Operation: Endgame by Christi Snow Read Free Book Online

right now I’m not seeing it.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    The Colonel looked at him with a kindness which shredded the lining of Jake’s stomach. “Take some time to heal, Jake. If you decide you want to stay a PJ, then we can talk, but if you decide this isn’t the life for you anymore, that’s okay too. There’s no shame in that.”
    Jake felt the blood leave his extremities at his shock. Leave the PJ’s? The military was his life. He didn’t want to give that up. Not yet, but he simply said, “Thank you, sir.”
    The Colonel stuck his hand out to shake Jake’s hand. “Sally will have your leave paperwork at her desk by the end of the day.”
    “Thank you, sir.”
    Jake limped out of the Colonel’s office and headed towards his truck. As he slumped down into the seat, he let his head lay back on the headrest. Now what was he going to do? Did he want to stay a PJ? The Colonel was right…everything had changed after Columbia. If he couldn’t save his best friend, then what good was he to anyone? But if he wasn’t a PJ, then what was he going to do? He couldn’t go into another career field within the Air Force. That felt like giving up, but he’d never considered doing anything else besides the military. He’d served eight years so he’d served his commitment, but was he ready to leave? There were too many questions swirling around in his head he didn’t know the answers to. The only thing he did know was it was time to head home and confront his other issues; the ones he had with Cassie.

Chapter 11
     

    Jake pounded down the hall to Cassie’s office in the History Department. Butterflies rolled through his stomach and he felt like he could puke. Wasn’t that a bitch? He didn’t get this nervous and nauseous when he was out on a mission and his life was on the line. He was just going to see Cassie. It’s not like this was dangerous, but the rolling feeling continued through his gut.
    He hadn’t seen Cassie since May. Their friendship had deteriorated since that fateful night when he’d taken advantage of her. They’d never talked about it or even mentioned what happened. Both tried to maintain the status quo of their friendship after he went back to Arizona, but after a few stilted phone conversations, their communication had dwindled to the occasional text or email. He hadn’t even called to tell her he was coming today. He wasn’t sure how she was going to react to him being here.
    When he reached the door to her office, he was surprised to find it open and a man sitting behind her desk rifling through some papers. He looked up when Jake started through the doorway and immediately scowled at him. Jake guessed him to be in his mid-twenties. He had shaggy dark hair which was about a month past needing a haircut. He looked like a traditional college academic, his lean frame in a hoodie and jeans, except the notably aggressive expression behind his wire-framed glasses on his face. “Can I help you with something?” The man eyed him suspiciously.
    Wow, talk about unfriendly. “I’m looking for Professor Robertson. This is still her office, isn’t it?” He glanced pointedly towards Cassie’s desk and the papers the man was holding.
    The man was openly hostile now. “What’s your name and what do you need with the Professor?” He was practically growling.
    Jake walked further into the room. Even on crutches he was a big guy and knew how to use that to his advantage to intimidate. He leaned over the front of the desk and picked up the framed picture he knew was sitting there of Chris, Cassie, and him. “I’m Jake Madsen. I’ve been a friend of Cassie’s for a long fucking time.” He shoved the photo into the guys face. “Now who the hell are you?”
    At that, the man deflated and rubbed a hand over his face. “Aw, man, I’m sorry. I didn’t recognize you. Things have been crazy around here and I’m just feeling a bit protective of her.” He stood up and offered Jake his hand. “I’m