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“I have faith, it’s just buried under my heartache.”
“Then we need to remedy that. Let’s dig it out, starting now. He would be pissed knowing you’re wallowing away in his room and not leaning on the people who care about you.”
“I’m not wallowing,” I try to defend.
Her eyebrows arch and lips cinch to one side.
“Okay, maybe I’m feeling sorry for myself. But I’m also out of place. Everyone is angry at him for leaving. Then they watch me with restraint. Ace and Major frighten me, and the girls are trying to be supportive, but they seem torn. My family is walking on eggshells.”
“There’s a big difference between being concerned and being scared. The girls are concerned. The guys are scared. Even big, bad Marines get scared.”
“They don’t seem scared. They act infuriated.”
“They are both. Their best friend took off, leaving their brotherhood and team behind.”
“He had his reasons.”
“We know that, but they need some coaxing to see the big picture.”
There’s a loud crash from somewhere in the house that sounds like glass shattering, causing us both to jerk.
“What was that?”
“Now would be an ideal time to dig out that faith. You’re going to need it.” She gives me one last squeeze and stands. “I’m taking Wolf. He needs to get outside for some exercise. Why don’t you collect yourself and meet me in the kitchen in a few minutes?”
I nod, rubbing Wolf’s head before he leaps off the bed and follows April out.
By ‘collect yourself’, I’m assuming she means clean myself up.
One glimpse in the bathroom mirror leaves me reeling in terror. This is much worse than when I woke up in the hospital.
My face isn’t only pale, it’s streaked like something right out of a horror movie. My normally bright green eyes are dull and bloodshot, reminding me of a monster on one of Wyatt’s favorite shows.
And my hair… good God, what happened to my hair?
April asked me to meet her in a few minutes, but this emergency requires more.
I jump in the shower, letting the cold water stream over my face until it feels much better. I wash my hair and body in recordtime, grabbing a pair of shorts and one of Talon’s t-shirts that I tie around my waist.
A small grin spreads seeing my reflection. Talon would have a shit fit with the sliver of exposed skin, showing off my navel ring. A hint of sadness creeps in, but I force it away, combing out my hair and applying a coat of mascara.
Not exactly winning any beauty contests, but not nearly as horrendous as earlier.
The closer I get to the main rooms, the louder the voices. Another glass shatters, small shards landing in the hallway. It’s then I hear the unmistakable roar of Ford.
“He fucking left us behind! You let that shit happen!”
My heart stops at the scene playing out in the kitchen.
Ford, Major, and Ace are facing off against Robbie and Finn.
I was wrong before… Major and Ace are no match for this.
The three of them together, their rage rolling off them in waves, the fury in their eyes, the hardness in their expressions… they petrify me.
Robbie and Finn stand firm but with a much cooler demeanor, not fazed.
All the other men—Mark, Jim, Pete, Rich, Doug, Tom, and Captain Boyd are casually watching the exchange with no worry.