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“Oh yeah, I forgot to ask what Hunter and Glory wanted…” Harley began and shook her head again. “Nope. I’m not going in there and neither should anyone else for a bit.”
“Geez… really?” Romeo muttered, frowning. “Are they seriously at it again? Never mind. They’ll have to be happy with whatever they get. C’mon, Sparky.”
Austin nodded – and leaned to kiss Giselle quickly.
“I’ll be right back,” he promised, winking at her. “Spicy ketchup time.”
“You remembered?”
“Always.”
* * *
An hour later,they were all taking their seats in the empty classroom, taking advantage of the side of the room combined with the empty seats. There were twelve of them there today, and it made things a little snug in the kitchenette.
Thumper walked in with a twelve-pack of Diet Dr. Pepper and handed everyone a cold can where the box had been stored in the fridge all morning long. As he took a seat next to Harley, he looked around the room.
Austin saw a few knowing glances and smirks coming from the guys as Romeo spoke up.
“You know what the rest of us would say…”
“Go ahead, Thumper.”
“You know I, for one, would be in full favor – that’s my puppy-wuppy-baby-bro…” Firefly grinned – and Caboose rolled his eyes, but gave a silent thumbs up.
Alpo was handing out burgers and containers of onion rings, with a stupid smile plastered all over his face that matched Glory’s, who was humming happily. Giselle leaned towards Austin, her face a myriad of expressions from disbelief and laughter, changing to shock and delight.
“I think they…” she began, whispering softly.
“Hon, don’t think it – KNOW,” Harley muttered – causing the couple to laugh and smile at each other… as Firefly shot to his feet.
“Maaaan! Don’t touch the food, you nasty thing! Gimme the bag of burgers and go wash your filthy mitts, Alpo. I swear…”
Everyone burst out laughing.
“If he hadn’t been neutered already…” Caboose muttered, swapping his wrapped burger with one Firefly just sat down on a desk nearby.
“No kidding,” Houdini glared, swapping his burger with Thumper’s, who rolled his eyes.
Austin couldn’t help but look around the room at these people, loving the relaxed and playful atmosphere, realizing that the best part of being in the Air Force in Ghazni was alive and well here, in Texas.
… And as if they could read his mind, he heard words that he never imagined spoken aloud.
“You know, Sparky, if you ever make a change? You’d have a job the moment you set foot down in Texas. We’d love to have you,” Thumper said openly as Austin looked at him in surprise.
His eyes scanned the room and saw the approval on everyone’s faces, several smiles, nods of welcome, and swallowed the lump of emotion in his throat… until he saw Giselle’s expression.
She looked… sad?
“I truly appreciate that guys – and it gives me something to consider,” he began openly, unsure of what to say or if they were expecting an answer from him right now.
“I’m happy but if I decide to ever leave, there will be a lot of discussions had between us…” he said, reaching over and pulling Giselle’s desk a little closer to him pointedly, claiming her and wanting to show that they were a package deal.
“Oh, of course,” Harley smiled. “It’s just something to put on your radar if the need should ever arise.”
“I appreciate that.”
“When is your reenlistment coming up, Sparky?”
