I was angry at both of them.
I blew out a heavy breath then headed for the door.
"Got any beer for me?"
I froze, then swallowed tightly before turning to look at the man standing at the bottom of my steps. I crossed my arms over my chest and ground my teeth together before replying. "I'm surprised to see you, Jack. I thought you'd run for the hills."
Or at least back to the world he was used to, the straight world.
Jack winced as he lower a large army-green duffel bag to the ground then walked up a couple of steps until his face was even with mine.
This was what happened when you were short.
"I didn't leave you, baby. I always planned to come back."
"Nice of you to let me in on your plans."
"I couldn't."
I narrowed my eyes.
"Wait." Jack held up a hand. "I went back to base because I had to if I wanted to turn in my packet, which I did. They—"
"Packet?"
"I'm leaving the Marines, Kaito."
"Why would you do that?" I asked. "You love the Marines."
"I love you more."
My heart took a perilous leap. "If you loved me, then why haven't I heard from you in the last month?"
Jack grimaced. "I meant to call you, Kaito. I swear I did, but my supervisors were not thrilled that I decided to leave. They gave me two options. I could go on a mission they had for me right there and then, or they would drag out my discharge as long as they possibly could. I figured going on that mission and getting out and coming home to you was better than being fucked with by the military."
"And you couldn't pick up a phone and tell me this?"
"Baby, there are no phones where I was out."
"Siberia?"
"No, they have phones in Siberia. I was infiltrating a Taliban rebel faction in Afghanistan. They were holding three of our servicemen, and I'd been tasked with going in with a unit of Marines and getting them out."
Damn.
"Did you?" I asked.
"Get them out?"
I nodded.
"Of course."
I glanced down to Jack's feet then back up again. "Were you hurt?"
"No, just a few scratches, but nothing too damaging."
"Good." I doubled up my fist and punched Jack right in the face. The man's mouth dropped open even as he took a step back.
