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Chapter 3
Ashton
I took in a long breath before opening the door to my best friend’s office. There was a pair of voices inside, one of which was Tommy’s, and the other belonged to his daughter.
“I told you, we don’t need to do anything big for my graduation. I didn’t do the typical go-to-college thing, and I was able to work through it, you know? I’m alright just maybe going to dinner or something.”
“Kiddo, you only graduate once,” Tommy said just as I turned the handle and let myself in.
Both of the Blairs turned at my intrusion.
“Hey, how’re you doing?” Tommy asked.
I had to remind myself for the millionth time that Tommy was just trying to look out for me. The bastard was just worried about me.
“Good,” was my short reply. “What’s this I hear about a party?”
Freya rolled her pretty eyes and sank into her seat while Tommy beamed.
“Freya’s graduating at the end of the month! We’ve been trying to convince her to go on a trip or something to celebrate.”
“Oh yeah, you mentioned something about college while I was in Syria,” I remembered. “So? What’re we doing kid? I better be invited.”
“I don’t want to do anything big,” she moaned. “It’s just a degree. What I want is a raise.”
Tommy laughed, and I couldn’t help the grin that curled my lips up.
I didn’t know what it was about her, but she amused the shit out of me. Plus, I could admire the putting off of instant gratification and instead wanting something that would benefit her long-term. Being in the military, I was intimately familiar with the idea. On top of that, being a Raider made me think ahead more than the average grunt. It was ingrained into me.
“Sounds to me like you need to give your little girl a raise,” I said, which earned me a glare from Freya.
“I’ll have to think about it,” was all Tommy said, which pissed Freya off even more.
“Sooo… The others are taking their lunch, so I thought I’d come see what you two are doing.”
“I’ll order something,” Freya grumbled before storming out of the office.
Girl had a temper problem. Probably one of the few traits she learned from her father.
“Why won’t you give her a raise?” I asked Tommy now that she’d left the room.
“I don’t want to spoil the girl,” he said without looking up.
“If she finished her degree, then she should get paid more. That’s how salaries work.”
“Yes, I know that,” he all but growled at me.
There was the guy that was my CO for a few years. All growly and temper-ridden.
“So?”
“So, the girl still lives at home. You really think she deserves a full salary when we still pay her rent?”
“Did you tell her that?”
“Of course not. I’m not an idiot.”
“Well shit, Tommy Gun, if you don’t want the girl going out and getting a job that will pay her more, then you’d better have that conversation with her. Maybe she wants it enough that she’ll move out.”
