by Natalie Ann
“Yeah, I’m sure it does even though that is breaking procedure. But this video was taken by another student who thought it was odd you were on their floor as there weren’t many there. They knew for a fact the room you went in was empty but also happens to be a room where there are a lot of parties.”
“I found the room empty and left,” he said. “My shirt looked fuller by the angle.”
Brock moved around on the screen a bit more. “I’d buy that except the campus cameras picked you up again here. Now I can see a bottle coming out of your shirt. Looks like Jim Beam to me. Even if you didn’t steal it from their room, you were drinking on the job.”
“It was my break,” Bob said.
“Doesn’t matter if it’s your break or not. There is no drinking or drugs of any kind while you are on the clock. I’m guessing that isn’t a cigarette you lit up shortly after either and a drug test would prove it.”
“I don’t have to take a drug test. I quit,” Bob said. “You can’t fire me.”
“It’s already done,” Brock said.
Bob stood up, angry. Brock did the same and had the man taking a step back. “I’m going to escort you off the premises myself rather than another guard,” he said. It wasn’t what he’d planned, but he was going to set an example. It’d already gotten around how fast he’d taken that man down in the parking lot. Many knew not to mess with him.
By the time he was back in his office, his desk phone was ringing as much as his head was hurting. He didn’t get to it in time and it went to voicemail, which was just as fine in his mind.
Before he could even listen to the message, his cell phone was going off with a Virginia number. Normally he’d let it go to voicemail, but something told him to answer it.
“Hello.”
“Brock?”
“Yes.”
“It’s Tammy Jones. Andy’s wife.”
“Hi, Tammy. What’s going on?” Something had to be wrong for her to call him. He didn’t need to hear the shaking of her voice either.
“It’s Andy. He’d be so mad if he knew I called, but I don’t know what else to do.”
“Is he okay?”
“No. I mean, he’s passed out right now and I went outside to make this call. He’s drinking a lot. And last night was bad. He said he doesn’t know why he bothers. He’s depressed and can’t find a job. I know it’s hard and he’s trying, but he’s so angry and I’m concerned. I was hoping maybe if you could call and talk to him.”
“I’m not Andy’s favorite person, you know that,” he said.
“No. I know that. But he always listened to you in the past. I’ve told him enough times that he can’t blame you for the loss of his arm. There was no saving it. They couldn’t even find it to save and he knows that.”
It wasn’t bad enough part of Andy’s arm had been blown off his body but it was blown to pieces. No one was looking for it anyway, rather racing to stop the bleeding and save his life.
He thought for a second and realized a phone call wasn’t good enough. Andy needed something in his life, a purpose. A challenge. A good talking to. The phone wasn’t going to cut it.
“Send me your address.”
“What?” Tammy said.
“Send me your address. I’ll be there tomorrow. Don’t tell Andy I’m coming. Or would you rather I not come?”
“I’d love to see you. I hope you can talk to him, but I’m sure you’re busy. I’m not even sure where you are.”
“Not that far. Are you still outside of Richmond?”
“Yeah,” she said. “We’ve been here while he recovers, staying with my parents.”
“I’m less than three hours away. I’ll see you late morning,” he said, hanging up the phone.
He pulled up the budget on his computer, played around with numbers even though he hated it and then made a few more calls to the other department heads under him.
He was just getting ready to leave for the day—much later than he’d originally planned—when he saw a text from Jade.
They’d had no plans to meet tonight, but they did communicate in some form daily.
He replied back he was on his way. After the day he’d had there was only one thing that could put a smile on his face.
Jade opened the door before Brock even made it up the front step. “Hello there, handsome.”
She wound her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. “You are a sight for sore eyes,” he said.
“What every woman wants to hear. I ate already, but I’ve got leftovers if you want something.”
“I’d love whatever you’ve got. Don’t go out of your way.”
“It’s just chicken and veggie stir fry over rice. Why don’t you get yourself a beer while I warm dinner up.”
Once Brock had his beer, she used her hip and pushed him out of the way, reaching in to get the container with the leftovers.
“Man, I needed this. I’m going to be on the road tomorrow and won’t know when I’ll be back.”
“Okay,” she said. “Everything all right or just a bad day at work?”
“Hmm. Well, between the drama of my mother’s visit,” he said. “Thankfully she’s gone and I haven’t heard anything from her and you aren’t holding it against me. Then today I come in to fire a security guard for stealing liquor from a student’s room over the weekend and being stupid enough to drink it at work. Where he was caught on camera no less.”
She’d never hold his mother’s behavior against him. Not only wasn’t he happy about it, but he stuck up for her when many wouldn’t.
“Yikes,” she said. “I haven’t had to fire anyone yet and I hope I don’t need to, but I’m sure I will someday when the business comes down to us.”
Jade always knew she, Drake, and Ryder would be running their fathers’ firm. Her other siblings and cousins would have some kind of ownership in it too, but would be hands off. The way Ryder and Drake were, she’d bet they’d put that in her lap to fire people.
She might be stubborn and feisty, but she never wanted to be a downright bitch. She never wanted to take someone’s job away from them, even if they messed up.
But it was a business and she knew that was part of it.
“That wasn’t even the worst of it.” He took a swig of his beer. “I don’t talk much about my time in the service. Some of it I can’t say. The rest is I don’t want to. Not all of it.”
“I figured as much. I also know you will if you need to. Is this one of those times you need to?”
The microwave dinged and she pulled his dinner out and set it in front of him.
“Yeah. I love how you know me so well. Not many do. Bear with me here, I might jump around a little.”
“Go on. I’m all ears.” She sat down next to him at the island.
“My second-in-command, Andy Jones, and I were pretty close. Not like Travis and me. No one had ever been as close as the two of us. But Andy was a good guy. Quiet, did his job. He’s married and spent most of his time talking with Tammy when he could or talking about her. No kids, they were waiting.”
“How old is he?”
“Younger than me. Not sure his age. Older than thirty. Anyway, we got along and he was a damn fine soldier. Couldn’t ask for better when it came to work.”
“Did he get hurt in the explosion?”
“He did. He lost his arm. He blamed me for a period of time. Not really for the explosion itself. But that my leg was saved and his arm wasn’t.”
She ran her hand on his shoulder. “Because your father got you medical attention right away? Or got you to better doctors?” she asked.
“Yeah. I had no control over that. And when I woke up the first thing I did was ask about my team. My father got them all better treatment. It wouldn’t have mattered with Andy though. His arm had been blown off and not recovered. There was no saving it; it was about stopping the bleeding and saving his life.”
“I’m sorry, Brock.”
“I am too. He’s no long
er in the service. But he’s drinking and he’s depressed. He needs help. I’ve reached out a few times to him and it hasn’t been pretty.”
“But something happened?” she asked.
“His wife, Tammy, called me today. He’s not stable and she’s concerned. I said I’d take a trip and talk to him.”
“So you’re going tomorrow?” she asked, not surprised he’d do what he could to help someone. Especially a friend.
“Yeah. They’re just outside of Richmond. I hope to be back around dinner but have no idea how it’s going to go. He doesn’t know I’m coming and could just as easily shut the door in my face and I’ll be driving right back.”
“You won’t let him,” she said. “It’s not the way you are.”
He stopped eating and leaned over to kiss her. “No, it’s not. When I want something I get it. When it’s right and it’s there, I make sure everyone knows and listens to me.”
Her heart was racing. “Are you still talking about Andy or something else?”
“I’m talking about us,” he said. “I’m talking about you and me and what I feel for you.”
“What do you feel?”
“I think you know what it is,” he said.
“Can’t you just say it to me?” she asked. How many times in her life had she wanted to tell someone she loved them and then chickened out? In the end it was usually best since those relationships didn’t last. But with Brock she not only wanted him to know, she also wanted them to last.
“I can if I think you feel the same way.” He was smiling at her.
“Now you’re just playing with me worse than Wyatt does. This is serious.”
“Yes, it is. I love you, Jade. The question is, do you love me back?”
“You know damn well I do.” Somehow she’d said the words with a big smile and no tears even though they really wanted to fall.
32
Just Different
“What the hell are you doing here?”
Brock expected that kind of a welcome when he walked into the living room the next day to see Andy sitting there in a recliner staring out of the window.
“I came here to see how you were doing.” It was better than saying he wanted to give him a verbal ass whipping so his wife wasn’t as worried.
He’d never say that though. Everyone handled PTSD differently. They were there to support each other. But he knew Andy well enough that he hoped he could get through to him. Coddling him wasn’t going to cut it and he’d bet any amount of money that was what Andy’s friends and family had been doing.
“I doubt that. It’s more like your guilty conscience was getting the better of you.”
“You know me better than that,” he said. Sure, he had a shitload of guilt, but whenever he did something in life it was because it was the right thing to do. Not to make himself feel better. There was no way that was going to happen in this situation.
“How did you even know where to find me?” Andy asked.
“I called him,” Tammy said. “You need to talk to someone that understands. I’m worried about you.”
“No reason to worry about me,” Andy said and looked away.
Brock could see the prosthetic on Andy’s left arm. No hand but more of a metal claw making it easier for him to grab or pick something up. That was the Andy he knew. Function not fashion. There was a glimmer of hope it Brock’s mind now.
“Can I get you something to drink, Brock?” Tammy asked.
“I’m good.”
“Then I’ll leave you two to talk,” Tammy said and walked back out.
“He’s not staying long. Might as well get him a bottle of water for the road,” Andy yelled.
Brock laughed. “Still got your sense of humor, I see.”
“It’s the only thing that hasn’t changed about me.”
“I’m sure there is a lot that hasn’t, but more that has. More for all of us, but it doesn’t make you a bad person. Or me. Just different.”
“Whatever,” Andy said. “I just need to get out of here and on my own.” He held his arm up. “This fucker is making it hard for me to get any kind of a job. I can’t sit behind a desk and will never be able to, but I’m not good enough for much more.”
Brock moved forward and grabbed him by the shirt. “Stop talking shit like that and feeling sorry for yourself.”
“Back the fuck off,” Andy said, pushing him off with his right arm and twisting enough to block him from coming back again. Perfect.
“Stop acting like the world is out to get you,” he said. “I’ve been there and done that and it doesn’t do anything other than push those away that love you.”
“You don’t know shit about it. Always single and always will be.”
“I’m not,” he admitted. “Found myself one hell of a lady who puts up with my shit just like Tammy does yours. You know why?”
“I don’t really care.”
“Yeah, you do. Because you and I know damn well you would have shown me the door ten minutes ago if you didn’t want me here. Or you’d walk out of the room and leave me by myself, but you didn’t.”
“Maybe I’m curious why you wasted your time to come here. So tell me, why is Tammy putting up with me?”
“Because for all your negative ways, deep down you’re a good person and she’s waiting to see that side of you again. I know it’s there, you know it’s there. Why not show it to your wife?”
Andy’s shoulders dropped and Brock walked over to sit down. “Some husband I am. Can’t even provide for my wife. We’ve got no home, no job prospects for me. She’s waitressing a couple of nights a week. I’m just a failure right now.”
“You’re not a failure. The system is failing you,” he said. “What do you want to do?”
“I don’t know. There isn’t much for me to do.”
“You’re feeling sorry for yourself again.”
“I’m too old to go back to school. I can’t stand it anyway. I’m better at just doing. Give me a task. You know that. Hell, I could lead the men because I was damn well ready to go in before them for the action.”
Andy had been fearless and it seemed like maybe it was still there just needing to come out.
“Are you willing to relocate?”
“I can’t stay here much longer,” he said. “Everyone means well, but Tammy’s family is driving me nuts.”
“I might have something for you,” he said, “if you’re interested.”
“What are you even doing? Where are you?”
Again, not kicking him out.
“I’m in Durham. I’m overseeing the security for Duke. The university, the cancer center, the hospital, the entire campus and grounds, their parks. Everything.”
“You’re riding a desk?” Andy asked, starting to laugh. “Now that is a funny thought.”
“It’s not completely at a desk,” he argued. “I’m not letting it be that way. It doesn’t matter. I’ve got a lot of department heads under me. I had to can a security guard for the university yesterday. Most are slackers and it’s driving me insane.”
“You want me to be a rent a cop?” he asked, laughing. “I’d be the laughing stock with one arm.”
“The only thing funny would be your frown for doing the job. But no, that isn’t what I had in mind.”
“I’m not good at typing up notes, so don’t even think to ask me that,” Andy said drily.
Brock grinned. “I type my own like I always did. I need a trainer for the guards. I’m over what is going on. You can do it.”
“No one is going to listen to me or follow what I can do with one arm,” Andy said.
“Really? I’ve seen you take men down with one arm held behind your back. Literally. You’re in your own head, Andy, and are afraid to admit it. You just knocked me back with no problem and if I wanted to go at you again you know I wouldn’t take it easy on you.”
Andy stared at him. “Is this a pity job?”
“Do you think I would have wasted my time to co
me here if it was? I’ve got a problem that needs fixing. Call it fate or luck that Tammy reached out to me when she had. You came to mind and I’m extending an offer. Have you ever known me to do something for someone for the hell of it? Or put my own reputation on the line?”
Andy snorted. “Hardly.”
“Then you know I’m dead serious.”
“I’ll have to talk to Tammy and see her thoughts. We’d have to move, find a place to stay. A lot of things are in our way.”
“I’ve got a guest house in the place I just bought.” He threw a business card on the table. “I stayed in these apartments before I bought my house. They’ve got open apartments. They are small but affordable and fast to get in. Decent location. Either way, the guest house is available until you find a place of your own if you accept the job.”
“Talk about going above and beyond the call of duty,” Andy said.
“I want the right guy for the job. I’m looking at him, but if you don’t think you can handle it, then let me know and I’ll post it out.”
Andy held his stare. “I’ll talk to Tammy right now if you want to hang out.”
“I’ve got nowhere to be,” he said.
“That was a really nice thing you did,” Jade said hours later. By the sounds of things, she hadn’t expected Brock back before dinner, but he’d called when he was on the way back and said he’d like to take her out so they could talk.
“It was the right thing, nice or not. He’s the perfect guy for the job.”
“Are you just saying that because he’s your friend?”
He laughed and picked his drink up that had been set down. “I’m not sure friend is the right word. We worked well together, but we don’t have a lot of the same interests. We’d have a few drinks out now and again, but he’d rather be with his wife when he could. And if we were in the field, he was about the job. Me, when the job is on, that’s all I focus on. When it was off, I wanted to have fun.”
“And now?” she asked. “Are you the same way when you aren’t working?”
“You should know the answer to that, but I can show you tonight when we get back.”