Page 42 of Blue Sky

Chapter Twenty

Energy Bar

The next morning, I woke up early and headed to the Naval Air Station North Island to prepare for the flyover. It was an easy Delta formation—all six planes would fly in a tight triangle over the Change of Command ceremony for the Commander of the Naval Air Forces. It was good practice—our first air show was two months away.

I had only two months left with Paloma.

We spent last night at my buddy Grant’s place. Grant was a Navy SEAL. I had deployed with his Team once and supported them in a combat mission. Though they were on the ground doing the dirty work, my life had also been at risk. Our planes could be shot down at any time. What if I died overseas on my next deployment and orphaned Sky?

I pushed that thought out of my head. I quickly snacked on an energy bar to give me the fuel I needed to fly.

Sawyer and Declan greeted me with fist pumps. Charlie, on the other hand, gave me a curt nod. We had not really talked since I’d punched him. Which was fine by me.

Sawyer addled up beside me. “What are you doing tonight? Do you want to hit the clubs downtown?”

I shook my head. “Going to dinner with Paloma. Don’t you get tired of that scene? A different woman every night?”

Declan’s eyes bulged. “Seriously? Are you guys together?”

I nodded. “Yup. It’s new, but I’m crazy about her.”

Declan placed his arm on my shoulder. “Congrats, man. She’s beautiful. As long as you’re happy.”

I appreciated Declan’s support. He was a great guy. I hoped he found someone to help him get over his ex.

Even Sawyer seemed happy for me. “Me too, Beck. She seems sweet.”

“She is.” Now that I had told three of my fellow pilots about Paloma I was tempted to tell the world. Shout it from the roof tops.

There was only one person I dreaded telling.

My mother.

We were not close by any stretch of the imagination. Even so, I always craved her approval. She had loved Catherine. And Paloma was so different from my wife. All my mom cared about was her image and status. She loved to boast to people that she had a Blue Angel as a son. And I highly doubted she would embrace the nanny with open arms.

But I wouldn’t live my life to make my mom happy. I wanted to be happy. I wanted Sky to be happy. And that was all that mattered.

My fellow pilots and I proceeded to walk in unison to our planes. The crowds cheered but it was nothing like the roar of the normal air shows. I had asked Grant to take Paloma and the girls to the beach to watch me fly. Knowing that she would see me soar, filled me with pride.

Our planes took off and adrenaline consumed me. I focused on the paint on Sawyer's jet, making sure I was perfectly aligned and in formation. We soared in the air and took a right turn toward the Naval Base Coronado. A quick flyby over the ceremony and then we headed west toward the ocean before landing back at North Island. Piece of cake. All in another day’s work.

When I disembarked from my plane, I marveled at how beautiful San Diego was. I had so much fun yesterday at the zoo. San Diego would be the perfect place to raise Sky and enjoy all the attractions here. We could take her to Balboa Park, Legoland, all the beaches, all the gardens, and the weather would always be perfect.

And Paloma would be here.

The more I thought about it the more I was certain I was going to put in my orders for San Diego.

And that way—I could stay with Paloma.