McClane mumbled an apology, loosened his hold, and did as Riley had asked. He started with the crash, recounted the ill-fated first encounter with the US military. He described how the human soldiers had fired the first shot, but admitted that the resultant fight might’ve been avoided if the crew of the Widowmaker hadn’t panicked just as much.

Everybody was seeing aliens, he said, somewhat sheepishly. We all freaked.

“Any of your people survive?” Riley asked, wondering if McClane was going to be wanting to phone home.

No. The ship self-destructed and then the soldiers blew up the rest of us. There’s no way back. Wouldn’t want to go, anyway. McClane shifted around, snuggling closer and talking faster. I played dead. They put us in boxes, I got out, ended up on the highway, tried to come up with a plan, and felt like I was about to disintegrate. And then you came along.

“I guess I was pretty convenient,” Riley agreed. He didn’t feel bitter about it; McClane had never made a secret out of why he’d picked Riley.

First come, first grabbed. “You still should’ve warned me.”

I know, McClane groaned, honestly chagrined. I know, and I’m sorry, and can we please eat and get out of here before Maureen realizes you’re way more fun than Business Suit?

Riley glanced over and realized the waitress was indeed watching him out of the corner of her eyes. Riley averted his gaze hastily and turned toward the window, not keen on inviting conversation. Most people didn’t catch on to the fact that he was gay until he told them, which did have undeniable advantages in his usual work environments, but also tended to lead to awkward situations. Easier to look away, not get caught in the game, so Riley studied the sky instead, blue and clear without a cloud in sight. It was going to be another scorching hot day.

If there’s no storm coming, then what’s that noise?

Riley tilted his head and listened. “Sounds like a helicopter.”

A big one at that, maybe two. He told himself that wasn’t worrisome.

It was probably a flying ambulance or traffic surveillance, and even if it

wasn’t, Fort Bliss wasn’t that far away. No reason for concern. All that talk about the military being aware of McClane’s existence and possibly looking for him had unnerved Riley. Add his uneasiness from before and you had yourself a Riley Cooper too jumpy for his own good.

I’m counting three, McClane stated quietly. He sounded edgy now, alert and a little spooked, though that might’ve been Riley projecting.

They’re headed straight for here.

Riley’s heart skipped a beat, but he stomped down on his nerves and forced himself to be rational. “They’ll probably pass right over.”