Don't Promise (Don't 3)

I took a gulp of water. “I need to talk to Cole.”

Ryan exhaled. His green eyes softened. “I think I take for granted what it looks like on this side of a mission.”

“What do you mean?”

“It takes a lot of focus to be over there. And you know, thank God I don’t have a girl here to worry about.”

“What about Audrey?” I asked.

He shook his head. “On again. Off again. Hook up again.” He grinned.

“Ryan.” I pushed his shoulder.

“I’m not going to get serious with her. Because of this.” He pointed at me. “You have convinced me I’ve made the right decision about her.”

I opened my mouth to argue.

“Don’t. I know what I’m doing. I can’t leave again in two weeks if she’s hung up like you are. I can’t imagine what Cole is dealing with.”

I poured another glass of water. “We aren’t supposed to be going through this,” I reminded him. “He’s been out of the Corps. I didn’t sign up to be a military wife.”

“True. But it doesn’t mean I’m changing my mind about Audrey. She’s a sweet girl. Hot as shit, but I’m not putting her through this.”

“And who says you aren’t already?”

He cocked his head toward me. “I’ve told her not to get attached.”

I laughed. “And that always works when you tell girls not to get attached.”

“What do you want me to do? Be celibate when I come home on leave?”

I made a face. “I don’t want to know anything about that, just like you don’t want to know about Cole and me.”

“Shit no. Stop right there.”

“See?” I paused. “But seriously, Ryan. You always call Audrey. She’s not dating anyone else. Mom invited her to the wedding. You’re a complete dick if you think you can convince me she’s not important to you.”

“I didn’t say she’s not important. I said I’m not going to get her wrapped up in military life. Look at what you’re dealing with. You’re wandering around like he’s not coming home.” His eyes were on me. “Don’t do that. Don’t believe anything but the best. Believe he’s going to be at the alter. He needs that more from you than you realize. You are the reason he’s going to come home.” He smiled.

“And what about you?” I asked. “If it’s not Audrey? Then what is it? What brings you back, big brother?”

He shook his head. “

Pure fucking luck.”

23

Cole

I was proud of my service. I loved my country. One day I was going to tell my kids what I had done. I was going to tell them their father was a part of something bigger than anything they could comprehend. But for that to happen, I had to get the fuck home.

By the time we reached Kabatur the first night it was nearly dawn. But there wasn’t time to adjust to the clock. I had to lead these men through a set of interpreters before they could even start the extraction mission.

We moved forward under heavy cover. There were snipers on every rooftop. It had been a long time since I was covered in vests and carried my own weapons.

The first time I placed my hand on the trigger, the memories of two years ago came flooding back. Faster and harder than I wanted.

Living at the beach, I was able to live a life that had nothing to do with war. Nothing to do with death or survival. I worked on my grandfather’s motel. I made a life for Grayson. I raised my son. And when I wasn’t looking, the most gorgeous girl walked back into my life. A girl who was going to be my wife in a few days.