Page 27 of Keeping a Warrior

Devon turned to see Matt holding out a set of keys. Grateful to have something to do, she took them. “Sure.”

As they began a slow jog across to where the vans were parked, Devon glanced at him. As a rule Matt didn’t smile much, but this morning he seemed especially dour.

“Everything okay?”

Matt shook his head. “Did you hear about Mullet?”

In an instant all of Devon’s tension slammed back into her, and she had to fight to keep from stumbling.

“No,” she said tightly. “What about him?”

“He’s being sent home.”

“What?” Now Devon stopped short and gaped at him. “Why?”

Matt slowed, too. “Apparently he drunk-dialed his wife in the middle of getting a lap dance last night. And when I say ‘lap dance,’ she was dancing on his lap with her mouth.”

“Oh, my God.”

“Yeah. I just took him to the airport so he can go home and clean up his mess. Stupid bastard.”

Yet I’m the slut.

Devon shoved that thought away, sharpening her gaze on Matt. His lips were mashed together, white lines bracketing his mouth. The dude was seriously upset.

Without even realizing she was doing it, Devon edged away. “You’re close to him?”

“Are you kidding me?” Matt’s voice was incredulous. “Hell, no. I think that guy’s a douche. Good SEAL, but he’s a prick.” His eyes met hers. “A real prick.”

So Mullet told you, too.

Swallowing hard, Devon looked away and started walking again. Matt’s boots crunched on the asphalt as he trotted to catch up. “So Mullet’s gone,” she forced out. “Who’s going to replace him?”

“We’re getting a guy transferred over from Charlie platoon. He’ll be here today.”

“Another douche?”

Matt made a strangled noise. “No, he’s not a douche at all. In fact, he’s—”

When Matt broke off, Devon said impatiently, “He’s what?”

“He’s my ex-boyfriend.” Matt’s words rushed out of him with the force of a freight train, and he immediately clapped his hand over his mouth, his eyes wide with horror.

“Whoa.” Devon blinked a few times. “That’s gonna be awkward. Shane, right?”

Now Matt looked downright gobsmacked. “You know?” he gasped, the rest of the color draining from his face.

“I guessed.” Devon leaned against one of the vans. “It, uh, wasn’t that hard.”

“Jesus.” Collapsing next to her, Matt pinched the bridge of his nose. “Am I that obvious?”

Devon thought back to that first day, Matt tripping all over the place at the mere mention of Shane’s name. “Kinda.”

“Fuck me. I don’t know why I even told you that. I’m sorry.”

“About him being your ex?” When he nodded, Devon chuckled. “Don’t be. This might sound weird, but it feels really nice to be trusted. You don’t know how much I needed that today.”

A rueful look crossed Matt’s face. “I have to be honest and say I totally didn’t mean for that to happen. But now that it has—” He nudged her shoulder. “I’m glad you know. I’m glad someone knows. Having him here is...well, it’s gonna suck.”