“What are you going to do about them?” Paul asked as he finished his burger and nodded in the direction of the parking lot.
A light came on in Trey’s head. “You dirt bag. You knew she’d be here, with him, right?”
“Let’s just say I had an inkling of it.”
“Down, Dada,” Trevor demanded as he stuffed one more small french fry into his mouth. Trey grabbed more napkins and wiped off his son’s face and hands, then watched him climb off the seat.
“You stay right here, Trevor. You understand?”
Trevor bobbed his head several times before turning to run down the aisle. Reb was quick and reached out his arm to stop him. “Well, that worked out well,” Reb said as he scooped Trev up into his arms. “Maybe it’s time to head out.”
Trey stood and reached out to take his son, but Reb ignored him.
“Hey, I’ve been gone a couple of days. Hand my son over.”
Reb whispered in Trevor’s ear. “You want to go with your daddy or stay with Uncle Reb?”
“Web,” Trevor giggled as he squirmed to be put back down.
“Oh, that’s just great,” Trey grumbled as he fished for a tip in his pockets, threw it on the table, and followed the others out. He watched Trevor scramble toward the door and thought about how his life had changed over the last four months. Who would’ve thought he’d be busier than ever, feeling more needed while at the same time holding a gut-wrenching emptiness inside? Life just didn’t make sense.
Chapter Fourteen
Trey had finished the flight exercises for the day and was making his way from the tarmac to the debrief meeting. It had been a long day after a difficult week and Trey was glad it was almost over—he was looking forward to the weekend.
“Hey, wait up.”
Trey turned back to see Reb and Paul walking up to him.
“Mind if we stop and grab some stuff for the barbeque tomorrow?” Reb pulled a list from his back pocket.
“Not a problem,” Trey replied as he stepped into the truck and started the engine.
Fifteen minutes later he followed Reb and Paul around the store, pushing a cart almost full of groceries. He kept watching as Reb threw more stuff into the basket. “How many people are coming, anyway?”
“Don’t know, maybe thirty.”
“Thirty? I thought this was just a small get-together. You know, some R and R time, laughs, relax.”
Reb turned toward him and shrugged. “What can I say? People love our parties.” He smiled then glanced down at his list. “That’s it.”
“Our three squadrons, right?” Trey asked as they loaded bags into the back seat.
“And a few other strays. Not to worry. If it gets to be too much for you, feel free to grab Trevor and take off,” Reb joked, then sobered. “You know, Jesse is planning to come for a while.”
Trey took that in, surprised that it hadn’t already occurred to him that she might be included. “She bringing anyone with her?”
“Don’t know. Last I knew she was flying solo,” Paul answered.
Trey slammed the transmission into drive and peeled out of the lot. All he could picture was Jesse and her friend, Alex, last night at Bub’s, with their heads together, talking.
“Hey, man, settle down. This truck doesn’t have the same kind of warranty as the jets.” Reb tightened his seat belt then laid his arm across the seat back. “Even if she brings someone, so what? You’ve decided to move on, right?”
Trey pursed his lips. “Right,” he mumbled and focused on the road ahead. He knew Reb was wrong in his assessment that he’d moved on. Trey felt he’d just gone through the motions much of the time over the last few weeks, being a dad, flying, attending Sydney’s funeral. They may have filled his time, but not his life or his heart. Maybe tomorrow he could start to turn that around.
******
“Show me to the beer,” someone shouted when they stepped onto the back patio where the music was blaring and the barbeque smoked.
Trey didn’t turn his gaze from the burgers on the grill, just pointed toward the coolers that held soda, water, and beer. He’d been standing in that same spot for a while, watching the happenings while keeping an eye on Trevor who played with a couple of other toddlers in the grass area beside him.
His mind wandered to the quick message he’d gotten off to Connie the night before. A message and flight information. She’d responded almost immediately with an affirmative, and he now waited for the phone call that would take him to the small airport that wasn’t far away. She’d been able to get Monday and Tuesday off, which would give her almost three days with Trevor. He felt good about taking the step to get her to California. He felt the phone in his pocket vibrate.
“Yeah? Hey, Connie.” Trey waited a moment. “Sure. Give me twenty minutes tops.” He slid the phone back into his pocket. “Reb!” he shouted over the elevating noise level.
“Need more burgers?” Reb asked as he stepped over folding chairs and toys on his way to the grill.
“I need to pick someone up at the airport. Take over for me.” He handed the spatula over, grabbed Trevor, and was out the door before Reb could say another word.
“What’s up with Trey?” Paul popped the top off a beer and handed it to Reb.
“Says he needs to pick somebody up at the airport. That’s all I know.”
It wasn’t five minutes before the two looked up to see Jesse walk outside followed by Benny and Tony. “Jesse,” Paul called. “Over here.”
“Great party, boys.” Jesse gave each a quick hug before grabbing a drink and walking back to stand near the grill. She looked around, disappointment clear on her face.
“He’ll be back,” Reb said.
“Who?” she asked, hoping it wasn’t obvious that she’d been looking for Trey.
He narrowed his eyes at her, not taking the bait. “He left to pick someone up from the airport.” Reb watched her glance at the children. “Took Trevor with him.”
“You know, I’d never seen Trey’s son until the other night at Bud’s. It’s amazing how much Trevor already looks like his dad.”
“He’s a great father. Of course, Trev prefers his two uncles,” Paul interjected and placed an arm across Reb’s shoulders. Both men smiled at Jesse, who laughed and turned to walk away.
That’s when she saw them—Trey and a beautiful woman with golden blond hair that fell to her shoulders. She was holding Trevor who had his arms wound tight around her neck. Jesse’s heart slammed into her chest at the look Trey gave the woman as he escorted her outside. He had his hand on the small of her back and leaned in to whisper something. Her laughter pealed through the crowd. The two of them made a stunning couple, even in jeans and t-shirts.
“Wow,” Paul said and started walking toward Trey.
“I’ll be damned. Wonder who she is?” Reb flipped burgers while trying to keep his eyes on the woman with Trey.
Trey walked a few feet onto the patio and stopped. “Everyone, this is Connie.”
Most raised their glasses or cans to acknowledge the new arrival, while others, like Paul, made a beeline toward her.
“Connie, this is one of my roommates, Paul Henshaw. My other roommate, Reb, is tending the barbeque. You’ll have to put up with both of them while you’re here.”
Connie smiled at Paul and held out her hand. “Oh, I think I can manage that.”
“Here,” Paul said. “Let me take Trevor and I’ll introduce you around.” Trev turned at the sound of Paul’s voice and reached out his arms. “He’ll probably just want down within a couple of seconds.” They turned toward a group of people, leaving Trey alone.
He’d seen Jesse right off, as soon as he’d stepped outside with Connie. She’d remained rooted in place making no attempt to acknowledge either of them. His eyes remained fixed on her. She’d stepped back toward Reb, focusing on the burgers, then turning her back toward Trey in a blatant attempt to ignore him. From what he could tell she’d come alone.
“Hel
lo, Jesse.”
She hadn’t seen him come up behind her. All Jesse wanted was to stay for a little longer then disappear. Maybe take a run, go to the gym or for groceries, anything except watch Trey with his pretty guest.
“Hello, Trey. Nice party.” Jesse took a long swallow of her beer, then decided to finish it off before tossing the empty can in the recycle bin.
“It’s pretty much all Reb and Paul’s doing. I just try to keep up.”
“Who’s the woman?” Reb asked.
“A friend of Sydney’s. Take another look, Reb. You might remember her.”
Reb removed his sunglasses and took a closer look. “Oh, yeah. The sexy blond who wouldn’t give me the time of day.” He turned to Jesse. “Completely shunned me. Really messed with my ego for months.”
Jesse couldn’t contain the smile that split her face. There wasn’t a single bachelor pilot with a bigger ego, at least about women, than Reb.
“Anyway, it seemed like a good idea to fly her out. Let her spend some time with Trev.” Trey continued to watch Jesse, trying to figure a way to get her alone and talk. “She’ll stay in Trevor’s room. Flies out on Tuesday.”
“Good. That’ll give me some time to work my magic on her. Unless of course, you have first rights.” Reb picked up one burger after another and placed them on a serving plate. “Here, pass these around.” He shoved the plate at Jesse, who grabbed it like a lifeline and walked away. “What the hell were you thinking?” Reb asked when Jesse was a good distance away.
“What are you talking about?” Trey was baffled at Reb’s question.
“Don’t mess with me, okay? You’re still not close to being your usual self—haven’t been since Jesse moved out. There’s so much tension whenever the two of you are close you’d think an earthquake was about to hit.” He looked up to see Jesse talking with a group of fellow pilots. “She’s still in love with you, you know.”
“I still don’t get what’s eating at you.” Trey wasn’t connecting any dots on this one.
“Connie, dumbass. Is she with you or just here to visit Trevor? From where I stand, it looks as if she’s your new lady.”
A light went on in Trey’s head. “Ah, hell,” he murmured.
“Just as I thought.” Reb gave him a pointed look. “If you want Jesse back, and it’s pretty clear you do, you’d better do some damage control now before that hole gets any deeper.”
Both remained quiet—Reb concentrating on the grill, and Trey trying to figure a way to talk himself out of this one. It was an easy explanation, yet with Connie staying at the house, he was afraid Jesse wouldn’t see it that way.
“What are you two so quiet about?”
Reb glanced up to see Shelly standing a couple of feet away, looking great in white shorts and a halter top. They hadn’t connected as planned after the dance last weekend, and his body was telling him it had been too long. He handed the spatula to Trey and drew Shelly into a hug.
“Glad you could make it, baby. Do not even think of leaving without me,” he whispered as she stepped back.
“Wouldn’t think of it.” Shelly smiled before leaving Reb to search out Jesse.
“Damn, she’s a fine looking woman,” Reb grumbled as he watched her hips swaying and her laughing at something someone had said.
“And that’s a problem?” Trey asked, keeping his eye on Jesse. He wasn’t going to let her take off before they spoke.
“Yeah, a big problem.” Reb and Shelly had started out casual, each knowing it was just a short-term thing, something to fill the time for each of them. His feelings for her had grown until he knew he’d either have to stop seeing Shelly or ramp things up, assuming she felt the same. It was damned inconvenient and unexpected.
Trey took a long look at his friend and, realizing he was serious, clapped his hand on Reb’s shoulder. “Happens to us all, my man.” He strolled over to the cooler and grabbed a water, twisted off the cap, and drank half the bottle. Jesse was talking with Shelly, surrounded by other women, all laughing. Paul was still introducing Connie to everyone while holding Trevor’s hand.
“Trey,” someone yelled from the other side of the good-sized backyard and waved him over.
Trey took one more look at Jesse then made his way through lounge chairs, coolers, and kids to the group by the back fence. “How are you doing, Pete?” Pete’s wife, Anita, also a pilot, was stationed on the east coast. Trey had talked to him once about how it was working, being stationed thousands of miles apart. His friend had told him it was tough but workable. It all depended on how committed you were to each other as well as the trust factor. Not long afterwards Trey had learned about Trevor and Jesse had moved out. Jesse and he didn’t appear to have built either.
“Great. Still hoping to get Anita transferred out here. We’ll just keep at it until it happens.” Pete was the most positive person Trey had ever met and an excellent pilot. He was the kind of man you wanted as your friend. “Who’s that with Paul?”
Trey explained the relationship between Connie and Trevor. He was glad he no longer had to explain his instant fatherhood—everyone had met his son and treated him as if he’d been with Trey all along.
“Sure seems like Paul has taken a liking to her. Interesting,” Pete commented before he stood to meet Connie as Paul walked up to them.
Paul introduced Connie to the group as Trey took Trevor’s hand then picked up his son to walk toward Jesse.
“I don’t know if you’ve had a chance to get to know Trevor.” Trey stood next to her, turning his son around so that Trevor faced Jesse.
Jesse pulled her surprised gaze from Trey to the little boy who stared at her. “No, I haven’t had much time with him.” Jesse reached out to touch Trevor’s hand. He watched her but didn’t turn away.
“Is it okay if Jesse watches you for a while, son?” Trey set Trevor on the ground and watched him run toward the other children a few yards away. “Do you mind keeping track of him while I help Reb?”
Her chest tightened at his gesture. “Yes, I’d like that very much.”
Trey started toward the grill, turning his back on Jesse, letting her know Trevor was all hers. He knew he could watch them while he finished the last of the burgers, and preferred to let them get acquainted without his presence. For Trey, this was the first step.
Chapter Fifteen
Connie and Jesse sat in the living room watching as Trevor rolled his ball around. This lasted for about two minutes before he searched for some other toy to occupy his time.
“He’s gotten so big.” Connie leaned over to toss a new toy in Trevor’s direction. “There are times when it feels as if the time has flown since Trey brought him out here and at other times the days just drag. Those are the days I dread the most.”
“It must have been hard losing both Trevor and his mother within a few weeks. I can’t imagine going through it.” Jesse looked over her shoulder when she heard laughter coming from the kitchen. The party had ended an hour before, and Trey had asked her to stay to keep Connie company while the men cleaned up.
She still wasn’t sure of Connie’s relationship with Trey. Perhaps this would give her a chance to figure it out. Even though Jesse had come to terms with the fact that it was over and she needed to move on, a part of her prayed that Trey would reach out to her, try to repair their broken relationship.
“My nursing job keeps me pretty busy. I volunteer at a community center once a week and I’m thinking of taking a cooking class. You know, one of those gourmet things.” She tried for a smile, but Jesse could see the sadness in Connie’s eyes.
“Do you have any time to go out, date?” Jesse tried for nonchalance hoping Connie didn’t figure out the real reason for her curiosity.
Connie gave a short laugh and slid onto the carpeted floor to play with Trevor. “I went out a couple of times with someone several months ago. A nice guy, smart, doing well, but, I don’t know, there just isn’t any zing with him.” She looked up and over her shoulder at Jesse. �
�Don’t you think there should be some type of spark?”
Jesse thought about it.
She’d been attracted to Trey from their first meeting at the Academy, yet kept her feelings to herself, not wanting anyone, least of all Trey, to know. Jesse had been stunned when he’d asked her out on a date. She’d learned that he’d felt the same all those years but had never said a word. Their first kiss sent a jolt through her body that only increased each time they were together. If that was a spark, then yes, they’d had it.
“Yes, I do think there must be chemistry. Perhaps you’ll meet someone this weekend.” When Connie smiled and shook her head, Jesse continued. “I’m serious. There are a lot of good-looking, great guys around here and most are single. You never know.” Jesse smiled and slid onto the floor beside Connie.
“Well, there is someone I met today. He’s the first man in a long time who has caught my attention. I felt an instant rapport with him, if you know what I mean.”
“Paul?”
Connie’s stunned expression told Jesse she’d guessed right.
“Don’t worry, he won’t hear it from me. I’ve known Paul a long time, and he’s the best. Can get a little grumpy, but I love him—in a buddy way, I mean,” Jesse corrected before they both started to laugh. That brought Trey out of the kitchen, along with Shelly, who’d stayed behind to help, or supervise as Reb labeled it.
“What’s going on?” Trey’s eyes roamed the room, looking at the pile of toys and the women sitting close together on the floor.
“Not a lot, just talking and watching Trevor.” Jesse pushed herself up then reached into her pocket for the Jeep keys. “Guess I’d better head out.”
Connie stood up as well and gave Jesse a hug. “I’m so glad we had a chance to talk. Maybe I’ll see you again before I leave on Tuesday.”
“I’m running at six tomorrow morning. Why don’t you join me?” Jesse suggested.
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