Chapter 10
SAMANTHA
My neck was going to be frozen in the up position. I found myself staring up at the sky a lot lately. A month of shows and practices and it felt like I was always looking up. If I was talking to Mitch, I was looking up. Although I hadn’t been talking to him all that much these days.
It seemed like he couldn’t get away from me fast enough.
Ever since that night in the hotel, things had been awkward between us.
I wasn’t sure I believed he really wanted to sleep with me again.
I saw him at some of the press events. Skinny, beautiful women threw themselves at him.
Women that belonged on Paris runways were interested in him. He didn’t need me.
“That’s Dice, everyone,” Number Seven said into the microphone. Next year, he’d be moving into Mitch’s place as Number Five and Mitch would be Number Six—assuming everything went according to plan. “He’s always making those dicey moves.”
The crowd was cheering as the Angels did their thing.
Mitch had toned down his wild ways a little, but he still pushed the boundaries.
I didn’t think that would ever change. Some people lost the need for that adrenaline rush as they got older.
From what people said about Mitch, his need only increased. He grew more reckless.
I flinched when he whipped around so fast it practically made my head spin.
I actually felt dizzy and a little nauseated just watching.
He really knew how to put on a good show.
As much as I appreciated the impressive moves, it was just a little scary.
It was different now that I knew him. I understood why the crowd was loving the moves, but it was terrifying for me.
I glanced around at the other crew members.
They were used to his stunts, but I didn’t miss some of the frown lines.
When the show was over and the Hornets were all on deck, I could let out the breath I’d been holding.
I stayed out of the way and watched the pilots do their thing for the crowd.
My eyes followed Mitch. He looked devastating in his uniform.
The man oozed sex. He made it a point to avoid me during downtime, which only made me more curious.
I wondered if he was taking other women to bed.
Yes, I was just a little jealous. He certainly never made me any promises.
I was the one that had said no more. I kind of hoped he would take me up on my offer to hook up after the season.
Crawling into his bed was something I fantasized about nightly.
It was a while until the crowds cleared out.
We all went back to our normal routines.
The Hornets were on deck with the crew already doing their thing.
I made my way out with my clipboard in hand to start my post-flight inspection.
The pilots were already in their meeting.
The commander liked to debrief as quickly as possible when everything was fresh in their minds.
Sometimes, he would have the recorded show cued up to replay.
There had been a few times when the pilots walked out of the meeting with their knuckles dragging. Rarely did they ever screw up, but there were occasionally some missed moments. They were the best because he kept them all on tight leashes. They had to be perfect.
“Sam!” Honcho, who had asked me to call him Commander, called my name.
I turned to see him waving me over. I quickly walked toward him. “Yes, sir?”
“How’s Three?” he asked. “Watch Dog said the stick was a little loose.”
“Oh. I haven’t checked yet, but I’ll get right on it.”
I felt like I was being called into the principal’s office. “I would appreciate that. He said it happened midflight. It was fine before that.”
I nodded and jotted down a note on my clipboard. “I’ll make sure it’s handled,” I said.
“The maintenance chief will have it taken care of, but I would like you to follow up,” he said.
“Of course, I’ll get on it right now,” I said.
He smiled and put a hand on my shoulder. “You’re doing a great job. You’ve made all of us feel a little better going up. I hope you’ve found your stride.”
“I think so,” I said. “Have you heard different?”
“No. Not at all. Thank you for the hard work. Thank you for cracking the whip and keeping this team in shape. Sometimes, it takes an outsider to scare them.”
“I hope no one thinks I’ve been unfair,” I said nervously.
“You’ve been very fair,” he said. “That’s all we could ask for. It’s what I demand. Fair and right, no matter who doesn’t like it.”
“Thanks,” I said, smiling.
“I’ve got to deal with some things. I’ll see you later. Thanks again for proving yourself to be the right choice. I have to admit, I wasn’t completely sold on the idea.”
“Thanks for giving me a chance,” I said.
“Absolutely.”
I jogged back out to the tarmac. I wanted to get right on the problem. I knew the pilots could handle a loose stick, but that meant they were compensating. They were having to learn how to handle it in the middle of a show, which was the exact wrong time.
“Hey, where’s the fire?” PitA said and grabbed my hand.
I jerked it away. “I need to get to work.”
“I love watching you run like that,” he said with a smile that did nothing for me.
“Keep it up, and I might find something that grounds you,” I shot back.
He laughed. “Learn to take a compliment.”
“That’s not a compliment.”
I walked away and found the crew currently servicing Watch Dog’s jet. With a little help, I climbed into the cockpit and went through a full inspection. The sticks the Blue Angels used were configured just a little differently than a typical F-18, but I knew all the specs.
I was in the cockpit when I heard Mitch’s voice. I saw him talking to Medusa. The two of them were laughing and probably making plans to go out. I wouldn’t be invited. Mitch seemed to have moved on.
I climbed out of the cockpit and got back to my inspection.
“Hey,” Medusa called out.
“Hey, nice show today,” I said.
“Thank you,” she said. “I’m going to miss hanging with these fish.”
“Jarhead,” Watch Dog called out. He turned his attention to me. “I take it Honcho told you what was up?”
I nodded. “Yes. We’re on it. I’m so sorry that happened. I hope it didn’t throw you off too bad.”
“Nah, it wasn’t a big deal,” he said. “It just felt a little different in my hand.”
“I bet that’s what she said,” Medusa teased.
Watch Dog rolled his eyes. “Seriously, that’s the best you’ve got?”
“I’m a little tired,” she said. “I’ll do better next time.”
Mitch was walking toward us. His easy, long-legged strut always caught my eye. He pushed up his aviators and made sure I saw him looking at me. His eyes swept over my body before his sunglasses were put back in place. He walked right past us without saying a word.
It actually hurt a little to have him ignore me so blatantly.
I knew it was what I asked for, but damn it sucked.
I missed him flirting with me. I missed him looking at me like he wanted to devour me.
As much as I knew I couldn’t have him right then, it had been nice to be looked at like I was gorgeous.
When a man like him gave you his full attention, it was pretty special.
“Everything okay?” Medusa asked.
“What?”
“You look,” she paused and tilted her head to the side, “sick.”
“What?” I asked again.
I was still a little queasy after watching the airshow. All those turns and the smoke and the noise had left me a little off. Maybe it was the heat. I tried to remember when I drank water last. I was probably dehydrated.
“Do you need to sit down?” she asked.
“Actually, I think I need some water,” I said. “It was a busy day and it’s hot out. I’m a little dehydrated.”
“Alright, come with me,” she said.
“I’m fine,” I said. “I need to finish this.”
“Uh, I think you should probably go with her,” Watch Dog said.
PitA and a few of the petty officers that worshiped the very ground he walked on were headed our way.
I didn’t think I could deal with him just then.
I really, really was not feeling okay. I knew heat exhaustion could come on fast. I’d been so focused on the prechecks and then watching the show, I hadn’t been paying attention.
One of the rules I heard so often when I was with these guys was drink water.
Stay hydrated. Pay attention to what your body was telling you. I’d been ignoring my body.
Medusa hooked her arm through mine and gently pulled me from the group. The bathrooms looked like they were a mile away. We started walking and I tried to pretend everything was cool, keeping it totally casual.
“Did you eat lunch?” she asked.
“Um, no, I don’t think I did,” I murmured. “Some snacks from catering.”
I was walking slowly, but it was suddenly no longer an option to putter along. I needed to get my ass to the bathroom before I completely embarrassed myself.
“Sam?” Medusa said.
“Excuse me!” I broke into a jog which wasn’t exactly helping the situation. I ran as fast as I could for the bathroom. I pushed the door open and managed to trip. “Oh no.”
I crawled to the stall and barely made it to the toilet before I lost everything in my stomach. It wasn’t a lot, but it was enough.
“Oh, goodness,” Medusa said from behind me. “I’ll get you some water. Sit tight.”
“Not. Going. Anywhere.” I managed to get out the words before I retched again.
I heard her footsteps leave the bathroom.
I prayed no one came in behind her. I didn’t dare pull myself away long enough to close the stall door.
Puking in an airport hangar bathroom was almost worse than the actual puking.
I was kneeling on the floor that was probably covered in oil and other gross stuff.
My bare forearms were on the seat that had seen God knew how many asses today alone.
I retched again, tears involuntarily rolling down my cheeks. I heard the door open. “Occupied.”
“It’s me,” Medusa said. “I got you some water and a packet of those wipes.”
“Thanks.”
“Do you want me to get the doctor?” she asked gently.
“No,” I said with my voice echoing in the porcelain bowl.
“Okay,” she said. “I’ll be right here guarding the door.”
I wanted to tell her I was fine, but my stomach had other ideas. I hated getting sick. I wasn’t good at being sick. Plus, I had way too much to do.
I suddenly understood just how bad it must have killed Mitch to get grounded. If Honcho found out I was under the weather, he might put me on the bench. He couldn’t risk any of his pilots catching whatever I had.
“I’m fine,” I said.
“Is it food poisoning?” she asked. “We had dinner together last night. I don’t think anyone else is sick.”
“Maybe.” I couldn’t exactly carry on a conversation. My entire body was revolting against me. I couldn’t believe how fast it had come on.
Once I felt like I could move, I sat up but didn’t dare try to get to my feet. Not yet. I leaned my head against the wall of the stall.
“Here.” Medusa handed me a couple wet wipes from the package.
“Thanks.”
I used one to wipe my mouth. I really wanted to wash my entire body. I felt gross.