“I think it’s a given. I’ve lived with Kendra for the last three months, and I’m totally sick of hearing how wonderful you are.”
“Even if I have to leave her for a year?” Matthew doesn't meet my eyes.
“Why would she have to...” I cover my mouth. “You’re being deployed.”
Matt nods.
“When?”
“End of June. I haven’t told anyone but Dad yet. Let me figure out a way to tell Mom, okay?”
“Don’t worry, that one is totally you. There is no way I’d want to break that news to Mom,” I remember Michael. “Are you going too?”
Matthew answers for him. “No, Stevens here is waiting on an educational deferment.”
"Educational deferment?" I ask.
"Med school," Michael shrugs like it's no big deal.
"That's pretty impressive," I say.
"Isn't it though," Matt rolls his eyes, but he looks impressed too. "Michael wouldn't even be hanging out with a grunt like me if I hadn't saved his life."
"You saved his life?" I say skeptically.
"Yeah, actually," Michael says. "During jump training."
"Jump training? Isn't that where you go up in a perfectly good airplane and then jump out?” I try to look serious.
"That's the one. Your brother figured out my chute was screwed up. To be fair, I probably would have figured it out eventually, but maybe not. Either way, it cemented our friendship," Michael says, helping himself to another cookie. "Have you ever tried skydiving? It's the best feeling in the world."
"Jess is afraid of heights," Matthew breaks in.
I give him a dark look. "Not as much as I used to be. Actually, skydiving is something I’ve always wanted to try.”
I refill Michael’s glass of milk. He touches my hand as I hand it to him. “I’d love to take you sometime.”
Matthew looks from me to Michael with a satisfied smirk. I pull my hand away and take another cookie. “So, Kendra doesn't know you're going to Iraq?”
Matt shakes his head. “I guess I'm hoping the ring would soften the blow. Do you think she'll wait for me to get back?”
“Absolutely. Kendra is definitely a one-guy girl.” A weird guilt seeps into my chest. I wonder how Jacob would feel about the conversation I was having with Michael.
Matt looks at his watch. “Now that I've dropped off the package and gotten the sister's approval on the ring, I'm off to surprise the love of my life.” He stands. “Can I borrow your car, Jess?”
I don't move. “Sure, but you might have to push it to Kendra’s house.”
“It’s not working?”
“Not since September.”
“What are you driving at school?” Matt asks.
“Jacob's car." I can’t look at either of them when I say that.
Matt lets out a low whistle. “He’s letting you drive his car while he's gone. Doesn’t he know your driving record?”
“I have a perfect driving record,” I say.
