Page 23 of SEAL's Secret

Hudson shook his head, muddling through his conflicting thoughts. She might not be far along yet, but Aaron was right. She was only going to get more and more pregnant as time went on. That was the wrong terminology, no doubt, but hell. Things would progress. He swallowed. Pregnancy always seemed like such a mystery to him. It was something he’d never planned to contend with. He’d never wanted children of his own. And now? It had smacked him right in the face.

“I texted to check up on her,” Hudson said, feeling defensive. “It’s not like I totally ghosted Layton. I live in Oahu, man. She’s a ten-hour plane ride away. Even if I’d gotten my head out of my ass sooner, I couldn’t have physically been there.”

Aaron lifted a shoulder. “Either way, you knocked her up and basically disappeared. You’re my teammate, so of course I’m on your side, but Layton is Em’s sister. I’d be pissed if a guy treated my own sister that way, so I get where Em is coming from.”

“Great. So both women are mad at me.”

“Disappointed, I guess,” Aaron said.

“What’s up, fellas?” Sawyer asked with a grin as he walked up behind them. He was wearing sunglasses, but his shit-eating smile told Hudson he was up to something.

“Just headed into base,” Hudson muttered. “Same as you.”

“Lovely morning, isn’t it?” Sawyer asked, slipping his sunglasses off.

“Spill it,” Hudson said.

Sawyer chuckled. “I just like knowing when I’m right.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Hudson asked, swinging his gaze toward him.

“You. Manning up. Being a baby daddy. Our boy’s all grown up now,” Sawyer quipped.

“Jesus,” Hudson muttered. “Of course, I wasn’t going to abandon my kid. I just had to get my head on straight. Get over my shock.”

“Atta boy,” Sawyer said, before calling out to Austin and hurrying off down the hall to walk with him.

“What was that about?” Aaron asked as they strode into the locker room, slinging his bag to the ground.

“Dunno. Maybe someone hit him over the head. Probably a chick who was pissed at him,” Hudson said with a chuckle.

Aaron snorted. “Sounds about right. But listen, I was going to say that Em is thrilled her sister is moving here. Despite my charming presence and the fact that she loves her new job, I think she was a touch homesick. It’s different leaving all your friends and family behind.”

“Wouldn’t know anything about that,” Hudson ground out.

Aaron eyed him, shaking his head. “Maybe not, but Layton does. Ever wonder why she’s leaving her entire life behind?”

“She’s trying to forget about her loser of an ex. She’d mentioned a career in real estate here on the island but said she couldn’t leave her life back home.”

“Well, he abandoned his kid. Maybe Layton won’t admit it out loud, but I’m guessing she wants you involved in the baby’s life.”

“And I will be. I’ve got no idea how exactly that would work since we’re not together. We’re not a couple,” he pointed out. “And she’s still not thrilled with how I handled things.”

“Do you want to date her?” Aaron asked, curious.

“I don’t want her dating anyone else,” Hudson admitted.

Aaron smirked, his smile all too knowing. “It’ll work out. Maybe I’ll have Em put in a good word for you,” he joked.

“Yeah, yeah. I figure I’ll have to do some groveling on my own.” Hudson frowned, knowing just how much there was to contend with. Would Layton want to date other men? They hadn’t discussed their situation at all. Maybe she just wanted to be friendly co-parents with him. The idea of another man in her life made him feel slightly nauseous, but he didn’t want the traditional family with a wife and two kids, did he? Hudson had always been better off alone.

Nothing made sense anymore, and he didn’t like feeling so uncertain.

The locker room door slammed against the wall as Wyatt rushed in, his face tense and fists clenched. “The CO just called an urgent briefing. We’re meeting in ten in the bullpen. There’s a large, hijacked cruise ship off the coast of California. The hijackers are threatening to blow up the ship, killing everyone on board. We’re moving in with the Alpha SEALs Coronado Team ASAP.”

Hudson slammed his locker shut, suddenly all business. “God damn. Let’s roll.”

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