The lounge was silent, the dark of the night interrupted by the distant city's lights. But inside Bradley's mind, it was overwhelmingly loud. They had almost lost both Bob and Phoenix, now he waited to hear about their well-being. The scar his dad's death left on him was still raw and once again things were put into perspective: the team's life balanced on a knife's edge.
Bradley reached next to him and grabbed Brandi's hand. She inched closer and rested her head on her shoulder. While the others had gone home when they were dismissed, she had stuck around, keeping him company. Ducking his head, Rooster focused on their entwined fingers. That could have been him up there, it nearly was a few days ago. It could have been Brandi stuck in the hospital - and then what would he be feeling? He figured it be all the same emotion just amplified by one hundred. He kissed the back of her hand and then her ring finger as a silent promise, he would protect at all costs.
The door opened, letting a stream of light in momentarily. He glanced up to find Maverick, and he noticed the older man staring curiously at their grip on each other. When Mav saw that Bradley was watching, he quickly looked at the floor.
"How are they?" Brandi asked, her soft voice floating through the quiet like a feather.
"They'll keep Phoenix and Bob in the hospital overnight for observation," he told the two gently. "They're gonna be okay."
Brandi visibly relaxed, grip not as tight. "Thank the Lord."
Bradley nodded. "That's good. I've never lost a wingman."
"You're lucky," said Maverick. "Fly long enough, it'll happen."
Before Bradley could respond, a phone rang. Brandi released him and slipped a hand into a pocket, glancing at them shyly. "Sorry." She peeked at the screen and sprung up from the couch. "I have to take this." As abruptly as the phone rang, she stepped out of the room.
Maverick turned to follow her out, but Bradley wasn't finished. Some things needed to be said. "You know, that's easy for you to say. No wife. No kids." His eyes darted to the door where Brandi stood just outside. Maverick pretended not to notice. "Nobody to mourn you when you burn in."
Mav turned away. "Go home. Just get some sleep."
Bradley shot up from his seat, all his anger was now at a boiling point. He couldn't take the man's avoidance any longer. "Why'd you pull my papers at the Academy? Why did you stand in my way?"
