I knew the two of them were sharing a room with two beds. Nobody here got a room to themselves. But it didn’t look like they’d taken the plunge yet.
Halfway through my drink I felt the warmth of a buzz creep through me, stretching like a yawning feline from my core to my limbs. It was a glorious feeling with just one drawback . . . it loosened my lips.
“Where’s Rylen?” I blurted to the group.
“He’s finishing up a meeting with First Lieutenant,” my brother answered.
Linette. Of course. “Can’t she give him one freaking night off?”
Tater eyed me. “Why you so bitchy to her?”
“Me?!” I sputtered.
“Yeah, every time you see her you give her that damn death glare.”
I had no comeback for that. Except that she treated me the same way, but I couldn’t say that because Tater would probably quote Mom:Two wrongs don’t make a right.Ugh. I took another drink.
“There they are.” Matt nodded over his drink. “I can get the music ready now.” He jogged off. I turned to see Top coming in with Linette and Rylen behind him. But they werestilltalking. In fact, they moved to stand along the wall and continue their conversation. I had to remind myself that we were at war, and they were probably talking strategy and important things. I needed to chill.
I took another drink.
“Hooah!” First Sergeant’s voice rang through the room, echoing all around us. Every head turned and repeated the greeting, even Remy and I, giving him our attention.
“Glad you all could make it,” he said. “This will be a one-time thing, so I want you to take advantage of the break. God knows, we’ve got a lot of shit in our future. So, partake of the drinks until they’re gone.” He motioned to the bar. “And enjoy the sound system fixed by our comm boys. If we hear the sirens sound, you’d better sober the fuck up real fast.” Chuckles rose. “Oh, and one more thing . . .” His eyes searched the room and landed on our group, then honed in on me.Uh-oh.“Amber Tate. Get your ass over here and take a shot with me. This gal saved one of our men who was shot on the run today.”
Someone shoved me from behind as the room lifted a cheer. I made my way to him, wishing there was a way to deny this honor without seeming rude. Two shots of brown liquid were passed from the bar to the First Sergeant and he handed one to me.
“I heard you were amazing under pressure,” he said. “And we’re damn lucky to have you.”
“Thank you,” I said.
He raised his glass and I did the same, holding my breath and hoping I wouldn’t gag it up in front of everyone. It went down smooth for one second, and then a fiery burn rose up my throat. I chased it down with the last of my rum and Coke. My eyes watered and Top chuckled.
“Gotta love Jack.” He gave me a pat on the back and raised a thumb to Matt, who fiddled with some buttons on a wall panel. Seconds later Biggie Smalls filled the air with a thumping beat. Another cheer rose. I turned to make my way back to Remy when someone took me by the elbow. It was one of the other guys who’d been on the run yesterday. He held two shots and gave one to me.
“I didn’t think he’d make it,” he said over the music. “I thought for sure he was gone. That was a miracle you preformed.”
“No—”
He raised the shot and held it up until I did the same. Oh, what the hell. Three drinks, and that would be it. No more. I threw it back and grimaced. The guy grabbed me in a bear hug and then released me, walking away.
“Well,” said Remy, appearing at my side.
I grabbed her Coke and took a swig to wash down the strong flavor of whiskey.
“No more for me,” I said. I tried to hand her drink back, but Remy was chewing her lip and staring over my shoulder. I spun, blinking at the dizzy spell it caused. And then my eyes cleared and I saw Rylen and Linette now sitting together on a loveseat. He sat, staring down at a drink in his hands, his legs spread, nodding at something she was saying. But it was Linette’s body language that made my skin crawl.
She was turned toward him, one elbow on the back of the seat, one leg tucked under herself and the other leg crossed, touching his knee.
“She’s going for him, Amber.”
“They’re probably just talking about the run,” I said defensively. “He told me he’s not ready for anything.” But my heart raced erratically. I couldn’t lose him again. I couldn’t live with another regret like that. And even if they hooked up, and it was meaningless, I would still throw up every day forever.
The music suddenly changed from hip-hop to a Cuban Salsa tune that had me raising my head. I found Tater making a beeline for me. He grabbed my hand and pulled me to the open area in the middle of the room. Tater wanted to dance? I couldn’t believe it! I put my drink down and gave him my full attention.
In that moment, my worries about Rylen fell away as the music swirled all around me, the tune grabbing me by the hips and lifting my chin with its seductive finger. This was the sound of my childhood, my family, my life.
Tater grabbed my hand and spun me in a double spin. I resisted the urge to throw back my head, keeping my body tight and posture perfect as Mom had taught me. A crowd gathered around us, and everyone began clapping. Tater stole the show, as always. He could whip his limbs precisely and swivel his hips to perfection, like something off a dance show. But with the alcohol loosening me up, I gave him a run for his money, even making him laugh with my bolder-than-usual moves.
