Staying on Course (Finding our Way 2)

“These are the articles and pictures that didn’t make it to the exhibit, but they’re pretty amazing. Shana gave me permission to share.”

I pass around pictures and papers from the blue team about our summer experiences. Quinn already knows most of the stories but helps me explain them to everyone. I immediately fall further in love with Jamie when she starts to organize each story by category. She scoots to the floor, and Nate moves behind her, massaging her shoulders.

“If these are the rejects, tomorrow night will be more than I ever imagined.”

“You have no idea,” Bryce pipes in. “These girls will be famous.”

I blush and see Quinn’s cheeks flush.

We sit around for another few hours, looking at papers and pictures. Finally, after three bottles of wine, Nate insists on taking Jamie to the hotel, and Dean forces Quinn to bed. Bryce helps me clean the kitchen and then picks me up and carries me to my room.

He’s quiet as we get ready for bed, and when I reach for my pajamas, he stops me and hands me a new long sleeved t-shirt that says ‘Property of US Navy’. I slip up and curl into him, waiting for him to talk.

“I missed you.”

“I missed you, too.”

I rub circles on his bare chest, listening to his heartbeat.

“Liza’s taken care of. She’s being reassigned and possibly transferred. It took a few weeks, but she’ll soon be permanently gone from my life. I won’t have to see her at work every day.”

“How did this happen?

“Let’s just say, I found a way to influence people who make decisions. Even though I’m new to the base and haven’t been serving long, I’ve spent years getting to know people. Nate and I are damn good at our jobs. Not only because we have the formal education but also because we love the dynamics and details. I spoke to a few people, and Liza will be meeting with her boss in a few days.”

“The Bryce voodoo magic.” I giggle.

He chuckles under my cheek and strokes his fingers through my hair.

“How’s she going to take it?”

“Personally, I don’t give a flying fuck. She’s lucky I didn’t trash her name. I wanted to destroy her but took the best route to get her away from me.”

“It’s not your style to ruin her career. Should we be worried about any backlash? “

“I don’t think she’s one to boil bunnies, but she’s going to freak out. She’s worked really hard to get where she is, and this is going to hit her hard. She’ll have to start over with a new team wherever she lands.”

“Has she tried to contact you?”

“Every fucking day. It was hard on the ship, but I managed to avoid her. She also had to spend a lot of time trying to dodge the rumors. I think the captain even had someone assigned to watch her closely.”

“Rumors?”

“Yeah, I heard she liked to fuck on the ship, even though it’s prohibited. I even heard she has no problem sleeping her way to the top.”

“Oh my God! You did that!”

“I’ll deny ‘til I die.”

I giggle until my side starts to ache. “Bitch deserves it. I only wish I could have seen her face.”

“Oh, she was pissed. No one, not even the other females, wanted to associate with her for the risk of being labeled. After the way she treated Dani at Tommy’s that night even Dani dropped her.”

“Speaking of Dani and Tommy, what’s going on with them?”

“Rick is the only one I’ve really made an effort to talk to the last few weeks. Tommy cornered me once, not understanding why I was so angry, and asked for me to forgive his comments.”

“What’d you say?”