“I’m not allowed to have guys in my room.”
“Oh, sorry.” Michael leans against the door frame. “I’m sorry I messed up the last couple of days for you. I'd like to make it up to you. We could go for a walk, or go out for ice cream or something.”
I’m positive Gage has his ear pressed against my door. “It's late. I was just getting ready for bed.”
Michael steps back. “We can stay here. Watch a movie in our pajamas.”
“I’m tired. I’d probably just fall asleep.”
“Oh.” He acts like he wants to say more, but doesn’t. “Good night then. I guess I’ll see you before we leave in the morning.”
“Good night, Michael.” I wait until he’s down the hall before I push my door open, with more force than necessary.
“Ow.” Gage rubs his forehead.
“You were listening.”
He makes his voice high and squeaky. “We could just watch a movie in our pajamas.” He looks disgusted. “Who does that guy think he is? I know why he wants to get you in your pajamas. That’s just one step away from—”
“This from the guy who was hiding in my room when I got out of the tub."
“I didn't see anything." His voice drips fake innocence.
“Thank you Gage for being so gallant. Now could you leave? I was serious when I said I was tired.”
He isn’t listening. “Ihave a problem with authority.”
“You do. Remember when our soccer coach told you to take a lap? We were like seven. I’d never heard that word before.”
“Yeah, Mom heard me too. I can still taste the soap.” He sits on the edge of my bed, getting comfortable again. “I do have a problem with Michael’s authority. He’s a huge pain in the ass. He thinks he's all that and the rest of us should just fall in line."
“Isn’t that how the Army works? Doesn't he outrank you?"
Gage ignores my jab. “That’s not all. Have you asked him why he isn’t going to Iraq with us?”
“He said he's waiting on an educational deferment, medical school, I think.”
“And yet he hasn't started yet, has he? I guess it pays to have rich parents."
I'm not sure I believe what Gage is implying about Michael. He doesn’t seem the type to dodge an assignment, still… Something strikes me from the conversation I had with my professorI thought Dean Stephen’s son wasn’t going to Iraq.
I can’t think about any of it. This entire conversation is getting to me. “Okay, Gage, you really have to go.” I reach to open the door.
He stands up. “I’ll take the express route.” He heads for my window. “I told Jaz I’d meet her back at her place.” He holds out his hand. “I need to borrow Jake’s car.”
I get the keys from my dresser, but keep them against my chest. “He told me not to let any other guys drive it.”
“I’m not a guy. I’m his brother.”
I let him take the keys. His hand lingers on mine for a minute. He’s more serious than I’ve ever seen him. “You mean a lot to Jake. I don’t want to see him get hurt.”
I look him in the eye. “Jacob means everything to me. More than you’ll ever know. I won’t hurt him.”
eighteen
Trust
Iglance at the clock, wondering if I have time to go to the Wi-Fi area and send a quick email to Jacob before my plane boards. Mom and Dad surprised me with a plane ticket to Texas. Matt and Gage are deploying in a couple of days, and the base is having a deployment ceremony.
