Deploy, Part One (Rawlings #1)(50)

Atticus shrugged. “I heard ‘em months back saying they thought Nolan had enough sense to at least call by then since you’d been sending letters. He hadn’t.”

Declan cursed and slammed his hand against the steering wheel of Nolan’s truck.

And as he did the visor popped down. The envelope with Nolan’s passport fell in his lap. Declan cursed and flung it in between him and Atticus. “He’s still in the states, or in jail for being a stupid f*ck and using his fake IDs.”

Atticus lifted a remorseful brow.

Every day for weeks Nolan and Justice stayed in a constant loop in Declan’s head. They made him feel out of control and he hated it.

Nolan wasn’t home like he should be, and Justice...Declan didn’t even know what to think. He saw the pain in her eyes, the scars from her war. He saw the blush he missed, the shuddering breath. And the wind made sure he smelled her classic scent of strawberries and champagne, but beyond that he just didn’t know—had no clue why every sense he had told him she was in trouble, that Nolan was.

Something’s wrong...

~

The Grunt was packed. Most Rawlings’ from out of town camped around the property. They either had their RVs or good ole fashion tents.

It took Declan forever to get inside. In this crowd, he was the rock star of the summer, the one who got what more than half of them had went through and survived as well.

Inside, Chasen was hauling beer up from the cellar or at least taking it from Tobias who was reaching it up the stairs.

“We gotta talk,” Declan said in his now even more straightforward tone.

Chasen grinned. “When I told my daddy that after I graduated, Tobias showed up six months later when I was on the other side of the globe.”

Declan clenched his jaw.

He was very aware of how the wings of the Rawlings had enfolded over Justice and her grandmother. He didn’t request any of it. He didn’t have to. It was their way.

Granted if the Rawlings’ had just heard of this event in Justice’s life they might have dropped food off, stopped by to help with upkeep a few times. But because it was known, not said, that Declan had more than fallen for Justice Rose, she was protected all the more.

Declan was ready for this kind of nagging from his dad, it was nothing compared to what he had already endured at the base.

“Not a possibility,” Declan said boldly. Yes, in truth anything was possible, but he had just seen Justice. He was sure the girl had dropped twenty pounds over the summer, and Declan was more than aware she had been around his grandmother day in and out. Not only would Missy have figured out such news but also so would his family.

Chasen and Tobias both chuckled. Chasen reached to wipe his brow. “Best be keeping it that way. What’s the countdown?”

Five months, four days and about eight hours...Declan thought. That would be when Justice Rose would turn eighteen. Not that he was counting or anything. “I’m serious, Dad. We need to cut the bullshit. You should’ve heard from Nolan months back and if you haven’t and he’s not here now...” Declan clenched his jaw hiding his emotion the best he could. “We need to make sure he’s right. Wherever he is.”

Chasen’s taunting grin faded instantly. Tobias’s grin left, too, and they both made their way up the steps.

“Spill it,” Chasen said.

“Why? You know.”

“I know a lot of shit, son. I know you sat there as your brother told me some bullshit line and didn’t say a damn word.”

Boldly meeting his father’s eyes, Declan said, “Because I’m loyal.”

“To who? Not your daddy.”

Declan dropped his head and took in a calming breath.

“Dad, stop,” Tobias said in his defense as he nudged Declan. “What was the plan?”

Declan cussed under his breath, remembering the last time he saw Nolan, his carefree smile, so at ease, ready for the freedom he felt washing over him. Even then, Declan felt his instinct telling him to stop Nolan, to tell him to take a different road, wait on him. Or hell, take Atticus or Boon with him for the summer.

“He had it all mapped out, had for over a year. Buddies he was meeting. Adventures. He was heading to the Northwest, through Canada, and then back down for the Rally.”

“That’s it?” Chasen asked.

“He told me he was writing,” Declan said.

“To cover-up this enlisting lie?” Chasen yelled. “Does he not think I have the sense to read a post mark? Beyond the other shit he tried to pass by me?”

“No, he was sending the letters from where he was. I don’t know. He said it would explain it all. That by the time I graduated, you’d know and you’d understand. He was sure of it. If he didn’t mail it and he’s not picking up—” Declan stopped short when his dad pulled out his phone then walked to his computer.

“Where was he going after he dropped you off?”

“Mount Mitchell. He was going to camp, then hike. I don’t know the layout, but I know he planned to be around the Great Lakes by the end of July, up in Canada for a few, straight north, then trekking back here for the Rally.”

“Then what?” Chasen asked, looking up sharply. Yes, he was well aware his son was out on his own all summer, broken free from the pack. But he still didn’t know exactly what the plan was. If it was just a summer jaunt he wanted, if he was heading to school, work, or the service in the fall. Hell, he didn’t even really understand why Nolan chose not to discuss this with him.