Page 73 of My All American Girl

I nodded, understanding the implications. “I need to see Rolley anyway.”

“Then move quickly,” Dean advised. “Officers will likely head to the med bay around eight or nine to get a report on what happened. They’ll want to talk to you.”

I bit my lip. “Will I be in trouble?”

“Maybe,” he admitted. “You might get a punishment assignment, but it’s better than being kicked out. Take whatever comes and move forward. Consider yourself lucky.”

I nodded, appreciating his honesty. “I do. I am.”

“I expected you to push back on that one,” he said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

“Not this time,” I replied, shrugging. “I know I’m in trouble. I might have done it for the right reasons, but that doesn’t change the fact it happened. I just hope I’m not the only one that gets in trouble. Not Rolley and Kylee. They didn’t do anything wrong. Rolley was only trying to keep me from getting my ass kicked. It was those other assholes.”

“Just be honest,” he said. “Tell your side of the story. Keep it to the facts. Try not to refer to them as assholes. You know their names. Use them. Be specific about who did what. Make it clear you were not the aggressor. Ultimately, you will still be held accountable, but if it is understood it wasn’t you starting trouble, you might be able to help yourself.”

“I will,” I said. “Honesty is the best policy.”

Dean stood up, heading toward the door. “I’ll make myself scarce so you can get ready. Then I’ll get you back to base.”

As he reached the door, I called out, “Dean?”

He turned back to me. “Yes?”

“Thank you,” I said softly.

He nodded, and with one last look, he left the room. I sat there for a moment, gathering my thoughts. Then I got up, ready to face whatever was coming. I dressed in the sweats and T-shirt I had been wearing before the altercation started. There were some bloodstains on my shirt. They weren’t mine. They were either from Rolley or the guy that ended up with the broken nose.

I did my best to make myself look presentable. I wasn’t sure how this would go. Would I be put in front of a formal hearing or just asked to give a statement? I couldn’t worry about that. Worrying didn’t change anything.

Dean was waiting for me when I exited the bathroom. “Ready?” he asked.

I sighed. “As I’ll ever be.”

We drove back to the base.

“Are you okay?” he asked when we got there.

“I will be,” I assured him. “Are you flying back?”

“Yes. My flight leaves in an hour. I’m hoping I can get back without too many people realizing I left.”

“I’m really sorry if I got you into any trouble,” I said.

“I’ll be fine.” He smiled. “Good luck. I’ll see you back in Columbus.”

I longed to kiss him, but no way was I pushing that boundary with so many witnesses. I climbed out of the car and waved goodbye. He drove away without another look. I knew I had put him in a compromising position. I seemed to be on a roll getting everyone tangled up in my disaster.

I walked into the med bay and found Rolley in his bed, looking much better than he had last night. Kylee was sitting beside him, holding his hand. Her face lit up when she saw me.

“Sarah!” she exclaimed, rushing over to hug me. “How are you?”

“Bruised but okay,” I replied, glancing at Rolley. “How are you?”

“Been better,” Rolley said with a wry smile. “But thanks to you, I’m still here.”

I squeezed his hand gently. “I’m so sorry, Rolley. I didn’t mean for you to get hurt.”

“Don’t apologize,” he said firmly. “You did the right thing.”