“It doesn’t have to be on a schedule, does it?”
“I know that’s probably torture for you,” I said, and he snorted a laugh, “but no. It doesn’t. It can be day by day—as we want it. As we need it. And the only thing you need to know is I’m here. You’re stuck with me.”
“Promise?” Creek asked, eyes a little uncertain again.
I leaned up on my elbow and kissed him one more time. “Yeah, baby. I promise.”
“So it’s us, then,” he said.
I leaned up and nuzzled my nose against his. “For as long as you’ll have me.”
He grinned and held me tight. “Well, darlin’, I’m thinking forever sounds pretty good.”
It sounded more than good to me. It sounded absolutely perfect.
EPILOGUE
CREEK
The sun set in a million hues of orange and yellow over the Pacific Ocean, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away. Maybe there was something to be said for the Navy after all. I’d certainly never been treated to sunsets like this during my deployments. Oh, I’d seen the sun alright, but never in this splendor. Though it had been a goddamn relief every time she set, both because we were still alive and because the temperatures would finally come down. Summer in the Middle East was a bitch. Even worse than Texas.
But I didn’t want to think about that now, not when I had Heath snuggled up against me, my friends around me, a beautiful vista to enjoy, plus some fruity, super-sweet cocktail in my hand. Inviting a bartender to your beach bonfire had its advantages, as Zayd had immediately volunteered to supply the booze. Nash had brought delicious snacks, and as always, the man had made enough to feed an army.
The fire was roaring, conversations were flowing as easily as the drinks, and I’d never been happier in my life—a most peculiar feeling that I was experiencing more and more lately but still wasn’t used to. It was hard to let go of that when-will-the-other-shoe-drop anxiety.
“This is nice,” Heath said softly, putting his head on my shoulder.
“This is perfect.”
“You two are so disgustingly happy,” Kent said, rolling his eyes. “I almost long for the time you couldn’t stand each other.”
I snorted. “Thanks, bro.”
“You’re welcome. I predict you’ll be married within six months and raise babies together.”
Married? Kids? I froze. Why would he say that? Was that the expectation? I wasn’t ready for that. It wasn’t that I didn’t love Heath. I loved him more than I had thought myself capable of. But things were already moving fast, and I needed more time.
Panic rose inside me, and I looked at Nash, whose eyes had darkened. Not at me, thank fuck. Trust me, you did not want to be on the receiving end of his temper. It was slow to ignite, but when it did, he could burn you to a crisp.
But before Nash could say anything, Zayd slapped the back of Kent’s head—with a lot less force than Nash always used. “Shut your trap, dipshit.”
“What?” Kent rubbed his head, shooting Zayd an indignant look. “What the hell did you do that for?”
“He’s not…” Heath started, then stopped as he leaned back and met my eyes.
The thought that I had three people defending me gave me the courage to say what I felt, something I would’ve never been able to do mere months ago. “I’m not ready for that.” I took a deep breath. “I’m recovering from more than losing my leg, and I need more time before I’m ready to make big changes like that. Right now, I need…I need to stay where I am. I need my brothers.”
“And we need Creek,” Nash said sharply. “And Heath understands that.”
“Shit,” Kent mumbled. “I put my foot in, didn’t I? Didn’t mean to put you on the spot. I was just joking.”
Tension seeped out of my shoulders. “I know. No harm done.”
“I’m glad you’re staying,” Bean, who was sitting right next to me, said softly. He patted my shoulder awkwardly. “And we don’t mind Heath being there. He fits in.”
He did, and that had brought such relief and joy. The guys never behaved differently when he was around. No tiptoeing around or being overly polite. No treating him with kid gloves either. He took the ribbing with humor and gave back as good as he got. I guessed teaching high school had made him sharp-witted and not easily offended. I loved him even more for it.
“How are you liking the recruiter job?” Zayd asked me, smoothly changing the topic. The man had social skills, that couldn’t be denied.
