Page 108 of The Downside of Love
“Can we try that burger place everyone was talking about on the tarmac? What was it called?” Rowdy asks.
“Crave Burger,” Bent interjects.
Snapping and pointing, Rowdy says, “That’s it, Crave Burger. There’s some insane burger called the Luther where the buns are donuts instead. Papa wants donut burger.” He pats his stomach like an idiot.
“Oh, I’ll take donut burger too,” Colt adds.
“Glad we’re sticking to our healthy eating habits, boys,” Bent says while signing off on a clipboard.
“It’s one night,” Rowdy announces. “Oh shit, and remember they said they have Laughing Lab there too. Kevin was telling me it’s the best Scottish ale. I need to try some and be the judge of that title.”
Rowdy and Colt go back and forth about their favorite beers as we turn the corner and run right into a very familiar face.
Straightening up, I grip my helmet tightly as I stand inches from Stryder’s father. He looks like an entitled ass. Nothing new there. Stopping as well, he eyes me up and down, a large smile crossing his lips.
“Colby Brooks. I heard you were in town. Was hoping to catch you.”
“Lt. Colonel Sheppard, it’s good to see you. How have you been?”
“Good, good.” He gives me a once-over. “That suit looks good on you, son.”
I inwardly cringe from the wordson. Even though the man housed me during holidays while I was at the Academy, I’m fully aware of how he abused Stryder. There is no reason for him to be calling me son.
“Thank you.”
“TDY in Colorado Springs, imagine the luck. Not very often they bring the fighters here for training.” Sobering, he adds, “I was sorry to hear about your grandpa. From the stories you told of him, he was a good man.”
“Thank you, sir.” Bent squeezes my shoulder.
“So, seen my sorry excuse of a son?”Is he for real?The tone in his voice—annoyance—isn’t appropriate for where we are.
Not wanting to give him too much fodder, I say, “We caught up after the funeral.”
Sheppard’s eyebrows rise in surprise. “You did, did you? Huh, makes sense.”
“Makes sense, sir?”
“The second you’re back in town, he’s living in the pool house. I told him dating your girl wasn’t going to end well for him. Knew she’d run back to the real man, the accomplished man, rather than staying with a piece of washed-up trash.” He laughs, setting my blood to boil in my veins. “Now I have to deal with his pathetic ass—”
“Watch it,” I grit out, shocking everyone around me.
“Excuse me?”
I step up to him and repeat myself. “I said watch it.”
“Are you threatening a superior?”
Knowing I can get into some serious trouble, I tread carefully. “No,sir. I’m asking as your son’s friend not to drag his name through the mud in front of people he works with. Word on the street is he’s damn good at his job, and even though he’s not in the sky, he’s protecting those of us who are, people like you. So before you rip him apart and treat him like he’s nothing, remember he is a fellow airman of the United States Air Force serving and protecting. That’s somethingyoushould be damn proud of—” I lean forward so only he can hear me “—you arrogant and ungrateful piece-of-shit father.”
Stepping back, I take his hand in mine and shake it with a smile on my face. “Always a pleasure seeing you, Lt. Colonel, but I’m afraid we have burgers to consume.”
With one last insincere smile, I walk with my boys toward the locker, my heart pounding a mile minute. Burgers have to wait. I have somewhere else to be.
* * *
The red pavers haven’t changed a bit, neither has the pristine landscaping or the white siding of the house I became very familiar with.
Standing with my hands in my pockets, I take in the pool house, while a flood of memories hit me all at once.
