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↳ 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 'you shake my nerves, and you rattle my brain'
━━ 𓄼 𓄹 ━━
FIGHTERTOWN Miramar, California
𝐈𝐓 𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐇𝐄𝐑 to admit, but she had missed California.
The sweep of the surf was heavier here, crisp and unhindered by humidity. Basil had even more energy than usual. For the entire time they moved cardboard boxes and plastic bins into the storage locker, he had run around the nearby park with Amari. The distant barking and peals of laughter drifted through the afternoon light.
"This is a shit ton of work for a temporary assignment," Max had huffed as he set down another box.
He had driven his car an hour south just to come help her move. The bulk of her long-term things would be staying in the storage locker until she received a more permanent housing assignment. Her small apartment in Coronado was already scattered with the bare minimum of what she would need for her time at Top Gun.
She peered up at him through the sweaty curls of her hair. The secondary question was evident in his tone. Was this temporary?
"Maybe I'll end up stationed in California again." The words felt awkward on her tongue, but she still managed to say them. Maybe we only get limited second chances in this life, Max. Maybe I used up all of mine already.
The second part remained unsaid.
The night before her assignment would officially begin, Cam's yellow pickup truck rolled to a stop in the sand-dusted parking lot of the Hard Deck. The beach front bar sat amidst a handful of palm trees with a neon sign already blinking bright.
The ignition clunked off. Pressing her hands to her forehead, she leaned back against the headrest. It was almost tradition to come to this bar. It would be sacrilegious to throw her truck in reverse and leave now.
Three more seconds of peace and she opened the door.
Bowie's processed voice echoed as she stepped through the threshold. Fritz was already waiting for her, sitting at the bar talking with a gray-haired Navy vet. When he saw Cam, he excused himself from the conversation and waved her over.
Fritz handed her a glass. "You're late."
She gave a laugh of disbelief and took a sip. "How do you even remember what my order is?"
