Chapter 39
SANTIAGO
On Graduation Day, the weather was beautiful. It was all blue skies and there wasn’t so much as a lick of wind. Ron and I sat in the front, as close as we could get to the stage that had been set up for the occasion.
“How’s the new job working out for you?” he asked while we waited for the ceremony to begin. There were people all around, most of them taking their seats and peering around the others in an attempt to see the cadet they’d come here to cheer on.
Our graduating class wasn’t here yet, though. Last I’d heard, Robin was calling them to fall into formation for the last time as cadets. He’d be talking to them for a few minutes before he brought them here, so we had time.
“It’s good,” I replied, thinking about everything I’d done since taking over. “I got a bit of pushback at first. They didn’t like it that I was going to be lording it over them, quote unquote, but when they started realizing that wasn’t what I planned on doing, they settled down.”
“Things going better around here, then?” he asked quietly so we wouldn’t be overheard.
I nodded. “We haven’t had any more incidents and our training sessions have been going well. I’ve also made it clear that no slacking will be tolerated and that if they can’t take their jobs seriously, they’re out.”
“Have you made an example of someone yet?”
I chuckled as I shook my head. “Robertson spent a few days in the brig, but other than that, I’ve been lucky. They’ve fallen into line quite well and I haven’t had any other issues.”
Ron put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed it as he smiled. “They have a strong leader now. That’s all they needed. We left you kids to run amok for long enough. It was about time someone took charge. I’m glad it was you.”
“So am I,” I admitted, but then the music swelled and Robin appeared with the cadets behind him. We settled in for the ceremony, and when Layla was announced to be graduating at the top of her class, Ron and I cheered so loud that I probably wasn’t going to have a voice later.
“Did you do this?” he asked when we sat down again.
“No, this was all her. I’ve been keeping my distance from the cadets. Robin has talked to me about them a few times, but I was fair. Honest. Didn’t give her any special treatment even in my discussions with him.”
Ron smiled and shot her a thumbs-up when she looked our way. “She’s going to do well here, but you’ll still keep an eye on her for me, won’t you?”
“I will,” I promised, then was on my feet as soon as the ceremony ended with Ron hot on my heels. We had to push past a few people to get to her, but as soon as we did, I opened my arms and pulled her into them.
“God, I’m so proud of you,” I murmured against her ear, releasing her before the embrace drew too much attention our way.
So far, we’d done enough to keep our relationship on the down low that there hadn’t been much talk about it.
We rarely crossed paths during the day, spent most of our weekends off Station either at my place or at her parents’ place, and since the training had intensified heavily to prepare them for this day, the cadets had been too wiped out at night to notice her coming to my apartment.
Even so, I didn’t want the inevitable rumors to start today. She’d earned her place at the top of her class. I wasn’t going to let speculation take that away from her.
“I’m so proud of you, baby,” Ron said at my side as he hugged her. “Angela will be real proud of you, too. She’s sorry she couldn’t be here today, but she said she’d make it up to you soon.”
“That’s okay,” Layla replied quietly as she rested her head against his shoulder and smiled at me while she hugged him. “I’m glad you made it. Thank you for coming.”
“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”
I grinned as I watched his eyes close when he rested his chin on top of her head, just holding her close for another moment before letting her go. When he opened them again, I could’ve sworn I saw tears brimming on his lower lids, but he blinked them away and cleared his throat.
“Come on, I’m taking you two out for dinner to celebrate,” he said. “Do you need a few minutes with the others before we leave?”
She nodded. “Just let me say congratulations, then we can go.”
“Sure thing. I’ll meet you at the car. I have a few people I’d like to have a quick word with myself.” He gave us another smile, then left and made a beeline for Commander Nicholson while Layla’s green eyes found mine.
“They’d appreciate it if you congratulate them too,” she said softly. “Walk with me?”
“I’ll follow you anywhere,” I joked, but it also wasn’t really a joke. I would follow her into Hell if she asked me to. A group of cadets didn’t compare to demon armies, even if I’d rather have gotten her somewhere alone right about now.
I knew I was going to have to wait a few more hours before that happened, though. Maybe I can sneak a few kisses on our way to the car. Or convince her to drive with me instead.
Before I could do either of those things, though, I had cadets to congratulate. I’d been planning on doing it anyway, but I wasn’t prepared for just how enthusiastic they were to see me. Matt spotted me first, shooting me a huge grin as he rushed over to shake my hand.
“Thank you for everything, Master Chief. We missed you, but we did it. Can you believe it?”
“I can, actually. You all worked really hard for this. Congratulations. I’m looking forward to seeing you in action.”
He snorted. “I need to sleep for a week first, but sure. We’ll be in action soon enough.”
Jameson and Jonathan approached me next, pumping my hand so hard that my arm hurt as they grinned and talked over each other. “What do you say, Master Chief? Want to come out with us just one time before we get all serious and start putting our lives on the line?”
“Thank you for the invitation, but I’ve got plans for tonight. Maybe another time.”
“Okay, but we’re not going to stop asking,” Jameson warned me. “See you around, Cortez.”
He smirked as he used my name without a title. Then he ducked out of the way and laughed when I reached out to smack him upside the head. They were a good bunch, though. It was going to be nice seeing them come into their own now that their training was over.
The congratulating took far too long for my liking, but it was great to see Layla getting so many jump hugs and high-fives.
I nearly growled when Matt picked her up and put her on his shoulder, though.
His hands were way too close to her ass, but when I saw her laugh and get yet another round of high-fives from her class, I let it go.
They’d finally accepted her and I was pretty sure they respected her enough not to try anything, even if I was pretty sure my skin had turned green about it.
Eventually, though, he let her down and she made her excuses about not going with them.
Then I headed off toward the parking lot and she followed a minute later after she’d said her goodbyes.
At this point, we’d taken long enough that Ron was walking back to come find us and I didn’t get a chance to sneak a kiss. He bundled her into his car before I could even try to convince her to ride with me, and then we were off.
I followed them to a restaurant with a spectacular view of the bay, then, at least, I finally got to touch her when we sat down beside each other at the table he’d reserved. I grabbed her hand and held it tight, my thumb stroking her knuckles as Ron ordered a bottle of champagne.
“Congratulations again, honey,” he said once it had arrived and our glasses had been filled. He raised his flute and let it hover above the table. “I’m so very proud of you, baby, but you’ll be careful, right? I’m always going to worry about you.”
“Thank you, and of course I will be,” she responded as she lifted her glass and clinked it against his. “I’ll have to be, since I’ve got two men in my life who will make my team leader regret it if anything happens to me.”
My heart lurched into my throat when she said it. “You’ve got that right. Are you sure I’m not allowed to interfere with your career yet? There are definitely a few people I’d rather have you working with than with some others.”
She laughed. “I’m absolutely sure you’re still not allowed to interfere.”
Ron chuckled but scratched his jaw. “You might not be allowed to interfere, but I’ve got a few strings left to pull. Just give me those names and I’ll make sure she only works with the best of the best.”
Layla shook her head and pointed at her father before swinging her finger toward me.
“Stay out of it. Both of you. I’ll be fine.
Didn’t you hear? I graduated at the top of my class.
I’m ready for anything, and besides, I’ve been thinking about it and may not end up staying search-and-rescue for too long after all. ”
Ron’s eyes widened. “I thought that was your dream?”
“It was, and I’m definitely not going to make any decisions just yet, but I have been thinking and I’ve set my sights on something else now.”
“Okay,” he said slowly. “What’s next for you, then?”
She glanced at me, her eyes sparkling with humor before she winked. “I’m thinking of becoming an instructor.”
I groaned and put my head in my hands. “There are easier ways to break up with me, you know? Because that’s what’s going to have to happen if I become your direct superior again.”
She chuckled. “We found a way to be together once, I’m sure we could do it again.”
I sighed as I lifted my head and looked into those gorgeous green eyes. “Well, if you’re serious about it, then I guess we’re just going to have to.”
She winked again and squeezed my hands as she raised her glass into the air again. “To the future.”
Ron and I both clinked our glasses against hers, and as I sipped on the bubbly, an idea was already starting to take shape in my mind.
I knew what I wanted, and that was her. If she wasn’t joking about eventually wanting to become an instructor, then there was one way we’d be able to stay together that didn’t involve me giving up my job.
It was too soon to be thinking about what I was thinking about, but the idea was there, and by the time she was ready to take the next step, personally and professionally, I would be ready too. Truth be told, I was ready now, but I didn’t mind waiting.
Not if it meant that eventually, I really would get to make her mine. Forever.