Page 4 of Stryker

The conversation was bordering onpainful, but thankfully Julia joined them before he had to think ofsomething else to say. He’d never been known for having the gift ofgab, even with people he knew well.

“Nice place you guys havehere, John.” Julia waved a hand around. “Great space andbones.”

“Thank you, ma’am. I thinkit’ll fit our needs.”

Julia stood there for a few momentslooking between him and Stryker. John had the distinct impressionshe was working something out. He had no idea what, but he knewwhen to cut and run.

“If you don’t mind, Ithink I’ll grab myself a burger before Fletcher has a chance toempty the bag,” he said, as he walked away.

Shit. This awkwardness was why he wasbetter off working on a piece of lumber. He didn’t have to think ofwitty things to say or try to guess what people were thinking. Hepreferred things simple and clear-cut. Unfortunately, that meant hewas often alone, but he’d made his peace with that a long timeago.

***

Stryker

“So how long has this beengoing on?” Julia asked.

“How long’s what beengoing on?” Stryker didn’t like the knowing look in her eyes. Shesaw too much sometimes.

“You and John,” sheanswered easily, like it was common knowledge.

“Nothing is going onbetween us.”At least I’m pretty surethere isn’t yet.

“Oh, come on. I’d have tobe blind not to see you two dancing around each other like a coupleof waggling honeybees.”

Stryker wasn’t sure about thatcomparison and made a mental note to look it up later. “Thanks.That makes me feel better.”

“Would you rather I tellyou things that’ll make you feel better, or the truth?” she asked.Stryker liked that about Julia. She was a straightshooter.

“Is there any possible wayfor me to get out of this conversation?”

“No.”

Stryker closed his eyes and shook hishead. “What do you want me to say?”

“I’d like you to tell methe truth. You have the hots for John,” Julia said with a smile.“There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“I don’t have the hots foranybody,” Stryker said a bit more loudly than he had intended,causing a few heads to turn in his direction.Shit.

“All right, but if I wereyou, I’d act fast before anyone else in this town realizes there’sa new eligible bachelor among the masses,” she said casually whileturning to glance at John, who was digging a burger out of one ofthe diner paper bags.

“What do you mean bythat?” Stryker asked.

“It’s Marshall. Not awhole lot of new eligible bachelors move in. That makes our friendJohn over there a hot commodity whether he knows it or not. Justgiving you a heads-up.”

Julia walked off without even lookingback. Stryker knew what she was doing but damned if it didn’t burnhis ass. He did kinda like John, but if the sharks startedcircling? It didn’t make any difference to him. Soon enough, he’dbe headed out, his grand plan made when they’d returned from theMexico mission on Christmas Day.

Life could get messy here in Marshallif he stayed. The team had set up roots in the area, and all ofthem looked settled. He still didn’t know where he fit in. Theoptions to re-up in the Navy or take a position as an instructor onbase were still open to him, but did he want that?

Everything was up in the air, and hewasn’t comfortable leaving it there.

“What’s got you deep inthought?” Conor asked.

“Trying to decide on mynext move.”

“Move? Are you thinking ofheading out again?”

“Yeah, it’spossible.”

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