Sidelined

He tapped the button for the lobby and leaned against the wall. Last night was a blur of neon, short skirts, and tequila. He and the guys had gone out in South Beach. Audrey was the usual casualty. He shook his head as the doors retracted.

He stepped into the lobby, just as his flight buddies walked out of the hotel. He ran after them.

“Oh, there he is.” Eagle chuckled as he threw his bag in the back of the taxi. “Nice of you to join us.”

“Dude, you barely made it. Was she worth it?” Hollywood punched him in the

arm.

“Shut up.” Bolt threw his bag on top of the others.

“You know we don’t like being late, right? You’re such an asshole.” Ranger glared at the pilot.

“Whatever, you went out too. It’s not our fault you’re the one who’s married.” Bolt knew he would be hearing about this for the rest of the trip. They still had two more days of flying ahead of them. Denver today then back to Miramar tomorrow.

They climbed into the cab and directed the driver to take them to the airport.

“So who’d you end up with?” Hollywood asked as he popped a piece of gum in his mouth. “The blonde or the brunette?”

The other guys laughed.

“None of your damn business.” Bolt’s heart was still racing. He hadn’t showered or even eaten breakfast. A cup of coffee would be nice.

Eagle jabbed him in the ribs with his elbow. “Must have been the blonde. That brunette was ridiculously hot, even for you Bolt.”

He cracked a smile. “Then you would be wrong.”

“What the hell man? Can’t we do one cross country where you don’t sleep with a girl in every city?” Ranger looked irritated although his shades were firmly planted on the bridge of his nose, concealing his eyes.

“Negative.” Bolt leaned into the seat. It wasn’t his problem Ranger was married and stuck to his wedding vows like a choirboy. There were beautiful women all over the world—he was missing out on what Bolt had learned was one of the best perks of being an aviator. Women loved pilots.

“Wow, you fly fighter jets? Like in the movie?” The girls had gathered around Bolt, Ranger, Hollywood, and Eagle.

The guys towered over the small group. Ranger was the shortest in the gang, and the heaviest of the four. Hollywood’s bright smile and blond hair helped him stand out in the crowd. Eagle was lean and tall with dark hair and small dark eyes. Bolt knew at twenty-seven he wasn’t bad looking. His close brown haircut and baby blue eyes had lured in more than one woman. It didn’t hurt that he had chiseled features and a workout routine that would kick most Marines’ asses.

After last night’s club hopping in Miami they decided Denver was more of a sports bar town. They chose a spot called the Goal Post.

“That’s right.” Hollywood winked at the one closest to him. She was perched on a barstool, soaking in his every word. She twirled her dark hair around her index finger.

Bolt wondered how many drinks she had already had. “Like, that is the hottest thing I’ve ever heard.” She batted her eyes at Hollywood. The other girls seemed equally impressed.

Wait until they heard why he was called Hollywood. It usually was the last piece of bait he tossed into the tank before reeling them in. It worked every time.

Bolt surveyed tonight’s options. He wasn’t going to swoop in on the girl talking to Hollywood. There was a code there that wasn’t worth breaking. Ranger distanced himself from the female attention and sat at the end of the bar with his beer. Looked like he was checking the basketball scores on the screen.

“Is it dangerous?” she asked, her eyes wide.

Hollywood leaned against the bar and looked directly into her brown eyes. “Yes, very.”

Bolt laughed, shaking his head as the three girls gasped. College girls were too easy, but Hollywood was obviously enjoying it.

“I don’t even know you, but I’m already worried about you,” she sighed.

Hollywood put his arm around her shoulder. “Well, let me buy you a drink, we can get to know each other.”

She perked up. “Ok. That would be good.” She turned to smile at her friends, then back to Hollywood. “I’m Joni.”

He ushered her to a corner booth where the blare of the basketball game playing on the flat screens wasn’t as loud.