“I’d have thought you’d want to go with the first group,” Asher commented as he didn’t join the business types who eagerly surged forward.
“I always think it’s a good idea to avoid people who aren’t sure which end of the weapon the bullets come out of,” Darwin said.“Let’s wait a bit until a few of the idiots have their turn.Less chance of getting accidentally shot that way.”
“Makes sense,” Eli agreed.
“Yeah, I think I’ll defer to your better judgment, too,” Asher said.
They all moved to the far side of the break area and grabbed some seats on one of the benches.Around them, the other people waiting their turn gathered in small groups.Darwin caught sight of Upton chatting with Silas, and he breathed a sigh of relief that the doofus hadn’t come over to sit with them.
Realizing Asher and Eli were still trying to figure out how to insert the foam earplugs, Darwin showed them how to roll them up, then stick them in your ear.It was kind of wild to think the men had never used them before, but at the same time, why would they?It wasn’t like they went to the shooting range on the reg.Hell, it wasn’t a given that they did anything else that required hearing protection, like woodworking or mowing the yard.
“It seems like you and Katrina are getting along well,” Asher said, pitching his voice louder than usual because of the earplugs.
Darwin didn’t reply right away, his attention on Silas and Harold as they wandered around the break area, chatting up other business types along with Upton.He used the distraction to gather his thoughts, not sure how much to divulge.Up by the tables, people started shooting, the sounds of their handguns echoing around him for a moment before it faded into the background.
“We are,” he finally said, deciding to open up with the other man.For some reason, Asher felt like someone he could be honest with.“Katrina’s not like anyone I’ve ever met before.She’s so completely sure of what she wants in life.Unfortunately, I’m not sure if we’re going to work.”
Asher frowned, surprised.“Why not?You guys seem perfect together.”
“I think so, too.”It was Darwin’s turn to frown.“Then again, that could be wishful thinking.Navy SEALs typically have a hard time being in a relationship.I’m worried at some point, she’ll realize how much trouble being with me is going to be and bail on the whole thing.”
It was something every guy in his platoon had dealt with.While some of them––like Lennox––had gotten lucky enough to find the perfect woman for them, one who could handle them taking off on a mission on a moment’s notice without divulging where they were going and when they’d be back, it didn’t mean he would.
“I don’t know about that,” Asher said.“From what Khloe told me, Katrina doesn’t seem the kind to bail on anything once she’s made up her mind.I get the feeling she can be stubborn like that.”
Darwin chuckled.“I suppose I’d have to agree with you there.She can definitely be stubborn when she thinks she’s right.”
“Did you ever consider that maybe these doubts you’re having about this thing with Katrina is more about you than her?”Eli asked.
Darwin was about to deny it––after making a snarky comment about Eli sounding like Dr.Phil––but instead, he considered the question seriously.
“Maybe,” he finally said, his gaze going to Upton.“I suppose there’s a part of me worried Katrina will bail for other reasons.Namely, because she’s way out of my league.”
“There is that,” Asher agreed.“But if she’s willing to look past your deficiencies, you should probably go along with it.”
“Gee, thanks.”Darwin snorted.“Way to make a guy feel good about himself.I appreciate the tough love approach.”
“You’re the one who brought it up,” Asher said with a laugh.“It makes me wonder, though.If you think she’s out of your league, who do you think would be a better match for her?”
Darwin refused to glance Upton’s way again, because Asher obviously already knew the answer to that.Eli had probably picked up on it, too.
“It’s not so much that I think there might be someone better,” he said.“But I’m not naive enough to think she couldn’t do better with a man who’s more familiar with her world.Her parents would certainly prefer it that way.”
“Do you really care what her parents want?”Asher asked.
“Ash is right,” Eli said.“I mean, if Katrina wasn’t interested in you, she wouldn’t have invited you to the wedding in the first place.”
“Good point,” Asher said.“Just accept you’re the one she wants to be with and stop trying to make decisions for her.”
Darwin was about to point out it wasn’t that simple when he caught sight of Silas and Harold pulling Upton toward the table closest to where he was sitting with Asher and Eli.Harold glanced furtively over his shoulder as they walked, like he thought someone might be watching them.That wasn’t suspicious at all, was it?
“This whole situation is getting out of hand!”Silas hissed.He didn’t even seem to care Darwin, Asher, and Eli were only a couple tables away.“No one was supposed to die.”
“I don’t understand what the problem is,” Upton said.“Can’t you tell them the deal is off?”
“We can’t back out now,” Harold muttered.“There’s way too much money on the table.”
“What good will all that money do us if we’re in prison for life–or dead?”Silas countered.
