She loved her job,so why is she job hunting? Going back a little further, there was one post saying she’d broken up with her boyfriend. I scrolled back up and checked the dates. The breakup was six weeks before she moved back home to Weatherford.
The timing set off my alarms. Who was this ex? Was he the reason she lost her job after five years of employment? Did she really move to Weatherford to care for her grandmother, or was there another reason?
A knock on my door interrupted my research.
“Hey Jay.”
“We’re going out for a beer. You in?”
“Let me guess, new guy buys the beer?” I laughed.
“Nah, but we won’t say no if you offer to pick up the first round.”
“Sounds good.” A chance to escape my racing mind while getting to know my new teammates was exactly what I needed. “Where are we going?”
“The Wing Place. We’re heading out now.”
“See you there.” I packed up my laptop, straightened out my desk and killed the light on my way out. “You joining us, Meg?”
“No, you boys have fun.” She kissed Jack and shooed him away from her desk.
The tugging sensation in my gut as I watched them reminded me of what I was missing in my life. Love, support, family.
Jack clapped me on the shoulder and said, “Come on, Blaze. I’ll buy you a beer.” Half the guys at SSI had started using my SEAL nickname.
Seated between Jack and Jay at the high top, I let Jack buy my first drink. Per Jay’s less-than-subtle hint, I offered to pick up the second round.
When our server got tongue-tied while staring at my scar, I turned my face away. It’d been a year, and I still wasn’t usedto the stares and expressions of disgust or sympathy. Maybe I never would be.
Kroup’s wife told me once that I had a tendency to scowl at people who stared too long. She’d gently remind me not to intimidate people whenever it happened. I assumed that’s what happened with our server.
“Does that happen a lot?” AJ asked.
“Unfortunately.” It’d be a miracle if she got our order right, given how often she asked us to repeat it.
Everyone was there for my final interview, so they knew I didn’t like talking about what had happened.
That knowledge didn’t stop AJ. “Did it happen in the SEALs?” he asked.
“No.” I held the sides of my barstool in an iron grip and counted on the inhale.
“Let it go, Janerek,” Jay said. “You know he doesn’t like talking about it.”
I appreciated his support, but maybe it was time for me to open up. I didn’t have to go into detail, but sharing would help me form bonds with my new co-workers and teammates.
“Thanks, Jay, but it’s okay.” Still clutching the sides of my chair, I shared what I’d told Jay, and his brothers during my second interview. “It happened during an undercover op when shit went south.”
My knuckles turned white, and my fingers started to ache, but I held on.
When my skin started itching, I counted five things I could see while methodically counting my breaths. In, two, three, four. Hold, two, three, four. Out…
I didn’t make it to the next step before AJ asked, “Let me guess, a year ago in Vegas?” They knew I was the asshole who’d promised Ashley the best night of her life and then ghosted her. All eyes turned to me in anticipation.
No doubt learning I was ‘that guy’ hurt my reputation at SSI, but maybe knowing I had a good reason would help fix it.At least with the guys.
“Yes,” I confirmed.
They nodded their understanding. If they expected more, they wouldn’t get it.
