Page 25 of Single Mom's Navy Seals
Cole glances briefly at his watch, then looks back up at me, his expression gentle.
“It’s five twenty-seven,” he answers, the warmth in his voice oddly soothing. “I’m supposed to wake Jax and Liam up in a few minutes.”
I nod, pulling the thin motel blanket higher around my shoulders. My heart sinks at the thought of facing another uncertain day, another long drive. I'm fully aware this motel isn't safe, but it feels far safer than the SUV outside. I push that thought firmly away, refusing to dwell on it now, not when Eli is sleeping so peacefully.
Silence stretches between us, comfortable yet heavy with unspoken thoughts. My curiosity about Cole is a surprising distraction from my spiraling fears, though. My gaze drifts down to the book he’s holding loosely in one hand, his finger marking his place.
“Can I ask what you’re reading?” I finally whisper hesitantly, breaking the silence, almost afraid my question will disturb the quiet calm of the moment.
Without a word, Cole rises fluidly from his seat on the AC unit, unfolding his tall, solid frame with surprising grace. As he moves closer, my pulse picks up just a bit, awareness prickling along my skin in a reaction that surprises me. He stands beside the bed, close enough that I can feel his presence like a gentle, reassuring warmth, yet careful to maintain an innocent distance.
Holding out the small, battered book, he tilts it so I can clearly see the title: Oliver Twist. The familiar title catches me off guard, pulling a quiet laugh from my lips.
“Dickens?” I ask, genuinely surprised.
He shrugs, a small, almost shy smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
He shrugs, a sheepish, almost shy grin pulling at his lips. “Yeah. It’s not exactly thrilling stuff, but… there’s something about the way he tells stories. Even when things are bleak, there’s always hope. Some kind of fight still burning underneath.”
The words hit something soft in me. I look up at him, really look—and it clicks. Of course, Cole would love Dickens. He’s not flashy or loud, but steady and layered. Quietly intense. And unexpectedly thoughtful.
“That makes sense,” I say, my voice a little softer than I meant it to be. “You seem like someone who sees more than they say.”
His eyes meet mine, a flicker of something unreadable passing between us—something warm and charged.
“Maybe,” he murmurs, then tucks the book into the inside pocket of his worn leather jacket.
I’m suddenly aware of how close he is, how his presence doesn’t make my skin crawl but settles over me like warmth from a fireplace. And for a fleeting moment, I wonder what it might feel like to be held by someone like him—someone who doesn’t need to speak to make you feel safe.
“You hungry?” he asks, the quiet sincerity in his voice making my stomach flutter.
“Yes,” I admit honestly, managing a faint smile in return. “And Eli will definitely be starving when he wakes up. He’s not exactly a morning person—more like a ravenous bear waking from hibernation.”
Cole chuckles, the warm, deep sound sending another gentle shiver down my spine.
“I’ll go get breakfast for everyone,” he offers quietly. “It’ll be good to eat something before we hit the road again.”
I nod gratefully, hugging the blanket tighter around my shoulders. “Thank you, Cole. That sounds perfect.”
He hesitates a moment, considering, then reaches for his wrist, slipping off his watch. He holds it out toward me, his expression gentle.
“Here,” he says, placing the watch into my palm. His fingers brush mine, sending warmth flooding through me. “Wake Jax and Liam at five forty-five. You can toss a pillow at them or something—they’re both pretty light sleepers.”
I smile faintly, glancing toward the sleeping forms across the room.
“Thanks for the tip,” I reply, appreciating his thoughtfulness. “I’ll try not to aim too hard.”
Cole’s lips twitch into another subtle smile, his expression softening warmly. He lingers a moment longer, simply watching me, before turning toward the door. “I’ll be back soon,” he promises, voice reassuring as he slips silently outside, the door clicking shut behind him.
Left alone again, I lie back down, staring at the cracked ceiling tiles above me. My mind churns restlessly, thoughts tumbling endlessly over one another. Randy’s threat, Eli’s safety, and these three men who are trying their best to slip past my erected barrier around my heart.
I squeeze Cole’s watch in my hand, the metal warm from his wrist. The simple weight of it feels oddly comforting, grounding me. Closing my eyes, I allow myself a small moment of quiet, trying to quiet the anxious voices screaming inside my mind.
When I open my eyes again, my gaze settles on Eli, still sleeping peacefully beside me. My heart swells painfully at his innocence, his trust. He deserves better than this constant fear, this never-ending cycle of running and hiding. And strangely, I find myself starting to believe that Liam, Jax, and Cole might genuinely be able to give us that—if I can just find the courage to trust them fully.
Sighing, I glance down at Cole’s watch again. Five forty-three. Close enough.
Forcing myself to sit up, I run a hand through my snarled waves. Grabbing my pillow, I lift it with the intention of tossing it. Then, my gaze drifts across the room to Liam, still slumped in the chair, head tilted to one side, clearly exhausted even in sleep.Guilt twinges faintly in my chest. He drove all day yesterday, and he obviously needs more rest. Throwing a pillow at him like Cole suggested seems unnecessarily rude.
