Friendly Fire (Ricochet 2)

Rick cleared his throat. “Okay, then I won’t explain that part. There’s a girl.”

Laughter poured through the phone, loud and never-ending.

Rick frowned. “Hey asshole, it’s not fucking funny.”

Dash struggled to catch his breath. “The fuck it’s not! Ricochet, are you calling me to discuss your girl problems?”

“You know what Dash, you’re a real fucker. Forget it—”

“Shut up, Rick. I’m just busting your balls. I know exactly why you called me. I’m the married one, the one who had to leave his wife behind every time we were sent out, with her not knowing if I’d ever come back. The other guys were fuck ‘em and leave ‘em, just like you. Am I right?”

“Maybe,” Rick said cautiously. Years of working and living with the man made Dash damn near psychic when it came to figuring out his teammates.

Dash snorted. “Yeah, maybe. Tell me about the girl.”

Rick smiled despite the hurt and anger he felt towards Quinn for running away like she did.

“I don’t know. She works here… has a lot of secrets, Dash. A lot. I can see that shit in her eyes, you know? The eyes of a person who’s been through hell and is clawing her way out.” He wandered back towards the windows, looking down at the cars passing by on the city streets.

Dash was silent while Rick struggled to explain.

“She uh… she left without a word. Was gone for six weeks. Now she’s back and it’s just fucking weird. I’m not used to this shit.”

“You mean actually feeling something?”

Rick grunted.

“Man, if you don’t let that shit with your family go, you’ll never have a relationship with this girl, or with anyone for that matter.”

“Fuck, what are you now, a goddam head shrink?”

“No, I’m a guy who knows you. I met your dad and your brothers. I know your mom left you all high and dry and your dad and your brothers tainted your view of women. When your dad was told she OD’d, he didn’t even let you mourn her. That’ll fuck you up. I’ve told you more than once to get it out so you can let that shit go, Rick.”

“Yeah, maybe you’re right.”

“Maybe? You know I’m right,” Dash chuckled. “I’m always right. You weren’t ready to change back then. Sounds to me like you are now.”

Rick scrubbed a hand down his face and winced, forgetting about his black eye. This conversation was getting uncomfortable. He didn’t want to tell his ex-teammate that his former commander Ricochet Brennan, a hard as nails, ball-busting, special ops Marine and Muay Thai expert, was quite possibly in love with a girl who fucked him and coldly ditched him. “I should go. Thanks Dash.”

“Anytime Ricochet.”

“We’ll catch up later. I want to hear all about the two new guys.”

“You know I can’t tell you anything. Classified and all that.”

Rick smiled. “Yeah, I know. Say hi to Tess for me. Talk to you later.”

He could practically hear his friend grin over the phone. “Later.”

Purge the demons of his past? Get over his fucked up childhood? Easier said than done.

Needing to confirm that his childhood was indeed fucked up, he dialed another number. It was answered almost immediately.

“Rick?”

“Hey Brandon.”

“Baby brother! How’s it going? I never hear from you anymore.”