Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 102549 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102549 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
“Shh. Don’t say that around him.”
“Why not? You two belong together.” Again, with the small look of sadness.
“It’s not that easy. And maybe one day you will understand, but you’re—”
“If you say I’m only twenty and don’t know what I’m talking about, I’m going to lose my shit at you. Just warning you now.”
“Good to know.” And then I shut my mouth because that’s exactly what I was going to say.
We fall silent after that, and for all of Brady’s complaining that he’s cold, he doesn’t make a move to go back inside. Or put on a shirt.
“Damn it,” he says eventually.
“What?”
“I just realized with you leaving … this really is over. I was kind of hoping I could fly out here and still visit you guys whenever I got the chance. And when you were actually here. The whole SEAL team thing really ruins spontaneity for you guys, huh?”
“It really, really does.”
“Damn, this sucks.”
“You told him, then.” Prescott’s voice startles both of us, and I can’t help worrying about how long he’s been standing at the open doorway. He’s only in his underwear like I am, and his bulging muscles are tight as his arms are folded against his wide, golden-skinned chest.
“He did, and any hope of catching up with you guys again in the future has been dashed,” Brady says.
“I heard.”
I try to recall every single sentence Brady has said in the last couple of minutes that Prescott could have heard. “What else did you hear?”
I make the mistake of tilting my head toward him, and Prescott’s soulful brown eyes are locked on mine.
“That Brady wants to see us again but can’t.”
Here we go. I didn’t think he’d make a scene in front of Brady, but apparently, I was wrong.
“It made me think,” Prescott continues. “Why can’t we see each other again? All three of us.”
Impulsive Prescott strikes again. This is the guy I’m used to. The act now, think later type of guy who has gotten us into some serious trouble in the past on missions. I swear it’s ninety-five percent luck we haven’t been KIA. “I can give you three reasons. Coronado, Arlington, New York.”
“Obviously it won’t be able to happen often, and it’s not like we’ll be exclusive while we’re apart, but think about it. I could apply for leave, you won’t be on active duty anymore, and Brady … he gets summers off. School breaks between semesters? We could totally manage once a year where we all get together.”
Brady’s face lights up, and it’s clear he’s in.
My heart lurches, wanting to say no. Wanting to protect myself. But who knows? Maybe some time away, even if it’s only six months … maybe that will be enough for me to emotionally distance myself from Prescott.
Then I don’t have to lose out on either of them completely.
“We should do it,” I say.
Brady jumps up. “Good. Now that’s settled, take me back to bed.”
“You can’t be ready to go again already,” Prescott says.
Brady looks over his shoulder at me. “What were you saying about you guys not being old?” Then he turns back to Prescott and whines. “It’s been hours. And if you really can’t get it up again, I’ll let you blow me. I’m a generous man like that.”
I laugh as I stand and follow them inside. “I’ve worked out why Brady likes having two men in his bed.”
Brady faces me. “Apart from it being hot as fuck?”
“Apart from that. It’s so they have a chance to keep up with you, isn’t it?”
His smile doesn’t reach his eyes, but there’s still hunger burning in his light brown gaze. “You’ve worked out all my secrets. Now, what are you going to do with me?”
“We’re going to shut you up the best way we know how.”
“Yes,” he hisses and runs back to the bedroom.
Prescott steps in front of me. “Did you mean it? That we can still … you know … this isn’t goodbye?”
I pull him in for a hug. A hug that fills me with both regret and resentment, though neither aimed at Pres. I hate what our friendship has become because I have no control over my feelings for him. Having to break it all down, I know I need to leave to get some space.
“You’ll always be my best friend,” I say. “Distance won’t change that. And the once-a-year thing sounds great.”
He nods. “Once a year. Only on leave.”
I hope that’s enough to bury the longing that stabs at my heart.
CHAPTER SIX
prescott
When people ask me what military life is like, they’re often disappointed when I say it’s a lot of waiting around. And for the last few months, stationed in the Yellow Sea, that’s all it has been.
It’s times like these where I hate my job. Okay, no, I still love it, but Brady graduates in a few days, and I’m doing nothing. I could be there to see him one last time before he leaves for New York.