CHAPTER 18
Trey gladly handled the mission follow-up without Carly. Having her there would have taken more mental capacity than he had after the night they’d spent together doing everything except sleeping.
Of course, Jack was still there right next to him like the living breathing personification of his own conscience. A constant reminder he’d not only stepped across the line with Carly, but had also trampled all over Jack’s toes in the process.
To Jack’s credit, following the initial punch he’d thrown he’d acted pretty much normal as he and Trey waited on line with the rest of the team to turn in all equipment they’d been issued for the op.
Then came the paperwork—the bane of the existence of every man and woman in the US military. Trey sat at his desk with a form in front of him and a pen in his hand, but being prepared with the necessary items didn’t get the papers filled out any easier.
The task was simple enough. He was going to have to write an account for the expenses he’d charged to John Smith’s credit card for things like the rental car and the taxi, but he’d barely filled out his name because he wasn’t really there.
Instead, his mind was at Carly’s bar as he wondered what she might be doing.
Jack sat at the desk next to him, scribbling away.
Trey looked down at his own nearly blank page. This was going to take a long time at this rate. He sighed.
Jack glanced up at the sound. “That paper’s not going to fill out itself while you stare at the wall.”
Trey snorted. “I guess I didn’t take whatever speed writing course you did.”
It seemed he and Jack were just going to forget about the obvious and go back to being friends even though his jaw still hurt like hell. The bruise was already starting to show but it didn’t matter if getting it out of his system had helped Jack get over what he’d seen. He owed Jack that much.
“You just need the right motivation, that’s all. The sooner I get done, the sooner I can go get a beer.”
That captured Trey’s wandering attention. No wonder Jack was in such a hurry to finish his paperwork. He was anxious to get to Carly.
Trey bit the inside of his cheek to try to stop himself from asking the question, but it came out anyway. “You going to Carly’s?”
“Yup.” Jack’s single spoken word carried far more meaning today than it normally would. He was in fact telling Trey he was still going after Carly, no matter what had happened in Kosovo.
His stomach clenched. “Maybe you should give her a little time. It’s been a tough couple of days.”
“Are you going to ask Carly out?” Jack stared at him waiting for an answer.
“Me?” Trey’s eyes widened at the question. “No, of course not.”
Jack cocked up one brow. “Why not?”
“I don’t need the distraction of a girlfriend right now.”
Glancing down, he tapped a finger on Trey’s blank report. “You look plenty distracted to me already.”
For a man who talked like a back country hick most times, Jack could be really perceptive. He was dead-on this time.
Trey had a feeling his distraction wasn’t going to get any better either, particularly if Jack ended up dating Carly. He shook off the unpleasant thought.
“Yeah, well. It’s been a tough couple of days for me too.” Trey sighed and then dropped the pen. “Look, Jack. I have to say this. I’m sorry. I’m sorry it had to happen and I’m really sorry you had to see it.”
Jack shook his head. “I know. You had to. Matt explained it to me. It was his idea and it saved Jimmy, so how can I hold it against you?”
The first time had been Matt’s idea and necessary, but the second time? That incident was all Trey and the guilt over it nearly overwhelmed him as he took in the sincerity of Jack’s expression.
“I’m fine. We’re fine.” Jack waved a hand to indicate the two of them. “And I’m sorry I punched you. It’s just . . . no stud likes to share his filly, you know?”
Trey wouldn’t have worded it that way exactly, but . . . “Yeah, I know.”
“Finish that up. I’ll wait for you.” Arms folded, Jack leaned against his desk.
Trey shook his head. “No, you go ahead. I think I’m going to try to stay out of her face for a while. Things have been a little awkward since we um . . . you know.”
Jack laughed. “Yeah, I can imagine. Actually, that’s all I can do is imagine, not having experienced it myself.”
Trey winced. All may be forgiven, but it was obviously not quite forgotten.
“But it’s fine,” Jack continued. “One day, when Carly and I are celebrating our wedding anniversary, the three of us will all get together and laugh about this.”
Anniversary? Shit. The thought of Jack and Carly married didn’t even remotely make Trey feel like laughing.
“Yeah.” He forced a smile, even as the iron vise tightened around his chest.