golden hour

Part two - Camera Roll

It was a few hours later, Layla and the girls sitting around the pool and just catching up when Hanna brings up the elephant in the room, answering the questions Layla was too nervous to ask.

"Dads not doing well, he probably only has a few weeks left at the most. He was going to talk to your dad tonight."

Hearing the words hit her like a train, even though she had suspected things weren't going well for her uncle. Without skipping a beat, Layla is up and hugging her two friends tightly. Trying to put all her love into the hug, "I'm so sorry you guys. If there's anything you need at all, please don't hesitate to ask."

Bailey nods, trying to keep her feelings in check, "thanks girl. I think what we need is to feel normal, it's been so hard because it seems like all we've done is sit around and be somber. Last night really helped."

Layla thinks about it for a second and comes up with a plan for them to have a girls night. They quickly agree, Layla texting the friends who are still in town to see if they're down for round two after last night.

They soon after have their plans set for the night and head up to Hanna's room so they can get themselves ready for a night out, starting with going to dinner. 

Just before she starts to do her hair, she checks her phone thinking if Bradley and notices he responded to her text, meaning he's probably done training for the day.

——

Bradley stormed out of the debriefing session and could feel the blood pumping through his veins. He had been pissed off and frustrated from the day's flights as it was, but the confrontation with Hangman did nothing to lower his blood pressure.

He tried his best to calm down, knowing he was always being watched while on base and didn't want to get kicked out but he was seriously struggling.

By the time he started to slow his breathing, he began to think of Layla. He couldn't believe Hangman had stooped that low and dragged her into their drama. Bradley knew she felt guilty for not telling her father about their relationship and he knew she wanted him to hear about it from either of them, it was the right thing to do.

The two of them being together would be hard enough for Maverick to wrap his head around as it is, especially because there's some deep history between them. Bradley knew this was the last way she would've wanted her dad to find out.

And it definitely didn't help that Hangman had made their relationship sound like a cheap hookup, which was far from what they were to each other.

Groaning, he slid to the ground and placed his head in his hands. He has no idea what to do now. He also knows he's too angry at Maverick from their own confrontation to be able to speak to him about Layla. He knew he needed to be level headed for that conversation.

After what seems like forever, the rest of his fellow pilots start to leave the debriefing room and they all eye him as they walk towards the locker rooms. Everyone clearly interested in the drama that just unfolded in front of them.

Phoenix stopped and sat beside him, turning to look at him and waiting for him to speak. "I can't believe he put that out there like that" he says, rubbing his palm  along his jaw.

"Mav's daughter? Really? You never thought to say anything?" She sounds offended, and Rooster just feels worse. He groans and looks down once more. She continues on, "are you with her as a way to get back at him?"

Looking up, it's his turn to be offended. "Seriously? You think I would buy a ring for a girl to get back at her dad? Hangman made it sound cheap. I fucking love her. More than anyone."