Page 11 of Hayes
“Not really. I’ve been called back. I thought I could be here for your big day, but it’s just not possible.”
“Brother, I understand that better than anyone,” smiled Brax. “It’s all good. You’ll be home soon.”
“Yeah. Yeah, I hope so,” he nodded. “Listen, watch out for her for me. Okay?”
“Hayes, you’ll be back soon to watch over her yourself,” said Stephanie.
“No. We agreed that we should, uh, see other people,” he said, swallowing. He looked away, trying to hide his tears, but just couldn’t. “I love her so much. I just don’t understand why she can’t do this one thing for me.”
“Oh, honey,” said Stephanie, hugging him. “Give her time.”
“I’ve given her years, Steph. I can’t keep waiting. I want to, but I’m afraid of what I’ll do behind her back. I guess I’m a weak, pathetic male.”
“No. You’re a man with male urges, desires, and wants. I’m not going to judge you for that,” said Brax. “If it’s meant to be, it will happen. For now, I’m proud of you, Hayes. It’s hard to let someone you love go, but you’ve done the right thing.”
Hayes nodded, wiping his face with the back of his hands. He stood tall, looking at Brax, and gave another quick nod. As he moved toward the waiting vehicle, Hoot in the driver’s seat, he turned back one last time.
“Do me a favor? Don’t let her be alone for the rest of her life.”
Hayes spent a few weeks just feeling like shit and lonely, then he went out one night with the guys and actually had a great time. They had a few beers, shot some pool, watched the game, and that was it. But he enjoyed himself.
He found that he enjoyed the attention of the women in the bar, and he enjoyed the fact that women wanted to be with him, wanted to spend time with him.
Yet every time he got close to kissing the woman, taking her home, he backed up and shook his head. He just couldn’t do it.
“I’m sorry. There’s someone back home,” he said to the woman that night.
“She’s a lucky girl that you’re so honest,” she smiled. “Listen, Hayes. You’re a great guy. I’ve watched you since you came to the area, and you’re a gentleman, you’re smart, and everyone knows that you’re a SEAL. Yet you don’t touch another woman.”
“What’s your point?” he frowned.
“Put a ring on it, and make her yours,” smiled the girl.
“It’s not that easy. We, she had a rough childhood and is terrified to be away from home.”
“That must be awful for her,” said the girl compassionately.
“Awful for her? What about me?”
“You know what, that’s the first selfish thing I’ve seen in you. A terrified woman generally has a reason to be terrified. If she’s worth turning away women willing to go to bed with you, my advice is to marry that girl and find a way to work this out.”
She stood and bent down, kissing his cheek. As she walked away, Hayes wanted to run after her but knew that it would be useless. Damn his soul, he was completely in love with Victoria.
He just needed to find a way to make it work between them.
CHAPTER SEVEN
At Belle Fleur, Victoria was trying to find her new normal. There was no longer daily or even weekly communication with Hayes. He would send short text messages every few weeks just to say that he was okay, but that was all.
She knew that being unable to leave the property had damaged their relationship permanently. She wouldn’t be surprised if she never saw him again. He was already in his second tour as a SEAL, traversing around the world to fight evil, maintain peace, and just do good.
Thankfully, work kept her very busy, and she was happy being on the property and supporting her friends and family.
For Victoria, work was exciting and fun. The challenges presented by the team at G.R.I.P. kept her engaged and always thinking about other possibilities for their technology. She was fulfilled.
Almost.
“I know what you’ve been trying to do,” said Victoria, staring at the group of women. “You forget that I’m a genius. I don’t like concerts, and I don’t like restaurants other than ours. I shop online, not in stores. I like animals, but we have plenty here. I don’t need to visit a zoo. I like movies, but I can download them and stream them here.”
