CHAPTER EIGHT:
like a moth to a flame.

Riley had struggled to sleep that night. She hadn't stayed at the Hard Deck late after Peyton's performance. She had practically rushed out of the door, trying to escape all the things that had happened in one night. She wanted to talk things out with Rooster—not immediately jump back into his pants. And so she had to distance herself for the night, even when it had looked like he was coming over to talk to her before she left. As for Luke, he had been too occupied with the other aviators for the rest of the night to bother paying much attention to Riley and so she got off pretty easy.

               But when she went home, she found it almost impossible to sleep. She tossed and turned. Flipped her pillow over multiple times for the cold side. She even attempted listening to ambient music on YouTube. But nothing was working. Her thoughts were keeping her awake. And not just her ones about Rooster's hands being all over her body—but thoughts about the upcoming weeks too. The Top Gun mission was making her a little nervous. They didn't know all the details, not yet, but knowing that the enemy had their hands on fifth generation fighters was enough to make her feel weary. They were beasts in the air and could cut down practically anything—especially F-18's. Riley didn't doubt her talent, but she knew when a suicide mission was being put down in front of them. And they hadn't even heard the full story yet.

            So, instead of sleeping, she got back out of bed and changed into a baggy sweater and running shorts. She put on her headphones, slipped into her trainers and went for a run in the pitch dark. The neighbourhood being built for the Navy made it safe—perhaps one of the safest places you could be and that made Riley feel at ease enough to go for a run at 4am.

           Riley ran at the seafront, on the sidewalk that overlooked the golden beach and Pacific Ocean. She had a certain amount of love for the beach at night. It wasn't clustered with families bathing in the sun, building sand castles or dogs running up and down the sand. It was quiet at night, with only the sound of the waves crashing against each other. That's why Riley left the earphone facing the ocean out, so she could hear it along with her music as she ran.

              By the time Riley made it home, her clothes dripping in sweat, she was awake enough to not bother going back to sleep. So instead, she showered and then sat in the living room, flicking through Netflix for most of the night. Riley appreciated moments where she could do such mundane things as much as she loved her job—it just felt nice, getting to do something that wasn't physically taxing; boring even.

             Eventually, her alarm went off from her bedroom, indicating that it was time for her to get ready for their second day of training. Her brother texted her, asking if she wanted picked up but she denied his request, telling him that she would drive herself. She was riled up and ready to go, she didn't want to have to wait for her brother—even if he was only down the street.

                She arrived at the Top Gun base and parked in her usual spot in the garage. She was barely out of her car, her sunglasses perched on the bridge of her nose when Rooster approached her. Her lips turned up into a smile, "Hey." She greeted, possibly the nicest way she had said hello to him since seeing him again. Rooster even seemed surprised for a moment before he smiled back at her.

               "Mornin'," He said, giving his head a nod. He reached up, scratching the back of his head as he suddenly avoided eye contact with her, "I, uh, I just wanted to grab you before training. I wanted to talk about what happened last night. It's just, I remember what you said about feeling like I always expected something from you and I wanted you to know that last night—I didn't expect anything. It just kinda happened and I wouldn't change it. But I needed you to know that I definitely, one-hundred percent was not expecting a thing from you." The words tumbled out of Rooster's mouth in one nervous string and Riley couldn't help but try to hold back a laugh. Somehow, she was one of the only people who could get him so flustered.

               They stood in silence for a moment before Riley lifted her sunglasses onto the top of her head and took a step closer to him and put her hand on his arm, "Rooster, I didn't think you did," She assured him and he let out a relieved sigh, "I did back then cause, well, I guess we never really gave each other the chance to explain, huh?" She squinted one of her eyes, looking up at him bashfully.

              Rooster ducked his head, chuckling, "Nope, too stubborn and hot-headed, I guess." He said, offering a shrug.

             Riley raised a brow, "That's an understatement." She agreed. Neither of them were one or the other, they were both. Peyton often told Riley that's why the sex was so good, because they were very passionate people who didn't hold back in anything. But it also made it extremely difficult to communicate with one another.

              Rooster looked at her for a moment and then he stepped closer. He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and then held the place between her neck and head, "Can we do something later? Like, I don't know, go for dinner? Anything. And we can talk—we can talk about everything." Riley stared up at him, taking in his words. It was strange, she had never thought Rooster would want to rekindle anything they had after the last time they had seen one another. But she had been so wrong. And she needed to hear him out. Because if she was wrong, then why hadn't she heard from him the last six months?

               Riley smiled up at him, "Sure," She agreed, "But for now we should really get going. I don't want Maverick putting those 200 push-ups to 300 for being tardy." She said, giving a scoff.

           She noticed a shift in Rooster's face at the mention of Maverick and she almost asked him about it right then and there. But she decided against it, figuring she would ask him later on that night if she remembered. They'd have so much to talk about she wasn't sure if their flying instructor would be on her mind.

              "Okay, let's go." Rooster agreed, his hand slipping from her face but he replaced it on the bottom of her back to guide her in front of him and out of the parking lot.

               They joined the rest of the team and Maverick briefed them on their daily activities. There was some written assignments they had to do first which was a doddle for Riley. She always soaked up information fast, especially if it was on paper. And she came out with full points which was three more above her brother. Of course, he said she cheated so naturally, she gloated that she was simply smarter than him.

              Instead of larger groups this time though, they were put into pairs. Riley was paired with Luke—or Hawk to everybody else. Riley had tried not to allow her disappointment to show on her face when he had turned around, grinning at her whilst giving her the thumbs up. That's how Riley and Luke had started dating in the first place. She had met him in the academy, however, they didn't start dating until after graduating when she and her brother were assigned to their fighter squadron, VFA-151 Vigilantes alongside Luke. It was then that they had got close when he was assigned as her wingman. Though, it made sense. If Maverick had done any research on them then he would know that Luke had been Riley's wingman and maybe he wanted to test them out in the air to see how well they flew together.

             So, Riley didn't complain and headed out to the airstrip towards her F-18, "Hey, Riles!" Luke called out to her and when she turned she could see him jogging to catch up with her. He, like her, was in his coveralls and Riley briefly remembered how much she used to like seeing him in them. Luke was an incredibly god looking guy but his looks had never been the issue. His personality could be a bit much at time, being too cocky and over-confident—even by Riley's standards. But she had been younger in her academy days and it hadn't bothered her then; since she was pretty much the same. Young and overconfident in herself. But life had taught her to humble herself every so often.

              Riley put a smile on her face, "Sup?"

            Luke came to a halt in front her, a little out of breath. He put his hands on his hips, "I just wanted to say I'm sorry for how I sprung on you last night—just showing up like that, expecting you to be happy to see me—"

            "I was happy to see you," Riley interrupted him, "It just came as a bit as a surprise. We haven't seen each other since our very passive-aggressive breakup, you know." She reminded him, a playful tone in her voice. Their breakup had been easy and more than mutual, but at the same time, both of them had got a little pissed off at the other for just how easy it was. But it only proved that they should never have been in a relationship in the first place.

               Luke chuckled, "Yeah, I know. That's why I wanted to apologise. I just kinda busted in and invited myself to join your little clan of aviators," Riley scoffed. Luke stuck his hand out in offering, "So, friends? I am about to be your wingman again, after all. It wouldn't feel right going up there with any tension." He said, his hand out in front of her as Riley thought about it for a second.

             It had always been strange between the two of them. They had been friends first—though Riley had been more than aware of Luke's fat crush on her before they ever got together. And when they did get together, it almost felt like a pointless shift in dynamic. It felt right at the time, because when they got along as well as they did, why wouldn't they date? But they had been terrible together and not because they were ever mean or did anything remotely bad to the other but just because they didn't bring out the best in each other. But they had when they were friends—in fact, they had been very good friends. They were better at that.

             Riley found herself smiling, "Fine, you've convinced me," She said with a playful sigh, taking his hand in hers and giving it a firm shake, "Though, not gonna lie, seeing you last night I had to run to the bathroom to have a mental breakdown. I thought you were gonna stick to your word about winning me back." She said, more so at her own expense, giving a small chuckle.

             Luke laughed, "I did say that, didn't I?" He remembered and Riley nodded her head, smiling in amusement. Luke sucked in air through his teeth, "Well, as gorgeous as you are, Riley Seresin. I must admit—I found the love of my life, not so long after you, actually. So I should really thank you for breaking it off when you did." He told her and Riley broke out into a grin.

             "See, I told you I was doing you a favour," She said, slapping his arm, "So, how long have y'all been dating?" She asked him curiously as he began walking her to her jet.

            "Actually," Luke held up his hand, wiggling his fingers and Riley turned, noticing the silver band on his ring finger, "We're married." He told her and Riley's jaw dropped with a smile on her face.

               She stopped in her tracks and grabbed his hand, "Holy shit," She said, staring at the silver band that had was engraved with a different language—French, Riley thought, "I can't believe your fucking married!" She exclaimed, bursting into laughter. It was something so out of the ordinary for her to hear. Luke had always said he had no interest in marriage, that it was just some stupid piece of paper and a lot of money down the drain for one big day. And she realised that this woman must have meant a hell of a lot to him for him to change his mind.

            Luke laughed too, "Yeah, join the party," He said, shaking his own head in disbelief, "I never thought I'd meet someone that I'd want to eventually marry. But then I met Lily... she's everything a guy could ask for." Riley watched as his eyes glazed over, looking ahead of him and she realised he was thinking about his wife. She had never seen that look on his face, not once—it was pure love and admiration.

             She threw her arms around him, pulling him into an embrace, "Shit, dude, I'm so proud of you," She told him, earning a laugh on his behalf. She pulled away, "No, really, this is a Christmas miracle and it's not even fucking Christmas!" She exclaimed, throwing her hands up.

             Luke laughed under his breath and then put his hand on her shoulder, "So, how about you? Anyone special?" He asked her as they reached her jet. The question took her by surprise and she paused, thinking it over as she took a quick glance down at Rooster's jet where his name was plated on the side.

              "Ummm, it's complicated." She told him, giving an awkward smile.

               Like tilted his head, "It's Rooster, isn't it?" He deadpanned, making her jaw drop.

             "I—what? How did—"

            "I didn't, at least I wasn't sure until I literally just caught you glancing at his jet," He told her smugly, grinning ear to ear, "And besides, I always knew he had a thing for you and—"

             "Wait, is that why y'all never got along?" Riley suddenly realised, her eyes widening.

              Luke laughed into the air, "We guys fight through stupid things—mostly women. And I could see the way he looked at you and sometimes, I could swear I could see you looking back at him the same way." Luke explained to her and she shook her head, tutting.

              "You men and your territorial bullshit," She scoffed, "Oh, and by the way, nothing ever happened between us whilst you and I were together—it was kind of every time in between, before and after." She quickly added, not wanting him to think she had been sneaking around with Rooster behind his back at the time because she hadn't.

               "Ahh, so it's one of those ones, huh? Friends with benefits or something?" Luke asked her.

              Riley screwed up her face, "No, not really," She said, "I used to talk to Payton about it all the time. I think it's a close proximity kinda thing. Like somehow whenever we're near each other we're just—"

             "Drawn to each other," Luke finished for her like he knew exactly what she was gonna say. Riley looked at him in confusion and he smiled, "Lily and I were always the same." He explained, nodding his head in understanding.

              "Like a moth to a flame," Riley replied to what he had first said. She then pointed an accusing finger at Luke, "Except we are not getting married." She said, narrowing her eyes playfully as she hopped up the steps to her jet.

             Luke chuckled to himself but didn't reply. Riley hopped into her jet, keeping the glass window above her open. She smirked down at Luke, "You ready to be my wingman again, Hawk? For old times sake?" She asked him, wiggling her eyebrows.

              Luke grinned, "Always happy to be your wingman, Karma."