CHAPTER 1
Scarlett ‘Sassy Pants’Peterson glanced around the base in Afghanistan, where she spent the last two years. Elation filled her with the thought of seeing her parents at the airport for the first time since her assignment. The idea of her mom’s home-cooked meals made her mouth water as she grabbed her gear and climbed into the Humvee.
She grinned as Rocker and Sledge joined her. Parrot slid into the driver’s seat, turned the engine on, and drove off base. Anticipation filled the vehicle as they finally started their journey home.
“What’s the first thing you’ll do, Sassy P, when you get home?” Parrot asked.
“I’m taking a long, hot shower, eating some of my mom’s delicious food, and vegging out in front of the TV.”
Rocker shook his head. “Bullshit. I bet you twenty, you’ll have a new book in your hand before you even hit the shower.”
“I know reading doesn’t come easy for you, but some of us don’t need to sound out everything to find it enjoyable,” she snarked back.
Sledge laughed. “She’s got ya there.”
Rocker elbowed his buddy. “Hey, I can read. Nobody does it as fast as she does. How many books do you finish a week?”
“Five,” she said as she grinned. “You might try it. It increases your vocabulary. It might help with all the grunting you do.”
“Man, she’s not letting up on you. Sassy Pants has two days left to give you crap. It’s only fair. You’ve given her shit ever since she arrived,” Parrot called back.
Sledge laughed, “She got your number from the start. Things won’t feel the same without you. Having you watching our backs, Sassy Pants, has been a privilege. I’m sure gonna miss you when I’m out in the field.”
Scarlett’s eyes misted as her buddies nodded at the sentiment. “What do you plan on doing once you get home?”
“I’m meeting my baby girl for the first time,” Sledge replied proudly. “Then I’m taking my wife home and not leaving the house for a week.”
“My mom invited the entire family over the day after I return for a reunion. I can’t wait to see my brother. We’ll finally be on leave at the same time after four years,” Scarlett replied.
“He’s a SEAL, right?” Rocker asked as the vehicle slowed.
“Yeah,” she said as the tension thickened at the abrupt speed change.
“They swept the area already,” Parrot informed the group. “I’m ensuring we don’t get our asses blown up before we make the next stop.”
The Humvee moved cautiously through the area known for IEDs. Scarlett held her breath as she glanced at the men she led through missions and who had become her best friends. They all seemed to do the same thing.
Sledge wiped his brow while he stared at the picture ofhis daughter and wife. Rocker closed his eyes as he held on to a piece of metal above his head. Parrot’s shoulders relaxed as the Humvee in front of them sped up and he followed their tracks.
They let out a collective sigh. Rocker peered at Scarlett, winked, and gave a lopsided grin. The sound of the blast pierced her ears as the vehicle flipped on its side. Scarlett felt something heavy strike her head. The smell of smoke filled the air, and the heat of a fire seared the skin on her leg.
Her head lolled to the side as someone pulled her from the wreckage. “Come on, Sassy Pants, we got incoming,” Rocker shouted as gunfire pelted the ground around them.
She winced as she moved her leg and attempted to take cover, and the fog lifted from her brain. Scarlett opened her eyes and shut them from the billowing heat and smoke. Panic hit as she gripped and reached for air, trying to grasp at something, anything. Shouts came from all directions, and she heard Parrot scream. Fear ran through her. She felt Rocker’s body cover her as another blast shook the ground. She never saw Sledge fall or remembered Rocker dragging her to cover. Scarlett only recalled opening her eyes and seeing nothing but a black void.
CHAPTER 2
Scarlett woke,her head throbbed, and she reached out, feeling the gauze wrapped around her head. Sounds seemed muted, but she made out people talking as her heart pounded, wondering if the enemy had captured her.
A door opened, and a pleasant voice greeted her. “Hello, Scarlett. I’m Dr. Keller. You’re in Germany and recovering from the blast your unit withstood.”
“Where’s Rocker? What about Sledge and Parrot?” she asked, her voice trembling.
“Someone will come in soon and speak to you. I’m here to talk to you about your injuries,” The doctor said gently.
“Did I get a concussion or have surgery? When can we take this off?” Her hand touched the wrap again when Dr. Keller stopped her.
“When you were attacked, Rocker reported a piece of metal hit you, causing a brain injury. We don’t know the extent of the damage yet. He stated you mentioned you couldn’t see when he dragged you away,” she broke the news softly.
