere look in those emerald eyes causes my heart to contract painfully. Theo would want me there but I feel torn. I haven’t been home long from Washington.
“What will you do at night?” I counter. He still screams every night. And every night we go downstairs and run or play video games. He’s not as feral as he was in the beginning but still… I worry. Leaving for Washington last week was hard, but Theo needed me more.
Cade’s smile drops a little. “I promise to take the pill while you are away.”
Now, he’s talking my language.
“You promise?”
This is seriously a big deal for him. I think he knows I would worry, and this is his way of compromising.
“I promise. But just for the one night.”
I can live with that. Finally excited, I jump out of my chair. “Deal!” I push out my fist.
He laughs jovially before returning my fist bump. “Go pack, Commander. Your plane leaves in four hours.”
I grab his sweet, giving face and place a chaste kiss on his cheek before straightening. “Yes, sir!”
