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Coffee was definitely not enough

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[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

I blast my music as I drive to the bar that all the pilots are supposed to be gathering at. Apparently this is just to "mingle" and I 100% would've skipped if Phoenix hadn't of threatened me. She can be quite scary when she wants to be, I swear. And I want to see my favorite bartender of course.

I pull into the Hard Deck and my mouth falls open as I park up front next to a familiar dusty blue Ford Bronco. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me." A sigh followed by a groan escapes my lips as I narrow my eyes. Coffee is definitely not going to be enough for this. I slide my glasses to the top of my head and open my door, forcefully, making sure I ding the Bronco. "Hmmm," I smirk in satisfaction. Alight, now let's get this shit show over with.

I saunter in and the smell of beer and pool chalk fills my nose immediately. I hear someone shout Bradshaw and try to ignore my body screaming at me to freeze and turn back.

"Blackwood! It's about time!" Phoenix yells out to me, causing someone a few feet in front of me to spin around.

He stares for a moment before lowering his sunglasses. "Lennox?" He utters breathlessly.

"Asshole," I greet with a curt nod before making my way over to the pool table where Phoenix is.

"Miss me?" I smirk, fanning my arms out.

"You know I did," She grins, pulling me in for a quick hug. "Way to dress for the occasion," She chuckles looking down at my tank and jean shorts, everyone else is in uniform. Well, almost everyone.

"Guess who else is here?" I roll my eyes as we separate.

"Bradshaw," She looks up to him as he approaches. "This is how I find out you're state side?"

"Yeah, I just thought I'd surprise you," He jokes.

"Hmm," She hums and she leans over to take her turn at pool. She rears back, hitting Bradley in the torso with her stick. Bullseye! He grunts as he folds over in pain. I let out a laugh.

"I guess I surprised you back," She turns to face him again. "You can take a guess what that was for."

"Marry me," I fawn. She smirks in my direction.

"It's good to see you," His voice strains as he looks up with a pained expression. Priceless.

"Can't say the same," She retorts, handing me the stick.

"Thank you," I nod before slam it down on Bradley's foot. He groans, looking up to the ceiling. "Miss me too?" I chime with a little nose scrunch before shoving the stick into his chest. "Oh, Penny," I call out, heading to the bar.

✈︎

"Lennox, wait-" Bradley calls after her, reaching out as Phoenix steps in front of him.

"You deserved that," Phoenix tells him, crossing her arms.

"Yeah. Thanks," He sighs, rubbing his chest.

Meanwhile, Maverick, who is sitting at the bar, is trying his best to leave before Bradley see's him. His eyes widen as he spots the Blackwood girl heading his way.

✈︎

Penny's eyes light up as I approach, "How's my favorite costumer?"

"Pissed and thirsty," I sigh, moving some strands of hair out of my face. "Tequila sunset please," I slam down a twenty.

"Oh, that won't be necessary, he's buying," She motions to someone behind her that I don't bother looking.

"Consider it a tip then," I smile, my tone softening. "It's been too long. How's you daughter?" I ask, remembering she was around five when I had left.

"Oh good. Amelia is all about school, school, school," Penny chuckles. "Here you go," She slides my drink over to me.

"Thank you," I raise my glass to her and slowly make my way back to the pool table at the same time another pilot does.

"Bradshaw. As I live and breathe," The pilot deadpans.

"Hangman. You look... good," Bradley pauses, his comment laced with distaste.

"Well, I am good, Rooster," Hangman leans over the pool table, staring at Rooster as he takes his shot. "I'm very good." And he makes it. "In fact, I am too good to be true." Oh please. I finally step back up. "And who is this beauty?" Hangman's attention moves to me as he walks over, grabbing my hand to bring up to his lips. "Blackwood, right?" Phoenix rolls her eyes and glances over at Rooster and his jaw ticks.

"Charming," I hum, this should be good. I've heard some things about him through Phoenix. "That's me."

"So," I believe his call sign is Payback, breaks the tension, "Anybody know what this special detachment is all about?"

"Would love too," I sigh annoyedly. Phoenix nods in agreement. Don't know what the big secret fuss is all about. A mission is a mission, they need to just tell us.

"No, mission's a mission," Hangman steps up to answer. Well at least someone agrees with me. "They don't confront me. What I want to know: Who's gonna be team leader?" I notice Rooster turn his head to the side to scoff and roll his eyes. "And which one of y'all has what is takes to follow me?" I snort. If anyone thinks they're gonna be leading me, they're poorly mistaken. I didn't come all this way to lose team leader to a cocky douchebag.

"Something funny gorgeous?" He smirks at me.

I raise a brow. "Oh, I'm sorry, was that not a joke?" A sly grin appears on my lips.

He lets out a deep chuckle. "And you think you're gonna lead us? Being the only one here that's graduated number 2?" Phoenix eyes widen and Rooster clenches his fist. Coyote and Fanboy, the two guys Phoenix showed up with, dart their eyes back and fourth.

My lips part ever so slightly before quickly forming into a smirk, "Yet I can fly circles around you, Bagman."

"Oooooo," Coyote and Fanboy holler.

Hangman's eyes travel up and down my body. "I like her. Phoenix dear, you've been hiding this one," He smirks before turning back to me, "Guess that's why they call you Lightning, waiting for your perfect moment to strike." I smile proudly, taking it as a compliment either way.

"Hangman, the only place you'll lead anyone is an early grave," Rooster intervenes. I laugh into my drink as Fanboy whoo's and Coyote grimaces. Payback laughs to himself as he takes a sip of his beer.

"Oh boy," Phoenix mutters under her breath. "Look what you got started," She whispers to me.

Hangman straightens up from his hunched position where he was about to take his next turn and smiles before it fades and he steps over to Rooster.

"Well, anyone who follows you is just gonna run out of fuel," Hangman smile reappears as he leans back against the pool table. "But that's just you, ain't it, Rooster?" Rooster smirks in amusement. "You're snug on that perch, waiting for just the right moment... that never comes," He steps up close to Rooster's face. Oh trust me, it comes.

There's a moment of silence before Hangman speaks again, "I love this song."

"It's alright!" Blares through the jukebox as Hangman walks off. I curl up my nose, ugh I'm definitely gonna be getting a headache soon. I finish off my drink and go to get another since it's "on the house" and all.

✈︎

"Well, he hasn't changed," Phoenix comments.

"Nope, sure hasn't," Rooster says absentmindedly, his focus more on the brunette walking off, before he follows her.

✈︎

"That was fun," Hangman chuckles as he appears behind me.

I sigh through my nose before turning around and shoot him a fake smile, "That's one way of putting it." I notice out of the corner of my eye Rooster heading our way. Phoenix is standing behind him, looking over at me with her worried 'what the fuck are you doing' look.

"So, since we'll be seeing a lot more of each other why don't you say we continue this fun of ours and I take you out one night?" Hangman asks me.

I advert my gaze back to the Colgate smile in front of me. Oh, Lennox you know you shouldn't. He's a total prick, but hot none the less. And you know who this will piss off.... I groan internally that my mind went there.

"Is... that a yes?" Hangman breaks me from my thoughts, noticing the smirk that has made its way onto my lips. Oh what the hell?

I clear my throat. "Sure is."

"Great. We'll talk more," He raises his brows before sipping his beer and walking away, revealing Rooster waiting behind him.

I scoff. "Can I help you?"

"What was that about?" He asks, stepping closer since it's getting louder and more packed in here.

"Oh, you heard that did you?"

He frowns. "Are you really going on a date with him?"

"I don't believe that's any of your business, is it?" I cross my arms.

"So what, you're going on a date with him just to spite me?" He inches closer.

"Believe it or not Rooster, not everything's about you," I place my hand on his chest.

"What are we, 12?" He asks, unamused.

"One of us is," I finish with a tight lipped smile before pushing past him, rubbing my temple as I do.

He grabs my wrist. "It's the music, isn't it?" What is he going on about now?

I sigh. "Huh?"

"You don't like this kind of music because it-"

"Gives me headaches," I say the same time he says, "Gives you headaches."

I look up at him as his brown eyes bore into mine. It feels like my throat is closing up.

"Can we please ta-" I rip out of his grasp before he can finish. I stumble, trying to make my way back to Phoenix as more pilots in uniform show up. I recognize Fritz and Omaha, my face souring immediately, both are such dicks. Suddenly, the music abruptly shuts off and everyone starts hollering in complaint. Then the piano starts playing... You've got to fucking kidding me.

Screw this, I'm out of here, I'll just text Phoenix I slipped out. I pull out my phone as the bell rings and everyone starts shouting overboard. I glance over to see Hangman, Payback, and another pilot I don't recognize carrying someone out. Hmm, must be the one who was buying for everybody. I look back to text when singing starts.

"You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain." I freeze. "Too much love drives a man insane." And suddenly the rooms seems to come to a spinning stop. I jerk my head up, looking over at the piano. He looks at me. My nostrils flare and my eyes start to burn. Fuck. This. I quickly turn around, shoving my way past anyone in my path, desperate to find an exit.

"You broke my will, but what a thrill..."

The side door is the closest. I throw it open, the cool evening air slaps my face as my lungs ache for oxygen. Flashes of memories play through my mind as I hunch over, gripping my knees.

"Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!"

Laughing, singing, hands wrapping around my waist as they pull me into the lap sitting in front of the piano. Singing into my ear, kisses on the cheek.

I can't breathe.

"Hey, are you okay?" A man's voice rips me out of my own little nightmare.

I gasp, oxygen finally reaches my lungs again as I jump a little, not expecting to have company. I look over to find the last, okay second to last, person I wanted to see here. Oh god.

He looks older than his picture, still handsome all the same, wearing his green military jacket. This is my own personal hell today, isn't it?

"Uh-um, what?" I manage to get out.

"Are you alright?" He asks again. His features look worn with sorrow, face pale like he'd just seen a ghost.

"Are you?" Slips out before I can stop it. He turns to look back inside.

"Yeah..." He answers after a moment, not very convincingly. I nod slowly as he continues to stare through the glass. When he turns back to me, opening his mouth to say something I make a dash for my car.

I cannot believe I just talked to Maverick after thirty-four years of nothing. No contact, no speaking, no meeting- I can't believe I just spoke to my dad.

My breathing picks up again. Wait- that must mean he's here for the mission too....

Yep, I was right, coffee was definitely not enough for whatever the fuck just happened.

✈︎ ✈︎ ✈︎

Author's Note: Ahhhh, okay wow, so much happened in this chapter omg!!!

A little Hangman flirting in there of course ;)

What do y'all think of Lennox and Rooster?

Not to mention Lennox just met her dad
for the first time!

Hope y'all enjoyed this chapter,
I think it's gonna be one of my favorites <3

P.S. I added in 2 songs in this chapter because I needed both for separate moments lol so sorry for the random YouTube video at the top hahaha