Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 89598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
“Already?”
“Dude, it’s been four hours since they launched from here. You’ve been so absorbed I could have sworn you were binge-watching NCIS or something.” Bacon laughed as he led the way to one of the smaller boats, which would deliver them to shore. The boat was a no-frills rubber affair with an outboard motor, piloted by a boat crew member. And for the first time Spencer was glad for his anti-nausea meds as the smaller boat got bounced around a lot in the waves and they seemed to feel every swell and dip.
On shore, they met up with the first team members who had completed their swim, and the LT briefed everyone on the next phase of the training while they hydrated and ate some MREs. The island was tiny—maybe a few miles radius—but it was lush with greenery, like something out of a pirate novel. Colorful birds swooping overhead added to the effect. A brisk breeze kept the humidity from being stifling—if this were a vacation destination, he’d say they got the deluxe upgrade, but all the beauty was balanced by the seriousness of their purpose. Spencer tried to take some unobtrusive notes while rations were handed out.
“Here.” Bacon gave him one of the foil packs. “This flavor’s not too terrible. But even if you can’t make yourself eat it, at least drink some fluids. You and I have a hike, apparently.”
Spencer liked Bacon’s caretaking far more than he should, and he accepted the food and water with a smile. He liked this Bacon a lot more than the combative guy he’d first met. He wasn’t sure what had changed in the hours they’d spent talking on the plane, but Bacon was decidedly less grumpy now, friendlier. Spencer always managed to keep his distance, of course, but he did really like moments like this when he started working with a source and not having to butt heads at every turn.
“So where are we hiking?” he asked.
“LT says he wants you and I hidden in the bluffs up there—” Bacon pointed at the far end of the beach at a rocky outcropping “—so we can listen in on the rest of them but be safe too. We’ll reconvene here for the boats back to the Mark V in three hours.”
Spencer should be bone tired after the flight and the long time in the boat, but instead his adrenaline surged. He’d seldom felt so alive. “Lead the way.”
Chapter Seven
“Come on,” Bacon said to Spencer, eager to get underway. Around them, guys were finishing up their food and water. They got to practice their recon skills, and Bacon was still irked at the LT for not letting him and Spencer have more of a role than just camping out with some rocks away from any of the main groups.
“Date night?” Donaldson cracked as they walked by, loud enough that Spencer had to have heard.
“Careful. I heard there’s roach-like bugs bigger than your hand around this place.” Bacon leveled him with a harsh look. Donaldson was legit scared of them.
“Fuck. Really?” Donaldson jumped up from the log he’d been lounging on, eyes darting around.
“Yup,” Spencer deadpanned, helping Bacon out. “I did my research.”
“Donaldson, over here,” the senior chief ordered. “Bacon, haul ass to be where you’re supposed to be.”
“Yes, sir.” Bacon looked to make sure Spencer was still following him, then continued down the beach, skirting close to the tree line as he’d been directed. There wasn’t really a trail so to speak, but he didn’t need one. Still pissed by Donaldson’s crack, he kicked rocks and plant debris out of the way as they went.
“Soooo.” Spencer drew the word out once they were some distance away from the main group, which was headed in the opposite direction. “Are homophobic jokes an issue all the time or is it just because I’m here?”
Bacon stayed silent. Didn’t matter how pissed he was at Donaldson—he wasn’t selling his team out to the reporter.
“Hey. Off the record, okay? I’m not here to write some sort of gay rights exposé. It was a personal question. I’m just curious if I’m pissing them off more because I’m gay or because I’m a reporter, because they sure as heck don’t seem to be warming to my presence.”
Bacon allowed himself to shrug. “Not sure, to be honest. We’re a close-knit group. New people always have it rough. I personally don’t have any issues with your sexuality, though, if that’s what you’re getting at. Like I said, I’ve got friends who are out and happily married to same-sex partners—I’d be more than happy to introduce you if you do want to do a positive piece on LGBTQ service men and women.”
“Friends, huh?” Spencer gave him a calculated look that said perhaps he had picked up on the weird almost-flirty vibe when he’d dry-swallowed that pill. Not to mention the moment in the doorway of his room. Yeah, Bacon was shit at hiding around this guy.