Chapter 34

34

DEAN

I grabbed the drunken asshole by his arm and dragged him through the bar. I didn't know how Jude tolerated so many jerks. I didn't remember being a dick when I was younger. I didn't understand why people couldn't just enjoy a few drinks and have a good time. Instead, they had to start shit with everyone.

"Don't come back until you're sober," I said, giving him a hard shove out the door. "Then you can come back and spend all your money if you want to."

"You're an asshole," he muttered, half-slurred.

"Then drink at Applebee's," I said.

His buddies were waiting for him, giving him shit for getting so hammered. I watched as he staggered away, muttering curses under his breath.

Turning back toward the entrance, I saw Sarah standing there, looking beautiful in jeans, white sneakers, and sunglasses. She pulled the sunglasses down slightly and looked at me over the rims, a playful smile on her lips.

"Hey there, stranger," she said.

I couldn't help but smile back. "Sarah, you made it." I gestured for her and her friends to come in. "Welcome back."

Sarah and her group followed me inside. I went behind the bar to start pouring them beers. Kylee took a sip of hers and sighed dramatically.

"This is the best beer I've ever had," she declared. "I thought I was going to die in Washington. I don't even like beer, but this is heaven."

"Survival training is no joke, huh?" I asked, with a laugh.

Kylee nodded vigorously. "You can say that again. We had a lot of friends who didn't make it through. Even though I'd been warned about that, it still shocked me. I'm pretty bummed about it. I'm hoping the beer will help."

"Think about it this way," I said, trying to lighten the mood. "Now you don't have to share flight time with as many pilots. You're going to get more time in the air."

Kylee blinked, clearly not sure how to react to that. She was a nice girl. But pilot training wasn't nice. It was cutthroat. She was going to have to figure out how to be a fighter in and out of the cockpit.

Sarah grinned beside her. "I like the sound of that. One man's loss is another woman's gain."

"Exactly," I said with a wink. I poured them another round. "This one's on me as a congratulations. Just don't tell anyone. I can't afford to buy the whole bar a round. Pilots are like mosquitos, drinking this place dry."

The girls giggled and thanked me, clearly enjoying themselves. The Fly Trap was buzzing with energy, but I couldn't keep my eyes off Sarah. She looked amazing. I could tell she was happy to be back.

As the night went on, the bar filled up with a mix of regulars and newcomers. Sarah was chatting animatedly with Kylee and the others, sharing stories from their time away. I couldn't help but be drawn to her infectious laughter and bright smile. It felt like a breath of fresh air amidst the usual crowd.

At one point, a group of rowdy men stumbled into the bar, clearly already intoxicated. They started causing a ruckus, knocking over chairs and yelling obscenities. I could see Sarah tensing up, clearly uncomfortable with the sudden change in atmosphere.

She looked at me, like she was asking for permission. I knew the Sarah before the incident in Washington would have jumped up and started talking shit. I gave her a slight shake of my head, basically telling her to stand down.

"I'll handle it," I told Jude.

"They're always starting shit in here," he muttered.

I made my way over to the group, trying to diffuse the situation before it escalated any further. They were loud and obnoxious, clearly looking for trouble. I stood in front of them, crossing my arms over my chest as I fixed them with a stern look.

"Hey guys, I think it's time for you to call it a night," I said firmly. "We don't want any trouble here."

One of the men, clearly the instigator of the group, scoffed and took a step forward. "Who do you think you are, telling us what to do?"

I maintained my composure, refusing to back down from the confrontation. "I'm the one who runs this place," I replied calmly. "And I'm telling you, either you all settle down or you'll have to leave. Your choice."

The man glared at me, sizing me up with a sneer. His friends exchanged looks, clearly evaluating the situation. For a moment, tension hung heavy in the air as they considered their options. I wasn't looking for a fight, but I was also pretty confident I could hold my own if they decided to throw down. How I was going to keep Sarah from jumping in was another matter. I knew her well enough to know I was someone she would defend. That was the last thing I needed.

Mo would have my ass out of the Air Force so quick my head would spin. If his precious daughter got in a bar fight defending me, it would be over for both of us.

Finally, the instigator let out a barking laugh. "Fine, we'll leave. But only because this bar looks like an unflushed toilet." He gestured for his buddies to follow him toward the exit, but not before shooting me a warning look over his shoulder, as if the little prick intimidated me. I stayed expressionless until they were gone.

"Close call," Sarah said with a grin.

"Words before fists," I said, reciting something one of my superiors had said to me.

She burst into laughter. "Did you read that in a fortune cookie?"

"Very funny. Do you guys need another round?"

"Please." Kylee nodded.

I made my way back to the bar, grabbing another round of drinks for Sarah and Kylee. As I handed them their glasses, Sarah leaned in closer to me, her voice lowered. "You handled that really well, Ryker," she said sincerely. "I've seen my fair share of bar fights, and you definitely know how to keep a level head. I guess I can learn something from you."

"Just part of the job, right? A pilot has to keep a cool head."

She chuckled softly, her eyes meeting mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. "I get it."

"Good."

I walked back behind the bar. Jude gave me a hard look. "You're playing with fire, Ryker," he warned.

I chuckled, playing it off, but I knew there was truth in his words. Getting involved with Sarah, especially after everything that happened, was a huge risk. But there was something about her that drew me in, something I couldn't resist. She was a force of nature like gravity, and I was falling hard.

"I'm behaving myself," I said. "Did you see me doing anything wrong?"

"It's not what you're doing," he said. "It's what you're thinking about doing. I've seen the looks. You two are about to devour each other at any second. I'm going to get the hose from out back to keep you apart."

I laughed, rolling my eyes. "I don't think it's quite that bad."

But my insides burned for her like I'd been drinking gasoline instead of beer. Sarah had a way of igniting a fire within me, a fire that threatened to consume all reason and logic.

I found myself watching her. She laughed with her friends and easily fended off what were clearly advances from some of the other young men. She moved with an effortless grace, her smile lighting up the dim bar. It was hard to believe that only a few months ago, our paths had crossed in the most unexpected of circumstances. I still remembered vividly the day we first met at her graduation. I had been so angry with Mo for putting me in charge of his daughter. Now, I was so happy he did. I couldn't imagine my life without her in it.

And that was a huge problem. If we pursued this, it was only a matter of time before we got caught and both our worlds would explode.

She caught me staring and raised an eyebrow playfully, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. I quickly averted my gaze, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. I busied myself wiping down the already spotless counter, trying to shake off the intensity of her gaze. When I finally dared to steal another glance in her direction, Sarah was in deep conversation with Kylee.

"Hey, Ryker," she called out, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "I bet I can whip your ass at pool!"

I couldn't help but smile at her suggestion. It was a bad idea, but when she threw out a challenge, I had to meet it.

"You got the bar?" I asked Jude.

"I'll get the hose ready," he muttered under his breath.

"It'll take more than that to stop me," I replied, setting the rag down and making my way over to the pool table. Eyeing the woman I couldn't get enough of, I shook my head. "I don't think you know what you're asking for."

Sarah grabbed a pool cue and dusted blue chalk on the tip suggestively. My pants tightened in response. "I know exactly what I'm asking for."

My eyes were stuck on the motion of her hand. I knew how good it felt to be touched by her. I wished everyone in the bar would go home and give us some privacy.

She snapped her fingers in front of my face. "Stop drooling and rack those balls, why don't you?"

She leaned against the table, watching me set up with a playful glint in her eyes. As I prepared to break, she stepped closer, her voice low.

"Careful, Ryker," she whispered. "The first stroke is crucial. Make sure it's hard."

I groaned and gripped the stick so tight I thought it would snap. "Way ahead of you."

With a deep breath, I broke with a satisfying crack but none of the balls went in.

She chuckled. "Too bad. It's my turn. Brace yourself."

I raised an eyebrow at her confident declaration, hypnotized by her every movement. She made my heart feel full. Watching her line up her shot, I couldn't deny the attraction that surged between us. I was ready to give up everything for a chance at happiness with her.

Sarah sank the first ball easily.

"Beginner's luck," I said.

Then she sank three more. Her grin widened. "We should have made a bet. Things are looking good for me."

Despite being competitive by nature, I enjoyed this playful banter with Sarah. Anyone that saw us would just see a couple of friends playing pool. They wouldn't know a damn thing about the lava searing my insides, screaming at me to claim her tonight and for the rest of our lives.

After she wiped the table without giving me another turn, she gave me a scrutinizing look. "Did you let me win?"

I laughed. "You only let me take the first shot. I didn't have a chance to take a dive."

"That's true," she said. "I just don't like pity."

"Have I ever taken pity on you?" I shot back.

"Good point," she nodded.

I noticed a crowd at the bar. "I better get up there and help Jude. Good thing you beat me quick."

I hurried behind the bar and took a guy's order.

"Gee, I hope I didn't interrupt your date," Jude said.

"You could have said you needed help," I retorted. "I was right there."

"It was too much fun watching you get your ass kicked," he said, grinning.

Together, we worked through the rush. I kept my kicked ass behind the bar, grabbing glances at Sarah between orders. She was having a good time. That made me happy. After seeing the devastation she felt in that med bay, I never wanted to see her like that again.

Once things settled down, Sarah approached the bar and took a seat. I crossed my arms and leaned toward her. "How are you doing? Really?"

She shrugged, her smile fading slightly. "I've been better. My dad isn't speaking to me. I'm still shocked and confused over what went down. But my aches and pains and bruises are gone, and I passed. So, that's all that matters. The rest will sort itself out."

I nodded. "Yes, it will."

"I missed you," she added softly, her eyes searching mine. I could see a fire burning in her gaze. It matched the flames that had been scorching me all night.

"I missed you too," I admitted, unable to hold back.

"Really?"

"Really."

We both stared at each other. There was a lot being said without words.

"I think we should talk," I said in a low voice. I looked around the bar, aware of all the eyes and ears around us. "Alone."

Sarah nodded, her expression serious. "Okay. When?"

"Soon."

"Okay." She nodded. "I don't think they're going to be leaving anytime soon. None of us has to train tomorrow."

"Well, cross your fingers we find a chance to slip away."