“Pretend,” I growled. “Or everyone who scares him off will end up in a world of hurt, alright?”
Reno sighed. “This means a new rotation, doesn’t it? But like…public relations.”
“Cait and I will post something soon,” I said, ignoring the daggers she shot me.
Carter raised a brow. “Get Doc involved.”
Colin straightened. “I am not a good person for this, not when I’m still greener than you are to sex.”
Carter whipped around. “Fuck?—”
“He’s too new for that, but…he’s good with words, so maybe he can help you all,” I said, almost disappointed when Colin looked comforted by the idea.
Jake swiveled in his seat to eye Carter and asked the question I hadn’t considered. “You offering him up for a reason?”
Carter looked back at him, frowning. “He knows us, and he’s got tons of experience all over the place, so why not?”
Before any of us could think what to say to break up what could easily become an argument, Colin piped up. “I do love a vote of confidence. Just for that, Carter, I won’t turn you out of my bed if you show up.”
The room broke into laughter, and I felt a wash of annoyance, followed by relief. I hadn’t been looking for a second, but this man was?—
At the end of the meeting, I suddenly realized what I wanted to say. I shouldn’t say it, I really shouldn’t because it was a stupid, stupid idea but?—
“Alright,” I called out. “You all know what’s coming. Look for that optics rotation posted in the rec room, where we post everything else. Otherwise go about your normal shit. Mika, I want a follow-up on your reports tomorrow evening at the latest. Carter and Maverick, I need some follow-ups on the damages and upkeep from the recent storms for our borders. Same for you, Trevor. Find me in my cabin if you need when you know for sure. Colin, I also need a follow-up meeting with you, same as them. Find me in my cabin.”
Colin was the only one who didn’t look surprised; he tilted his head back and gave me a knowing look as the others took in stride what I’d said and began leaving the room, talking among themselves. Most of them left; only Trevor lingered behind.
“What?” I asked brusquely.
He held out a piece of paper. “We’ll need this…all of it, and soon.”
I looked and realized it was parts and tools; I couldn’t fathom what they were for. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” he said simply, because of course he did.
“Fine,” I muttered, tucking them away. “How bad?”
“You’ll end up on the phone,” he said with a small smile.
“Fucking great,” I grunted. “Fine. Anything else?”
He looked me over. “Are you?—”
“What?” I asked sharply.
He stared at me for a moment, tilting his head before shaking it. “Nothing. Thanks.”
“Like I have a choice,” I muttered, because if Trevor said we needed it, we needed it, simple as that.
All that was left was Cait, who eyed me with a shrewdness I didn’t like. “What?”
“I don’t know,” she said lightly. “You’re…less bitchy?”
“Fuck right off,” I snorted. “You’re helping me come up with the list.”
“Of course,” she said. “With Colin’s help, apparently.”
“Apparently,” I said dryly.