AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A few weeks ago, I took out the “pirates” (is that still a thing, really?) . . . and is it bad that I don’t feel any guilt about it? Hell, it was a relief to eliminate that scum from this earth. It just feels different somehow. No orders from the Army. Not sure if I should feel bad about that, but I don’t.
The skills I picked up in the underground/street fighting came in handy when we needed to silence a few guys without firearms. Oh right, I don’t think I’ve told you about my fighting yet. Better for you not to know actually. I’m acting like I’m sending this. Yeah, I must need some rack time.
I’m sorry I didn’t see you when I was home. I regret that now. Just add that to the pile of regrets I’ve been stacking up lately.
Goodnight, Ella. I miss you,
Jesse
CHAPTER SEVEN
ELLA
JANUARY 2013 - WALKINS GLEN, ALABAMA
“What do you mean you’re quitting? I’m confused. Marcus, too?” Mom tossed both hands into the air, then peered at Dad, waiting for him to knock some sense into A.J.
“Can you just stop being a SEAL? Is that possible?” Dad asked as Mom poured herself a glass of wine.
I looked out the window, growing distracted at the sight of the tree down yonder where I could’ve sworn Jesse nearly kissed me the day before A.J. left for the Navy. Was that really seven and a half years ago?
I hadn’t even seen Jesse in almost a year, not since the wedding party 2.0 for Savanna and Marcus. It felt like a decade had passed since then, not just eleven months.
“You can trust me when I say it’s all good. My t’s are crossed. I’s are dotted. Yada yada yada,” A.J. remarked in a tone that was even too casual for him.
His story didn’t add up. He was obsessed with being a SEAL. Was he really turning in his trident to work in private security? No way did he care more about a bigger paycheck than being a SEAL.
I turned away from the window, facing him head-on, and tried to get a better read on him.
Based on the way he stood, arms locked across his chest, gaze on the floor . . . well, the mystery reader in me said he was keeping secrets. Maybe he’d be secretly working for the President? That this new “Scott and Scott Securities” gig was just a cover story?
Okay, this is real life, Ella. Not a movie. But still. THAT made more sense than A.J. quitting his SEAL Team.
“I just need you to not question me on this,” A.J. said, his arms falling to his sides. “Please. And the good news is I’ll be around more. I’ll be doing private security jobs for the government. Stuff they need help with but can’t send Teamguys to do. That’s how I’m able to leave the Navy. Kind of not leaving if that makes sense. And Savanna’s obviously excited to have Marcus around more. And if I ever find someone, I’m sure . . . well, you know.” A.J. popped up one shoulder, and it looked awkward enough to produce a light laugh from Mom.
“You find someone one day . . . don’t get me all excited,” Mom teased, then she shot me a funny look that said, Maybe A.J. has a better chance at love since you’re still pining over a man you can’t have.
“Hey, I’m dating someone,” I answered her “look,” unable to stop myself.
“Dating who?” That had my big brother’s attention. “Do I need to talk to this dude? Check this guy out?”
I chuckled. “You realize how old I am now, right? An adult. I have a career. Even have my own place.”
“That doesn’t change anything,” Dad grumbled, answering for A.J., and I swore the two of them shared a brain sometimes. I’m sure A.J. had been a split second away from saying the same thing.
“Who?” A.J. barked out. “Details.”
“You’re deflecting,” I challenged, narrowing my eyes.
My brother made a give-it-up motion anyway. Stubborn. Pretty much all our middle names in this household.
“Tim. Works at my school. Resource officer. Nice guy.” The problem was I didn’t want a “nice guy.” I wanted rugged, broody, and a man to make my temperature spike and body sizzle with a smoldering look. I want what I can’t have. I want Jesse. “And speaking of Tim, we have a date tonight. I brought my stuff over here to get ready. I should go clean up.”
“Their fourth date this month, too,” Mom added. “Maybe you’ll make things official soon?”
“Yeah, sure. Maybe.” I went over to A.J. and squeezed his forearm. “Congrats, I guess?” I ignored the dirty look he gave me, because I knew he wanted to ask a hundred more questions about Tim. But I could fire back a few myself, and he saw the look in my eyes . . . saw the fire there.
So, he grumbled something under his breath, then waved his wrist, dismissing me before I pressed. “I’ll be waiting here until Tim arrives,” he called after me. “He is picking you up at the front door, right?”
