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Jake swears he was going to shove Bradley’s head into the sand.
They had been coming down to the beach every day this week. Jake, at first, thought it was Bradley just wanting to spend time with everyone as much as possible before this crazy mission was done. He couldn’t have been more wrong.
Jake didn’t think much of it at first. Rooster has often been seen with things on his mind, but he’s usually a lot more focused. Jake had asked him a question and had received no reply. Hangman had called his name over and over again, but the other pilot was just so focused on something else. Jake gave Bradley a shove to the shoulder, which worked. Bradley had turned to glare at Jake, but all Jake could say then was, “the hell, man?”
Bradley soon realised that he had been so focused on the shack by the beach, he hadn’t realised anyone was talking to him. Jake was still staring at him.
“Sorry,” was all he could think of to say.
“Sorry?” Jake looked at him as if he had grown another head. “What is up with you?”
Bradley regains his composure. “Nothing,” he says.
Obviously Jake doesn’t believe him. Bradshaw knows Jake won’t take that as an answer. He has to say something.
“Can we go take a look at that shop?” Bradley asks, pointing to the shack.
Jake grows all the more confused. “Why?”
“I just want to take a look,” Bradley tells him.
“That’s what had you so out of it? A shop?”
Jake had been aware of the shack. It had been there all the time. Always open during the day, closed at night. Penny was familiar with the vendor there, but Jake had never bothered to ask about them.
“I just want to take a look,” Bradley says, already making his way in that direction.
Jake sighs, glancing behind him to see the others way ahead. He just shrugs and walks on after Bradley, knowing they’ll catch up with the others later.
It was just a small hut with a counter. The counter top was littered with handmade jewellery. Jake glances at the little trinkets. Everything seemed to be made from shells. All carefully handcrafted into bracelets, necklaces, and charms. They were cute, Jake could admit that.
Rooster’s gaze wasn’t on the merchandise. His eyes were solely focused on the person within the shack. The person who was smiling softly at him as they looked back at him too.
Jake looked up from admiring one of the shells on the end of a necklace to see Bradley staring at you…. and you at him.
“Hi, Jake Seresin, this is Bradley Bradshaw,” Jake introduces, needing any reason to stop the staring contest happening right in front of him.
You break eye contact with Bradley to smile at Jake.
“Hello,” you smile, giving them your name. “Are you interested in anything?” You gesture to the counter. Jake could gag at the love sick expression on Bradley’s face right now.
“You make all this?” Hangman asks.
“Yeah. It’s basically a hobby, but I’ve made so many over the years, I decided to share them with others. A small price to pay for a few shells, but I put a lot of time and effort into every single one.”
Rooster looks down at the bracelets in front of him. You make all of these?
“Do you like them?” You ask.
Bradley reaches out and picks up a bracelet. He admires it carefully.
“Yeah. They’re really cool,” he says. They’re the first words he’s said to you and it’s enough to make you smile brightly as you watch him.
“Here,” you hold out your hand. Bradley gives you the bracelet. He watches as you unclasp it and make a gesture for him to hold out his arm. Bradley holds his hand up, giving you access to his wrist. You clasp the bracelet shut around his arm and smile. “It suits you.”
Bradley swears he died and went to heaven.
“You think so?” He asks, grinning.
You nod your head enthusiastically.
“How much for it?” He asks.
You shake your head.
“This one is a gift. Keep it,” you smile at him again.
Bradley has a dreamy look on his face. You’re looking at him in the exact same way.
“Then maybe I can repay you with a drink?” Bradley asks. Jake stares at him. That was smooth.
“I’d like that,” you reply.
Yeah, that was really smooth of Bradley.
“When do you close up?” He asks you.
You lean forward and look in both directions. Seeing no one else in the vicinity, you stand upright again.
“In about 5 minutes by the looks of it.”
Jake had no idea what was even happening. Bradley had scored a date with you so quickly.
Both of them watched you pack up the counter and close up shop. You locked up the shack and turned to smile at the pair. Well, mostly at Bradshaw.
“Alright kiddos, see you later. I am not third wheeling this date,” Jake does a two finger salute and takes his leave. Bradshaw doesn’t pay him any mind. He’s hooked on the way you’re looking at him.
“Shall we?”
Bradley grins and takes you toward the Hard Deck.
Penny looks up when you both enter. You’re both smiling like fools at one another. She has this knowing look on her face as you both approach the bar.
“What can I get you?” She asks, only able to grab Rooster’s attention long enough for him to order. She fetches you both your drinks and watches as you both go and take a seat. The bar is pretty quiet, so she has no excuse not to keep an eye on you two.
“Are you a pilot?” You ask him.
Bradley looks caught off guard.
“How did you know?”
“You brought me to the Hard Deck. I know it’s literally next door, but this place is kind of known for being a Navy Pilot hot spot. Also, Penny is watching us. She’s making sure you have good intentions. Pilots kind of have a reputation.”
Bradley chuckles.
“That’s very perceptive of you.”
You smile at him.
“I don’t mind by the way. You have one of the coolest and most important jobs in the world. Gloat if you want to, I’ll happily listen.”
You both laugh.
“I won’t do that, but you’ve eased my worries.”
“What’s your callsign?”
“Rooster.”
You smile, “Rooster. I like it.”
Bradley bows his head down with a big grin on his face. He looks bashful. You chuckle as you watch him. He takes a sip of his beer in the hope of it doing something to banish his blush away. It does not.
“My, uh, my dad was an aviator too. He was Maverick’s RIO.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. His callsign was Goose,” Bradley says. It’s not very often he sits down and talks about his dad, but there’s something about you that brought that side of him out. Plus, he thought you’d get a kick out of that information.
“Goose? Goose and Rooster,” you smile. “Cute.”
He chuckles softly.
“Maverick? I think I’ve seen him in here sometimes,” you note.
“Probably.”
“Hm.”
Bradley watches you. You have a thoughtful glint in your eye.
“What?”
“Nothing. Just, all these years selling seashells by the beach and never has a pilot been more interesting to me than you.”
“Oh?” He grins.
“It is,” you wink at him.
“Does this mean a second date?” He asks.
You pretend to be in deep thought about that. The big smile that appears on your face tells him your answer though. He smiles back.
“On one condition.”
“What’s that?” He asks.
You reach out run your fingers over the bracelet he’s wearing.
“You have to wear that.”
His smile becomes serene. His eyes soften. He moves his hand slightly, taking a hold of your hand.
“Honey, I’m never taking this off.”
Penny smiles to herself as she turns around, wiping down the bar. Maverick is never going to believe this.