WINGS

CHAPTER NINETEEN

"Come on, pokey," said Crenshaw as he turned dead front of Brent, calling back to Pennington.

"Who you calling, pokey? Better watch yourself, soldier," Pennington kidded in a smile.

Crenshaw was stopped cold to the lurking shadow. "Sarg? Is that you?"

Brent had his back turned when he sighed heavily. He turned on a smile as he faced them both. "Well, hey there," he said, awkwardly, crossing his arms. "Fancy meeting you two here."

Stunned, partly laughing, Crenshaw asked, "So, what are you doing out here?"

Brent squinted at the both of them. "I could be asking you two the same thing?"

"No disrespect, Sarg., but I asked you first," Crenshaw stated, under a curious and lifted brow. Brent glimpsed at the brick wall like it was going to explain everything. Nervous knots stunted him for an answer. But as usual, Pennington nudged her soldier to the glass window. There sat Mason with someone else. Crenshaw smirked. "So, that wall giving you problems, Sarg?"

"What?" He eyed them both at the ridiculous question.

"The wall?" Crenshaw repeated before his next sentence broke into a snicker. "You two dating or something?"

Pennington covered her mouth as she burst out along with him. Brent rolled his eyes in a letting breath. "I'm not..." His planted his hands on hips and turned to the wall. Then suggested with one hand. "It's a wall."

"Yeah, we determined that, already," said Crenshaw.

"It's okay, Sarg., we know why you're here." Pennington's eyes shot a look at the window. Sympathy lifted her brows and pressed to her lips. She jabbed Crenshaw in the ribs, who was still trying to control his laugh.

He whipped a look at her. "What?"

"Behave yourself." She gestured with furrowed brows.

Brent sighed, shaking his head. "It's okay, airman. I can't believe I'm actually doing this either." He turned to the window, still out of sight. "I was coming to...but then, I saw the both of them."

"Who is that guy?" Crenshaw butted in. "Does Mason have a new boyfriend?"

She jabbed him again. "Hey, cut that out, would you?"

"It's Sam."

"Who's Sam?" he asked.

"It's a long story." She walked up to Brent and place a hand on his arm.

Crenshaw snapped to reality. "Oh shit. Sarg., I didn't know. I didn't mean..."

"Nah, it's okay."

"When did you two call it off?" Crenshaw asked him.

"Later. I'll tell you about it later," she told Crenshaw as her eyes warned him again. She squeezed Brent's arm gently. "Is there anything we can do to help?"

"Can I put either one of you down as an ICE?" He nodded at the glass. "You know, in case I need someone to get me out of jail?" he kidded.

"Please tell me you're not going to do anything stupid," Pennington pleaded.

He took a step forward, stealing another peek. "Don't worry, wasn't planning on it. I just..." Sam and Mason got up from the table. Both smiling when Sam stepped forward. Brent grabbed Pennington by the shoulders and moved around her. His brows drew forward.

She watched him, unsettled with the way he whipped passed her. She slapped Crenshaw on the shoulder. He looked down at her like she was crazy. She looked at him and threw a nod at the Sarg. "What are you doing standing here? He might hurt someone. Go!"