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.