Treading Water (Forgotten Soldier Book 2) Page 2

  Commiseration was impossible. Jared could no sooner tell Aiden he knew how he felt than he could restore his sight. His need to help demanded that he give Aiden the role he so desperately wanted, but he’d be bankrupting himself in the process—then he wouldn’t be able to help anyone. What he needed to do was talk to his friends and brainstorm some way to get Aiden a paying job close by that would allow him to be involved in the foundation too.

  “Here’s my offer,” Aiden continued without waiting for Jared to come up with an appropriate response. “I have enough money saved to live about nine months comfortably, more if I’m frugal. In that time, I can help you build this foundation. Organization is my super power, I know how to raise funds and generate leads, I’m a whiz at answering the phones, and I’m great with people. If I do my job right, in nine months you’ll be able to pay me what I’ll need to survive and if I fail… Wait, scratch that. I won’t fail. All I need is a chance to prove myself.”

  It was another impossible-to-refuse offer and Jared wasn’t a stupid man. He just didn’t know what he’d done that so many people were willing to back his endeavor. “You said you contacted Ric. How did you even know about me or what I’m trying to do?”

  Those big eyes grew wide with disbelief and Aiden sputtered as he said, “Everyone knows who you are.”

  “Everyone…? What do you mean?”

  “I mean that when the party line is ‘there’s nothing else we can do,’ the answer is to call Jared Ramos. Our service men and women are passing your phone number around the barracks and hospital hallways every day. Every day, Mr. Ramos, and from what I hear, you always answer the phone.”

  He didn’t know that, couldn’t even begin to fathom it. Sure, his phone rang a lot and he did what he could, but…no, not but. With the help of someone as determined as Aiden, how much more could he…they…do? Since the whole purpose of the foundation was to do as much as possible, how could he say no?

  “What if your boss threw in lunch every day?”

  Aiden’s smile was slow and once again took over his whole face. “I think my boss doesn’t know how much I can eat.”

  “I’m willing to risk it. When can you start?”

  “Right now, if you’re ready for me.” If possible, Aiden’s grin grew even bigger. “I told you, failure isn’t really an option for me.”

  “I think you and I are going to do really great things together.” Jared stood and offered his hand, surprisingly grateful to know that he wouldn’t be doing this alone. While he was eager to do the work, he sometimes struggled with the very human element that went along with it. Emotions. His weren’t always trustworthy. A self-professed people person with a passion that bled through every word wouldn’t have that problem.

  “I’m counting on it.” Aiden jumped up to shake his hand, his expression both eager and a little misty. “Shall I start with coffee and calling Mr. Malone back for you? Then you can tell me what we’re doing for the Navy.”

  As Aiden made his way back to reception, Jared found he couldn’t wait to have that conversation. After years of quietly working behind the scenes, he longed to share his mission with someone who felt as strongly as he did. Who would have thought that person would wear bowties?

  Chapter 2

  Aiden

  “Wow.” The shock in Jared’s voice gave him a little thrill of pride as he turned toward his new boss. Of all the people he’d worked for over the years, Jared was the most uncomfortable in the role. It was quickly apparent that the concept of delegation was tantamount to asking for help and that wasn’t something Jared did well or at all. At least, not for himself.

  After four days of awkward, Aiden realized that Jared was more comfortable viewing him as a partner rather than a subordinate. As a doer who chafed at the idea of waiting around for permission, that was more than fine with him. Since he would never risk losing this opportunity by usurping the man he’d been itching to work with, there was no chance that he’d overstep his role. In the end, he could only believe that getting Jared to relax about their arrangement would only make them more effective.

  Case in point, their first formal meeting as The Ramos Foundation. Coffee and bagels were laid out on the sidebar, packets of information neatly arranged at each seat, and the first picture had been placed on their Wall of Progress. He’d just finished transferring all the details about Sean Murphy’s case to the movable dry erase board so everyone could focus on Jared instead of rifling through pages. Now they were waiting for the team to arrive so they could get down to the business of helping people.

  “This looks really great.” Jared’s expression held a touch of the wonder he’d seen that first day. Since Jared organized the foundation, Aiden wasn’t exactly sure why he seemed awed by its existence. “What’s that?”

  Aiden glanced at the cursive words he’d painstakingly stenciled at the top center of the longest wall. “I thought it might help to see the faces of those we’re working for. At a glance, we’d be able to see who we helped, who still needs more, and who we…who we…”

  The unthinkable words got caught his throat and Jared looked at him sympathetically. “Who we couldn’t help.”

  “Yes.” As the ones on the front lines, it just wasn’t in a soldier’s makeup to accept their own limitations much less the assistance of another. “Even, or maybe especially, the ones we couldn’t help. Seeing their faces every day will give us a reason to keep fighting for them.”

  Visuals had become something of a necessity for him, but he thought Jared would benefit as well. It was obvious Jared wasn’t doing this for the accolades and though he hadn’t shared his reasons yet, Aiden would be lying if he said he wasn’t more than a little curious what void Jared was trying to fill.

  “You’re amazing.”

  To his horror, he blushed and barely stuttered out a ‘thank you’ in response to that praise. Aiden wasn’t normally shy, but there was something about Jared that made him feel dangerously fuzzy inside. With his bleak future mapped out before him, he wasn’t in the market for a relationship in general. Certainly not with his boss. Who was probably straight. Not to mention kind, generous, smart, hot, funny…ugh!

  “You okay?” Those warm brown eyes watched him in concern, which was the very last thing he needed.

  “Yes, of course. Just going over my mental checklist. Did I tell you that Mrs. Flynn sent over the menu for the homecoming this weekend for your approval?”

  “My approval?” Jared chuckled softly and shook his head. “I’m positive Maddie—which I know she’s asked you to call her—is not waiting for my approval on anything.”

  “Okay, maybe she used the word review.” Which in any other professional environment would have meant the same thing. It seemed all of Jared’s friends-turned-resources knew he was too busy to worry about the details.

  “That’s more like it. I’ve told you, my sister has carte blanche to do as she pleases.” Jared stressed the relation. Aiden had a big family complete with a handful of siblings, so he understood the concept. What he didn’t understand was the number of people who called claiming to be one of Jared’s when he had no living blood relatives. “Once you start meeting them in person, it will make more sense.”

  “Are you sure?” The implied insecurity in that question also wasn’t like him and it rankled that he was seeking approval from Jared’s circle of…whatever they were.

  Jared looked him over with a knowing expression that had Aiden reaching to straighten his bowtie. The move brought a smile to that kind face, which activated those damn fuzzies. “Red, today?”

  “It’s a, uh, power color.” Aiden resisted the urge to tug on the matching red vest or check the creases on his red pants.

  That brought back the concerned frown, which Aiden was certain was going to be his downfall. “It’s a good color on you, but to answer your original question…my family’s going to love you.”

  “Who’re we gonna love?” They both turned at that booming question and the sudde
n movement made the man blocking the exit look like one massively intimidating blur. Aiden shrank back instinctively and blinked quickly to clear his vision. Not that being able to see the big mountain of a man did anything to alleviate that first impression. It wasn’t until he saw Jared’s normally placid expression brighten dramatically that he realized he had nothing to fear.

  “Bull!” Jared crossed the room and…whoa! Aiden blinked a few more times and pushed up his glasses just to make sure his eyes weren’t playing tricks on him. How the hell had he missed the fact that Jared was massive? Sure, he was tall and built, but it was almost like his gentle, non-imposing personality hid the fact that he was a beast. Until he stood next to someone who wasn’t hiding anything and…wow.

  “Aiden, come meet my brother and his husband.” Jared was looking at him in confusion and Aiden knew he needed to move forward. Hadn’t he claimed to be a people person? Well, these were Jared’s people. He could be a person for them.

  With a discreet tug on his vest, he stepped forward and offered his hand while Jared made the introductions. Up close, he could admit that the big guy had friendly eyes and his husband, an absolutely stunning redhead, only made him that much more approachable.

  Two more men showed up as they were making small talk and Aiden recognized them immediately. Micah Stills’ very colorful presence was impossible to mistake and the more stoic brute at his back could only be one person. The homecoming Jared arranged for Garrison had gone viral and Micah happily told anyone who asked about the man behind the cause. In many ways, Micah and Garrison were instrumental in getting The Ramos Foundation started.

  “Did you two coordinate your colors?” Jared asked, looking from the red streaks in Micah’s hair to Aiden’s clothing and back again. “Wasn’t it purple the last time I saw you?”

  “And blue the time before that,” Garrison teased as he reached out to ruffle the spiked locks.

  Micah batted Garrison’s hand away with a mock glare. “Keep teasing and I’ll go back to my natural color.”

  Garrison shuddered and tugged Micah close, whispering something in his ear that had the smaller man grinning broadly. Aiden looked away, not wanting to intrude on what seemed to be a personal moment, and smiled when he saw who was walking in. Ty Malone hadn’t waited for a call back that first day and instead just showed up at the office looking ridiculously hot in his motorcycle gear and darkest scowl.

  There had been a tense minute when Ty sized him up before that scowl was replaced with a wide, teasing grin. He was still as intimidating as fuck, but there was just something enigmatic about him that made you relax anyway. And it helped that he brought them their first official case, as Aiden was referring to it, so he found himself liking the man despite the belief that one wrong word could get him killed.

  “Hey, man,” Jared stepped forward to greet him and quickly looked beyond him with a frown. “Where’s your better half?”

  “The kids start school in a couple of weeks and Chase couldn’t get their physicals rescheduled.” Then Ty was pulling out his phone and showing off pictures of his kids. Aiden could only gape as the others hunched around him to look at family photos while Ty proudly talked of their exploits. It was the funniest thing he’d ever seen in his life. All these big, bad, tatted up dudes with their menacing glares and growly voices were gushing over swim lessons, soccer practice, and a new puppy.

  A laugh escaped him before he could cover his mouth and Ty’s gaze immediately cut to his. “Harley is a perfectly respectable dog name.”

  He hadn’t even heard that part, but it only made him laugh more. “It’s not…sorry, I thought you were in an MC, not the PTA.” More laughter bubbled up and he covered his mouth to contain it.

  Jared snorted out a laugh, which only made stopping that much harder. “Man, Chase is going to be so sorry he missed hearing that.”

  “I’m sure someone’s already texting him.” Ty shot Red a knowing smirk over his shoulder. For his part, Red just grinned as he tapped away on his phone. “Point to you, Slick, but remember that you fired the first shot.”

  Technically, that wasn’t true. He was pretty sure Ty’s seamen joke started them off, but he wasn’t stupid enough to point that out. Instead, Aiden threw up his hands in mock defense and started backing out of the room. “I’ll just wait at my desk for Mr. Brand and Mr. Parker. There’s coffee and bagels behind you if anyone’s hungry.”

  Laughter followed him across the reception area and he felt himself relax for the first time all morning. He still wasn’t entirely sure why he was nervous to meet Jared’s friends, but he couldn’t deny that they seemed as great as all those fond stories had indicated. More than anything, he was ready to see them in action. This wasn’t a social gathering, no matter how nice everyone was. For him, this was a mission and he was ready to get started.

  Fifteen minutes later, he was just glancing at his watch for the third time when the door opened. With a jolt of adrenaline, Aiden stood to greet the two men they were relying on to help Seaman Murphy. At a glance, they couldn’t be more different with Petty Officer Parker carrying himself stiffly in his service khakis and his civilian counterpart looking more hippie than ex-military. They were nearly evenly matched in height, but Parker had more bulk and where Brand was dark haired and pale, Parker was tan and blond.

  None of that mattered to the job at hand, but he would remember these men and what they were about to do long after he wouldn’t be able to see them again. For that, those details mattered greatly and he was honored to offer his hand in greeting.

  “Welcome to The Ramos Foundation.”

  Search & Rescue

  Chapter 3

  Petty Officer First Class Shane Parker

  “I’m sorry, but are you sure? Sean? Sean Murphy? That’s impossible. Someone would have notified me.” Shane looked at Jared, then around the table at the other sympathetic faces. “We’ve been in it together since basic, man. I know I’ve been sidelined, but…someone would’ve called!”

  The first stirrings of panic took hold when they remained silent, letting the reality sink in. After eighteen years, he hadn’t warranted a phone call to tell him that his best friend and longtime battle buddy was hanging on by a thread. The implication was staggering.

  Three months earlier, a tear in his rotator cuff took him from a vessel somewhere in the Arabian Sea to a stint at the Naval Hospital. Facing the prospect of being beached for six months, and quite possibly being forcibly retired before completing his twenty, Shane jumped at a training position in Key West. The Navy might be ready to cut his mooring lines, but he could damn well impart some of his hard-earned wisdom before he was ceremoniously shoved off the deck.

  Taking that position kept him in the loop and the entire fleet was talking about the landing gear malfunction that sent a brand-new F-35 skidding across the deck of an aircraft carrier. Thankfully, there hadn’t been any loss of life, but damages were estimated in the millions and the blame game was officially underway. The parts manufacture was blaming the aircraft manufacture who wanted to point the finger at pilot error, and the pilot was sure there was something on the deck that the ground crew overlooked.

  It was a clusterfuck that would take time to sort out, but landlocked and on the disabled list, Shane had no part in those proceedings. Once he’d confirmed there were no casualties, he focused on his own issues. Namely, recovering enough to be sent back out to sea so that he could finish out his time doing what he loved, where he loved it. What a selfish fuck! Why hadn’t he dug deeper?

  Why hadn’t anyone called him?

  “I’m confused, why was he on an aircraft carrier?” Sean’s younger cousin Julian sat beside him, his confusion and upset evident in every line of his handsome face.

  They’d arrived at the same time, and though they’d never met, there was a definite feeling of familiarity. Over the years, Sean talked at length about his favorite cousin—from his family issues to his relationship woes and everything in between. Among the m
yriad of things he really had no business knowing, Shane knew that Julian’s sexuality was a bone of contention with his parents and despite having zero military ambitions, he succumbed to family pressure to complete four years of active service under DADT before being honorably discharged.

  Having joined in 1998, Shane had done his entire service under that bit of hypocrisy, so he felt for the guy. The repeal in 2011 only changed things on paper, but all he had were military ambitions and mustering out never factored into his plans. For him, what he got from the service was more important than getting his rocks off and he knew where to get an itch scratched if he felt more than a passing urge. It wasn’t something he thought about often and Shane wasn’t thrilled to be wasting his thoughts on it now. Their individual personal issues weren’t going to help Sean.

  “When was the last time you talked to Sean?” At Shane’s question, Julian glanced his way, his dark eyes intense and appraising. “I only ask because I spoke to him the same week I was airlifted out and he was already on the carrier. That was three months ago.”

  “Oh.” Julian shifted in his chair, looking slightly embarrassed. “I don’t know. Sometimes we email like crazy and if he’s stationed somewhere with decent internet, we Skype, but then it wanes for a while. He’s busy and isn’t always accessible. I’ve got my inn and other responsibilities.” That dark gaze flicked his way again, shame and defensiveness right there for him to see. “Are my parents still his emergency contact? They aren’t exactly…. if there was something going on with Sean, they wouldn’t have reached out.”

  “I wasn’t criticizing you.” He honestly wasn’t, though Shane could see how it probably sounded that way. “Just building a timeline in my head. I know he was on the carrier three months ago, but that was only supposed to be temporary. There was no reason for him to still be there.”