Silent Ranks Read online

  Jordan * I know and Brent just made Quarter back on the J.V. squad, Lore broke his wrist at a rodeo last weekend so his baseball season is done so he’s in a bad crank assed mood and Milo well he got caught out by the pond with a girl from his biology class and boy Did Daddy chew his sorry ass

  Me * hey you’re supposed to call me and tell me this stuff

  Jordan * yeah well this year I don’t know what got into Daddy and Uncle Brody but Damn girl the hands are FINE.

  Me * Oh so you’ll be the next one caught out by the pond then?

  Jordan * oh you need to get your northern ass here and get it in the saddle and bring Brit.

  Me * I asked shes got a crush on a Marine at the island and she’s heading out to Cali to see her parents.

  Jordan * that sucks because the three of us would be unstoppable… so when do I pick you up from the airport?

  Me * I’ll call you and let you know

  The door opened and Ryder walked in

  Me * give everyone hugs from me and tell them I love them

  Jordan * same there girl

  I hung up as Ryder read the note. I turned and walked to the stairs grabbing the yellow book as I went

  “Who was on the phone?” he called after me

  “Jordan” I carried on walking

  “Brit wants you to call her”

  “Whatever” I closed my bedroom door and called the airline as I packed my bag.

  Chapter 4

  I'm soooo in trouble

  I walked back down the stairs and took the keys from my truck from the hook by the door I put a note on the table in front of Ryder and walked out of the house. I backed down the drive as Ryder came to the door the note in his hand, I looked at him and waved He called my name and stepped off the doorstep as I hit the gas and left marks on the black top. My Phone instantly rang I pushed it to voice mail and dialed Brittany.

  Brit * okay I was soaking in the tub dreaming that Marek was scr…

  Me * Ew… will you stop

  Brit * sorry what’s up did Jack ass say sorry?

  Me * I didn’t give him the chance I’m on the 10pm flight to Dallas

  There was the sound of sloshing water and swearing

  Brit *What? You can’t… they leave next week

  Me * you heard Ryder I’m done with Marine Corps ego’s

  Brit * you’re not thinking right

  Me * I’ve called Jordan I’m she’s picking me up

  Brit * What if he doesn’t come home? What is Jack doesn’t come home?

  Me * Stop don’t you think I know that?

  Brit * and you’re still leaving

  Me * yep

  Brit * you suck you know that

  Me * love you too

  Brit * everyone’s going to be pissed with you

  Me * nothing knew then

  Brit * I’m calling Grandpa

  I hung up the phone and turned it off. I know what I was doing was going to hurt people but I felt trapped surrounded by Marines, smothered by Semper Fi

  “There she is” I heard a guy laugh “Hey Marine brat?” I groaned as Brent walked over to me and picked me up hugging me tight

  “Damn it looks well my 15 year old cousin can pick me up” I laughed he was at least 6ft 1 and stocky

  “Yeah well if you ate real food like here in Texas then you wouldn’t have a skinny ass” He grinned

  “Get out the way dumbass” Jordan elbowed he brother in the ribs and crushed me in a huge hug “You’re Daddy’s been calling and Momma and Uncle Brody are waiting for you” she grinned linking my arm as Brent grabbed my bag I reached up and pulled the cowboy hat from Brent’s head and put it on mine.

  “Yeah Aly we didn’t remember that Ryder was getting sent away next week” Brent scolded me

  “So I’m the family black sheep” I shrugged Jordan’s phone rang she pulled it from her pocket

  Jordan * hi Uncle J

  Dad * honey can you have my thick headed daughter turn her phone back on or I’m coming out there to kick her sorry little ass

  I looked at Jordan and held out my hand

  Me * so Ryder ran whining to you and Mom did he?

  Dad * no he didn’t but hell Brittany sure did… What the hell do you think you’re doing when you’re brother’s being deployed

  Me * I’m seeing family after I was told I might as well leave because he didn’t give a damn if I was there or not next week… Did he tell you that?

  Dad * he told you he doesn’t want you there?

  Me * yep ask Brit or Jack they heard in when he got in my face on the boardwalk.

  Dad * turn your phone back on Alyssa and you’d better answer it young lady when I call you back

  Me * yes sir

  I handed Jordan back the phone as we got to the shiny mustang that Jordan had got as a graduation gift from her parents.

  “Oh Uncle J’s pissed with you” Jordan laughed as we got in cramming Brent in the back

  “I know” I groaned

  “Hey we’re having a blow out by the pond tomorrow kick back they ain’t gonna make you go back before then” Brent patted me on the shoulder.

  All the lights were on at the ranch when we pulled up the front door opened and my Uncle Brody my Dad’s older brother stepped out.

  “You know we love you being here but running away from home honey” he wrapped me in a hug.

  “I’m not running away” I sighed

  “Could of fooled me” I looked over his shoulder as my Grandpa “Where’s the cowgirl back bone? For that where’s the Marine Brat backbone I know you have?”

  “If I’d stayed I would have delayed Ryder’s deployments by kicking his ass” I pouted I was being soooooooooo ganged up on right now.

  “You guys have fought since you could land a punch” Brody laughed “But you are closer then you like to admit”

  “Yeah well” I kicked the dirt at my feet

  “Your Momma and Flynn are so different from you guys?” Grandpa sighed

  “I know… I just need away from the Marines for a while” I swear to god you could have heard a cricket fart in a paddock a mile away when I finished that sentence.

  “Okay I think you need to get a call into the doctor” Grandpa whistled pushing his hat back on his head “Did you just say you wanted to be away from the Marine Corps for a while”

  “Yes sir” I wrapped my arms round myself

  “I think we need to let Aly get to bed for a while” My Aunt Rachel walked out of the house “We’ll talk in the morning” She kissed my cheek “We all need a break from what we’re used to sometimes” she smiled at me “Brent take her bags out to the bunk house where you guys are” He walked round the side of the house “Jordan”

  “Yes Momma”

  “Stay in the bunk house tonight okay” Jordan blushed beet red and grabbed my hand and pulled me with her

  ‘Okay what was that about?” I hissed at her

  “Uncle Brody caught me over by the hands bunk house last night” she sighed “I was taking some blamkets I swear to god”

  ‘Yeah after the comment you gave me earlier about them being fine you want me to by that I’m used to Marine excuses remember” I pushed open the door Lore and Milo were watching some lame comedy on the tv

  “Oh you’re so in the shitter” Lore laughed hugging me “I swear to god nothing he did” he pointed to Milo has pissed off the family as much as you ducking out”

  “Missed you too” I sat down and dropped a kiss on Milo’s head “out by the pond Huh?”

  “Don’t’ you start” he groaned “Well look at it like this if it wasn’t for me and you the family would be boring” he looked at me and winked as my phone rang.

  Chapter 5

  Hell he brought back up

  I looked at it as My Dads picture came up from Ryder’s graduation from the Island him in full dress blues with his arm round me.

  Me * hi

  Dad * okay what you did was mean to your brother and Jack

/>   I started to smile

  Me * he told you?

  Dad * yes he did and I have to say you’re Mom had to leave the room she was laughing so hard

  Me * it was a classic

  Dad * it still doesn’t excuse you running away Aly… we don’t run from crap do we

  Me * no sir

  Dad * you need to haul ass back here before next Wednesday.

  Me * I don’t…

  Dad * Alyssa what’s the thing that keeps me going while I’m away?

  Me * knowing we’re waiting for you

  I felt a lump in my throat

  Dad * what do you think keeps your Brother going?

  Me * when he’s going to get his next blow job form an airhead

  Dad * damn you’ve got the same smart mouth as your great grandmother

  Me * sorry

  Dad * we not all tough guys when we’re away baby you know that

  Me * yes sir

  Dad * you need to call Ryder

  Me * He can…

  Dad * Alyssa you were the one that ran away you can call your brother or do I have to get your Mom on the phone

  Me * I’ll call him in the morning

  Dad * if you haven’t by 10am our time then I’ll be coming there

  Me * I promise… Dad

  Dad * Yes baby

  Me * I love you guys

  Dad * we love you too honey give your Uncle crap from me

  Me * yes sir

  I hung up the others all looked at me

  “Come on what did you do to Ryder and Jack?” Brent asked getting into his bunk

  “I sort of put a dampener on them hitting on some girls” I shrugged opening my bag and pulling out some shorts and a tank and walking to the bathroom “I pretended to be a stripper that they’d both hooked up with the night before” they all started to laugh “and she had a mean accent just like y’all” I giggled slipping into the drawl that was so easy when I was actually there…….

  The sounds of the ranch woke me the horses in the paddock, the shouting of the hands.

  “Morning sunshine” I felt a sudden dump of cold water and hhoting of Milo laughing

  “You dumb ass” I scrabbled out of bed and chased him from the bunk house “I’m so going to kick you scrawny Texan ass”

  “Marine tough my ass I have socks tougher than you” he stopped and looked at me I skidded to a halt in the middle of the yard.

  ‘Really you want to bring it like that” I held out my hands “I can out ride you, I can out shoot you and I can take you down” I grinned as we circled each other Yes I wanted away from the Marines right now but no one was ever going to knock them or the way I was raised. I pushed the wet hair from my face I was trying not to laugh at Milo

  “Oh will you kids knock it off” Aunt Lucy called from the table where she was setting out breakfast “Call Ryder Alyssa”

  “Yes Ma’am after I’ve taught Milo some manners” I grinned over my shoulder.

  “Okay but he has chores to do” she laughed.

  “Gee thanks Aunt Luce” Milo groaned.

  “Hey you decided to wake her with the water you take the punishment” she laughed walking back to the house.

  “You’ll only get hurt Aly you know that right” Milo was trying to sound convincing

  ‘You called out the Corps”

  “No I called out the runaway Marine Brat there’s a difference” He chuckled “Oh Shit” he took off running as I ran him down “Dad help” I brought him down in a cloud of dust and dirt and scrabbled to get up and pulled him up putting a lock on his thumb Dad had taught me the first time I’d gone on a date in case the guys hands wandered…

  “You really want to push your cousin then you take what she dishes out” Uncle Trey smiled as he lead a horse from the barn “Aly call your Brother

  “I know” I groaned pulling Milo with me

  ‘Ow your breaking my hand” he whined

  “Yeah right you’d know if I was doing that” I muttered

  “Hey why don’t you let him go you hot head pain in the ass” I looked round

  “Can’t I get a minute away from you” I snapped pulling a face at Ryder

  “Nope” he shrugged Dad got out of the truck with Mom

  “Oh you brought back up”

  “Aly let go” Milo tugged away from me

  “No I haven’t finished with you yet” I pulled him back

  “Don’t you have something to say to your Brother?” Mom tapped her foot

  “Yeah… keep going for the girls you do and you’ll need a special cream from the doctor” I said flatly Dad and Mom both tried not to laugh

  “You’re a bitch”

  “Yep” I nodded

  “Aly let go of your cousin” Dad called over as the family walked out of the house “and you and Ryder get your asses over here Now” Oh there was the Drill instructor voice that used to scare the living hell out of us as kids when we were fighting

  “Oh you’re so in trouble” Brent hollered from the table as he munched on some bacon. I let go of Milo

  “Sleep with your eyes open tonight” I hissed at him as I walked over to my Dad and stood next to my brother.

  “I’m not having you two doing this right now” Dad said firmly but quietly “whatever crap it is get it out you need to get your head in gear your platoon needs it and you need to stop pissing him off” I opened my mouth Dad just raised and eye brow I closed it “I know you love each other and I know if anyone hurt her you’d be there before the rest of us” he looked at Ryder then at me “Go get your horses saddled up and get out to the pond and sort this out now… do I make myself understood?”

  “Yes sir” Ryder and I both nodded Dad sighed and put his arm round both of us

  “Please & months apart is a long time we all know that and crap can and does happen” He pushed up both in the direction of the barn “and don’t come back till it’s all talked out.”

  Chapter 6

  Owning up

  Ryder and I didn’t say anything until we’d ridden out to the pond and dismounted Ryder took the reins from my horse and his and lead them to the water as I sat under the tree he walked back to me and sat down.

  “I’m sorry” He looked at me “I didn’t mean it when I said I didn’t care if you were there next week” he picked up a stalk of grass and chewed on the end of it

  “And I shouldn’t have made those girls run for the hills” I tipped my head to the side “I hate you going away more than your really bad taste in girls”

  “I know but I’m a Marine now Aly” he groaned “and what bad taste?”

  “Why does everything have to be the damn Marine Corps” I got up and walked to the edge of the water.

  “Because it’s what we love”

  “I don’t” I turned and looked at him “I do but I don’t I’m so fiercely proud of you and Dad and Jack and all of my Marines but I can’t handle the way you all suffocate me” I’d never wanted to come out and say this to him or any of them for that matter.

  “Suffocate you since when” He walked over to me

  “Oh Ryder come on You wouldn’t’ let any of the guys we were at school with anywhere near me” I held out my arms “I did go on a date but had to go on a self defense thing with Dad first and I had a .45 in my purse, which for a 15 year old is so much more than illegal” I sighed “I go out and I see people I know so I can’t get away with a thing”

  “Yeah talking about that I really think Joe the pizza dude isn’t boyfriend material” Ryder tapped his finger on his chin

  “See this is what I’m talking about. We were raised to respect people and boundaries Ryder” I grabbed his arms “But when it comes down to Me and Brit we can’t breathe without a Damn Marine over our shoulder”

  “You know the reason for it” He said his face changing to one of pain “You know the history in the family”

  “I know but damn it someone has to break this curse thing” I looked down “I think it’s got to the
point where we’re waiting for the bad to happen to one of us it’s become insane”

  “So what?”

  “I don’t know I need away from Lejeune for a while away from Marines” I sat down on the grass and hugged my knees to my chest “I need to work out what’s going to be the right thing for me” I looked up at him “I don’t know if a Marine is that thing” Ryder sat behind me and wrapped his arms round me and rested his chin on my shoulder.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Yeah you’re 200% Marine like Dad” I rested my head against his “and I love you guys and will always be so proud of you hell I have the ink to prove it” Ryder chuckled. “I’m a born and raised Marine kid and I don’t l know if life away from that is going to be right but if I don’t try then” Ryder hugged me tighter “Please don’t tell Mom and Dad”