Night Maneuvers Page 4

  “Ugh.” She tossed the rest of her pizza back on her plate. “Could’ve done without that image.”

  He chuckled and there was a comfortable silence while he finished his slice and she hopped off the desk and grabbed a soda from his roommate’s minifridge. “Hey, Hughes?”

  “Yeah?” She popped the top off the can.

  “How come you’re not out having a good time tonight?”

  “A good time? You mean, like, stand around waiting to see if there’s a guy desperate enough by closing time to ask me back to his place so he can get his rocks off, and if I’m lucky he might be good enough to make sure I get my rocks off, too? That kind of good time?”

  “Geez, when you put it that way…” He grabbed the soda from her hand and took a swig while he narrowed his gaze on her. “You’d be kind of cute if you’d fix yourself up a little.”

  She folded her arms across her chest. “Gee, thanks.”

  “I’m serious. Fix your hair, wear something nice and put on some makeup.”

  Alex bristled. “Why would I ever want to do that? So I can get groped by hormonal cretins?” She was comfortable in her old T-shirts and jeans. Her hair was cut so short there wasn’t much she could do with it, even if she wanted to. The backward baseball cap hid it most of the time anyway. “I have to work twice as hard to get respect around here as it is. And besides, did it ever occur to you I don’t want or need a man in my life? My mother slaves away cooking and cleaning for my dad and brothers 365 and you think they appreciate or respect her? Hell, no. A husband and kids is nothing but an anchor weighing down a woman, keeping her from becoming who she was meant to be.”

  McCabe held his palms up in surrender. “Okay, okay. I get it.”

  Alex inhaled a calming breath. Wow, that diatribe had been building inside her a long time. And poor McCabe didn’t deserve all her built-up resentment. She let out her breath, feeling the anger leave with it. “Sorry for the rant.”

  “Forget it.” He waved a hand. “So…you don’t ever want to get married and have kids?”

  She shrugged and took a sip of her drink. “Married maybe. When I’m old. Not kids. How could I be a fighter pilot and be pregnant? Or go into combat?” She shook her head.

  His lower lip pushed out as he nodded. “Gotta admit, never thought of that.”

  Oh, those lips. Luanne, you lucky girl.

  “What about you?” she asked. “I guess you and what’s-her-name want a bunch of rug rats?”

  He leaned back and clasped his hands behind his head, “I’d like four. She says two and then we’ll see. I just want my kids to have everything I didn’t have growing up.”

  “Four? Geez. I’ve got three brothers. You know how much laundry that’ll take?”

  He shrugged. “I can help with that when I’m home.” He spread his hands out to his sides. “Besides, the world deserves to have these genes passed on.”

  Alex couldn’t agree more. But she rolled her eyes. “You’re so full of it.”

  He reached up and punched her arm. “That’s what you love about me, though, right?” He grinned.

  Love about him? What was not to love? Her heart hurt, but she made herself smile. “Damn straight.”

  “So, you gonna help me learn all these dates or what?” He grabbed another slice of pizza.

  “Absolutely, Memphis. I got your back.”

  United States Air Force Academy Chapel, July 2003

  IF THERE WAS a place in the ceremony where the minister asked the congregation if anyone knew of any reason why the bride and groom shouldn’t get married, Alex decided she’d raise her hand.

  Okay, so she probably wouldn’t.

  But she wanted to.

  Don’t do it, Mitch! She wanted to yell at him as she helped him straighten his tie. She finished and he turned to look in the mirror.

  “Well, what do you think?” he asked, his gaze finding hers in the reflection.

  He looked more handsome than a man had a right to in his dress uniform. She shrugged. “You clean up good.” She made herself smile. “Hey, McCabe?”

  “Yeah?” He grabbed his black leather belt and scabbard and buckled it around his waist.

  “You know, there’s no shame in changing your mind. Better now than after, right?”

  He stopped fiddling with the buckle and gaped at her. “You’ve never liked Luanne.”

  “I don’t even know Luanne.” Alex swallowed, but soldiered on. “It’s just so permanent. And you’re both so young.”

  “Hughes. When you’re in love, you just know when it’s right. And this is right.” He took her by the shoulders. “Luanne and I want the same things. Kids, a home, family.”

  Right. All those things she’d rashly told him she didn’t want years ago.

  But geez, Mitch was both blind and deaf when it came to Luanne. Alex doubted the girl had thought about much past the hearts and flowers and romance. She’d insisted on a huge wedding with all the bells and whistles. The cake, the flowers, the dress. And of course her parents provided it all, except the traditional rehearsal dinner last night. Which Mitch couldn’t really afford. But he’d paid for her entire family, even distant relatives, to dine at the exclusive Penrose Room at the Broadmoor. Mitch was so hopelessly in love he wanted Luanne to have everything she wanted.

  And that was what bothered Alex the most. This girl was a year younger than Mitch—only twenty-one, and she’d obviously, in Alex’s admittedly biased opinion, been spoiled. Whatever she wanted, she got. Or else.

  Mitch let go of her shoulders and picked up his saber. “Hughes, I think I know what’s really going on here.”

  Alex drew in a deep breath. “You do?”

  Did he know? She thought she’d hidden her feelings so well. All through the Academy, she’d tried to convince herself it was just infatuation. Besides, she wanted a career and her independence.

  Mitch nodded. “You’re afraid this is going to change our friendship. But it won’t. Luanne understands we’re just buddies.”

  Friendship. She let out her breath. Right.

  He put his arm around her shoulders and squeezed. “And she knows guys need a night every once in a while to go out with their buddies for a beer and a game of pool.”

  Alex tried to smile and Mitch let her go to turn to the mirror and slide his saber into the scabbard. “Well, this is it.” His eyes met hers in the mirror again. “I need you to be cool with this, Hughes.”

  She watched him in the reflection for a moment. His eyes shining with happiness and excitement. His heart so full of love and hope. Who was she to assume it wouldn’t work out? Maybe Luanne was exactly what he needed in his life. And, above all, Alex wanted Mitch to be happy. He was one of the good guys. He deserved it.

  So, she shoved down the malignant mass of churned-up emotions that threatened to ruin her best friend’s most special day. If this was what Mitch wanted, this was what Mitch was going to have.

  “Don’t worry, Memphis.” She clamped her hand on his shoulder. “I’ve got your back.”

  Near Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX, February 2004

  ALEX WOKE UP instantly to her cell phone playing Walking in Memphis. “Hughes,” she answered.

  “Hey, Hughes, my wingman, come play some pool with me.”

  “McCabe?” He sounded drunk, but that wasn’t like McCabe. Alex sat up and checked the time. “It’s after midnight. We have flight training at 0600.”

  She heard him curse and what sounded like him fumbling his phone, then he said, “I forgot about training tomorrow.”

  “You…forgot?” How the hell did McCabe forget flight training? That’d be like Bush saying he forgot he was president.

  “Shit, Hughes. You better come get me. I think I’m drunk.”

  “Ya think?” She was already pulling on her jeans. “Tell me where you are.”

  She was dressed and out the door in less than five minutes and found the pool hall off the interstate without too much trouble.

 
McCabe was sitting outside on the curb, his elbows on his knees, his head hanging down. It was cold and drizzly out, and he was getting wet. When she pulled into a parking space he looked up and Alex caught her breath.

  She’d never seen such devastation in her friend’s eyes. Even as he gave her a small smile. “Hey, Hughes.” He stood and swayed on his feet and she raced over to catch him under his arm.

  “Hey, buddy.” She helped him walk to her truck.

  His blond hair was disheveled and his desert camos were rumpled, but he still smelled of that expensive sandalwood cologne he always wore, and it pulled at her senses. She realized she’d been avoiding any close contact with him the last six months—since the wedding.

  Contrary to Mitch’s assurances before the wedding, Luanne didn’t understand. In fact, Alex was fairly certain Luanne didn’t like her at all.

  “Thanks for coming.” He slammed his door and she went around to the driver’s side.

  “No problem.” He’d already put on his seat belt and she snapped hers on before shifting out of Park.

  They were halfway back to base before he said anything. She sure as hell wasn’t going to ask questions. “Think I could crash at your place tonight?” He squeezed his eyes closed while he pinched the bridge of his nose.

  “Sure thing.” He must’ve had another fight with Luanne. But this one had to have been worse than usual.

  Alex had gone out of her way to give the newlyweds space. To be on her best behavior. But McCabe’s wife seemed to complain about everything. From what little he’d said, it sounded as if she spent most of her days either shopping for stuff they couldn’t afford or complaining there was nothing to do.

  Once they were at Alex’s apartment she gathered up a spare pillow, blanket and sheets while McCabe hit the john. She was making up a bed on the couch when he came out.

  She looked up from tucking a corner under the cushion and desire slammed into her like a tidal wave.

  McCabe—Mitch had stripped down to his skivvies and undershirt. Black boxer-briefs had no business being on such a hard-muscled body. The combination was just too intoxicating.

  Stop it, Alex, the man is upset. She tore her gaze away from his—whatever—and finished tucking the sheet.

  “You didn’t have to do that.” He gestured at the made-up sofa.

  “Shut up. It’s done.” She tossed him the pillow. “Good night.”

  “Good night, Hughes.” He was staring at her as if he wanted to say more, so she stayed where she was. How she longed to close the distance between them, bring her hands up and smooth the deep lines from his brow and then soothe his anguish away with a kiss.

  And how inappropriate was that? How could she blame Luanne for not liking her?

  Alex made herself break eye contact and brush past him, but as she headed down the hall, she turned back. “McCabe?”

  He turned to face her. “Yeah?”

  “Things will work out, you’ll see. I bet in the morning she’ll call, and you’ll apologize, and—”

  “I caught her with another man in our bed this afternoon.”

  Alex actually felt her jaw drop open. She froze like that, unable to comprehend how someone could prefer any other man to Mitch McCabe. The stupid witch had him in her bed every night, got to lie in his arms, basking in his love. And that wasn’t enough?

  “Is she crazy?” She blurted the words out before she could stop herself.

  McCabe gave a humorless laugh and plopped down into the love seat. His smile quickly disappeared as he stared straight ahead. “Can’t blame her. The guy’s the son of a Texas senator. He owns his own company and a lot of real estate in the area.”

  “Well, I sure can blame her!” Alex paced into the kitchen, flipped on the light and started making coffee. “She spoke vows to you, McCabe. And I don’t think they said ‘Till you find someone richer do you part.’”

  He looked over at her then. “Yeah, but, I wasn’t honest with her, either.”

  “You? No way you cheated on her.”

  The sorrow in his face softened. “You’re so sure I’m a good guy.”

  She shrugged. “Of course.”

  He studied her a moment longer before turning his attention back to empty space. “I lied to her from the beginning.”

  For the second time tonight Alex stilled, frozen in the act of reaching for mugs in the cabinet. She saw Mitch in profile, saw his jaw muscle tick. His arm lay along the arm of the love seat and his fist was clenched. “What about?”

  “I told her my mother was dead.”

  “And…she’s not?” She resumed getting down the mugs and then went for the sugar and creamer.

  He shrugged. “As far as I know she’s still drinking herself into a blackout every night, oh, and spreading her legs for whoever will buy her the booze.”

  Whoa. No wonder he wanted to pretend she was dead. “Okay. But that shouldn’t be a deal breaker. You’re not an alcoholic. You haven’t moved your mom in with you, as far as I know, so why should it bother Luanne?”

  “Ever since I told her the truth she’s been…different.”

  “Because you lied? I think it’s kind of understandable.”

  His chest expanded as he drew in a deep breath, then he exhaled and dropped his head back onto the love seat. “Don’t you get it? She didn’t know she was marrying some lowlife from the bad side of Memphis. I got into the ROTC and transferred to her high school. In a nice part of town. A respectable neighborhood. I don’t even know who my father is.”

  “Mitch, Luanne should love you. No matter where you grew up, or who your parents are.”

  Still against the back of the sofa, he turned his head toward her. His baby blue eyes were bright with moisture. “I’m done with love, Hughes.”

  Goose bumps rose on Alex’s arms at the hopelessness of his words, in his voice. She swallowed and busied herself with pouring them both coffee. “You can’t forgive her?”

  He narrowed his eyes and his expression hardened. “Could you?”

  She replaced the coffee carafe in the coffeemaker and met his gaze. “No.”

  With a nod, he pushed off the love seat, stood and stretched, his arms extended high over his head. His stomach flattened and his rib cage broadened. “We better get some sleep.” He rubbed his face with both hands and practically fell onto the made-up sofa.

  “But don’t you want—?” Before she could finish the question he’d turned on his side, his back to her. Alex stared down at the mugs of coffee in her hands. With a shrug she poured them down the sink and switched off the light.

  For a long time after that, she lay awake in her bed thinking about the man lying on her couch. Wishing he were in her bed. Longing to know what it would feel like to be in his arms. And thinking guiltily that maybe now, just maybe, there might be hope for that dream to come true someday.

  Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, NV, 2007

  “A TOAST,” MITCH McCabe called out to the airmen gathered around the bar at the officers’ club.

  Alex lifted her bottle of Shiner’s, looked around at all the friends she’d made the past year and tried to etch this image permanently in her memory. She was going to miss them, and this place.

  After serving her tour of duty in Iraq, being stationed at Nellis had been like coming home to live in an amusement park. Especially when she’d learned that Mitch would be stationed here, also.

  “To newly promoted Captain Alex Hughes,” Mitch continued, his gaze finding hers across the crowd. “May her transfer to Langley be successful, and her exploits while she’s there be numerous.” He gestured to her with his tumbler of Jim Beam and then drank it down.

  She tipped her bottle to him and then sipped her beer.

  Alex refused to let tears come. She’d resigned herself to thinking of Mitch McCabe only as an old friend. A deeply troubled friend she couldn’t help.

  And she’d tried.

  His bitterness after his divorce was only natural. But after returning from Iraq
his womanizing had escalated to the point where Alex believed it fed his anger. It had become self-destructive.

  Of course, Mitch didn’t see it that way. The only time they’d ever seriously quarreled was the night she’d tried to have an honest discussion with him about it. Things had gotten pretty heated. After that night, she’d gone to her commander and requested a transfer. She couldn’t stand by and witness what he was doing to himself anymore.

  This change would be good for her. She needed to move on. A fresh start, a new environment, new friends. Maybe she could even find a man to love. She was twenty-six and she’d never had a long-term relationship. She’d like to know what it was like to have a boyfriend.

  “Another toast,” Major Grady called out and everyone raised their glasses and bottles again. “To Captain Cole Jackson, who’s shipping out next week.” Grady tipped his bottled water toward their friend Jackson. “Good luck in the sandbox, Captain.”

  Glasses clinked, and a few airmen called out, “To Jackson!”

  Alex finished her beer, shrugged her way through the pack to Jackson and offered her right hand.

  He shook it and pulled her forward for a one-armed hug. “Take care, Hughes,” he said into her ear.

  “You, too, Jackson. See you when you get back.” Alex turned to find Mitch beside her. Their eyes met and held a moment before Mitch broke contact to shake Jackson’s hand, telling him goodbye.

  Then Mitch turned back to her. “So, what time’s your flight?”

  “It’s early, around the buttcrack of dawn.”

  “Well, I’ll come pick you up so you—”

  “No.”

  He pursed his lips and folded his arms. “You’re still pissed about our fight.”

  “No.” She shook her head. “I just don’t like goodbyes.”

  “But you asked for this transfer.”

  She shrugged. “It’s a career move. An opportunity to work with Washington liaisons. I couldn’t pass that up.”

  He cocked his head and raised a brow. “So, I guess this is goodbye.”

  “I told you. I don’t like goodbyes. We’ll keep in touch…it’ll be fine.” She extended her right hand.

  He stared at her hand so long Alex thought he wasn’t going to shake it. When he finally took her hand he yanked her to him and enclosed her in his arms. She felt his chin resting on her head. “I’m going to miss you.”