{"id":5693,"date":"2017-01-23T00:01:59","date_gmt":"2017-01-23T06:01:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jackofharts.com\/?p=5693"},"modified":"2017-01-23T05:36:04","modified_gmt":"2017-01-23T11:36:04","slug":"forge-of-war-24-tj","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/?p=5693","title":{"rendered":"Forge of War 24 – T&J"},"content":{"rendered":"

I hope you still listen to T&J when you read this. I grew up listening to them sing. They started doing USO tours during The War, and they kept it up afterwards. They always have time to sing for their boys and girls. And I always have time to track their tour schedule down. I go to their concerts whenever they are nearby, and they do get around. I may be biased, but they really are<\/em> the best singers in all the worlds.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

T&J<\/h1>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack\u2019s silver car cut through the evening gloom with the glowing lights of Landing City far below. It was a beautiful one that he never could have purchased back in America. Nothing like it was built anymore, and the ones that remained after Yosemite fell were valuable collectors items.<\/p>\n

The War was a distant thing on New Earth though. It was six months after Yosemite and New Earth had barely been touched. Even the space battle on New Year\u2019s had been precisely that. A space<\/em> battle. No real damage happening to the planet. He\u2019d heard that the president of the Chinese colony on planet had even come to Landing to negotiate an \u201camicable understanding\u201d between the two colonies. He shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Betty asked, sitting in big mode with her favorite yellow sundress splaying out over the passenger seat.<\/p>\n

Jack shrugged. \u201cIt just seems odd. After two hundred years, there might actually be a true planetary president of New Earth. Never thought I\u2019d live to see the day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s the only play they have,\u201d Betty answered. \u201cWe could invade at any time and they don\u2019t have the navy to stop us. They have good ground defenses still, but we\u2019d be fighting over their<\/em> land, and they don\u2019t want another Yosemite over them<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course they\u2019re just talking about talking right now,\u201d Jasmine said from her seat on the dashboard in small mode. She tapped her blue jeans with a smile. \u201cThey\u2019re just buying time for the Chinese fleets from the colony sectors to get back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d Betty whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven if that\u2019s all, it\u2019s smart,\u201d Jack interjected. \u201cThey don\u2019t want to fight. Well, I don\u2019t want to fight them either, so I\u2019m fine with that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I<\/em> hope it works out,\u201d Jasmine said and the car began nosing down towards the street below them. \u201cThis place is too nice to fight over.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Jack whispered, not wanting to think about fighting anywhere<\/em> around Samantha. \u201cWay<\/em> too nice.\u201d<\/p>\n

The car flew down the road, hovering thirty centimeters above the ground on its grav plating, and approached the gate to McEntyre House. \u201cNorman says we can come on in,\u201d Jasmine announced as McEntyre House\u2019s cyber opened the gate and she turned the car into the driveway. She drove them under the trees and he saw fallen leaves scattering to either side of the driveway. They pulled up in front of McEntyre House and the car lowered itself onto rubber tires, causing the dirt to crunch under them as they came to a stop.<\/p>\n

Jasmine smiled. \u201cWell, that\u2019s it for me. You can take care of Jack the rest of the night.\u201d<\/p>\n

Betty nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood.\u201d Jasmine turned to Jack. \u201cThanks for letting me drive you here,\u201d she added with a smile and came to her feet on the dashboard. Her tank top and blue jeans faded away and a long black dress perfect for a formal party replaced them. \u201cHow do I look?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRavishing,\u201d Jack said with a smile and a lecherous wink.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Jasmine said and blew him a kiss as she turned to walk out through the side of the car, making towards the house. Her holoform faded away as she walked outside the range of his holoemitters.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood luck, Norman,\u201d Jack whispered and smiled at Betty.<\/p>\n

She chuckled back. \u201cHe\u2019ll need it. Now you<\/em> get out there and greet your<\/em> date,\u201d she added with a shooing motion. \u201cAnd don\u2019t worry, Jack. I\u2019ll engage privacy mode now,\u201d she finished and her holoform followed Jasmine\u2019s out of existence.<\/p>\n

Jack pulled in a deep breath and the door pivoted up to let him slip out of the Lamborghini to the sound of genuine \u201cused to be a cow\u201d leather seats creaking beneath him. He slipped one hand into a pocket and walked around the car to lean against it. He crossed his legs and stood with a thumb hooked through his belt, waiting for Samantha to appear.<\/p>\n

She stepped through the house\u2019s door wearing a short strapless red dress that seemed to shimmer in the porch lights. His eyes traveled down her bare, long, and shapely legs to the matching red pumps and a low whistle escaped his lips. He scanned back up to where her red hair blended with the dress perfectly and breath escaped him. She looked\u2026beautiful.<\/p>\n

She looked at the car, and shook her head. \u201cYou\u2026bought another car<\/em>? How<\/em>?\u201d she asked, her slight Scottish accent twisting her question, and began walking down the stairs.<\/p>\n

Jack didn\u2019t move, more because he needed help standing than by choice. He really loved<\/em> watching her walk. He shrugged and worked real hard to take a controlled breath. \u201cThis isn\u2019t a car<\/em>. It\u2019s a Lamborghini<\/em>. There\u2019s a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

Samantha rolled her eyes. \u201cYou didn\u2019t answer my question.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh fine. There\u2019s this thing called \u2018money\u2019 that you can trade for goods and services,\u201d Jack said, somehow without losing his voice, and aimed a wink her way. She made it so<\/em> hard to try to look shiny it was criminal.<\/p>\n

Samantha stepped up to him, leaned close, grabbed the scarf hanging around his neck, and smiled at him. \u201cI\u2019m aware of this \u2018money\u2019 you speak of.\u201d Her smile turned impish. \u201cI hear it makes people do things they would never<\/em> do otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack made a show of sighing with all his might. \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am. Why just today there was this fantastic<\/em> salesgirl that really<\/em> flirted<\/em> something great, but I think<\/em> she just wanted me for my money,\u201d he finished with a sad smile and lifted a hand over his heart.<\/p>\n

Samantha pursed her lips and patted the hand in consolation. \u201cShe dumped you when she got it, didn\u2019t she?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack sighed again and gave her a sad nod. \u201cLike a hot potato.\u201d He patted the car. \u201cBut I got something to get over the heartache with,\u201d he finished with a smile. \u201cWanna go for a ride?\u201d<\/p>\n

Samantha\u2019s eyes opened wide and she smiled so big the freckles on her cheeks flared. \u201cI thought you\u2019d never ask.\u201d<\/p>\n

He placed his hands on her hips and stepped away from the car, moving her with him. A swift tap of a heel against the undercarriage caused the door to open and he helped her in, shutting it only after making certain all of her was inside. It was the gentlemanly thing to do after all. Then he ambled around the car and slipped in, shutting the door behind him. A quick word sent the Lamborghini rolling down the driveway in silence.<\/p>\n

Samantha aimed a curious gaze at him. \u201cWhere are we going?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack chuckled and shook his head. \u201cOh, I told<\/em> you, tonight\u2019s a secret<\/em>,\u201d he said with an admonishing finger. \u201cI\u2019m not telling you anything<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

She raised an eyebrow at him. \u201cWell, I feel compelled to warn you that if you intend to take advantage of my innocent nature, Daddy gave me some pepper spray.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack frowned and cocked his head to the side. \u201cI thought he trusted me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Samantha sighed. \u201cOkay, so he gave it to me many years ago. But I still have it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack looked her skintight dress up and down before smiling at her handbag. \u201cI guess I\u2019ll just have to take that first then, because you sure aren\u2019t hiding it anywhere else<\/em>,\u201d he said with a wink.<\/p>\n

Samantha rolled her eyes. \u201cMen. You forget all the really fun places to hide stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI<\/em> can think of a few,\u201d Jack whispered as the Lamborghini flew out of the gate and began pulling up into the sky over the street.<\/p>\n

Samantha rolled her eyes and held her hand up to show the jewelry on her wrist and fingers. \u201cBracelet. Rings.\u201d She tapped her ear. \u201cEarrings. It\u2019s easy to hide a little bit of \u2018oh my God my face is on fire\u2019 gas and a sprayer in any<\/em> of these. I\u2019ve even seen people do it in tongue rings.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOuch,\u201d Jack whispered. \u201cI feel sorry for anyone who bit down wrong on that<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Samantha snorted. \u201cDon\u2019t. I know everyone it\u2019s happened to, and they deserved it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack caught a look in her eye that triggered his inner suspicious side. \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t have had anything to do with that, would you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Samantha shifted to innocent in a heartbeat. \u201cMe? Interfering with the operation of personal defense devices? That\u2019s a serious crime, Jack. Please. The fact that I was there to see it each time it happened is a complete coincidence. I assure you, dozens<\/em> of people were present at each occasion.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack smiled, recognizing a cover when he saw one, and shook his head. \u201cI feel sorry for the poor guy that lost business because of those<\/em> problems.\u201d<\/p>\n

Samantha smiled and bit her lip. \u201cDon\u2019t. But that<\/em> is a story for\u2026oh\u2026four years from now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack raised one eyebrow. \u201cMmmm\u2026making plans for me already, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Samantha tilted her head to the side and gave him a sly smile. \u201cMaybe. Or maybe there\u2019s a seven year statute of limitations,\u201d she finished with a wink.<\/p>\n

Jack laughed out loud in sheer amazement. When he finally got himself back under control, he rubbed his chin and just watched her, eyes wide open as he tried to reconcile this new glimpse into what he knew. It was shiny. He barely stopped himself from saying three words he really wouldn\u2019t be able to take back and brought a hand up to his mouth just to have something to do.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2026Wow\u2026Forget me<\/em>\u2026\u201d he said in a series of stammers. \u201cI have to worry about you<\/em> leading me<\/em> astray!\u201d he finally blurted out with a joyous smile.<\/p>\n

Samantha scanned him with one emerald eye. \u201cI admit nothing,\u201d she whispered with a sly tone. \u201cBut you<\/em>\u2026you I know<\/em> have done things. I see it in your eyes every time you look at a totally innocent household chemical.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack placed a hand on his chest in mock horror. \u201cMe? Doing\u2026things like that<\/em>? No, Ma\u2019am<\/em>. I have not performed a single<\/em> illegal act in all my life\u2026in<\/em> my chosen State of residence\u2026since<\/em> my eighteenth birthday\u2026\u201d he qualified while waggling his eyebrows at her.<\/p>\n

It was her turn to laugh, an amazing exultation of joy that filled the Lamborghini\u2019s cockpit. Jack took a deep breath as he watched, and relaxed back in his seat as he realized he wanted to make her laugh more often. He grasped the scarf around his neck with both hands and just enjoyed the sight of her laughing.<\/p>\n

Her laughter finally trailed off and she met his gaze. She picked up on his mood and a curious expression twisted her smile. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack held his calm smile. \u201cWell, it comes to mind that I\u2019m wearing a scarf.\u201d<\/p>\n

She glanced at it for a moment, and back up to his face with a knowing smile. \u201cIt\u2019s been over a week and it just<\/em> comes to mind? You are<\/em> slow.\u201d<\/p>\n

He reached up and tipped the brim of his cowboy hat towards her. \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her brow furrowed at his response. \u201cJack? What just happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack pulled in a deep breath. \u201cI just realized that you gave me a great gift, and I have given you nothing in return.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her eyes softened and she laid a hand on his arm. \u201cJack\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Nervous energy ran through Jack and he desperately tried to come up with something witty to say but he had nothing. The car saved him by nosing down towards the ground. He licked his lips in worry while Samantha looked out the windshield with a frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s Landing Stadium,\u201d she whispered. She turned back to him. \u201cBut T&J are there tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, they are,\u201d Jack answered with a smile he hoped wouldn\u2019t betray his sudden concern.<\/p>\n

Her brow furrowed and she gave him a hard look. \u201cBut they\u2019re sold out!\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack just sighed at that. \u201cThey always are.\u201d<\/p>\n

The car dove down behind the stadium and Samantha looked at him in disbelief. \u201cAre you serious?\u201d Then her look turned suspicious. \u201cOr are you playing with me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack gave her a wink that he hoped would mask the rapid beating of his heart. \u201cYou should know by now I\u2019m never serious about anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you are playing me\u2026\u201d she whispered in his ear.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, I know. You\u2019ll make me pay,\u201d Jack said with a smile as the Lamborghini dropped to the ground and rolled to a silent stop next to a small door with two very impressed guards next to it. Jack smiled and slid out of the cockpit to display his identification to the guards. A hologram of his face appeared in the air above the car. \u201cI\u2019m Captain Jack, and this is my plus one.\u201d He swallowed to mask his nerves. If they\u2019d changed their minds, this was going to be a difficult day for him. \u201cI believe I have backstage reservations.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the guards tore his eyes away from the beautiful machine and stepped forward to inspect the I.D. up close. Then he smiled and nodded to Jack\u2019s profound relief. \u201cThey\u2019ve been expecting you. I\u2019ll show you the way if you\u2019ll follow me.\u201d With that, he turned and opened the door.<\/p>\n

Jack released a nervous breath and walked around to open Samantha\u2019s door. He aimed a triumphant smile at her but she just shook her head and climbed out of the car. The guard ushered them into the stadium and they walked through the warren of people runs behind the stage. They watched people arrange clothing on racks as unseen musicians in the distance tuned their instruments.<\/p>\n

They finally made it to a temporary living room made out of thick, brightly colored curtains hanging from a metal frame. The sound of organized chaos faded as they stepped in and Jack looked up to see a sky blue tarp over them. The room really was<\/em> designed to help people escape the chaos. A drink station on one side promised refreshment without being too ostentatious, and an array of brightly colored sofas and beanbag chairs filled the rest of the floor. There was enough seating for the entire crew to relax, and several people were taking advantage of the room at the moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cJack!\u201d a blonde and brunette screamed out in unison and jumped to their feet. They rushed him and jumped up to wrap their arms around his neck and the familiar smells of strawberries and peppermint filled his senses. \u201cYou made it!\u201d they chorused again and he realized in that moment just how much he\u2019d missed them.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d he whispered. \u201cI missed you, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

They examined the scarf around his neck for a moment, and then put their chins on his shoulders to look behind him at Samantha.<\/p>\n

\u201cJack?\u201d the blonde started.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you forget to tell us something?\u201d the brunette finished.<\/p>\n

He turned to face an astonished Samantha with a smile on his face, and the two girls squirmed around to keep their eyes on her as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cJulianne Taylor Hansen,\u201d he said with a nod towards her blonde head and then nodded towards the brunette. \u201cAlexandra Jennifer Thompson.\u201d He smiled at Samantha. \u201cMeet Samantha McEntyre.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMcEntyre?\u201d Julie asked with a raised eyebrow aimed at Jack.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you related to\u2026\u201d Alex began with a frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe studio?\u201d Samantha finished for her with a smile. \u201cMy father owns it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJack?\u201d Julie began.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe chose another producer years ago,\u201d Alex explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you trying to help her get us?\u201d Julie asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Jack said quickly and licked his dry lips again. \u201cI brought her because\u2026ah\u2026she\u2019s my date.\u201d<\/p>\n

Julie and Alex turned to stare at him for a long second with surprised eyes. Then they looked down at the scarf again before turning to look at Samantha for another long second. They finally turned back to him with a bone-deep hurt behind their eyes that made his heart ache.<\/p>\n

\u201cJonathan,\u201d Julie started in a tone of voice that sent chills down his spine.<\/p>\n

\u201cMichael,\u201d Alex continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cChristensen,\u201d Julie completed his name as only she could do.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe next time you fall in love,\u201d Alex said.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think you could give us a heads up?\u201d Julie demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026\u201d Jack started to protest but stopped when Julie and Alex\u2019s eyes blazed white hot in anger.<\/p>\n

\u201cNever deny,\u201d Julie began.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour feelings,\u201d Alex finished and they squirmed out of his arms to drop to the floor. Then Alex spun him around and pushed him. \u201cNow shoo and let us talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack opened his mouth to protest, but then shut it. He\u2019d come here. He\u2019d brought Samantha with him. His heart hammered in his chest as he turned and walked outside of the room. The curtains closed behind him and he wanted to deny their charge, but he really couldn\u2019t. They\u2019d seen right through him once again. And they held his heart in their hands, as usual.<\/p>\n

Situation normal. All fraked up. Maybe good. Maybe bad. Depending on what Julie and Alex did next. He considered listening in. He had the hearing to do it, but that would be invading their privacy. And as much as he wanted to know what they were saying, he didn\u2019t want to do it that way. So he studied the work going on behind the stage, technicians installing lights and smoke projectors in their places. Over to the sides, sparklers and speakers moved into position with smooth precision. He considered moving off to help the crew. He\u2019d done it enough times when he was young to know all about it all. But the crew was a well-oiled machine and he would just be an intruder in the midst of their chaotic order. Everything would be ready soon without his help.<\/p>\n

The curtain opened behind him and a blonde and brunette head appeared on either side of him. The smell of strawberries and peppermint filled his senses once more.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to get ready,\u201d Julie said with a hand on his arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou enjoy the room,\u201d Alex added.<\/p>\n

Jack licked his lips in worry about what they might have said back there. \u201cCan I?\u201d<\/p>\n

Julie smiled and hugged him hard. \u201cHer intentions are honorable, I assure you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd she\u2019s waiting for you,\u201d Alex added.<\/p>\n

Jack spread his arms out to hold them close. There was one thing he had to say to them. Well, more than one actually. But he wasn\u2019t brave enough to say it all. So he said the one thing he thought he could. \u201cI owe you my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Julie and Alex smiled and leaned into him just they way they always had before they left. Both times.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I owe you mine,\u201d Julie answered with a strawberry breath on his cheek. \u201cNow we really need to get dressed,\u201d she continued and extricated herself from his arm. Then she aimed an impish grin at him. \u201cAnd you can\u2019t help, tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alex echoed her motion and turned Jack around to face the relaxation room. \u201cThere\u2019s a nice girl waiting for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

They both pushed him hard and he walked back into the relaxation room. A deep breath picked up the scent of rose blossoms on the air, and he glanced over to one side of the room to see them, seeping in a bowl of steaming water.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re nice girls,\u201d Samantha said from the couch she sat on.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey said the same of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich one?\u201d she asked with a knowing smile.<\/p>\n

Jack shrugged. \u201cIf one<\/em> says it, they both<\/em> say it,\u201d he said as he sat down next to her. \u201cIt\u2019s the way they are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou love them, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack turned and wrapped the second arm around her, holding her close against him at the waist.<\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up with them. We did\u2026everything together. On the beach, in the bars, in our houses. There was this big group of us kids that just hung together no matter what. Swimming, surfing, dancing, music. Fun with household chemicals,\u201d he said with a wink. \u201cAnything really, whatever we felt like doing at the moment.\u201d He frowned then and tried to keep the heartache out of his tone. \u201cThen they left for Nashville and you know the rest of the story.\u201d<\/p>\n

Samantha just looked at him for several seconds. \u201cThey became T&J. But what happened after Yosemite?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack swallowed and looked away from her. He didn\u2019t want to admit how bad he\u2019d gotten, but she deserved the truth. \u201cI survived Yosemite, but I watched my father die in front of me. Then my mother died of a broken heart and left me alone. I was broken in every way a man can be.\u201d He met Samatha\u2019s gaze then. \u201cThey came back. They put me back together again. They made me a man again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd then?\u201d Samantha asked with sad eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey left again.\u201d Jack looked around the relaxation room with a sad smile. \u201cThey have a career, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow I just want to be here with you,\u201d Jack said with a smile.<\/p>\n

Samantha frowned at him. \u201cI meant about them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack sighed and shook his head. \u201cThey\u2019re my friends. I love them with all my heart and with all my soul, and I will until the day I die. But I don\u2019t want to live their life, and they don\u2019t want to live mine.\u201d His spread his arms out wide in a helpless gesture. \u201cWhat am I supposed to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

Samantha snuggled in closer, pulled her feet up under her, and relaxed against him. \u201cFind your happiness,\u201d she murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t bother you?\u201d Jack asked, loving the feel of her body against his. He would give her an eternity to stop being there.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t say that<\/em>.\u201d She pulled in a deep breath. \u201cBut it isn\u2019t a deal breaker.\u201d<\/p>\n

They sat there for a long time, just enjoying each other\u2019s presence. Time seemed to cease in the calming atmosphere of the relaxation room, and Jack loved it.<\/p>\n

\u201cJa-ack,\u201d two voices chorused and he opened his eyes to see Taylor and Jennifer smiling at them.<\/p>\n

They looked amazing in their performance clothing and makeup. More beautiful than ever, and he could see why the masses loved them so much. But he liked them better without all the getup. They were far prettier to his eyes in just their natural skins. All those thoughts slipped through his brain faster than he could put them to words.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s ti-ime,\u201d Taylor sing-songed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t want to miss the concert, do you?\u201d Jennifer asked.<\/p>\n

Jack looked down at Samantha, not moving yet, and realized he didn\u2019t want to disturb her. He liked her just where she was.<\/p>\n

\u201cOr maybe he does<\/em>,\u201d Taylor answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re hurt,\u201d Jennifer said with a shake of her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou travel over four lightyears just to see us,\u201d Taylor said with a hand on her breast.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd then let the first girl you meet stop you short,\u201d Jennifer finished.<\/p>\n

Jack frowned. \u201cShe wasn\u2019t the first<\/em> girl.\u201d He cleared his throat.<\/p>\n

Taylor and Jennifer shared knowing looks.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe went shopping<\/em>.\u201d Jack knew his voice sounded defensive, but he couldn\u2019t help that. \u201cI saw lots<\/em> of girls that day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taylor and Jennifer shook their heads in time. \u201cWhatever you say, Jack,\u201d they chorused and turned to walk back out.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt least you can hear<\/em> from back here,\u201d Taylor said with a wink.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll try<\/em> not to disturb you,\u201d Jennifer said and they stepped out, leaving the curtain to swing shut with a flutter.<\/p>\n

\u201cMuch<\/em>,\u201d Taylor poked her head back in to finish and she was gone.<\/p>\n

Samantha finally moved, squirming out of his arm to place her feet back on the floor.<\/p>\n

Jack sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d she asked and ran her fingers through her hair. \u201cYou\u2019ve<\/em> seen them perform live. I<\/em> haven\u2019t. I want to watch.\u201d She slipped her feet back in her shoes and came to her feet. \u201cYou coming?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack sprang to his feet with a broad and charming smile. \u201cWherever you go, I shall surely follow.\u201d He crooked his arm out and she slipped her arm in his.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d she whispered. \u201cYou may escort me to the concert then.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack breathed in deeply and felt his chest puff out in pride. \u201cI thought you would never ask.\u201d And with that, they walked out of the room and made their way to the wings of the stage. They stopped to watch the band warming up behind the curtains, and saw Taylor and Jennifer stamping their boots in preparation. Jack sighed and wrapped an arm around Samantha.<\/p>\n

Samantha laid her head on his chest and he wrapped his arm around her. \u201cDo they do everything<\/em> together?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack chuckled. \u201cThey\u2019re cousins but they act like sisters. Music, cards, studying. Get them together and everyone<\/em> around them will do better. It\u2019s like they\u2019re two halves of the same brain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Samantha threaded the fingers of one hand through his. \u201cYou know what I meant.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack sighed. \u201cYes I do, but I do not kiss and tell. It is their<\/em> story, and I will not reveal it for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood.\u201d Her eyes shifted back and forth between Jack and the other two girls before finishing on him. \u201cSo what now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack smiled. \u201cI want to watch the concert.\u201d<\/p>\n

Samantha gave his arm a playful slap. \u201cI meant about me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Jack answered with a chuckle.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou really are always playing, aren\u2019t you?\u201d she asked in exasperation.<\/p>\n

He smiled at her, bent down to her ear and whispered, \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n

She shivered and leaned back to look at him for a long time with her bright emerald eyes. \u201cYou are the strangest man I\u2019ve ever met.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s good. I would be worried if you had met one stranger<\/em> than me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Samantha rolled her eyes and patted the scarf hanging over his chest. She shook her head and smiled. \u201cYou Americans, always so invested in your Sirs and Ma\u2019ams, using them like a mantra of respect\u2026but you\u2026you make it sound like you\u2019re trying to disrobe me with your lips.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack smiled as an image of that came to mind.<\/p>\n

Samantha slapped him hard enough to bring him out of his imagination.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d he asked in an offended innocent tone.<\/p>\n

She waved her finger in front of his face. \u201cDon\u2019t be putting on that innocent act, Jack,\u201d she said in a stern voice. \u201cI know<\/em> what you were thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack shrugged. \u201cI don\u2019t know what you<\/em> were thinking about, but I<\/em> was thinking about a beach<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked at him with a disbelieving gaze and put a hand on her hip.<\/p>\n

\u201cHonest. I can see you on the beach<\/em> right now.\u201d He nodded towards Taylor and Jennifer. \u201cThey can too.\u201d He pulled in a deep breath, met her gaze, and took another mental step down that road with no return. She was a keeper. The first one he\u2019d found in years. And he didn\u2019t want to lose her. \u201cSam, I want you on the beach. I want you off<\/em> the beach.\u201d He shook his head with a smile and chuckle. \u201cI want you anywhere you want<\/em> to be wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n

She aimed an approving smile at him and placed her hands on the scarf hanging over his chest. \u201cWell, it does occur to me that I owe you a swim<\/em>.\u201d She tilted her head and looked at him with one emerald eye through a veil of red hair. \u201cAssuming you intend to collect.\u201d<\/p>\n

He lowered his lips to her ear. \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

She giggled and leaned in close to him before turning her head towards Taylor and Jennifer. \u201cThank you, Jack.\u201d She placed a hand on one of his arms. \u201cI know the risk you took.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack followed her gaze with a smile and sucked in a deep breath. The smoke machines billowed, the sparks flew into the air, the lights flashed, and the curtains opened. Taylor and Jennifer stomped onto the stage, their jewel-encrusted cowboy boots flashing in the strobe lights. And the crowd went wild to the twin strumming of guitars.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Many, many hours later, Jack and Samantha slipped out of the ocean, dripping wet, and gathered up their things. She grabbed his cowboy hat before he could and slipped it onto her head with an impish smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Cowboy,\u201d she said and ran her finger down his wet uniform. \u201cYou<\/em> still need to take me home.\u201d<\/p>\n

He sighed, leaned in close, and whispered, \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I hope you still listen to T&J when you read this. I grew up listening to them sing. They started doing USO tours during The War, and they kept it up afterwards. They always have time to sing for their[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5693","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-2304-forge-of-war-earc","uentry","postonpage-1","odd","post-author-medron-pryde"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5693","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5693"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5693\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5694,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5693\/revisions\/5694"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5693"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5693"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5693"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}