Page 97 of No Fear

“No, I don’t. You have a team that you consider family. Even in the remote chance that you cannot operate again, you still have them. Even I know that and I’ve only met Mackie. There’s no way they would abandon you. The fact that you think you might lose them is insulting to the bond you obviously have with them. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

Her voice had risen and she was breathing hard. Donnie’s face remained stoic, like her words had no effect. He didn’t speak. She got up, picking up her water bottle.

“I thought you were better than this, Donnie. I get this has been hard. I get that you’re worried, and no, I don't know what it’s like to not be able to see. But you have wonderful people around you, supporting you. Your team, the ladies you told me about, your folks. If you would let them in. And you have me. But I’ll tell you, my patience with this negative attitude and your mood swings is wearing thin on me already. Maybe it’s time you started appreciating everything you have, rather than dwelling on a worst-case scenario that might never happen. Because even if you could see, if I were one of your teammates, I’m not sure I would want someone with this piss-poor attitude on my team.”

The balcony door slid open. Mackie looked between her and Donnie.

“Everything OK here?” he asked.

Donnie remained silent.

“It’s fine. But you were right. I need to get out of here.” She moved past him, stepping inside.

And came face to face with five large men. The condo was already small, but it felt like it had shrunk. The men completely filled the room.

“Erm, hi,” Charlie said, embarrassed. The balcony door closed behind her and then Mackie was there, making introductions.

“I’m guessing Donnie was being a moody bas—” Mackie stopped himself. “Sorry.”

Charlie sighed. “Don’t apologize. You’re right. He is being a moody pain in the butt.”

The men chuckled.

“Leave him to us, Charlie. We’ll sort him out,” Dex said with a smile.

“Good luck. He’s an impatient asshole right now.” She shook her head.

Sam stepped forward. “It’s a SEAL thing. If he had been told he would have his sight back in full in seven days, he would have been fine. SEALs tend to like things instantly. They want results, and they want them now. The uncertainty of not knowing is hard for anyone, but for men like him it’s worse. Patience is not their strong suit.”

Charlie relaxed a little. Clearly, these men knew how to handle him much better than she did.

“Hey, boss, you were a SEAL once, too.” Tyler grinned.

“Yeah, and I was the same. I admit. I’m a little more patient now. Have to be to deal with you lot.”

The men laughed and Charlie smiled. If these guys were smiling and joking, they could not be too concerned about Donnie’s mindset. She glanced over her shoulder to where Donnie sat alone on the balcony. Her heart squeezed. He must be able to hear them laughing.

“Guys, give me a moment to talk to him alone,” Sam said, then turned to her. “It was nice to meet you, Charlie.”

“You, too.”

Sam went out to join Donnie.

“Sophie said she’ll be here in ten minutes,” Ryan said.

“OK, great. Thank you.” Charlie was relieved to be going out even more now. “I’m looking forward to meeting the rest of the ladies I’ve heard so much about.”

“Except Megan. She's with Grandma,” Steve said. “Not that she didn't beg to be allowed to go, but Diane wanted some adult time while she still can.”

“Diane is pregnant, right?” Charlie recalled Mackie saying something about that.

Steve smiled. “Yes. Seven months. Megan is nine and very eager to meet her baby brother or sister.”

“It must be exciting for her.”

“It is. Listen. Like Dex said, don't worry about Donnie. We've got his back and we'll get him through this. Sophie would never have told him he would get some sight back if they weren’t certain. Whatever happens, he will be fine. Go out and have a good time with the ladies. You’ve earned it.”

For the next few minutes, while they waited for Sophie to arrive, the men chatted with her, setting her completely at ease. They asked about her work and seemed impressed with some of the projects she had been involved in. By the time Ryan said Sophie was downstairs waiting, she felt like she’d made six new friends.