Page 19 of No Regrets
Dex smiled. He knew all right. He hated running those things too. They were door-kickers, needing to be out in the action, doing what they do best.
“How are you holding up?” The unmistakable concern in his friend’s voice didn’t go unnoticed.
Sitting back, Dex took a long swig of beer before answering.
“I’m OK. Just want to get this over with so I can move on.” In truth, he wasn’t sleeping, anxious about Kelly and his future.
“Bullshit. Stop being team leader. I'm here as your friend, man. This can’t be easy.”
“Of course, it’s not fucking easy,” Dex barked. “But I’ll handle it. I don’t need a babysitter.”
Ryan held up his hands in surrender. At once, Dex regretted snapping at him.
“Sorry, man. You’re right. It’s not easy.”
“Maybe it will be a slap on the wrist. We did bring Kelly home.”
Dex sighed. “My gut’s telling me otherwise. And this time I dragged you guys down with me.”
“You didn’t drag us anywhere. Everyone one of us was on board with the decision, and we would do it again.”
They sat in silence for a few minutes before Ryan spoke again.
“How is Kelly? I tried to see her earlier, but they still wouldn’t let me in.”
“Yeah, she’s not taking any visitors.”
“Not even you?”
“Not even me.”
“Fuck, I had no idea.”
Dex looked at his friend. “Sophie said she’s improving; has done the debrief. She needs time to process everything. I need to be patient.”
“And patience isn’t really your thing.”
“I have no choice with this one. You want the truth? It’s fucking tough, Ryan. It’s killing me that I’m not there. That she won’t let me in when we really need each other.”
“She loves you, buddy. Give her time.”
“Do you have any idea how many people have said that to me.” Downing the last of his beer, Dex stood up. “Do you want another?”
Ryan glanced at his watch. “No, I better get going. I’m running a night drill.”
“I feel sorry for them already.” Dex managed to grin.
“Yeah, they’re in for a long night. Nothing you and I haven't done a hundred times before.” He placed a hand on Dex’s shoulder. “You need anything, fuck the rules. I’m right here. We’re more than teammates and you know it.”
“Thanks, I appreciate you coming by.”
After Ryan left, Dex took out his phone, trying to decide if he should call Kelly. He had so much he wanted to say but to do it by phone didn’t seem right. Would she even pick up? The sound of a car pulling up outside stopped him from doing anything. The front door opened before he reached it.
He might be retired, but Matthew Dawson was still every inch a Navy man. He stood tall, his solid frame filling the doorway. A broad smile on his face.
“Pops?”
“Hello, son.”