Let Freedom Ring

by Weston Parker

  “Fuck, I’m so screwed,” I groaned into my hands as I scrubbed them over my face.

  The matchbox now lay in my lap. I should’ve thrown it away, and I knew it, but I didn’t do it. I tossed it into my glove compartment instead, promising myself that I wouldn’t do anything rash. Oh, who the fuck do you think you’re kidding?

  Solidly ignoring the shit-stirring voice at the back of my mind, I jerked the truck into gear and got the hell out of Charles’ neighborhood. When I got back to the hotel, Eden had stumbled in and was sleeping on a couch in the lobby.

  He looked ridiculous but peaceful at the same time. His clothes were wrinkled and mussed, his shirt halfway up his stomach. Lying on his side, he had his hands tucked under the scruff on his cheek and his feet hung over the edge.

  White-blond hair sticking up in every direction, he looked a little like a hungover cherub. All he needed was a little extra padding, and he’d have been a shoo-in.

  Sidestepping a young couple shooting Eden disgusted looks as they sped through the lobby, I moved over to my friend, put two fingers on his shoulder, and pushed. “Eden? Hey, bud. It’s time to wake up.”

  He didn’t stir at first. It took three more tries before a low, pained sound tore out of him. His green eyes blinked open, the whites bloodshot and the lids swollen.

  “Where am I?” he muttered.

  I winced when his breath punched into my nostrils. “Lobby. You must have fallen asleep here.”

  “Oh, yeah.” Reaching over his head, he stretched out and yawned loudly as he rolled to his back. “I couldn’t find my room. I put my key in every door except for mine, I think.”

  “I figured that was what happened. Want to come up to my room? I’ve got food up there already.” I’d ordered a feast from room service, but Sofia and I hadn’t gotten round to eating much of it. “There’s bacon.”

  Eden pushed himself into a sitting position, gripping his head between his hands. “Dude, I’m so fucking hungover. Bacon sounds great, though. Lead me to it.”

  I laughed, which earned me a glare and a whimper from my friend. Deciding to take mercy on him, I kept quiet on the way up to my room and even drew the curtains again once we got inside.

  “What happened to you last night?” He frowned, stumbling to the sitting area where the room-service dishes were spread out on the coffee table. “I remember you saying something about a girl, and then you were gone.”

  I blinked at him. “Seriously? You weren’t even slurring when I left.”

  “Maybe not.” He shrugged. “My memory feels like a black hole. Where’d you go? I thought you’d come back when you were done.”

  “Yeah, well, uh…” I didn’t stutter often. Dropping into the seat across from him, I looked up to find him staring at me with wide eyes. “Something happened last night.”

  “What was it?” he asked slowly, planting his elbows on his knees as he leaned forward. “What did you do?”

  “I might have hooked up with Charles’ daughter.” What little color had been left in Eden’s face drained from it. I put my hands up, turning my palms out. “I didn’t know it was her until after. After the first time anyway.”

  His skin went from sallow and clammy to having a definite greenish tinge to it. Both of his knees started bouncing. “That’s it for us then, I guess. We’re going to be Navy janitors at best when he finds out about this.”

  “He won’t find out about it,” I assured him, plucking a piece of cold bacon off a plate and popping it into my mouth. The greasy saltiness of the meat coated my tongue and momentarily distracted me from the immensity of the problem. “She gave me her word.”

  “She gave you her word?” he parroted, his brows shooting up. “How long have you known this girl, and now you’re taking her word for something like this?”

  I turned my wrist and glanced down at the bright orange face of my dive watch. “I met her about thirteen hours ago, give or take a couple, but I trust her with this.”

  Eden chewed on the inside of his cheek before he sighed. “You’re not going to see her again, right?”

  “I don’t know,” I admitted. “I want to.”

  His jaw practically hit the floor. “Are you serious? Do you have any idea what Charles will do to you when he finds out?”

  “Rip off my balls and feed them to the new recruits?” I suggested, bringing my knees closer together instinctively.

  Eden gave me a pointed look. “He’d do that just for starters. Charles will ruin you for this, Linc. Not even you could escape it.”

  “I don’t know,” I mused. “She’s an adult. She made her own choices. Trust me. She’s no wilting wallflower. It wasn’t like it came from my side only.”

  “Do you think that would matter to him?” He laughed humorlessly. “Somehow, I don’t.”

  I lifted my shoulders, turning my head to look out over the bay in the distance. “If I’m being totally honest, she might be worth it, man.”

  “Are you kidding me?” I saw him shoot to his feet in my periphery, his head shaking hard and fast. “I’m going to bed. I can’t handle any more drama right now.”

  “Get some sleep,” I said, resting my head back on the chair as I watched clouds floating past my window.

  There might be a storm on the way. I tried my best not to take it as an ominous sign of what was about to happen in my life.

  You don’t even believe in signs, Linc. Get your head out of your ass.

  Eden echoed the sentiment before my door slammed shut, and I sighed. Maybe I should take my own advice to him and get some sleep. It was pretty much the only thing I wanted to do that wouldn’t get me into any more trouble than I already was.

  Chapter 10

  Sofia

  When I was fifteen, I discovered I could get into our house without my father knowing. At the time, the discovery hadn’t meant all that much.

  In the years that had passed since, however, I’d found many occasions on which to put my route to the test. This morning was no different.

  Our living-room window was almost always open. It was a wide bay window and even had a soft landing with the day bed built into the alcove.

  I also had an excellent vantage point from outside it, since I could see most of our lower story. The dining room flowed into our TV room, and beyond that was the kitchen. The only part of it I couldn’t see was the kitchen table.

  Unfortunately, that was exactly where Dad spent most of his mornings. Peeking in through the window, I saw only his feet propped up on the chair beside his.

  It’s going to be a close call today. But it was either this or the front door.

  I’d showered with Lincoln, but I was still in last night’s party dress. It would be a dead giveaway if he caught me climbing into the house while wearing yesterday’s clothes.

  When I heard the kettle starting to boil, I decided to take my shot. I only needed the minute it would take him to freshen up his coffee.

  Practically diving onto the daybed as soon as I saw his feet move, I tucked my knees in and rolled to the edge. There was a pause of movement from the kitchen, and I froze, worried he’d heard me.

  But then a spoon clinked against the side of his mug, and I relaxed. Without wasting any more time, I flung my legs over the edge. When my feet hit the floor, I took off across the living room and up the stairs.

  I ran on my tiptoes, just getting to the top landing when I heard Dad’s chair scrape against the floor as he sat down again. I shook my ass in victory, allowing myself only a minute to celebrate before closing my bedroom door.

  After I cleaned up a little, brushed my hair, and pulled it into a bun on top of my head, I threw on a pair of yoga pants and a tank top. Satisfied that I didn’t look like I’d just snuck in as I gave myself a critical onceover in the mirror, I nodded at my reflection and headed for my door.

  Dad was reading the newspaper when I walked into the kitchen. He looked up, his eyes narrowing for a minute as he looked me over. Then he relaxed.

&
nbsp; “Where have you been?” he asked gruffly. “There’s coffee.”

  “Thanks.” I flitted over to the cabinet with our mugs and fixed myself a cup before going to join him at the table. “I hung out with Haley. We fell asleep, and I ended up staying over.”

  Dad set the newspaper down, lifting his mug in one hand as he turned his full attention on me. “That’s nice. She must have missed you while you were gone. You two have always been so close.”

  “It’s definitely hard being so far away from the two of you. I know it’s not technically that far, but it’s weird that I can’t just pop into the deli to say hi to her at lunchtime or have coffee with you in the mornings.”

  He scratched his chin as he nodded. “It’s all part of growing up. I think it’s been an adjustment for us all, though.”

  “I’m glad I got to be at your party,” I said before blowing steam across the surface of my mug. “It was nice. Did you have fun?”

  “I enjoyed it,” he replied. I wasn’t surprised. Dad wasn’t really the type to call anything fun.

  “That’s what it was all about, I guess. It must have been nice to get caught up with all your friends and colleagues. I know many of them have moved away.”

  “It was good of them to come,” he said. A scowl formed on his rugged face and storm clouds formed in his eyes. “The night would have been a lot better if Dobbs and Phillips hadn’t shown up during the prayer.”

  I nearly choked on the steam, clearing my throat to disguise it. “Dobbs and Phillips?”

  “Lincoln Dobbs and his trusty sidekick, Eden Phillips.” His scowl deepened. “That boy has the most potential with the least desire to fulfill it I’ve ever seen.”

  “Which boy?” I knew I was playing dumb, but I had to.

  “Lincoln Dobbs.” My father said his name slowly, like a villain in a superhero movie might name his nemesis. “It’s a shame. He could have been great. He’s a natural leader, he’s smart, he’s strong in strategy, but he’s not putting any of his talents to good use.”

  “Maybe he’ll grow into them.” There were a few talents he’d definitely put to good use last night, but I didn’t think his tongue or fingers would help much on the battlefield.

  Plus, there was a very good chance that Dad would shoot him if he ever found out I knew about that particular skillset of Lincoln’s. I liked the guy. I’d rather not have his brains spattered against a wall.

  It had become clear to me now why Lincoln had been so awkward after I’d told him who I was. Most recruits didn’t like my father, but I’d rarely heard such open animosity about them from him. Obviously, the two of them butted heads regularly.

  “I had hopes that he’d grow into them, but he’s becoming more and more of a wildcard. It’s getting to the point where he’s putting his teammates in danger, and they don’t even see it.”

  “He can’t be that bad,” I argued. “If his teammates are still following him, he’s got to be good at some level.”

  “He dangerous,” Dad grunted, his eyes turning to slits. “There’s nothing good about him. He’s only fooled everyone into thinking that there is.”

  I couldn’t agree with my dad’s assessment of him. Although he’d known him for much, much longer than I had and had spent more time with him, I had a feeling Dad’s judgment was clouded.

  Lincoln had seemed like a good enough guy to me. “Luckily, you don’t have to worry about him much longer.”

  “Damn right,” he muttered, but somehow, it didn’t sound like we were talking about the same thing. I’d been referring to Dad’s retirement. The malicious gleam in his eyes, though, made me wonder what he’d been talking about.

  Before I could ask, his face finally relaxed, and he picked up his paper again. “You’re going to be with a good man one day, and it won’t be anyone like Lincoln. That’s the only man I’ll have to worry about from now until the end of the month.”

  Again, it seemed like there was a double edge to his words. I didn’t ask why. Dad would never talk to me about anything he viewed as classified, which was pretty much everything to do with what was going on at his job.

  “Ha. A good man? Where do you suppose I’ll find one of those?” I was joking, playing into his protective side just in case the conversation about Lincoln would come back to sour his day. It was the day after his party. He deserved to enjoy it.

  Dad guffawed, cracking a smile as he bopped his head at me. “I don’t know where we’re going to find him, kiddo, but we will. I’ll help you.”

  God forbid. I’d end up with the most stoic, proper, boring guy in the Navy. Probably an administrator who wouldn’t know excitement or adventure if it bit him in the ass. “That’s okay, Dad. Thanks for the offer, but I’m not quite that desperate.”

  “Good. Good. You’re still young. Your studies should be your main focus. After you’re qualified and settled in your career, you can start worrying about all that other stuff.”

  “I’m already twenty-five. I’m not that young anymore. Don’t you want a whole stable full of grandchildren?”

  Terror flashed in his eyes as he drew his head back. “No. No, I most definitely do not want that. One will be fine, but only once you’re married and have had some time to settle. You don’t have to… you know…”

  “Gee, thanks, Dad.” I grinned to lighten the mood.

  No doubt Dad’s mind had jumped right to the acts required to conceive a stable full of children. He’d never been good at the sex talk with me. Back when it’d been time for the birds and the bees, he’d gotten one of the female officers to sit me down. He’d also given me her number to call whenever I had any questions.

  I miss Rosie, actually. She’d been great. As far as I knew, she was stationed permanently somewhere far, far away now. I wondered what she’d have thought about Lincoln and even if she’d known him before leaving.

  Not that it mattered. Dad was the only one here now. His gaze dropped to the paper, indicating that he was done with our conversation.

  I pushed my chair back and went to place my empty mug in the dishwasher. “You want me to cook you dinner tonight? Just you and me?”

  “That would be great, honey,” he said without looking up.

  Perfect. I hated it when he got so uncomfortable that he shut me out. “Okay, I’ll go get some meat from Haley’s deli. See you later.”

  “See you.” He flipped his hand up in a casual wave, his eyes already tracking whatever article in the newspaper he had been on before.

  Haley’s deli was busy when I got there. The waitress she had hired hustled between the tables, smiling and pointing toward the back when I caught her eye.

  My best friend stood behind the slicer, humming along to a tune when I entered. Not wanting to surprise her while there was a blade spinning in front of her, I called out above the noise. “Hey. How was the rest of your night last night?”

  Flipping the switch on the machine before she turned, she gave me a smug, knowing smile. “Probably not as good as yours was, hmm? I didn’t leave with any of those Navy guys.”

  “You didn’t?” I frowned as I slung my purse down on a counter and leaned my hip against it. “I thought for sure you would.”

  “So did I.” She sighed, then gave a small shrug. “Something came up. He had to get back to the base.”

  “That’s a disappointment.” I snagged a piece of roast turkey off the plate of sliced meats and popped it into my mouth, flashing Haley an apologetic grin when she shook her head at me. “What? I’m just testing it. I need to get some from you for dinner.”

  She rolled her eyes at me, but there was a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “Whatever. Tell me about the guy you went home with.”

  I released a contented sigh. “Lincoln. We had fun, but I doubt I’ll see him again. As soon as he found out who my dad was, I think I kissed any chance of a repeat performance goodbye.”

  “He’s not a fan of good ol’ Charles?” She made a sound at the back of her throat. “Well, I g
uess it’s no surprise you picked him for your homecoming fun, then. You’ve always had that rebellious streak against your father.”

  I held up a finger. “Wait a minute. I didn’t even know he wasn’t a fan of Dad before I saw his face when I told him.”

  Haley’s blonde brows shot up. “Let me guess, though. You only told him after you slept together? You knew there was a very good chance he wouldn’t like Charles. Therefore, you wanted him to get to know you as you before you told him.”

  I huffed out a breath but shrugged. “We were having so much fun together. I really like him. I mean, not in a ‘I want to marry the guy and have his babies’ kind of way, but we could have some fun together this summer.”

  “Don’t sweat it.” She swatted my hand away when I reached for another piece of turkey. “I know what you meant. I also know why you didn’t say anything before. Navy guys always get weird around you when your dad is mentioned. For your sake and the sake of a fun summer, I hope you do end up hearing from him.”

  My phone chimed from my purse. A text from an unknown number waited for me when I fished the device out.

  Want to go to the beach with me tomorrow? L

  A bright smile spread my lips, and Haley chuckled. “I’m guessing he got over it?”

  “Yep. It looks like I’ve finally found one with balls.” My smile widened as I twirled my phone between my fingers. “Excuse me for a moment while I arrange my next date.”

  Her chuckles turned into laughter, but she waved me off and turned her slicer back on. “You have fun. I’ll just be here.”

  Vowing to find out from Lincoln if he had a friend I might be able to introduce to mine, I lifted my phone and tapped out my reply.

  Me: Glad you decided to get over it and use my number. What beach? What time? I’m in.

  Sure, I probably sounded more eager than I should have, but who cared? I sure as hell didn’t. I wanted to have fun, not play aloof games all summer.