Sailor Proof (Shore Leave 1)

“Master’s, yes. But they don’t feel video-game music is a viable career path.” I took a bite of my own burger to avoid sighing dramatically.

“Isn’t it?” Derrick sounded way more curious than most of my family. “I mean it must be. Some of my buddies have playlists of nothing but game soundtracks. It’s kind of cool that you want to do that.”

“Yup. It’s big business.” I preened under the praise. “And while my heart is in doing my own scores, I also do freelance work cleaning up other people’s arrangements and other sound projects on a piece-by-piece basis. I’m still establishing my rep, but an indie game from some friends did really well, won me some awards.”

“That’s great.” His smile was so warm that the temperature in the room seemed to climb a good ten degrees.

“Yeah, well, awards don’t pay rent, but it’s a start. The sporadic nature of the work gives my parents hives.”

“I bet. But some things are more important than a good pension.”

“Exactly.” Our gazes linked, and something new zinged between us. Not the sexy energy of the kiss, but something perhaps even more powerful. Understanding. I felt seen in a way I almost never felt at family things.

And of course, my mom chose exactly that moment to plunk down in an empty chair on the other side of me, making the rounds the way she always did at big gatherings.

“You two are so cute together.” She smiled encouragingly at us both. “I want to hear everything.”

No, she really didn’t, but I still nodded. “Thanks.”

She adjusted her glasses as she continued to study us like we were an interesting science exhibit. “About time you had a good boyfriend.”

“Yep,” I agreed, even if my definition of good was far from hers. If only this particular boyfriend wasn’t a big fake. Knowing I’d have to hear her sigh when I told her about our “breakup” had my back tensing, even more so when she leaned toward Derrick, a certain gleam in her eyes.

“I have a question for you.”

Chapter Five

Derrick

The back of my neck had started prickling the moment Arthur’s mom sat down with us. I wasn’t going to like whatever this question was, and my stomach did the same gnawing thing it did whenever one of the sonar reports came back with an error. Our chief of the boat was huge on everything running on “automatic.” It was his favorite phrase, and one I used with the sailors under me too. Automatic was good because it meant nothing unexpected was gumming up the works.

However, not a damn thing about this whole damn enterprise with Arthur was on automatic. New complications kept coming up, and unlike on the sub, I felt woefully unprepared for the challenge of playing Arthur’s fake boyfriend.

“What’s the question?” Arthur’s tone was a little more demanding than mine might have been. Jane had always been good to me, and the whole Euler family in their sitcom-y perfection with the happy parents and four rowdy boys and huge extended family was fun, like visiting a theme park of what a family was supposed to be like.

“So, you know our family reunion is coming up.” Jane turned toward Arthur, who was already frowning. She tapped his arm in a gesture that was somewhere between motherly and commanding officer. “You’ll be there. And you should bring Derrick.”

“Uh...” Arthur and I made near identical horrified noises. I’d been to the Eulers’ home in Anacortes for various holidays and gatherings, but I’d only heard stories about their big, over-the-top extended family reunions that happened most years.

“I think you should both come.” Jane’s smile never wavered. “Aunt Maureen is already texting me about you two.”

“How does she know?” Arthur frowned.

The gnawing in my stomach increased and I pushed my plate aside. This thing was fast spiraling out of control.

“Your video is everywhere. It made Maureen’s social media feed because it’s trending. Your cousins follow the makeup video crowd like your friend Sabrina, but Maureen said your welcome home kiss is so viral it’s even in her military family groups and other places.”

“Good.” Arthur beamed wide enough to risk straining something, then sobered. “I mean, that’s neat. Inspiring others and all.”

His happy reaction gave me pause. This whole time he’d seemed rather laser focused on getting our kiss viral and on outside reactions to it with no sign that he himself was thrown for a loop by it as I was. Maybe it hadn’t been that spectacular for him. Maybe he did things like this a lot. But I was still rattled, even now, hours later, and I didn’t like it.

“How does going viral relate to the family reunion?” I asked.

“Well, everyone will want to see you,” Jane said like this should be obvious. “Also, it’s fun. You should come. Arthur could use the company.”