Chapter 22 Then
I fucked up, and somehow Wes forgave me, and General Wyatt still let him leave. I took the blame, and got stuck with the scutwork for the past few months, but it was worth it. Wes, and I were heading home today. Him for good, and me for a few days. We sat side by side on the airplane talking about nothing in particular, when the attendant made her announcement that we'd be landing soon. I watched as everyone checked their seat belts, and waited. I hadn't been home since my temper tantrum, and I hoped that Zoe wouldn't mention it to Wes. We were brothers in arms, and he knew I was messed up over Evie, but he didn't need to know how much.
I closed my eyes as the plane descended, and smiled to myself knowing that Wes was probably pissing his pants. He hated taking off, and landing, one thing he would'nt be missing on the ground in San Franscisco. When we got off the plane and into the airport I could see the relief on his face. I on the other hand, already felt lost. He said something about finding our bags, and I went to find my sister. Zoe was picking us up, much to her dismay I might add. She had her first summer off from her new job, and picking up her big brother wasn't high on her list of priorities. Still, I knew she'd come just the same.
I found her easily enough, ruffling the top of her head, knowing It would annoy her. It had been a few years since Wes had seen Zoe, and for a second I thought he was checking her out. Of course she was wearing a ridiculously short dress, but when she rolled her eyes at his attempts I was satisfied. For the moment. We followed her out to her car, and once again I caught my best friend's eyes on my baby sister. It didn't help that she drove a 1969 stick shift, Chevelle, I could almost see Wes drooling, when he asked to sit up front.
I let it slide, mostly because I could keep a better eye on him. When we arrived at my house a half hour later, Zoe went inside first leaving Wes and I in the garage. I tossed him his bag, hitting him square in the chest. “She's off limits. Understand?” I said.
“I know.” He said putting his hands up in mock surrender. “I'll be here for two weeks tops, and then I'm out of here. You won't even know I'm around.”
“Yea, let's keep it that way.” I said, opening the door that led into the kitchen, and allowing him inside.
We were both tired, so after I showed him his room, I went to mine. It wasn't until the next morning that we spoke again, and this time it was over Coffee. Zoe was swimming, and I found him leaning against the counter, in the dark, sipping his brew. I joined him, and then Zoe came in announcing we were going to breakfast, and that I was paying. Wes laughed, and I shook my head, but when she came down from changing I reiterated what I'd told him last night. I must have hit a nerve, because he jumped down my throat.
We had only been in the house for a night, before Zoe and I started arguing, and about Wes no less. But before I could try and fix things, she grabbed her keys and headed for the garage. Throwing my hands up in defeat, I stomped upstairs, brushing past Wes on my may to my room. A few minutes later I heard the garage door open, and when I finally made my way back down stairs I realized that he must have gone with her.
I knew I was being childish, but this house seemed to bring that out in me. Every where I looked there were memories. My mom cooking dinner, my dad pouring a scotch from his mini bar. Evie, and I sitting on the couch watching movies. It was all just too much. I thought after royally fucking up my last mission I needed to get away, but maybe I had it wrong. Maybe I never should have come back with Wes. My mind made up, I placed a call to my General, and to my relief he said a ticket would be waiting for me tomorrow morning at the airport. I wouldn't be going back to base, I'd be back in the thick of it.
I never even bothered to unpack my bag, just shoved it under my bed, thanking God that tomorrow morning I'd be wheels up, and anywhere but here. I wrote a quick note to Zoe, not wanting the confrontation. I told her they needed me, it was a half truth, but one that I knew she would believe. As for Wes, I hoped he wouldn't be the one to rat me out. The two of them were the only people I had in my life who gave a damn anymore, and yet, I was burning bridges.
I used to watch those romance movies with Evie. The ones where the man leaves the woman in a heap of a mess, and she has to pick herself up by her bootstraps and start over. They always show how empowering it is for her. What if the rolls were reversed? We aren't wired the same as women. We may move on faster, by jumping into a bed or two, but if I'm being honest we don't have the self preservation that they do. Where ever Evie is, I bet she isn't even thinking about me. So why can't I forget about her?
I spent the next couple of hours in my bedroom watching mindless television, sipping on my dad's last good bottle of scotch. It wasn't like I had anything better to do. It wasn't until I heard the door, that I realized Wes and Zoe must be home. I brushed my teeth, shoving the bottle back under my bed, and headed down stairs to greet them. They were laughing, Zoe's smile wide, and bright. It had been a long time since I'd heard her laugh, and I smiled.
“Hey big brother.” She said. “Got ya some cocoa puffs.” She teased, tossing me the box.
Wes smirked, riling me up once again. “This isn't going to work.” I said, gesturing between the two of them.
“Should you tell him, or should I?” Zoe asked, reaching for Wes' hand.
“Tell me what?” I asked, with anger.
“We ran into her ex at the grocery store.” Wes said, removing his hand from hers. “I inadvertantly agreed to go to a charity gala with her.”
“David?” I asked. “I warned that asshole.” I said, seething.
“Jake. It was the grocery store! It isn't like he was stalking me.” She tried to reason with me.
I mumbled something about taking care of him as I went back up stairs, and I heard her apologize to Wes for me. Something about I was going through a hard time right now, and that she'd talk to me. I instantly felt like the biggest jackass on the planet. Blowing up at my sister, stomping off like a toddler, I was just being a shitty person, and it only cemented my decision to go back.
I heard a soft knock on my door, and I knew it was Zoe. “Come in.” I said, watching the knob turn slowly.
“What's going on Jake?” She asked, when she sat down on the bed beside me. “Is this really about Wes flirting with me, or is this about Evie?”
“Have you heard from her?” I asked, with more hope than I'd intended.
“No.” She said sadly. “She left Jake. She's gone, and that was really shitty, but you can't put your life on hold because of her. You have two years left, and then who knows where the army will take you. General? Colonel? The sky's the limit. I'm not saying that you should forget her, but you need to forgive her.”
“How can I do that? It's not like I can call her. She probably hasn't had a second thought about leaving me behind.”
“You do that.” She said, turning my face so that I was looking directly at her. “By living your life. By showing her that what she did to you, won't hold you back. You move on, just like she has, and you make something of your life. I miss you Jake. The old you.”
“I'm leaving Zo.” I whispered, looking back down at my feet. “I wasn't going to tell you. I wrote this note, and I'm still leaving it in the morning. Please don't say anything to Wes, and I'm sorry for just dropping him on you, but I need to work.”
“I know about what happened on your last mission. Please don't be mad at Wes, he's just worried about you. And as much as I don't like his womanizing ways, he's been a good friend to you. So I need to know. Are you going back to let yourself get killed? Or is this what you need to move forward?”
“I've always loved that you don't sugarcoat things Zoe. You get that from Mom.” I smiled. “I promise you, I'm leaving for the right reasons. Evie asked me the same question you know? She asked what I wanted from the army. My answer back then, should have been nothing. But I was a coward, and now, the army is the only answer. I'm doing this for me.”
“Then I'll support you.” She said, without hesitation before pulling into a hug. “But you are cooking dinner tonight. I've been dying for your enchiladas, and I already bought all the ingredients.
I laughed, pulling her up with me when I stood. “Deal.”