“See, jokes so bad they’re funny.”
“No, no, I’m laughing out of pity.”
“Where do generals keep their armies?”
“In their sleevies,” I answer. “Please, my nieces told me that one. You know, back before my brothers disowned me and I was allowed to see them.”
“Wow, dude. Here I am trying to cheer you up, and you go to dark places. How do you know if there’s an Air Force pilot at your party?”
“How?”
“Oh, don’t worry. He’ll tell you as soon as he walks in.”
“It’s funny because it’s true,” I say.
“Hooah. Okay, I have the perfect one that you will laugh at because it will make you think of me.”
“I’m ready.”
“What’s the difference between the Boy Scouts and the army?”
“What?”
“Boy Scouts have adult supervision.”
He’s right. I do laugh. But probably not for the reason he’s thinking. “Fuck, I was an asshole back then.”
“Just back then?”
“There was definitely nothing to boast about after today’s training.”
“You were shot a gazillion times and survived. You’re lucky you’re alive, let alone walking and going back to work after six months.”
I nod. “I know. I’m really lucky. It’s just … I’ve never struggled at this stuff before, so it’s an adjustment.”
“You’ll get there. Before you know it, you’ll be kicking my ass and telling me I suck.”
I smile. “Can’t wait.”
“Do you think you’ll be okay to try to go back to sleep? Or do you want to keep talking?” Iris’s deep brown eyes are kinder than I remember.
“Can you keep talking to me?”
“Sure thing.”
I lie back down and stare at the roof of the tent.
“Has anyone told you about our teammate who left to follow Harley Valentine on tour?”
“What about him?”
“It’s so hilarious. Brix was always one of these guys who was all about the job. He didn’t understand pop culture references and didn’t even know who Harley Valentine was when we started working for him. Long story short, Brix tackled him on his first day of work, thinking he was some crazed Harley fan. He has never lived it down.”
“I bet,” I say sleepily. “Keep telling me stories of Mike Bravo.”
“Let me tell you about the time Atlas was in charge of getting us out of the jungle and told the helo to meet us in the wrong spot. He was all like ‘I’ve got this.’ Spoiler alert, he didn’t have it …”
That’s how I fall asleep to the sound of Iris’s war tales. It reminds me of the night he kept talking to keep me conscious so I would survive. That should be triggering, but instead, his voice makes me feel warm and secure.
I realize I can’t remember the last time I truly felt this safe.
The next time I wake, Iris is gone, the sun’s up, and I have no idea what time it is. Luckily, I fell into a dreamless sleep, and for the first time in a long time, I’m refreshed as I get out of bed.
I grab some clothes and head for the bathroom, but when I open the door, I’m confronted with the sight of Iris brushing his teeth. Normally no big deal, but he only has a towel wrapped around his waist. His dark hair is still wet from a shower, and droplets of water drip down his long, muscular torso.
“Morning,” he says around his toothbrush. Then he bends over the sink and spits, and I shouldn’t find that as erotic as I do.
“Morning,” I mumble back.
“I’m almost done.”
“Take your time. I need to hit the head.” Pissing in front of other guys has never been an issue for me, but I can’t say I’m not self-conscious doing it in front of Iris. Which is weird.
He ignores me as I do my business and then pull on some tactical pants.
“What time are we heading out today?” I ask.
“The others are having breakfast now, and then we’ll go.” He rinses his mouth out. “If you hurry, you might be able to grab something to eat before we start. Though, we’re not going far today. The shooting range is within walking distance.”
“Good to know.”
“I would’ve woken you up sooner, but … after … I figured you needed as much sleep as you could get after last night.”
I appreciate it, but the sense of helplessness wafts over me because of it. “I’m sure we’re all used to thriving on little to no sleep.”
“True, but the point is you don’t have to here. Take what sleep you can because this is our downtime.”
“Even if it means I miss out on breakfast?”
“Hmm, that’s a tough one.” He turns and leans against the bathroom counter, that insane body of his on full display.
I turn my back and change out of my shirt and into a fresh one.
“Food or sleep,” Iris hums. “Add in sex, and I’m looking at a Sophie’s Choice situation.”
“Sex is easy to go without if you abstain for long enough.” And why did that fall out of my mouth?