Page 36 of Grunt: A Marine Romance

“Are you serious? She’s fine. Nia will freak. She loves her. Is she cool?” Ray took out his phone and texted his wife.

“Yeah. She’s cool. I mean totally loopy. She believes in past lives and all that stuff. But she’s down to earth. A good mom. I lucked out.”

“We get to meet her when we go to your show?”

“Of course. She’s a good dancer. I don’t think we’ll get eliminated.”

Ray paused and checked his phone. “Nia is stoked.” Ray took a sip of his beer, his eyes dancing. “So how’s your ex? You hit that yet?”

Bret took a sip of his own beer. “Yup.”

“Ahh, I knew it, dawg. I told Nia that you had no self-control. Not that I can blame you—she’s slammin’.”

Bret couldn’t believe he had ever thought he’d be able to resist Selena. “You were right. I didn’t think it would happen at all, ever. She’s a spoiled princess. But we started hanging out together, and she’s no longer dancing with Dima. So, yeah, you could say we’re back together.”

Ray just laughed. “Man, you’re crazy. I mean, that’s cool and all. I can’t blame you. But think with your head. You’re still a devil dawg. Selena’s not cut out for this life. And you know it. You think she’s going to attend key-wife meetings back here while you’re deployed? Give up that Hollywood lifestyle for life on the base? I mean we have rats in our house. Rats! I called housing and they said they were going to look into it. She doesn’t fit in here and you know it. Enjoy the ride, but when it explodes in your face, remember I told you so.”

Bret wasn’t even annoyed at Ray. He knew Ray was right. No matter how convincing Selena’s words were, he just didn’t think she would be able to sacrifice her lifestyle for his. And she couldn’t have it both ways. There was no way she could still be on the show and be married to Bret. She would have to train her celebrity partners out of town for fifteen weeks twice a year, not to mention all the appearances and filming. When Bret deployed, they would go a full year without seeing each other.

Bret changed the subject. “So who’s fighting tonight?”

“It’s gonna be great. Rogelio Viramontes is taking on Josh Cutler. Rogelio is a former jarhead.”

“Awesome.” Bret relaxed and tried to clear his mind of Selena and the show. He didn’t need money, a nice truck, a beautiful house. Bret was happy just hanging out with his best friend, his brother in arms, and enjoying life. He looked over at the baby and she gave him a goofy grin. Bret envied Ray’s life: kids, a beautiful wife, a stable home life. He prayed Selena was sincere about wanting the same things, but he couldn’t let go of the nagging feeling that she would never be satisfied with his life, or with him.