Page 119 of My All American Girl

“Really?” he asked. “Are you sure about that?”

“I’m pretty sure.” I nodded.

“And what if she doesn’t want to be with you?” he asked. “Now that you don’t have those shiny wings, you might not be so appealing. You’re an old fart. Are you sure it wasn’t some weird infatuation?”

I frowned at him. “If you’re trying to make me question my worth, thank you. It’s working.”

He laughed, raising his beer to his lips. “That’s not what I’m doing,” he said after a gulp. “I’m trying to remind you that life is difficult and unpredictable. I don’t want to see you get your hopes up. I know you. You’re the kind of man that’s all in. You don’t do the dating thing. You don’t do flings. When you meet a woman you like, you commit. I just don’t want to see you get your heart broken.”

I sighed, staring down at the worn wood grain of the table. “You know, sometimes I think about how easy things were when we were kids.”

Jude snorted. “Easy? Speak for yourself.”

I understood what he was saying. Jude had a rough life. The military was really his only option. I had a good family home. I had chosen the military.

I finished my beer and checked the time. “I should probably get going. I’ve got to fly the normal way, like a sucker.”

He chuckled. “Stay for another. I have a feeling I’m not going to see you for a while.”

“The way you’re talking, I’m going to be right back here with my tail between my legs,” I reminded him.

He winked. “Just trying to keep you honest.”

He got up to get us a couple of fresh beers. I checked my phone and decided I had a little more time. I was taking a red eye to Colorado. It was one of the crazier things I had done, but it also felt like the right thing to do.

Jude returned, two frosted beers in hand. He slid one across the table to me and leaned back in his chair. “To the unknown.” He lifted his bottle.

I lifted my own. “God help me.”

We clinked the bottles and both took long swigs.

“You’ll be fine,” he said. “I know you. You always land on your feet. I was just giving you a hard time. I saw the way that young lady looked at you. I just want you to be ready for anything. I would hate to see you give up your whole career only to get dumped on your ass.”

“I know, I know.” I nodded. “But I didn’t do this just for her. I couldn’t do it for her. I did this because I think it was time. I was stunted. This is the right move. I’m ready to try something new.”

“Alright,” he said. “I wish you all the luck.”