Page 32 of My All American Girl

“I don’t believe it was your graduation,” I answered.

“You didn’t answer my question,” she shot back.

I had to admit, she was clever. A quick study, for sure.

“Your father invited me,” I replied, knowing she was going to get to the bottom of the situation one way or another.

She pursed her lips together. I could practically see the wheels turning. “My dad just happened to invite you to my graduation?”

I shrugged. “I guess so. Is there something you’re trying to imply?”

“Did my father send you here to train me?”

I shrugged, keeping my expression neutral. “Sort of.”

“Sort of?” she pressed, her tone incredulous. The flush was back in her cheeks. I wondered if she knew how sexy she was when she was pissed.

“Honestly, it sounds more like he sent me here to keep an eye on you,” I admitted, unable to resist a small smirk. “And after everything I’ve seen, I understand why. You’re a loose cannon. You need a handler.”

Sarah was offended, that much was clear. “I’m going to give you one chance to tell me you’re bullshitting me.”

“Nope.” I leaned back in my chair and gave her another smirk. “I’m not bullshitting you, Sarah. Your father had concerns about your impulsiveness, your tendency to take unnecessary risks, and your lack of direction. He wanted someone to help guide you, to rein you in a bit. I’m here to do that.”

She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest again. “And I suppose you think you’re the best person for the job?”

“Absolutely. I’ve been doing this long enough to know what it takes to get someone like you on track. And trust me, you need some guidance.”

Sarah glared at me, her expression turning bitter. “And what makes you think I’m so terrible at flying? That your so-called expertise is needed to save me from myself?”

“Your flying isn’t the problem,” I replied, my voice calm, but I could tell she was headed for a meltdown. “It’s you. You’re a hothead. You’re running around picking fights and getting yourself into trouble.”

“I don’t see how that’s relevant,” she retorted. “We all have our off days. Am I supposed to just sit back and let some assholes fuck with me? Like you wouldn’t do the same damn thing. It’s okay if a guy does it, but I’m not supposed to!”

I shook my head. “The occasional bar fight is one thing, but you’ve been in two in the last four months—that I know of. If you smell dog shit everywhere you go, it’s time to check your own shoes.”

She stood there for a moment, her fists clenched at her sides, her eyes burning with anger and hurt. “This is bullshit,” she finally spat out. “You don’t know me. You know nothing about me. My father had no right to do this behind my back!”

Sarah paced like a caged animal but I sat calmly and watched. Sure, dealing with her attitude was a pain, but I liked her spirit, even when it was directed in anger toward me. And I got to fly planes and scare the daylights out of young pilots who needed a reality check. They had to be ready for combat, not just flying in a simulator.

They needed to understand this was life and death.

“Are you done?” I asked.

She flopped into the chair, deflating. “I don’t need a fucking babysitter.”

“I don’t care what you think you need,” I said. “You’re here to earn your spot and prove you deserve to be here. And from what I’ve seen so far, you’re not even close.”

Her mouth dropped open. “You haven’t seen anything!” She jumped out of the chair once again, a raging phoenix. “You didn’t even let me fly today. If I had the stick, I wouldn’t have to waste time telling you what to do. I would have just done it.”

“Maybe you would, maybe you wouldn’t.” I shrugged. “That’s the thing with young pilots that think they are good. They’re cocky. But there is something I have seen time and again.”

“What?”

“They freeze,” I replied. “If you want to succeed, you need to get your head on straight and start following the rules. Show a little respect for this place and for those who came before you.”

Sarah’s chest heaved with frustration as she glared at me, her fists clenched at her sides. An internal battle raged within her, the desire to rebel warring with her duty.

“I have respect for the good pilots.” She shook her head. “I just want to fly. I’m a damn good pilot. Let me prove it to you. To everyone. To my dad, since he clearly thinks I can’t handle it.”