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“Probably a dumb question. But what does SEALs stand for? I know it's like an advanced Marine, right?” I ask. “I’ve grown up knowing the main forces in the UK. Navy, Marine, Air Force and Army, but we don’t have SEALs like in the US,” I add when Logan frowns at me.
“SEALs are like a mixture of all of them. Navy SEALs stands for Navy Sea, Air and Land. We were members of special operations forces. We are trained to be involved with direct raids, hostage situations, terrorists and so on,” Drew explains.
“The UK does have something similar to SEALs, which is the Special Boat Service or SBS,” Logan adds. Now he mentions it. I remember my dad once mentioned the SBS, but I didn’t know what he was referring to and never really asked.
I look at the clock and see it’s coming up to three in the morning. We still have at least forty cards to get through, but we should manage it in time.
I’m having more fun than I thought I would with the guys. We’ve laughed and ate a ton of Chinese, which the other security guys joined us for. There is still plenty to last us the rest of the night, and we plan on having it for breakfast to celebrate our achievement.
I don’t know what it is with these guys, but it’s so easy to relax around them. They are obviously close, and I have heard so many amusing stories from their time in the SEALs. There are moments I can see they are remembering difficult moments, so I change the subject as I don’t want to bring them down. I like to think one day, I will get to listen to more of their stories and adventures if that’s the right word to use.
I’m sitting next to Logan, who is passing me the cards when they have been programmed, and I’m putting them in the right envelope and then into the correct department stack. He is the least chatty of the three and is more likely to withdraw from the conversation than the others. He never talks about anything personal and will sometimes give one-word answers. Occasionally, he joins in with the guys as two of them will gang up on the other, but it's like he will remember I’m there and withdraw again.
“Chels, I need to ask,” Calvin says from the other side of Logan. “Why is a lovely lady like you on Tinder and not snatched up already?”
“Wow, straight to the point,” I laugh as my cheeks warm again. I had hoped this topic wouldn’t come up as I’ve already decided I could never go on a date with one of them now I know them all a little better. Don’t get me wrong, I could easily date them all, even Logan. But I don’t think I would be able to choose which one I wanted more than the others. Plus, there is that worry that they would end up arguing because of it. Not that I think I’m anything special, but it would still feel wrong, like I would be playing them off against each other. They have such a close bond I would never want to come between them.
“Well, we are all wondering, so might as well ask,” he chuckles, passing Logan a new card. I shrug as I take a card from Logan and write the name on the envelope.
“Truth is, I was drunk when I signed up for it. Seemed like a good idea at the time.”
“Until you not only matched with three friends but had to spend a whole night with them all afterwards,” Drew chuckles from the other side of me.
“Something like that,” I laugh, handing him the envelope so he can file it in the right box.
“That only answers half the question,” Calvin points out. “Why did you feel you had to go on there in the first place?”
“Why did you go on there? Any of you?” I ask, looking around. The three share a look, but it’s Logan who answers.
“I only went on there because we need dates to these stupid events and dinners. I’m not looking for a romantic relationship, but if I could find a friend to go with me, that would do.”
“I guess that’s why we all went on there,” Calvin answers. “With work, we don’t have time to go out and find people to date, but we need someone to attend parties and networking events with us. We just needed someone who is…”
“Arm candy?” I offer. All three instantly protest.
“No, not arm candy. I want to be able to enjoy her company as well. These events can be boring as fuck, and I want to know at least there’s one person there who can make them a little more fun and less like work,” Calvin offers. I look to Drew, who’s nodding in agreement.
“What about you? What did you hope to get from it?” Calvin asks. I shrug as I write the next name on the envelope.
“Same kind of thing, I guess. It’s just been me and my daughter for so long that I’ve forgotten what it’s like to have fun. Yeah, Penny comes round occasionally, and my friend Rochelle, but it’s not the same,” I admit, shrugging my shoulders. I don’t want to tell them I’m lonely most of the time, but looking at the three of them now, I think they feel the same way.
“Do you want to date then? Or have a bit of fun now and again?” Drew asks. I shrug again as I don’t know how to answer.
“I want to have fun, but that doesn’t mean sexually; I’m not looking for one-night stands. I’m not looking for relationships, either. I want to be me now and again and not work Chelsea or Mum.” I sigh, leaning back in my chair and rubbing my face. “I’m sorry, I’m tired. I’m starting to flag, and I’ve been up twenty-one hours. You don’t need to listen to me whining about my life. It’s nothing compared to what you guys have been through.”
“Hey, don’t say that; you can moan as much as you want. We will listen,” Drew says, touching my arm.
“It’s just a thought, but hear me out,” Calvin says as he leans around Logan to look at me. “You are looking just to have a bit of fun now and again, and we are looking for someone to make these boring events more tolerable. Why don’t we come together and help each other out?”
“What?” I ask, laughing, staring at him in shock. “Absolutely not!”
“Why not? I see it as a win-win. As far as people will be aware at these events, we are just a normal couple having a good time.”
“Until someone attends another function and sees me with someone else. They will think I’m a slut!” I protest.
“No, they won’t. They will think we are in a harem, well, a reverse one.”
I turn to Drew and frown.
