“You’re going down, Trainer,” Ford said as he jogged by.
“You wish.”
Luke watched Gracie sprint in the door of the rec center. Behind her was Pip, but it was the last person who caught and held his attention.
Quinn was here. She wore track pants and a hoodie, hands in her pockets. No cap today, and her hair was pulled back in a tail. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. The woman was so sweet. If he’d needed any proof that Quinn Harper was different to other women he’d had in his life, this, his reaction to seeing her, gave him that.
“They have words for the look you’re throwing at Quinn Harper, brother.”
“No look.” He ignored Jack and kept his eyes on her. He couldn’t tell if she was nervous or excited. Her expression was blank. She was doing that thing she’d perfected. Shutting down any emotion.
“You’re not going to make a fool of yourself again, are you, Jack?”
“May do. Can’t help that I’m impressed by her.”
“By her or what she does? Because there are plenty of impressive women in this town, bud.”
She was following Pip, nodding to anyone who acknowledged her. Luke watched Gracie circle back and grab Quinn’s hand. Her face changed. She smiled down at her. A full smile, and it did something to her face. Lit it.
“Know it,” Jack said. “Married to one of them. But as I always wanted to be a fighter pilot, I’m impressed when I meet one.”
Luke dragged his eyes from the sexy Quinn Harper to look at his brother.
“You’re shitting me? I did not know that.”
“I saw Top Gun when I was about ten.” Jack smiled at the memory.
“Remember that.”
“Well, from that moment on I wanted to be a pilot.”
“Yet you did squat about that.”
“I didn’t want to leave Ryker.”
“Never too old to learn to fly though, bud.”
“Yeah, I’ve been thinking about it since we flew to Lyntacky. I talked to Rory, and she said I should go for it.”
“Well then, you should.”
“Getting back to the top gun heading our way, my thought is you really like her.”
“Not happening, Jack, so let it go.”
“Why? Quinn would be a good fit for you.”
“Fit for what?” Luke kept his expression calm.
“Partner.”
“Fuck off.” He jabbed Jack in the ribs with the ball. “Not everyone needs to be loved up and all kissy faced.”
“Kissy faced?” Buster wandered up. “Who is being kissy faced?”
“No one,” Luke snapped.
“He wants to be kissy faced with someone,” Jack said.