“No,” I responded, maybe a bit too quickly. “Practically everyone in my family has served in the Air Force. My dad, grandpa, and a bunch of my uncles. They either enlisted and left right after high school or they graduated and went to the Air Force Academy.”
“Wow, that’s really cool.”
My chest tightened. I’d listed everyone but my brother. That was a conversation for another time.
“What about running at the Academy?” Willow asked.
“I thought about it, but there really isn’t any point. My eyesight isn’t perfect, neither are my grades, so becoming a pilot is out. And I’ve wanted to join the pararescue unit, and I don’t need a college degree to do that.”
Willow looked at me, her eyes huge. “Is pararescue, like, jumping out of a plane?”
“Yup. It’s such a rush. Have you ever done it?”
“Um…no.” She shook her head. “I don’t think I could.”
“Says the girl who faces down dudes twice her size and isn’t afraid to take them on.” I arched a brow at her.
“I guess we’re both super admirable,” Willow said, a massive grin breaking out across her face.
“Totally.” I returned the smile.
Willow turned on her blinker and pulled into a parking spot several rows back from the entrance. The marquee in front of us lit up with the current movies and showtimes.
“I’m so excited about this movie. I freaking love The Rock,” Willow said as we both got out of the car. A chilly blast of air whipped around me.
I pulled my scarf tighter as we started through the maze of cars to the entrance. I could practically smell the buttered popcorn and hot dogs.
“I think we’ve earned the biggest popcorn, a box of Hot Tamales, and a monster Cherry Coke. What do you think?” Willow looped her arm through mine and grinned.
“I’m totally in!” I was glad that my parents were cool with me hanging out with Willow tonight. She was really nice, and each time I hung out with her I liked her that much more.
“Excellent.” She laughed, her long black hair flowing over her shoulders.
“Hey, wait up,” someone shouted from behind us.
I spun around, and my jaw dropped as Preach jogged toward us.
“What areyoudoing here?”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Grace
“I swear, I didn’t plan this.” Preach put his hands up in surrender as we took our seats in the dim theater.
Willow and Brodie sat on my left and Preach on my right, but Willow didn’t say anything. She totally had planned this. I knew it.
“Let’s just pig out on popcorn and celebrate you kicking butt on the track today.” Preach tilted the tub of popcorn toward me.
“Okay.” I snagged a handful of popcorn and settled into my seat. I had to admit, it wasn’t a horrible idea. Actually felt good, which kinda scared the crap out of me.
Preach had shown his tender side that day in the storage room when he’d caught me crying over Emmett. I’d told him about the death anniversary, and he’d responded perfectly. Surprisingly perfectly.
Even when I’d started chucking beanbags at him.
“When does your brace come off?” He nodded toward my braced hand.
“Still working on that.” I shifted in my seat, the unease prickling along my nerve endings. “I can’t feel my pinky or ring finger yet. Middle finger is tingly, so…”