Page 260 of 5+Us Makes Seven

“You ain’t no fucking gentleman, Cooper. We both know that.”

“Whatever, man. I’ll catch up with you later.”

I jogged toward Jade before he went on about our illicit activities in Afghanistan.

“Hey,” I called out. “Hold up.”

“You can’t keep up with a wounded woman? How the hell are we going to win this war?”

“Funny,” I said, not laughing as I slowed down beside her. “I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

“Did your CO send you to babysit me?” she asked.

“No, of course not. Although if he did, I would never tell.”

She kept up her pace. Outside the mess hall, she stopped and turned to face me.

“What?” I asked when she said nothing.

“Exactly. What do you want?”

“I thought we would dine together. If you’re wanting to go into the villages without soldiers, I can see about going with you undercover in local garb.”

“You would do that for me?”

“I might,” I said, not ready to commit fully yet.

“Fine. We can eat and talk if you’ll help me get what I need for my story.”

“What paper do you work for again?” I asked.

“I don’t work for a newspaper. They’re all dying. I write online for an audience around the world.”

“Uh huh,” I said, uninterested.

I couldn’t think clearly with her sizable breasts pressing against an Army-issued green tee-shirt at least two sizes too small. Her hard nipples were clearly visible through the cloth.

“Come on,” she said. “I’m starving.”

Behind us, Max called out, “Cooper! Come here!”

I sighed then said, “I have to go.”

“Wow. He’s got that kind of control over you?”

“You don’t understand,” I said.

“You’ll have to tell me sometime.”

“Maybe I will,” I said, not breaking eye contact.

“Come on, Cooper! Now!” Max bellowed.

“I’ll take you on a date tomorrow or

later this week.”

She tilted her head to the left and peered at me.