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CJ PULLED THROUGH THE gate, ignoring the press swarming his car. Getting out this time was worse than at Sandy’s and he nearly collapsed when his muscles seized. He gripped the door and counted to ten, willing the knots in his muscles to relax until he got inside.
His limp to the front door was caught on camera and he sent a glare toward the television cameras outside the gate. “Malfunction,” he whispered and sent a targeted blast toward the cameras. The red lights blinked out and he turned away before the smile surfaced.
He stepped inside the house and closed the door, slipping his sneakers off before he crossed to the family room. The air in the back of the house was heavy with onion and garlic and he glanced toward the kitchen. Steve was busy at the stove and he wondered where Jennifer was.
“She went to Boston to talk to her agent today, so she has no idea of what type of shit storm she’s coming home to,” Steve said to the unspoken question. He glanced over his shoulder meeting CJ’s gaze.
“Oh.” CJ couldn’t think of anything else to say so he turned his focus to his brother. “How are you?”
Tom looked up from his spot on the couch and shrugged.
Steve approached from the kitchen with the cell phone to his ear. “CJ’s home,” he said and hung up and pocketed the phone. “You are batting a thousand today. First the shit at school and then sleeping with Sandy, what the hell were you thinking?”
Tom’s mouth dropped open, his gaze traveling from CJ to Steve. “You slept with her?” he signed.
CJ nodded. “Uncle Dan caught us,” he said, and Tom started laughing.
“Tom, he’s in enough trouble. I don’t need you egging him on,” Steve interrupted.
“So, am I still a fugitive?”
“I don’t know. I guess we’ll find out when Detective O’Keefe gets the message.”
“I didn’t throw the first punch,” CJ said.
“You didn’t give them a choice. That little ultimatum really struck a nerve,” Steve said.
CJ bit his lip and shrugged. “How’d you find out?”
“Bear was at the hospital when we left,” Steve said. “He didn’t exactly tell the truth about what happened either, so unless you’ve got someone that can shed some light on this, you’re screwed.”
“Joe saw everything,” CJ said. “Including Bear’s little stunt at the end.”
“And your display,” Steve added.
CJ nodded. “Yep. They know I’m not normal,” he said with finger quotes.
“Ey away ew you wer orma,” Tom said with a grin. They just never said it to your face.
“Oh yeah? Well, at least I don’t have a reputation for tagging anything in a skirt.”
His eyebrows shot up and he sent a snide thought. At least I never got caught.
“Fuck you,” CJ said and turned, storming up to his room, ignoring the pain wracking his ribs with every step. He slammed his bedroom door and crossed to the computer, flipping it on. The need to see Sandy over-ruled anything else.
When the door opened behind him, he stiffened and turned his head, glaring at Tom.
“owy,” Tom said and limped to the bed, sitting down with a wince.
“Do you mind?” CJ pointed to the screen and the Skype logon.
Don’t make me get up again, Tom thought and dropped onto CJ’s pillow.
CJ sighed and nodded. “So, beyond the stitches and cast on your wrist–what else is wrong?” he asked and logged onto Skype at the same time.
Cracked cheekbone, four cracked ribs and a concussion.
“And that shit head filed a complaint against me?” CJ shook his head in disgust and pressed the call button, waiting for Sandy to come on.
Steve filed one against Bear, too.
“Good, he deserves it.” He focused on the screen and after a few buzzes, he sighed and cut off the connection. “I bet Dan took away her computer,” he muttered, angry that he couldn’t see her tonight.
He really walked in while...
“Not during, after,” he said. “I didn’t even hear him come in.” CJ rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m usually so much more in tune than that.”
You were a bit preoccupied. Tom grinned. So, how was she?
CJ tried his best not to smile, but it snuck through and he glanced at his brother. “Look, no disrespect, but I’m not discussing this with you.”
“Come on, spill,” Tom signed and then pushed himself into a sitting position.
“All I’m going to say is she was worth waiting for.”
The buzzer on the computer rang and CJ pushed the connect button. Her picture popped up on the screen and he smiled.
“Hey, I made it home and Tom’s here with me, so...”
“So, watch what I say?” She winked. “Hey, Tom, how are you?”
CJ turned the screen toward Tom so she could see him. He waved his good hand.
“Jesus, you’re more of a mess than Chris.”
Tom rolled his eyes and shrugged and pointed toward the door. He attempted to stand.
“You don’t have to go. I can’t stay on long, anyway.”
CJ turned the screen back toward him. “How’d it go after I left?”
“Let’s just say getting my wisdom teeth pulled was more pleasant.” She glanced over her shoulder and then faced the computer again. “What about you?”
“The marines haven’t landed, yet.”
She sighed. “But the night is still young.”
“Yeah,” he said and leaned his elbow on the desk propping his cheek on his palm.
“How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been run over by a train. But nowhere near as bad as Tom.”
“Why doesn’t Steve make it all go away?”
“He will, eventually,” CJ said.
Sandy gasped. “Dad’s coming, I gotta go,” she whispered, and her picture disappeared.
“Shit,” CJ muttered and closed the computer. He glanced at Tom. “I’m not sure Uncle Dan is going to let me see her again.” A cold fear wrapped around his heart and he closed his eyes. “What if I completely fucked it up today?”
The girl loves you. How could you fuck it up?
“I don’t know, I guess I’m just being paranoid.”
Chill, everything will work out, Tom thought. I’m going to go lay down until dinner’s ready.
“Do you need a hand?”
Tom shook his head and hobbled out of the room.