“Seems not. I’m still super proud of all y’all,” Kaci replied. Were they right?Wasit within the rules to pad the pumpkins? She hadn’t looked—she’d simply assumed they used the standard Punkin Chunkin rules, even ifthis wasn’t an official national contest.
But if theywereright, then the only one acting like an ass out here today was her.
Her cheeks flamed up again. “We’ll get ’em next year. Ice cream on me once we’ve got Ichabod put away.”
“Rather have a beer,” Jess muttered.
“And I’d rather not hear about it until you’re twenty-one,” Kaci chirped. “C’mon, y’all. Time for the awards. Let’s get up there and smile like we mean it.”
What else could they do?
But later…later, she would fix this. Somehow, she’d make it right for her girls.
Lance should have been furious.Or at least irritated.
He’d almost made himself forget the blonde from the bar, but there she was, stomping back to her team.
“Chick’s batshit crazy, butdamn,” Juice Box said. The kid, real name Devon Grant, was fresh out of training and equal parts annoying and helpful. He was lanky and his light hair made him seem younger than he actually was. “I’d hit that.”
Lance’s hand curled into a fist. “Shut up and get to work.”
Juicy slapped him on the back. “I’ll give you first dibs, man. Telling you, get laid, you’ll feel better.” He sauntered off to help pack up the catapult.
The kid was so much like himself four years ago, it hurt.
Worst part, though, was knowing that he was reverting to who he’d been when he was fresh out of pilot training too.
Wanting to kick his own ass for tucking tail and running away from a willing woman. Wondering if he could get her name from the pumpkin-chucking organizers.
If she still needed to make her ex jealous.
Getting mildly and inexplicably ragey at the idea that he’d missed his chance.
Because if the woman had done anything else—besides accuse him of cheating—she’d reinforced his opinion of her from the night they met.
She was the utter, complete opposite of Allison.
And that was the one thing he hadn’t found anywhere else in the past month.
Pony, the dark-haired, pirate-ish senior pilot in the squadron, shoved a tarp at him. The guy had a swagger that he’d earned and he didn’t mince his words. “Chick’s got balls.”
“You sleep with the judge last night?”
“Nah.” Pony flashed his signature crooked grin. “That was six months ago.”
“Wedidn’tcheat, did we?”
“Fuck no. Random pumpkin draw, sameas everyone else. She was complimenting our wood.”
Pony kept everyone honest and in line in the squadron, so Lance didn’t have any reason to doubt him. Though rather new to Gellings himself, he got the impression Pony was as honorable in his personal life.
“Glad your modifications worked so well,” Pony added. “Would’ve hated to lose to a bunch of girls.”
Lance’s shoulders bunched. “Say that in front of my sister, and she’ll fly her fighter up your ass.”
Pony laughed and went back to loading up the catapult.
Lance stole another glance at the blonde and her crew.
