For Brynnon’s sake only, Grant didn’t react to being introduced to her douchebag ex-boyfriend. He also didn’t punch his fist down the guy’s throat like he wanted.
“It’s an honor to meet you.” Lucas held out his hand. “And let me just say, thank you for your service.”
Standing, Grant shook the man’s outstretched hand, squeezing harder than necessary. “Thanks.” When he didn’t let go, Brynnon quickly jumped in.
“And this is Coop. He’s also former military. Army Ranger, I believe.” Brynnon looked to Coop for confirmation.
“Yes, ma’am.” Coop stood and shook the guy’s hand, as well. “Nice to meet you.”
Lucas returned the gesture. “You, too. And, thank you, as well.”
“You’re welcome,” Coop smiled back. “It’s nice to meet someone who appreciates what the troops do for our country.”
The other man smiled. “That’s why I try to make the scenes in my games as realistic as possible.”
Coop’s eyes grew wide as saucers as he snapped his finger. “That’s where I’ve seen you. You’reTheLucas Campbell.” He turned to Grant. “This is the guy who created War & Retribution.”
Not having a clue what his friend was talking about, Grant gave him a blank stare.
His teammate’s jaw nearly dropped. “Please tell me you know what WR is.”
“Sorry.” Grant shook his head.
“Dude. You’ve got to check it out. It’s literally the top-rated military action game on the market. It’s made this guy millions, it’s that good.”
“I take it you play?” Lucas asked Coop.
“Are you kidding? Every chance I get. Your graphics are incredible. It’s great you care enough about the military to get the details right.”
“Well, I try my best.”
“You serve?” Grant asked, already sure he knew the answer.
Lucas brought his blue eyes back to Grant’s. “No, sir. I wanted to, but unfortunately, my asthma kept me out.”
Asthma.Right.
If he had a dollar for every badass wannabe who’d claimed their ‘dream’ of joining the military was crushed by a sudden asthma diagnosis, he could’ve retired years ago.
“I didn’t know you had asthma,” Brynnon frowned.
“It wasn’t diagnosed until after you and I...well. I didn’t find out until later.”
“Oh.” Brynnon nodded, buying the pretentious prick’s story. “My dad was turned away for medical reasons, as well. I don’t know if I ever told you that.” She smiled at Lucas again. “But I believe everything happens for a reason, so that means there was something else you were meant to do. And seeing the generous gift you’ve given to the hospital’s juvenile cancer research foundation, I think I know what that reason was. Or, at least part of it, anyway.”
Feigning humility, Lucas shook his head. “Oh, well. I don’t know about all that. I do have something else in the works, though.”
“A new game?” Coop asked anxiously.
The guy chuckled. “Well, I can’t really talk about it yet, but yeah.”
“Sounds mysterious,” Brynnon commented, still smiling at the fucker. “Come on. I’d like to introduce to you a few more people within the organization. I know they’re going to be thrilled to meet you.”
Before walking away with her ex, she gave Grant a wink and a nod, telling him without words not to worry.
Not likely, Princess.
He kept his eyes glued to the pair as they stopped to talk with an older couple. When Brynnon placed one of her hands on the other man’s bicep as she laughed, Grant’s curled into tight fists at his sides.
