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It hurts when I shake my head. “Ruby…”

“Ruby.” His jaw clenches. “Sounds like her. My sister would never go for some lowlife otherwise.”

My teeth grind. Big brot

her or not, I’ve had enough. “We were together way before Ruby knew anything.”

“Goddammit. Is that why she’s not dating anybody?”

“How do you know that?”

“Because I asked Leslie to keep an eye on her.”

Leslie. I rest my cheek against the cool barrel of my gun. “Speaking of, does Leslie know you’re ass fucking every Arab chick who gives you the time of day?”

He lunges at me again, but I dodge, catching him around the waist and throwing him to the floor.

“Cut it out.” I stand over him breathing hard. “What’s your problem, anyway? We’ve been friends since we were kids. You know me.”

“I won’t stand by and watch you drag her down to some mechanic’s shack, keeping her barefoot and pregnant. Drew was meant for better things. Finer things.”

“I’ll never stop Drew from doing what she wants.” I step closer until our noses are practically touching. “But you listen up, if she wants me when we get back, I’m going to her. I don’t give a fuck what you think.”

“Over my dead body.”

“If only I could be so lucky.”

I’m pissed and I’m burning up with adrenaline, fighting, and the desert sun beating down. Still, even as I say the words, regret tickles at the back of my mind. I shove it away. I’m too angry to let him off the hook for what he said, calling me a lowlife. Him.

Our commanding officer blasts over my radio demanding to know where we are, why we’re not at the trucks. Danny and I are breathing hard, staring at each other with fire in our eyes. I grab my gun, snatch Drew’s letter and photograph out of his hand and stuff them in my pocket.

“We’re on our way,” I say into the clip on my shoulder before turning and charging down the narrow stone staircase.

We’re with the convoy in less than five minutes. I grab a helmet and throw my rifle onto my back. Our CO hands me a set of keys. “You’re driving this one.”

I don’t even argue. I’m glad to take the wheel. It’ll keep me from having to sit in the back staring at Danny and his stupid-ass face for the next several hours as we bump over hot, dry terrain.

Our truck is second in line, and I wait for the signal we’re loaded up before heading out after the truck in front of me. Danny’s words sting in my brain, as much because I grew up believing them as anything.

I don’t need him telling me I don’t deserve Drew. I know where I came from. I know my status in that fucking town. Small-minded bullshit aside, as pretty and sweet as Drew is, she could easily do so much better—marry a rich man, a man with a pedigree and a mansion, live out her life doing whatever the hell she wants.

The very thought of it causes bile to rise in my throat.

I’ve done my best to rise above my humble beginnings. I have my degree, and I’m serving our country. We’ve been here longer than two years, which means I’ll go home with a medal, an honorable discharge. It’s something to be proud of, and despite what Danny says, it does change things. If she chooses me, I will give her a better life, a life she deserves.

And I love her.

“Danny can fuck off,” I growl under my breath.

My anger at him, my “best friend,” his refusal to budge, acting just like all the assholes I grew up around in that town, it’s a hot ball of fire in my stomach. I don’t know if I can forgive him for this.

I don’t know if I want to.

“We’re all on the road.” The driver’s voice ahead of me crackles through the radio. “Next stop, home base.”

He’s happy, because once we’re back in camp, we can catch up with all our family and friends. It’s a double-edged sword now. I’ll be able to talk to Drew, but so will Danny. I don’t know what he’ll say to her. I don’t know how it’ll affect her, or if it’ll change her mind about us. That thought turns my stomach. I’ve come to depend on her so much. I can’t let her go. My anger toward him burns hotter, and my words float across my brain… If only I could be so lucky…

I didn’t mean it.