“Shit, dude, you’re theinstructor,”Dario protests.“You don’t get to play.”
“I’m still jumping, so it still applies.”
Dario’s mutter is lost in the crackle of the headsets.
Cole is as good as he’s cracked up to be, landing perfectly in the center of the circle on his first attempt. Raven touches down only a few feet out, and my landing isn’t bad, but I have to bleed off speed with a run to take the pressure off my leg, and that apparently doesn’t count.
Everyone’s focused on the next few jumps, the competition bringing out the best in us, and while it’s clear Cole’s going to win, second place is up for grabs. Raven’s slightly in the lead, Renner and I not far behind, Dario bringing up the rear but not doing badly.
After forty-odd jumps this week, we’re all proficient.
But that doesn’t stop Renner ambling over to me as we break for a bottle of beer at lunch, while Raven happens to be talking to Cammy and Tasha.
“You’re better than I expected,” he says.
“Thank you.” I try to keep my tone light and not guarded.
“Did you jump with the Marines?”
No.“A little, yes.”
“Much in the last few years?”
Yes.“Not really, no.”
“Well, you’re full of surprises.”
I decide to go on the offensive before he takes too much initiative. “Were you hoping I wasn’t up to it, Kurt?”
He’s not in a hurry to answer. He takes a sip of his beer, looking out over the desert. Then meets my eyes. “My only interest is the crew, each and every one of them.”
This is a Raven thing again. “Does that include me?”
“It does if you commit to this group.” He pauses to let that sink in. “Do you?”
No. Not even slightly.
I know I should lie and say yes, but I hesitate too long.
“That’s what I thought.” He takes another swig, flicking his bottle up, then waves it at me as he talks. “I think you have your own answer for why I hoped you wouldn’t be here, Declan. But don’t get me wrong; I’m glad you are. You’re a good man.”
My eyebrows go up at that. Kurt Renner callingmea good man?
“How do you figure?”
“Raven likes you,” he says. “That’s enough for me.”
“Yeah? I’m not the first man she’s liked. What happened to them?”
He smiles slowly. “First, she’s older now, and she’s learned. I trust her decisions more than back then, and I think she’s starting to trust them too. And second…” he shrugs one shoulder, “…I could use this moment to remind you what’ll happen if you treat her badly, but I’ve also had time to form my own opinion.Ithink you’re a good man.”
That’s even more of a surprise.
“A little confused,” Kurt continues, “but a good man at heart.”
“Confused?” I echo.
“Like you haven’t decided where you belong.” His bottle makes a circle in the air. “Just my impression. Maybe I’m wrong.”
