Page 38 of Single Mom's Navy Seals
“Never feel like you have to think ahead with us, Ava,” he says, words delivered in careful monotone, his expression guarded but sincere. “We’ll never leave you in a worse situation than we found you.”
His words catch me off guard, their quiet kindness surprising given the awkwardness still hanging between us. His gaze flickers toward me again—just for a second—but it’s enough. Something heavy sits in his eyes. Not annoyance. Not discomfort. Maybe restraint? Whatever it is, it sparks that stupid memory of waking him up wrong. Of straddling him in my sleep. My cheeks burn at the thought. I can’t quite process it, my chest tightening oddly. He doesn’t wait for a response, pushing himself off the counter and heading directly toward Eli and Jax.
My eyes follow him as he moves, and I watch as Eli finally notices him and practically jumps from behind the TV, his face lighting up. Liam’s normally stern expression softens as he crouches down, patiently listening to Eli’s enthusiastic recounting of their cable-fixing adventures.
For a moment, the heaviness in my chest eases, replaced with a warmth that’s hard to ignore. Liam might be distant and closed-off with me, but with Eli, he’s patient, steady, and surprisingly gentle. Jax and Cole are the same way—more invested and kind than anyone I’ve ever known before.
God, maybe I shouldn’t just be worrying about Eli getting too attached. Maybe I’m the one in trouble here. Because somewhere between fleeing for our lives and heating frozenpizza, I started noticing the way Liam watches Eli… and how Cole’s silence sometimes speaks louder than words.
And worst of all, I don’t think I want to run anymore.
16
AVA
When I wake up from my nap, I’m so tired my body feels like it’s filled with sand. I roll my shoulders, trying to loosen the knots I’d gained on the long drive here. Apparently, two full days in the desert haven’t done much to ease the tension.
Beside me, Eli is still knocked out cold, sprawled sideways with one little arm tossed dramatically over his eyes. I grin and kiss the soft mess of his sandy-brown hair before I shake his shoulder.
“Time to wake up, sleepy head.”
He groans and tries to burrow deeper under the covers. “No, Mommy. Still sleeping.”
“You won’t sleep tonight if you don’t get up now,” I tell him, already swinging my legs over the edge of the mattress. “And it’s time for dinner.”
That has him sitting upright fast, eyes popping open and squinting sleepily toward the door. “What kinda dinner?”
“Don’t know yet. Let’s go find out.”
Eli scrambles out of bed and runs ahead of me, his little feet stomping heavily on the stairs. I trail behind him, yawning and scrubbing a hand down my face. My exhaustion these past couple of days has been strange, but after pulling those nonstop stretches awake during the drive, I guess it makes sense. It’ll fade soon enough, I figure.
The kitchen is bright and welcoming when we step in. All three men are already downstairs. Jax is freshly showered and in sleep clothes—a plain white t-shirt and heather grey sweatpants. My eyes catch briefly on how those pants hang dangerously low on his hips, and I look away, my mouth going dry. Apparently, my brain didn’t get the memo that we’re ignoring how attractive he looks right now.
He’s peering into the fridge, shaking his head at something before he notices us coming in. Liam and Cole are at the small table off to the side, still in their day clothes, looking every bit the picture of two grown men locked in a fiercely competitive game of cards.
“Cards!” Eli shouts, sprinting toward them. “I love playing cards!”
I can’t help smiling as he slides to a stop right between them, his hands gripping the edge of the table as he stares at the cards spread out.
“I love cards so much,” he repeats.
My smile widens, and I move to stand behind Eli, giving his shoulders a squeeze. “Uno is a little different than what they’re playing, buddy.”
His eyes snap up to mine. “Uno! I looooove Uno. Mommy, did we bring our Uno cards?”
The hopeful look on his face hurts a little. I chew my lip, trying not to wince. Damnit. Why didn’t I think about bringing toys for him instead of just necessities?
“No, sweetheart. We had to leave them.”
Eli’s entire expression falls, his mouth pressing into a sad little line. Before I can even try to comfort him, Liam surprises me by speaking up.
“We’ll get you some Uno cards, Eli. Don’t worry about it.”
Eli’s sadness disappears, his entire face brightening as he whips around toward Liam. “Really?”
Cole tosses down a card and glances at Eli. “What other games and toys do you want?”
Eli’s eyes widen so far they look comical. “Can I get a bunch of toys?”
