Chapter 27
MITCHELL
“We’ve got some billowy clouds on the horizon,” Honcho said. “We’ll keep an eye on things. If they come into shore, we’ll need to do some modifications to the show.”
“Modifications?” I asked.
“We might have to cut it short,” he replied. “We’ll decide when we’re up there. We’re not taking any chances.”
It was disappointing to think we might have to cut things short, but there was no fighting the weather. “Understood,” I said.
“I know you will all do great.” Our CO stood before us giving us the usual pep talk.
“We’ve got record numbers out there, not counting the people on their roofs and balconies all waiting to see the show.
The media is going to be on the ground when we’re finished.
Communications will get with you and give you your schedule. ”
“After debrief?” Watch Dog asked.
“I think we’ve been doing this long enough that we can do the debrief after the interviews. We’ll meet at seventeen hundred hours. That’s all. Let’s go out there and put on a show these people won’t forget.”
We were dismissed with about thirty minutes before our scheduled takeoff. I wandered out with the others and listened to the announcer jazzing the crowd up. I spotted Sam talking with a couple of the maintenance crew. I hung back and waited until she was alone before approaching her.
“Hey,” I said.
“Hey, yourself.”
“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about tonight,” I told her. “You’ve left me half-hard.”
“When you’re holding that stick in your hand, you’ll know what I feel when I’m holding you in my hand,” she murmured.
I closed my eyes and counted to ten. I relied on my training to bring myself back down to earth.
She truly had no idea of the power she held over me.
It made me crazy. Never had I ever felt so attracted to someone.
I could barely think of anything else but her.
It wasn’t just the sex. She was a promise of a future I never imagined I would have. She was the woman I wanted to be with.
“I would love to stand here and talk to you about tonight, but I can’t,” I told her. “I’ll never fit into the cockpit at this point.”
She laughed. “Go. Clear your mind and remember your promise.”
“Trust me, this ass is going to be in your bed tonight,” I promised.
“It better be.” She winked.
I walked away and went through my normal mental preparations.
The energy from the crowd could be felt all the way onto the runway.
It was like slamming twenty Red Bulls. The moment we walked onto the tarmac, there was a wild burst of shouting and cheering.
I maintained formation and walked to my Hornet.
I climbed in, took off my hat, and pulled on the helmet.
I’d done a lot of flights in my career but this one felt different.
These people were here for a good show. I wanted to make sure they got it.
We started the taxi down the runway, each of us knowing our positions.
I watched out my window, listening to Honcho as he set our speed.
I glanced at the readout and made sure I was keeping up with my fellow pilots.
We took off in our usual routine with the typical roll.
Things were good, with the clouds staying far enough off the shore to give us plenty of room to work with.
“Sir, permission to do the split?” I radioed.
So far, the show had been just a little dull.
It was the same old shit. I knew it was new to the people that had never seen the show, but for those of us that did the same routine day in and day out, it felt stale.
We’d been working on the Split S in practice, but the history of the maneuver gave everyone the willies.
It was understandable, but I had mastered it in the simulator.
I’d worked on it in practice. Number Six and I had it down. We learned from the mistakes of others.
“You’re cleared for the Split,” Honcho’s voice came through loud and clear. There was no mistaking his approval.
“Kick some ass, Number Five,” Watch Dog said.
I maneuvered my jet into position, paying attention to the ground control about conditions. Three minutes later, I had pulled it off.
“Congratulations,” Watch Dog came through.
“Let’s wrap this up,” Honcho said.
We dropped back, giving the diamond room to pull a few more maneuvers before it was time to take it down. I was feeling elated after pulling a move I’d been itching to put into the show for a few months. It felt good. I was looking forward to the celebrating that was going to be happening tonight.
After doing the pictures and usual handshaking, I was ushered over to a young woman with a microphone in hand.
The man with the camera stood in front of her.
I always felt so awkward in these situations.
I was good in the sky. I was good with the ladies, but talking in front of the cameras was not my thing.
“I’m Maisie,” the woman said. “I’m with the local news. Thank you so much for taking the time to speak to us.”
“Of course,” I said. I wasn’t going to tell her it wasn’t my choice. I was here because I was ordered to be here and it was part of my obligations as a member of the team.
“You’re a solo pilot. Is that different from being a part of the group?”
I was used to the same old questions. I was asked about my time in the service and how long I’d been flying.
I handled the questions with ease. She wanted to know about the hospital visit.
Apparently, a few of the parents had posted the pictures on social media and it was creating quite the media storm.
That was kind of the point. We were supposed to be drumming up publicity while doing something nice.
After the interview was over, the young woman waved away her cameraman. “Thank you again for the time,” she said.
“Of course,” I said. “I don’t mind talking about the squadron.”
“Are you guys going to be in town for the week?” she asked.
I nodded. “We are spending another week here.”
“And you have a show tomorrow?” she asked.
Considering we had just gone through the schedule during the interview, I didn’t quite know why she was asking. “I do.”
“I know you’re not allowed to go out the night before a show, but I’d love to get a drink when you’re free,” she said.
I was not entirely surprised to have her asking me out.
She was not the first woman to hit on me.
It came with the territory. While I liked to believe it was me she was after, it was really the idea of me.
I was a fighter pilot and that was exciting.
It was the same thing with women going after rodeo guys or men in uniform in general.
“I’m sorry to say I’m not going to be free this week,” I said.
“Because you’re seeing someone?” she asked coyly.
I didn’t want to be rude, but I also didn’t want to risk pissing off Sam. “I’m just very dedicated to my job. Our CO doesn’t like us to be distracted.”
“You’re being nice,” she said. “You don’t have to let me down easy.”
“I have to go,” I told her. “We have a meeting and I need to be there.”
“If you change your mind, give me a call,” she said and handed me her business card.
“Thanks,” I said with a smile.
I wasn’t going to piss her off. The last thing I needed was an angry woman with a platform out to get revenge. I had some time before the debrief and went in search of Sam. Before I could get far, I was met with a number of crew who wanted to pat my shoulder and shake my hand.
“That was amazing,” one said.
“I haven’t seen that in a long time,” said another.
“You have breathed new life into the show,” another said.
“Thank you,” I said.
I spotted Sam and walked toward her feeling like I was on top of the world.
I was so getting laid tonight. She looked up and spotted me but quickly turned away from me.
I assumed she was busy with her work. I wouldn’t interfere.
That would only remind her of the rules she wasn’t going to break.
I found Medusa and Watch Dog at the catering table.
“That was amazing, huh?” I said.
“You killed it,” Watch Dog said. “You absolutely nailed it. I can’t believe Honcho let you do it.”
“I know!”
Medusa threw her arms around me. “You just set the bar a little higher. Now we all have to up our game.”
“You can ride my coattails,” I teased.
She rolled her eyes. “You’re such a dick.”
“I know.” I winked.
“Seriously, man, I hate that fucking move,” Watch Dog said.
“It’s a necessary move,” Medusa said. “It saves lives when done right.”
“You’ve done it, haven’t you?” I asked her.
“I have,” she said. “Not quite as showy as what you pulled off.”
“Do you think Honcho will let you put it in the show?” Watch Dog asked.
“I don’t know. I hope so. It’s time to shake things up. He’s been talking about streamlining the show. This is one way to help add a little excitement.”
“Just no more of those freefalls,” Medusa said. “That was stupid.”
“Trust me, I’ve heard all about it,” I muttered.
“She had every right to rip you a new one,” Medusa said. “I’m glad she did it. I would have done it myself.”
“Speaking of,” Watch Dog said under his breath. “I can’t say I know a lot about women, but I know when I see a pissed one.”
“What?” I asked with confusion.
“Incoming,” Watch Dog muttered.
“Oh shit,” Medusa said. “I’m going to, uh, shit, I’m going anywhere but here.”
They scattered like roaches exposed to sunlight. I turned around to see Sam headed my way with that look of pure fire in her eyes. I expected to see smoke barreling out of her nose. “Hi,” I said.
She pointed a finger at me. “How dare you?” she hissed.
“What did I do?”
Then I remembered the TV lady. She must have seen me talking to her. Sam had made it very clear we were doing the commitment thing. I wasn’t about to violate her rules. Not if it meant I would be kept out of her bed.
“I told you,” she said. “I asked you nicely!”
“She gave me her number, but I will throw it away right now,” I said. “I didn’t encourage the woman. I told her in no uncertain terms I was not interested.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” she asked. “What woman? You got a woman’s phone number?”
I pulled out the business card and tore it in half. “I didn’t get it. I mean, she gave it to me. I was never going to do anything about it.”
She shook her head. “I’m not surprised,” she growled. “No, that’s not why I’m pissed. Collecting phone numbers is just one of your crimes.”
“I’ve committed no crime!” I defended.
“You promised me you would be careful!” She stomped her foot and glared at me. “You swore you heard what I said and were going to be careful. You said you were going to stop with the dangerous maneuvers.”
“I did,” I protested.
She glowered at me with such malice I could actually feel it. This was not at all the way I expected the day to go. I had been expecting praise or more promises of pleasure coming my way tonight.