Page 65 of Keeping a Warrior

Be humble, Matt, Devon entreated him silently. Be real with him. This is your only chance, honey.

“Because I’m an asshole,” Matt said softly, “and I’m so damn sorry for all that shit I spewed that night. Because the thought of losing you scares me to death, and for some reason my dumbass mouth always runs ahead of my brain, and before I know it, I’m fucking everything up. But I love you, and I know you love me, and I’m begging you to please give me another chance.”

Devon could see Shane’s head droop as he pinched the bridge of his nose. There was a long, weighty silence. Then Shane let out a weary sigh. “I can’t do this right now. I’m going to finish my date,” he repeated. “Talk to you later.”

He disappeared back inside.

Devon approached Matt and touched his arm. “What do you need, sweetie? You want to be alone? To sit and talk all night? Whatever it is, I’m here.”

Matt stared at the door to the bar. “I want to run.”

“What?”

“I want to go for a long, punishing run.”

Devon didn’t hesitate. “Okay, I’m in. Let’s go back to our rooms and change.”

They made their way into the bar to say goodbye to everyone. Shane was nowhere in sight, but Devon found Rhys talking with Aaron, and drew him aside. “Matt really needs a friend right now,” she said quietly. “I’m going to take off with him, okay?”

“Where are you going?”

When she explained what they were going to do, Rhys grinned. “A run sounds amazing. Got room for one more?”

“The more the merrier, I’m sure.”

Devon found Matt and they agreed on a meeting time and place, and then she ducked into the bathroom for a quick pit stop. As she emerged from the stall, Sarah was leaning against the bank of sinks, arms crossed, clearly waiting for her.

Smiling at her ruefully, Devon stepped up to wash her hands. “Is this the part where you warn me off because of your friend?”

Sarah shook her head. “No. Quite the opposite, in fact. Look, Devon. I love Lani like a sister, not gonna lie.” She paused. “But I’ve never felt she and Rhys were right for each other.”

“Why? Do you mind explaining it?”

Sarah lifted one shoulder. “If I can. Lani and Rhys are two very different people. Rhys has always been a rebel, a risk-taker. Lani is the go-along-to-get-along type, you know? They grew up together, and their teenage love turned into a habit. That’s the best I can explain it.”

Devon pulled some paper towels out to dry her hands as Sarah went on, “Rhys needs someone who can challenge him, keep him on his toes, call him on his bullshit. Lani needs a man who’ll be home every night.”

“Why have they—”

“Why have they lasted this long? Because Rhys doesn’t like failure and Lani wants everyone to always be happy all the time.” Sarah bit her lip. “Hey. Even if you’re not interested in anything beyond fucking his brains out, girl, you have my full support. Just wanted you to know that.”

With a tiny wave, Sarah glided from the bathroom, leaving Devon speechless. Fuck his brains out? Her stomach went deliciously hollow at the thought.

If that’s where the night leads, I certainly wouldn’t object.

She found Rhys and Matt waiting for her on the sidewalk, and they ambled silently toward their cars. As they separated at their vehicles, Matt said, “See you out front of the barracks in thirty?”

“You got it, bud.” Rhys clapped Matt on the shoulder. “We’ll be there.”

“Do you mind if I get changed at your place?” Rhys jerked his thumb at the back seat of his king cab. “I have some PT gear with me.”

“Of course not.” Devon’s mouth went dry, and she ruthlessly shoved away the images that sprang to mind. She really needed to get her damn mind out of the gutter.

Back at the barracks, they took turns changing in her minuscule bathroom. Rhys was tying his shoes when Devon emerged. She fished her penknife out of her handbag and slipped it into her sports bra, aware of Rhys’s gaze.

I don’t leave my knife home for anyone. I thought I could trust them, too.

Rhys didn’t say anything, just stood and asked quietly, “You ready?”