What was wrong with him? Bradley was starting to think he actually enjoyed chaos and conflict. He never really had a moment where he was fully content. He had that with Brandi, and at the first sign of trouble, he threw it away. Maybe things weren't supposed to work out for them. She would be happier with Seresin anyway, she certainly looked the part.
He absentmindedly fiddled with the engagement ring as his gaze swept over the large crowd of the Hard Deck. Phoenix had convinced him to join her for a drink. He immediately regretted it.
Sitting on the opposite side of the bar were Hangman and Brandi, the girl talking furiously while Seresin partially listened. He noted the collection of bottles in front of Brandi and his eyes narrowed. She never used to drink that much in one sitting, was it to numb overwhelming emotions? Was he the one to blame? It was purely speculation but then again he thought he knew her.
Brandi got up and started making her way over. Bradley slouched deeper into his seat, hoping she wouldn't notice him in the dark corner. Where the hell was Phoenix? He could use the distraction.
But, thankfully, Hangman stopped her. They exchanged a few words and then handed his drink to her which she accepted. He had Brandi sit back down and he cleared off the table. Now Bradley had to worry about Hangman spotting him and whatever sly remark he had conjured up this time.
However, all he did was give him a wink and a reassuring nod before turning swiftly around, brushing his hands on his pants. Offering Brandi a hand, he led her out of the Hard Deck, making sure she never once looked back.
Bradley huffed out a scoff. There was no way Hangman just saved him from the wrath of Brandi.
"Was that Hooker I saw?" Phoenix asked, coming up to their table with a beer in each hand.
"Yeah . . ."
"And she didn't come over here to cuss you out? She must be really pissed," she said, oblivious to Hangman's role in all of this.
"Yeah." He was staring at the door, almost challenging the two to come back.
A hand waved in his face and his head snapped to the brunette. "Hello, Roost? What happened to living in the moment? You messed up, big deal, you'll get other chances. Maybe not with her, but there'll be others." She grasped his hand, tugging him up. "Come on. Go play something, it'll help clear your head."
He didn't want others. At least, that was what he had been telling himself for a decade. Glancing down at Phoenix's hand in his, he wasn't as sure. She didn't feel like Brandi but he'd been an idiot not to explore whatever he was feeling, even if it was just temporary.
"All right," he agreed, sitting at the piano. As he glanced up from the keys, he saw Brandi and Hangman down at the beach. The cocky blond held her tightly and, in the blink of an eye, she kissed him. That was the final nail in the coffin. Smirking, he looked at Phoenix with a gleam in his eye that made her shift. "What's your song of choice this evening, my darling?"
~~~~~
Brandi spent her last day before deployment with her family, she wouldn't be going into danger, but she would be gone for a while and she needed to know her mom would be okay.
She tried to be in the moment but it was difficult. As advisor, it was her job to aid Maverick in picking who would go on the mission. She had a few people in mind but she was biased, all her top choices were her friends.
Sarah's words echoed in her mind. It was one of the last things she told her before she got on this damned ship. "You can't second guess yourself. You know who to choose, just go with your gut."
"Dad would know who to pick," she argued.
"Then let him speak to you. Think like him."
Brandi closed her eyes and breathed deeply, letting the wind calm her. "Come on, Dad," she muttered. "Talk to me."
"Your first choice is always your best bet." He had told her that when she was twelve and struggling to find an answer for her homework. Six years later, he had said it again when she was doubting whether to join the Navy or go to college.
There was one person who deserved a spot more than anyone else, she just needed to put her pride aside.
Sighing, she relaxed and looked up at the clear blue sky. "Thanks, Dad." She had made a decision.
Inside the vessel, Brandi marched through the passageways. She spent too much time second-guessing and was now late for a meeting she had organized.
Rounding the corner, she slammed into someone and before she stumbled, they caught her. She knew who it was before looking, his hands rough from years of playing the piano and guitar had traveled over her body countless times.
Rooster let go and stepped back. "Brandi, I-"
She side-stepped him. "Not now, Rooster, I've got a meeting to get to."
"Let me guess, you've decided who you're sending? Twenty bucks says Hangman's your number one."
She ignored him.
He took it as an invitation to continue, following her through the carrier. "I saw you last night, you know? I saw you kiss him."
That made her stop and she turned around, arms crossed. "What is it to you? Don't think you're the better on here, Bradshaw. I've seen you and Phoenix looking very comfortable together. You broke things off this time, not me."
His jaw clenched. "Guess we're even then."
"I guess so. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to go tell Admiral Beau my top three for the mission." She turned, leaving him. She didn't know if he watched her retreat, she didn't spare a glance back. But she did allow herself to notice that the ring wasn't around his neck. He had made a conscious choice to not wear it. He had let go. She was going to regret making him her number one, wasn't she?
