Page 49 of Silver Linings

“Well, damn. Guess we can’t hold a grudge about that. But not telling us for nearly two months that you have a wife and a kid? Not cool, man, not cool at all.”

“Oh my god, Hawk. Who cares what you think? Maybe they were just enjoying their honeymoon period while busy settling in as a family. Not everything is a personal slight! Now, give me a hug and hand over your precious baby,” Mae gushed at Gunner. “I have baby fever so badly and I want to get a sniff of her beautiful, fresh baby scent.” Mae laughed as she pulled Gunner into a warm embrace. “If it’s okay with you, Lily.”

“It’s fine,” Lily answered meekly.

“Yay!” Mae scooped the baby out of Gunner’s arms, gushing over how beautiful she was. “Come on, Lily. I’ll show you around the office and then we can sit and get to know each other. Leave the men to hit each other and get out whatever is making the room stink with tension.”

Lily looked at Gunner. “You don’t have to if you’re not comfortable,” he leaned down and whispered into her ear.

“I know what I said when we were driving here, but I think it would be nice to have a friend. Mae seems great. I’ll be fine, and if not, I’ll come find you.” Lily took two steps forward before Gunner’s hand wrapped around her arm. He pulled her back into his chest and placed a kiss on the top of her head.

The sweet gesture froze her in place. It was the first time he’d shown affection like that since she’d been in the hospital with her complications after having Sage. They’d been sleeping together in the same bed for weeks and he never so much as looked in her direction. Maybe it was all a show for his friends. Maybe it meant nothing at all to him. And if that was the case, she hated how much it meant to her.

“Oh, before I go with Mae, I brought something for you guys.”

“You did?” Gunner’s eyebrow quirked up.

“I know Gia told you I was behind the care packages. What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t bring everyone’s favorite treats the first time I met them in person?”

Lily walked up to Gage, who had nothing but kindness shining back at her through his eyes. “Sour lemon candies for Gage,” she smiled, pulling the small container from her bag.

Next were Nash and Hawk. “Salt water taffy for the pilot who got his love of flying, and of taffy, from his grandfather and the summer trips they would take to the boardwalk. And of course, Hawk loves his caramels, just like his grandmother used to make around the holidays.”

“This is amazing. You’re definitely my new favorite person.” Hawk pulled Lily into a big hug and laughed as Gunner growled. Nash smiled and nodded his appreciation.

“And for Stone, habanero jerky. We have a local shop back home that makes some of the best. I thought maybe you’d like to try it.”

“Lily, this is such a sweet gesture. It’s really nice to meet you. Thank you for this.”

“What about me?” Gunner grumbled, a mischievous twinkle in his eye as she turned towards him.

“Oh, are Sage and I not a good enough treat for you? Should I pretend that you hiding us away was because we were the most special treat of all and you didn’t want to share us with your friends?”

“Lil.” Gunner pulled her into his side and she felt her stomach flutter as he leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Just don’t want the guys to be getting any ideas. You’re all mine, no matter how sweet you are to them.”

“Then I guess I can give you the peach rings I packed for you.” Lily slid her hand once more into her bag and produced the candy she knew Gunner had loved since he was a little boy. “Now go catch up with your friends while Mae and I chat.”

Seventeen

“Okay, let me have it.” Gunner stood in the gym of Montgomery Defense. It was coming along nicely. Rows of exercise equipment were opposite two large boxing rings and an open area for weight lifting.

The guys just stood silent, not moving an inch except for Hawk, who was dramatically shaking his head.

“I told you to stay in touch, Gunner.” Nash folded his arms over his chest.

“And I did. I told you my mom had passed, and that I was taking extra time at home before coming back.”

“You might have mentioned that you were taking extra time because your new wife was recovering from giving birth to your daughter.”

“Who the fuck is she, Reap? Is she trapping you? Are you being too fucking stubborn to ask for our help? Because I know for a fact, you wer—” Hawk asked.

“Shut the fuck up, Hawk. I’ve known Lily since we were little kids. She’s not trapping me. I don’t tell you guys everything about my life.”

“You have a kid.” He saw the raw emotion in his buddy’s eyes and felt the guilt that had been hiding in the shadows creep into his chest.

“I’m sorry, Tracker. I should have told you. I shouldn’t have shoved your face in it.”

Back when all the guys were still in the SEALs, Gage’s wife, Melody, and their two-year-old son Mikey, were killed on their way home from base. Gunner could still hear Gage’s screams when he heard the news. They’d just landed in the middle of some god-forsaken desert overseas, and the entire team was expecting to head out on a mission the next day. Gage turned right around and flew back to the states, leaving the team to complete the mission a man down, and brokenhearted.

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