He whipped around to find Tim staring at him like he was an idiot. “What?”
Tim pointed to his own bright green ear protectors. “Wanna put those back on? I’m about to shoot here.”
“Oh. Right.” He slipped them on, then watched Tim test out the Ruger, firing eight shots succinctly and with near-perfect precision.
“Nice.” He went back to his own lane and loaded the mag en route. Then he lined up and fired, knowing after the first shot he should step back and shake it off. But he kept firing, poorly, until he ran empty.
“That round was just plain shitty. And I say that with love,” Tim commented from around the half-wall.
“Yeah. I can feel all that love.” He ejected the mag and set the pistol down. Grabbing a handful of bullets, he started loading up again. Casually, he said, “So, wanna head back to your place and order a pizza after this?”
Tim’s head once more poked around the half-wall. “Yeah, sure. With Skye gone, it’s not like I’ll be making gourmet for myself.”
“Sounds good. Maybe one of those movies I’ve been waiting to see will be streaming and we can watch.”
“Deal. I’m going another round.” Tim disappeared, and a moment later Jeremy could hear—almost feel—the faint pop pop pop of the .45 from the stall next to him. Another minute later, the door to the lobby opened and a group of guys walked in, heading to the far lanes past them.
So maybe dinner at Tim’s place wasn’t the best idea he’d had. But if he could get another glimpse of Madison and Matthew, judge how things were going there, it wouldn’t hurt anything.
Satisfaction, pure and simple, hummed through his chest. He finished loading, pushed the magazine in, slingshot back, took aim, and hit dead center in the black.
***
Matthew’s SUV pulled into the driveway of the townhouse, only making it a few feet before he had to stop. Dread swirled in Madison’s gut at the sight of the object in his way.
“That’s Jeremy’s truck,” Skye said from the backseat. “Huh. Tim didn’t mention he was having Jeremy over.” She reached forward and patted Matthew’s shoulder. “Why don’t you go ahead and park in the street and come in? We can all hang out.”
Matthew shook his head. “That’s a sweet offer, but I think I’m going to head on out.”
“Please?” Veronica asked quietly from the other side of the backseat. “We’re having a lot of fun. I’d hate for you to take off now.”
Matthew glanced at Madison. She knew exactly what he was thinking. How the hell did he turn down such a sweet invitation? She shrugged, held out her hands in an It’s your choice, not mine gesture, and hoped he understood he was under no obligation to stay.
Something new, a little different, and a little scary brightened his eyes. “Yeah, what the hell? I’ll come in for a few.” He backed out and pulled forward onto the curb next to the mailbox. “Not too long though. You ladies wore me out.”
She took her time grabbing her bag and heading to the front door. Not because she wanted to avoid the scene that possibly awaited her inside, but more because—oh, hell. Who in God’s name was she kidding? She totally wanted to avoid the scene.
“Hey, Skye.” She reached in her satchel and grabbed her keys. “I think I’m—”
“Don’t even think about it,” Matthew said low in her ear, taking a firm grip on her upper arm. “You’re going in with me. End of story.”
Skye turned at the front door. “What?”
“I’m just warning I might not stay very long,” she finished lamely. “I’m really tired too. But I’ll come in for a bit.”
Veronica and Skye pushed forward, Skye calling out Tim’s name to let him know they were back. Madison waited until they rounded the corner of the entryway and whirled on him. “What the hell?” she hissed.
“You started this by inviting me over a few weeks ago, need I remind you?” He tapped the end of her nose with one finger. “So you can be a big girl and finish it.”
“There’s nothing to finish!” she growled. “It doesn’t matter. I apologized for using you.”
“Look,” he said, one arm slung over her shoulder. “I’m your best friend. Right?”
“Right now? Not so sure,” Madison mumbled.
“I’ll pretend you agreed with me. That’s my favorite. So when you and this lover boy finally make an official item of it, we’re going to be meeting up a lot. It’s just a fact. He needs to get used to seeing me around. Because I refuse to lose you to some Neanderthal who won’t let you have male friends.”
“That’s not how he is,” she protested. “It’s just, I really don’t want to do this right now.”
“Too late,” he said through clenched teeth as the front door swung wide open again and Veronica stood in the entryway, a confused look on her face.
“Are you guys not coming in?”
“Of course we are.” Matthew abandoned Madison—nice best friend—and looped his arm through Veronica’s, leading her back to the living room and leaving Madison to follow behind. “Have I told you how much I love your hair? So few women grow it out this long anymore. It’s really unique.”
Veronica flushed a little and smoothed one hand down her long braid. “Thank you.”
Entering the living room, Madison took quick stock. The lights were off and the glare from the movie cast an eerie blue glow over the room. Tim sat in the armchair, Skye draped over his lap, her feet dangling over the arm of the chair. Matthew led Veronica to take up the couch. But no sign of Jeremy.
“Sit down, squirt. You’re blocking the view.” Tim motioned at her with one hand—the one not draped around his wife’s midsection.
She jumped to the side, then realized some action movie was on. But still, no sign of Jeremy.
Do not ask. Do not ask. Do not—
“So, where’s—”
“Hey.”
She jumped again, this time straight up. “Jesus. Scare a few years off my life why doncha?” She held one hand to her beating heart, turning her head to look at Jeremy, who’d snuck in silently from the kitchen.
“Sorry. Thought it was obvious that’s where I was. What with the kitchen light on and all that.” He held out a bottle. “Beer?” he offered innocently, eyes full of amusement.
Ha. Right. Like she needed any more damage to her poor nerves. “No, thanks. I’m driving home soon.”
“But you just got here.”
“Jeremy. Hey. Good to see you again,” Matthew called from the couch. She tried to make a face at him, imploring him to behave, but with Tim watching, there was no way to do that undetected.
Jeremy took a few steps and offered a hand to shake. “Yeah, same to you. How are things at the hospital?”
“Oh, crazy as always. Madison keeps me sane. Thank God for her.” Matthew smiled at her, face as full of innocence as Jeremy’s had been a minute ago.
What—were all the men in her life turning on her in one big joke?
“Uh-huh.” Jeremy side-eyed her but said nothing more.
“Are you going to sit?” Matthew patted a cushion beside him. “We can scoot over, right, Veronica?”
“Sure,” she said with a grin. Madison watched her friend blush just a little, and felt a tingling sense of dread. No, no. She was looking into it too much.
Madison started to walk toward the couch, but a jerk on her shirt had her plopping down in front of the coffee table on the floor, right next to Jeremy.
“Looks a little crowded over there already,” he commented idly. “We’ll hang down here.”
“Oh, will we?” Madison asked sweetly.
“He’s probably right. I don’t mind having the couch to ourselves,” Matthew said.
She narrowed her eyes at Matthew, who gave her a shit-eating grin back in response.
&nb
sp; Madhouse. The place was a madhouse.
After a few more minutes and a little more theatrical bloodshed, Veronica squirmed a little. “I’m actually not great with these kinds of movies. They sort of make my stomach ache.” She stood, shooting Matthew an apologetic grimace. “I’m sorry.”
Matthew looked concerned. “No worries. I’m not a big action man myself. Why don’t we grab some sodas and head out to the porch? Clear night to watch the stars.”
“Sure,” Veronica breathed and followed him out easily.
“Shit,” Madison murmured.
“Jealous?” Jeremy asked, biting off the word like it tasted bad.
Madison rolled her eyes and started to stand. She couldn’t, regardless of what it might look like, let Veronica dig herself too deep into a possible infatuation with Matthew. She knew what Veronica was seeing. Good-looking guy, easy on the eyes, a sweetheart with a charming smile. But despite Madison not knowing much about her past, she got the distinct impression that Veronica was more sheltered than she would like everyone to believe. More naive. And she feared the poor thing would hang her hopes on a man who hung all his hopes on the other team.
She turned to make her excuses to Tim and Skye, only to find them absorbed in each other. “Newlyweds,” she said with a sigh and headed for the patio.
She slid the glass door open and walked out, praying she wouldn’t have to step in between the two of them. Hoping Matthew realized the possible problem.
“And that’s Cepheus.” Veronica pointed up in the sky. When Matthew pointed as well, she grabbed his wrist and directed him a little to the left. “There. Now you’ve got it.”
Madison froze. Veronica all but shied away from touching men. The fact that she felt so comfortable with Matthew could be nothing but bad, bad news.
“Hey, guys,” she said, announcing her presence. She flopped down into another lounger and watched for some sign of anger or frustration from Veronica at crashing the intimate moment.
None there. Her roommate simply smiled. “Hi. I was showing Matthew the few constellations I know. Not many, I admit. Do you know some?”
Stars? Seriously? That’s all they were up to? She glanced quickly at Matthew, who seemed to be innocently staring up into space. “Uh, sure. Let’s see, over there we’ve got Draco. And if you looked just a little behind us, you’d find—”
“Ursa Major.” Jeremy’s voice cut through the quiet night like a knife. He sat down at the edge of Madison’s lounger and pushed her feet to give himself some more room. “But it’s a little cloudy that way so you won’t see it right now.”
“Right,” Madison said, then mouthed what the hell are you doing? toward him. He merely grinned, a wolfish action that made her want to shiver. Not at all a friendly face.
“I thought you were going to head home soon,” Madison asked Matthew. Her friend raised a brow at her and she mumbled, “Well, that’s what you said.”
He rolled his eyes, shook his head, and said, “Hey, Veronica, would you mind grabbing us a couple of waters and maybe a blanket or two? It’s going to get chillier out here and I don’t want you to get cold. I’d go, but you used to live here so I’m sure you know where it all is.”
“Oh. Sure, I’ll go, no problem.” Veronica stood.
Matthew gave her a pointed look. “Maybe you could help her, Mad.”
“No, I’m not thirsty.”
“Help her,” he said again, more steel in his voice.
She wanted to argue, God did she ever. But she recognized that tone of voice and knew that there was a purpose to Matthew’s order. So, in the trusting way of best friends, she nodded and followed Veronica inside, closing the glass door behind her.
***
Jeremy watched Madison’s back as it disappeared into the darkened townhouse.
“What are you playing at, Phillips?”
His head snapped back to Matthew. Taking his time, he shifted so he was sitting in the chair properly, with Matthew at his side. “I might ask you the same thing.”
The other man sighed. “I was afraid you might make this difficult. Look, we went over this before, didn’t we? I love Madison—”
A growl escaped Jeremy’s throat, completely catching them both by surprise. Though Matthew smiled like it was funny.
“I thought so. You’ll have to get used to that. She’s my best friend, and she will always be my best friend. But I told you once I wouldn’t go after her, and I meant it.”
Jeremy absorbed that for a moment. “It’s hard to believe someone who spends so much time with her wouldn’t at least give it a try,” he admitted finally.
“Maybe,” Matthew said with a chuckle. “But she’s missing a few assets I look for in a partner.”
“Missing a few assets?” For some ungodly reason, Jeremy felt insulted by that thought. “What the hell is wrong with you? She’s not missing anything.”
“Except a Y chromosome,” the other man answered easily, taking a sip of his soda and staring back up at the stars.
“Except a… oh.” Cue the I feel like a dipshit music. “Uh-huh.” He scratched his chin, wondering how to avoid the minefield he had just inadvertently stepped right into.
“Don’t turn it into a big thing.” Matthew waved a hand as if swiping a slate clean. Hopefully Jeremy’s. “It is what it is; I am what I am. I don’t make a big deal of it. If people want to bitch and moan about me being gay, so be it. But I don’t think you’re that kind of person.”
“No, I’m not.” And really, he wasn’t. It was the surprise, the abrupt one-eighty, that his mind had to take to follow this new train of thought that was throwing him off.
Matthew nodded once. “Thought so. I don’t talk about it, because it’s nobody’s business. But when I say Madison’s safe with me… I mean it.”
“Clearly.” He settled back in the chair, feeling at once more relaxed and more ridiculous than he had in quite a while. “Sorry.”
“It’s nothing. Between us, if I ran that direction, I’d be giving you one hell of a fight for her. Not that it would be much of a fight, since I’d clearly kick your ass in a New York minute.” He gave Jeremy a wink. “So count your blessings and don’t be a dick.”
“Nice advice.” So simple, so easy. Don’t be a dick.
He could try it on for size.
***
Madison watched as Veronica poured a glass of ice water for herself, then for Matthew. She turned and held up the pitcher. “Did you want one, Madison?”
“No thanks.” She popped up to sit on the kitchen counter, smiling when Veronica shot her a disapproving look for sitting up there. “Sorry, Mommy. This is just how I do it.”
“I know.” She sighed and settled the pitcher back in the fridge. She took a sip of her water and smiled. “Matthew is very nice.”
Oh boy. Here we go. Her chest tightened in anticipation of the difficult conversation ahead. “Veronica, uh, look. I think we should have a quick chat about Matthew.”
Veronica tilted her head expectantly, a blank look on her face. “Okay.”
“I hope you aren’t, uh, aiming for him.”
Veronica tilted her head the other way, a line of confusion creasing her forehead.
“Matthew’s not available. For you, I mean.”
Veronica blinked.
“I mean, he’s not really looking to date… a woman.” Oh, this was so not going well.
Veronica’s nose scrunched up. “I don’t think I understand.”
She took a deep breath and let it out again, heat creeping up her neck. “He’s gay. Matthew, I mean.”
“Oh. Well, yes. Of course.” Veronica grabbed the second glass with her other hand. “Did you just find out?”
“What? No!” Good Lord.
“Did you think I didn’t realiz
e that?”
“Uh…” There was no safe way to answer that, so Madison stalled by twisting her hair back into a ponytail and securing it with the band she kept around her wrist.
“I think he’s a lovely person, and very sweet. Though he did intimidate me a little at first. He’s rather big, muscular. Now I know he’s practically a kitten. I would like to hang out with him some more. But I’m not looking to date him,” Veronica said slowly, like she was speaking to a child. “Honestly, Madison. I think your own preoccupation with love is making you a little crazy.” With that, she turned on her heel and headed out the door. Just before she closed the glass behind her, she nodded toward the blankets they’d found and set on the kitchen table. “Bring those out with you.” She shut the glass door with a snap.
“Yes, ma’am,” Madison murmured, feeling distinctly like she’d been put in her place. Which she deserved.
She grabbed the set of blankets and headed outside.
Chapter 17
Jeremy waited like a freaking teenage girl by his cell phone, hoping it would ring. He’d left Tim and Skye’s place after the movie ended two hours earlier, sure that the others would be taking off soon after. And maybe they had. But so far, Madison hadn’t called or texted.
And he sat around, waiting like an idiot for a call that wouldn’t come.
So he instead turned to the forms sitting on his desk. A desk he had felt such triumph at that afternoon now felt like a millstone just waiting to hang itself around his neck. The simple form to fill out that would cement his next three years in the Corps. The papers felt like lead when he picked up the small folder. Dread settled low in his gut, just as it had the time before.
It’s a good career. A fine way to make a living. Respectable. Honorable.
Oh holy shit. Had his inner monologue just sounded like his own father?
He let his head bang down on the desk, rattling the cup of pens and the mouse. Jesus. He’d slowly slipped into his own father’s life. On purpose? Or out of sheer habit, unconsciously?
Did it really matter?
He stared once more at the folder. God, this wasn’t what he wanted. But somehow, it still felt like what he needed. His father’s obvious desire for Jeremy to follow in his footsteps. To honor his father’s career with his own. Continue on the legacy.
Officer Breaks the Rules (Semper Fidelis. Always Faithful.) Page 21