Page 24 of Pretend
I’ll call the cops tomorrow and make a report before I have to deploy. He won’t be able to stalk me on a military base in Iraq, that’s for sure.
I turn off my phone, and all the chills that dance upon my skin fade to nothing as I get back into party mode.
Bailey comes back with nachos and drops it in front of us. The smell of cheese makes its way into my senses, and my mouth waters.
I grab a chip full of cheese and pop into my mouth.
“Thank you, Bailey.”
“Of course, anything for the birthday girl.” She winks at me and wipes her hands with a towel. “I’m off early tonight, ladies, but good luck with the deployment, Alessia. I’ll miss you too much!” Her red lips pout. “Please remember to text and call me.” She pleads, batting her long lashes.
“Of course, I will, bestie. See you in six months.”
She gives me a small smile before offering her arms in front of me for a hug. I lean over the counter, and we embrace. Winters hugs her after me. It’s a short and sweet, see you later, farewell.
A large group of female college students stand vacating the bar with drunken giggles and stumbles. That’s when I spot SEAL Team Executioners talking to Gabe to my right. There is no longer a border between me and the special operators.
I can’t help it, but something like quicksand is pulling my attention in that direction. And it rhymes with cannibal.
Danny Rider sits in his chair with a black glistening ring on his wedding finger. I haven’t seen him in a long time, but he used to come here frequently. He would always order his favorite whiskey to drink alone or with a random girl on his arm or his team. I can’t deny noticing Rider every time he walks into a room. He has that magnetic pull on everyone, not just me.
Enzo Rooker sits beside him. His peppered hair is clean-shaven at the sides, and his eyes are fixated on Danny’s phone like he’s showing him something important.
Kane Slaughter sits at the end next to Lopez, fully clothed again. And at the end…Mr. Daegan Hannibal, Operator Creature. Or, Operator pain in my butt for the next six months.
This time, he wears a white shirt that hugs his mass of muscles. The shirt is still unable to hide his well-structured and curved back.
My heart jumps in a split second like a shock to the system when he notices Winters and me gawking.
Shit.
Thankfully, it only lasted half a second, even though it felt like hours. Lopez pulls Daegan’s attention away, giving me a chance to breathe the air he stole from me. I put a chip into my mouth, my lame attempt at playing it cool, and crunch on it inconspicuously.
They engage in a conversation with Slaughter, quickly replacing the indecipherable moment.
A moment of peaceful bliss settles in like home, and my world is okay for a couple of seconds the entire time Daegan has his cold eyes on mine.
It’s a weird feeling. I’m almost excited he’s here.
They’re all frequent visitors here…except Daegan. This is the first time he’s made an appearance. I’m assuming it’s because he’s new to the SEAL teams.
Gabe places the basket of food in front of the Executioners, and they attack it like prey.
“Girl. Why did Jack leave? It’s your birthday?” She grabs a chip.
A frown quickly replaces my flat lips.
“I don’t know,” I shrug, focusing on the basket in front of me. “Said he was tired.”
She studies me, picking up on my energy.
I don’t want to talk about how my boyfriend literally forgot his girlfriend’s birthday, even though we’ve been together since college.
He’s just tired. I lie to myself.
He’s just tired.
“Don’t you think it’s weird?”
