Shamrock scoffed. “With three kinds of dip.”
Fly laughed, some of the tension easing from his shoulders. Than felt his own breath loosen.
Bear’s team gathered behind him. Zorro gave Than a winking nod. “Watch out for those tough officer-in-the-making chicas. They’ll want to order you around.”
“Will that be a hardship?” Blitz said.
“Not likely,” Buck said and the other guys laughed.
Shamrock slapped both boys on the back. “Try not to get kicked out in the first week. Makes the rest of us look bad.”
“Us?” Fly raised a brow. “You worry about third phase.”
“I’m a pretty damn good shot,” Shamrock said.
Than looked back at the land one more time. The fields lay open and familiar. The wind carried the whisper of home. His house rose in the distance, patient and eternal. He felt its pull like a second heartbeat.
“This is the hardest part,” he whispered.
Fly stepped beside him. “Leaving always is,” he said softly. “But it is easier when you’re walking toward something. When we get to M&M and Clint’s we’ll take a breath.”
Than looked at him. His brother. The one he chose. The one who chose him back.
“You ready?” Fly asked.
Than nodded. Not because the fear was gone, but because courage didn’t come without it.
They climbed into the SUV. Zorro got behind the wheel, and everyone who was flying out piled in—the team and Shamrock. Bear was staying for a bit with Bailee. He shut the door behind them with a flourish he pretended was casual.
Bear stepped forward as the engine turned over. He rested one hand on the window frame, leaning in just enough that only they could hear him.
“Remember who you’re,” Bear said. “Remember where you come from. Remember, you don’t walk alone.”
Than held his gaze for a long moment. “I will come back.”
Bear’s voice dropped to something softer. “I know.”
Than looked at Bailee then. She smiled, radiant with that quiet glow she carried. “Walk well, Than.”
He felt the blessing settle over him like warm light.
The SUV rolled forward. The gravel crunched beneath the tires. The world widened.
Than watched the figures of his family shrink in the mirror. Bear’s strong frame. Bailee’s bright steadiness. The land stretched behind them. The road stretched ahead, and for the first time, Than felt the pull of both.
He breathed in and let it settle.
His and Fly’s future waited.
Anchor & Ink Tattoo Parlor, Coronado, California
Fly stood in the doorway, arms crossed, glaring at the flashing neon sign like it had personally challenged his masculinity.
The shop smelled like ink, antiseptic, and bad decisions. His. Right. Ink and idiots, and somehow he’d landed himself at the top of the list. How he’d let Shamrock talk him into this was beyond him. All that sailors and tattoos nonsense didn’t sway him one damn bit.
“You still refusing to join us in this male bonding ritual? Hell, even Than is getting one.”
Than huffed. “What is that supposed to mean, you tool?”
