was growing tired of it. I loved it. Still loved the thrill of it. Something was just…missing. And that empty feeling was suddenly stronger than ever.
I got the go ahead to do the test spin, so I purposely put the plane in an inverted spin.
“Jesus,” I said as I fought to get it back under control and wait for the new program to take action. When it finally did and the plane leveled out, I let out a breath.
“Damn, Bang,” Jack’s voice said. “I thought you were a goner for a minute.”
“Ha. I think I did too.”
Command told me to do a few more maneuvers before Jack was called up.
“Looking good there, Maddog,” I said as he flew up next to me. “I thought they told you only the best were allowed up here today, though.”
“Fuck you,” Jack said.
I laughed and made a hard right as Jack followed. The next hour we flew the hell out of our F-22s, pushing them to the limits and having a bit of fun in the process.
“Let’s have some more fun,” I said as I requested permission to change the flight pattern.
“You’ve got the lead, Bang.”
I made a pass over the house like I had promised Linnzi I would. The smile on my face as I did was a reminder of how happy I felt not only being back up in the air, but knowing Linnzi was waiting at my house for me.
Twenty minutes later, we got the call to return to base. Playtime was over.
“You think she noticed your flyby?” Jack asked after we landed and walked back in.
I laughed. “Sure as hell hope so.”
After getting out of our gear, I made my way to my commander’s office. Lieutenant Colonel Williams was one man I had great admiration for. He had been more than just a CO. He had been a friend of my father’s, although he rarely spoke of him. I drew in a deep breath and knocked on the door.
“Enter.”
I stepped inside.
“Sit, Byers.”
Doing as he asked, I watched him finish what he was doing before he leaned back in his chair.
For at least a full minute, he didn’t move. As he studied me, I noted his graying hair cut short into a military buzz cut and the muscles under his uniform. I’d seen him out running plenty of times and knew the man kept in shape. He would often tell us he needed to be able to go up against any of the younger pilots should the need arise. He also cared about the men he led, and it showed in more ways than one.
Finally, he cleared his throat. “I know I never talk about this with you, but I flew with your father, Nolan. He was a damn good man, and he would be proud of the pilot you’ve become, the man you’ve become.”
I swallowed hard and adjusted in my seat. “Thank you, sir.”
“When he first introduced me to your mother, I could see why he was willing to walk away from his career in the Air Force.”
With a smile, I said, “She was an amazing woman.”
He nodded. “That she was. Let me ask you something, Byers. What made you become a test pilot?”
I stared at him. “I’m sure you read my psych evals, sir. If anyone can guess as to why, you’d be the person.”
Another nod. “I did. And I’ve never said it because you’ve never brought it up, but I am sorry for your loss, Nolan.”
I swallowed hard. “Thank you, sir.”
He lifted a brow, and the corners of his mouth twitched ever so slightly. “Same girl?”
I closed my eyes and inwardly cursed. Fucking Jack. I looked back at him and gave one nod. “Yes, sir.”
“Is your head clear, son?”
“Yes, sir.”
He cleared his throat. “You have leave, you know. You can put in for it. Spend some time with her.”
“I was going to put in for leave, sir.”
“Good, do it and take some damn time off.”
I laughed. “I do take time off, sir. I just came back from leave.”
His looked up and our eyes met. “I was thinking something that didn’t involve jumping out of something or climbing up the sides of mountains. Or rolling down a hill like a fucking gerbil.”
I fought to hold back my smile. Clearly he had spoken to Pete.
“Yes, I heard about it,” he said.
“I’ll most likely head back home to Texas, sir.”
He nodded. “Good. Go be a goddamn cowboy for a couple of weeks and learn to relax, Byers.”
“Yes, sir. I will.”
“Get the