10. Lennox
Chapter 10
Lennox
I was busy grouting the new backsplash I’d installed when my new BFF called.
In the two months I’d known her, Camile had become the big sister I’d always wanted. Even though she was only six months older than me, her bossy, take-charge attitude helped bridge the gaping wound of being left behind by everyone I cared about. Camile cut to the chase and told me what she thought about everything. She was a mother hen meets a best friend, and evidently, I needed that.
I was sure our friendship drove Dane nuts, but she was a grown woman with a mind of her own.
“I hope talking to me doesn’t create a problem for you.”
“Don’t worry about him,” she’d said. “He’s not the boss of me. He’s just my baby daddy.”
I’d laughed and taken her at her word. “Okay. But if he comes after me, it’s your fault.”
“You make it sound like a bad thing, Lennox. At least he’d be running toward you instead of away.”
She wasn’t wrong, and she had it in her head that she could help us mend our friendship. I wasn’t so sure.
So when she called the last week of June and told me about our holiday plans, the only recourse I had was to go along with her.
“What are you doing next week for the 4th?”
I switched to speakerphone as I wiped away the excess grout from the royal blue and white tiles.
“Same thing I do for most holidays. Nothing.”
“Oh Lennox, that’s so sad. You’re not hanging out with your buddies?”
“My boys are out of town,” I said, reaching for the sponge. “Evan’s in Sacramento, Mason’s still Quarterbackout of town, and Carsen is nowhere to be found. I’ll probably just hang out here and watch baseball.”
“While that sounds like so much fun, I have a better idea. We’re going to watch the air show and then the fireworks over the water.”
“Is Mr. Serious going?”
She chuckled. “He’ll be there for the fireworks. Daniel is dying to go up with his dad, but it’s not allowed. It’s extremely dangerous for children. Civilians are only allowed under certain circumstances with special permissions. So we’ll be watching from the ground.”
“Huh,” I replied. “Think he’d take me?”
Camile laughed like it was the funniest thing she’d ever heard. “I don’t think you want that.”
“Why not? I’m obviously physically fit.”
“I know that, but it’s not that simple. He’d have to get clearance, and it’s rough.”
My mind was working a mile a minute.
“Give me his number. I’ll text him about it.”
“Oh god,” she sighed. “You know he’s going to say no.”
“Not if I get my PR rep to call the base and ask. Laura Langdon can make a story out of anything. What would be better than two childhood best friends meeting up like that? It would be PR gold! We might even be able to raise some money for charity.”
When she didn’t say anything, I charged on.
“Camile, listen. We just did a thing with Evan and the governor’s kids, so how cool would it be for me to raise some money?”
“You have no idea how difficult it can be to ride at those speeds. And Dane won’t take it easy on you. You know that, right?”
I scoffed. “I don’t want him to take it easy on me. I can take whatever he dishes out. And if embarrassing myself is what it takes to get him to talk to me, then that’s what I’ll do.”
“Oh god,” she moaned. “You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into.”
“Probably not,” I said. “But preparation for difficult things is in my wheelhouse. I know how to push the limit. You forget I have grown men chasing me because they want my ball.”
Okay, that sounded weird.
“You know what I mean.”
Camile sighed. “G-force speeds will kick your ass worse than any lineman can ever do. I don’t think Command will go for it, but I guess you can try.”
I grinned, ready to accept the challenge. “Do me a favor.”
“What’s that?”
“Don’t tell him. I want it to be a surprise.”
She laughed. “It’s your funeral, QB.”
“It’ll be fine. I’ll enroll in flight school at the University of YouTube. You’ll see.”
It didn’t take me long to sell Laura on the idea.
“We’d be combining the best of both worlds in San Diego,” I added. “The military meets the NFL. It’ll be great!”
“I like it, but it might be difficult to convince Navy Command to agree to take you up.”
“I don’t know why! I’m in my prime and they take Hollywood actors up all the time. I’ve seen the videos. If they’re not receptive to the idea, maybe Evan can get the governor to call and put in a good word.”
Laura bit her lip as concern showed on her face. “I don’t think we should involve the Governor of California in this. And we’d have to get the okay from your agent to make sure it doesn’t violate your contract.”
I snorted. “I’m not planning on skydiving. Just riding in an airplane.”
“Lennox, is there some ulterior motive for doing this? It’s dangerous.”
I smiled into the camera. It was the one that usually got me my way.
“Of course not.” It wasn’t completely a lie. “He was my childhood best friend, and we did everything together. His dad is the reason I’m in the NFL. I just want to do this with him.”
Laura smiled, appeasingly at me. “Okay, Lennox. Let me make some calls and I’ll get back to you.”
“Excellent,” I beamed. “And make sure you tell them I need to fly specifically with Lt. Calloway. But they can’t tell him it’s me. I want to surprise him.”
She looked down and wrote something on her notepad. “When were you hoping to do this?”
I smiled. “July 4th if possible.”
“Okay,” she sighed. “I’ll run it by management and your agent, and call you back.”
“Sounds good. And thanks, Laura. I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome. Talk soon.”
When she called back two days later and told me I was cleared to go, I couldn’t wait to see Dane’s face when I rolled up.
“He doesn’t know it’s me, does he?”
“No. They loved the idea of lifelong best friends so much that they’re making a media day of it. So be prepared for questions.”
I grinned. “Are you coming too?”
She smiled. “Yes. I’m a Navy brat of sorts. Did I ever tell you my dad was stationed at Coronado with the SEAL teams before he retired?”
“I think I heard that. That’s cool.”
“Yeah,” she said. “I’m proud of him. He and his husband are going to come down over the holiday. Should be fun.”
“Well, I want to meet them.”
“That can be arranged. You’ll need to be at the base at nine a.m. on the fourth. I’ll send you more information via email.”
When we ended the call, I dialed Camile to let her know I’d pulled it off.
“He’s going to kill you. You know that, right? You don’t want a pissed-off pilot taking you up in his plane.”
I laughed. “He’ll be fine.”
She released a weighted sigh. “Lennox, are you sure you want to surprise him like that? He can refuse not to fly.”
“He won’t refuse,” I added, smugly. “I know him. Especially if you and Daniel are there. It’ll be great. You’ll see.”
And it was… for about ten seconds until the surprise wore off.
“Lieutenant,” Captain Lamay said to Dane. “We have a surprise. Your co-pilot isn’t from Hollywood, but someone you already know.”
I expected him to turn and scowl, but he stood momentarily frozen with his back to me. And like the asshole I was, I decided to take this situation into my own hands.
Striding up in the sexy flight suit I’d been given, I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and hugged him from behind. The scent of his aftershave hit my nose, making me long for the days when he would have been excited to see me.
“Surprise, Maverick! It’s me!”
Dane’s frame stiffened as he grabbed my wrist to free himself to turn and look at me. As he scowled at me, I took in his face from the foot that separated us. It had been a long time since we’d stood this close.
“It’s good to see you, man,” I said. “I’ve missed you.”
That was the point I knew this whole thing was going to backfire if I didn’t do something. So again, I was left to my own devices and grabbed him up in a hug.
“I’ve left him speechless. I know I’m a big football star, but no need to be shy,” I said loudly, so the reporters could hear me. They awed and chuckled while I tugged him closer and whispered in his ear.
“Hug me, asshole. Time to play nice for the reporters.”
He was gonna kill me, but it was going to be worth it.
Dane’s hands slid around me, then up my back, where he proceeded to sift his fingers through my longish locks.
Goosebumps prickled across my skin at his rough handling until he fisted my hair in his hand and pulled my head back. Hard.
I chuckled nervously as his usual scowl morphed into an uncharacteristic smile. I couldn’t turn my head as he held me in place. That shit was starting to hurt.
“Hello, Lennox. So glad to see you.”
Maybe Camile was right. This was probably a bad idea.