All credit goes to LuvCullens.
Justin had to talk himself through each footstep back to his bunk. He was exhausted. They had been doing some trainingall through the night and now the sun was starting to rise and he hadn't slept in over twenty-four hours.
"Bieber, wait up." Justin turned around to see McCarty running towards him.
"What's up, brother?" Jake asked clasping his hand on Justin's shoulder.
"Not much, I'm exhausted. I'm going to sleep as long as they'll let me. Then I'll get up, to do this all over again."
"Wow, you do need to sleep, Grumpy."
"How are you always on, McCarty? Do you live on Red Bull?"
"Don't hate on my awesomeness."
"I'll work on it," Justin laughed. He felt like it was literally impossible to stay in a bad mood when in the presence of this guy.
"I heard you're up for promotion."
"Yeah, I guess they must be pretty hard-up for some sharp shooters if they want me."
Jake blew out an exasperated breath. "Don't play the humble card with me, Bieber. You know you're good, you always have been. I'm surprised it took them this long to realize you're the best of the best."
"Well, it's not a done deal yet. I've got to go through some more training and get in some practice time." Jake nodded in understanding. "Hey, you want to go get some target shooting in with me later?"
"Sure, just come find me. Do you realize that there are only sixty more days until we're back at Pendelton?" Jake said with a glow on his face. Justin nodded and rubbed the back of his neck. "You're not excited to be back in the states?"
"I don't have a beautiful wife waiting at home for me, Jake. So being here really isn't that different than being at home. Well, that's not completely true, the food at home is better."
"That's true, my friend. I need a freakin' cheeseburger and fries like you wouldn't believe. I could also use a little something, something from my wife."
"Not what I need to hear, Jake."
"Justin, you need a woman. That's what will cheer you up," Jake said winking at Justin.
"Nope, that's not what I need."
"Dude, you can't stay celibate forever. I'm not saying you need to get married, you just need a little female companionship."
Justin shook his head and laughed it off. "Aren't you having a baby soon?"
"Yeah, Charlotte is due three weeks after we get back."
Jake's attention was easily distracted and he went into a full blow discussion about his baby girl that was soon arriving.
By the time Justin made it back to his barracks he was too tired to even take off his clothes. He dropped onto the mattress and was asleep within seconds, without a thought crossing his mind.
Voices started to filter into Justin's mind, breaking him from his deep slumber. He rolled over onto his side and heard a crinkle under his shoulder. He let his eyelids slip open long enough to look at the watch on his wrist. Eleven. He'd slept five hours. More than he'd expected. He could hear men outside and a couple of men having a conversation at the other end of the room. His eyes opened wider and he knew he was officially up for the day.
Throwing his legs over the edge of the bed, he pushed up on his elbow, hearing the crinkling sound again. He looked over and saw a envelope crushed underneath him. It must have come yesterday and he didn't notice it because he crashed this morning. Quickly, he sat up and opened his letter.
