Breaking Sky(63)

“Except me.” Now she couldn’t stop herself. “He couldn’t figure out what I needed.”

“Didn’t he make sure you made it to the academy?”

“You could say that. He definitely faked my application.” Chase’s hands searched for her knees. For the edge of the desk. For something to hold on to. Nothing stilled them until she clasped her wrists and squeezed.

“Go on,” Kale said, not unkindly, but with an edge sharp enough to suggest that what she was admitting to was as big of a secret as she always thought it would be.

Kale’s office turned too quiet as the truth unfurled like a wet and clinging flag. “You showed up at my apartment all those years ago with a plane ticket, and I thought escaping Janice sounded like the best thing in the world. I…never meant to deceive you.” She sighed. “When the government board gets here, they’re going to go through every word of my file. Something won’t add up. I’m sure of it.”

A new idea burned like a splash of jet fuel. “Tourn could get in trouble.”

“Harcourt, listen carefully,” Kale said. She focused on the wave of his hair and the way he looked at her like she mattered. “First, the government would never touch Tourn. They need him to shoulder too much guilt.”

Chase breathed a tad easier. Had she actually been worried for Tourn? No way. Never.

“And”—Kale leaned back in his chair—“I know about your paperwork, or I should say, I expected as much. New cadets are thrilled when they get their invitation to the academy, seeing as how they’ve been working on their application for years. I’ve heard stories of celebration parties where the whole town is invited.” He paused. “Do you remember what you said when I showed you the acceptance letter?”

She shook her head.

“You leaned in so your mother couldn’t hear and asked, ‘Will he be there?’”

Chase looked down at her hands while Kale continued. “After that, I didn’t think I could convince you to attend, but you surprised me. Reversed your attitude and energy in one conversation.”

Chase swallowed. Kale was still on her side, and now she felt a bit sheepish about doubting him. “What will happen if the government board figures it out?”

“I’ve gone over your files, and it all appears in line. We’ll move forward as though it’s going to be okay.” He sat forward. “I’m glad you admitted the truth. That shows real maturity.”

Chase stood, as shaky as if she had cried, and yet also a good deal lighter. “I couldn’t tell you before. I was too afraid you’d kick me out.”

“What’s different now?”

“Tourn is coming.” And opening up to Tristan was unwinding things inside of her and proving that it was never honesty she was afraid of. It was the rejection that came with it.

“Remember, Harcourt, Tourn hasn’t had a hand in your success here. He might have gotten you in, but you earned your wings. You became the best pilot in your class, and you won the opportunity to become one of the first Streaker jocks. And you’re going to prove that in three days.” He paused. “What will you do about Donnet?”

Her head grew heavier, that fast. “I don’t know.”

“I think you should take a page out of this book. Talk to him. Openly and alone.”

Chase held back from pointing out that she’d already tried that. “He’s avoiding me pretty stealthily.”

“Not tomorrow. Tomorrow he’ll be strapped to you and falling a good thirteen thousand feet. Apply your usual fervor and you’ll get him between the crosshairs.” She half-smiled, always enjoying when Kale tried to speak jock pilot. He stood up. “And though I’m so very cool, you should be in your barracks. It’s late.”

Chase felt surprisingly…good. She had Tristan to thank for that, which reminded her. “Wait. I need something. The casualty report on the JAFA bombing.”

Kale was shaking his head before she’d finished. “That’s classified, and you shouldn’t even be talking about it. Router needs to let this go.” He looked at her sideways. “Did he put you up to this?”

“I know I’m not supposed to be friendly with him or whatever, but we’re wingmen.” She felt strangely proud of herself all of a sudden.

Kale scrubbed his hands through his hair. It reminded her of the time Tristan had done that in the locker room, how it wasn’t an attractive look but one that bled anxiety. “You aren’t going to say you’re in love with him, are you?”

Chase couldn’t tell if he was joking or crazy. “No, General. He and I…we’re just similar. We understand each other in the air. I trust him.”

As soon as she said it, she knew it was true. It made her stand taller, although Kale only laughed like his terrible day had just received a punch in the nose. “That’s so much worse.” He got up and held the door open. “The intel you’re after is above my pay grade, Harcourt. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t.”

She readied objections but didn’t have the chance. He pushed her out the door. Shut it.

Chase stood in the dead hall. It was past curfew. The timed lights clicked off in sequence down the administrative offices hallway, and Chase made her way to her room by the red glow of the emergency signs.