Page 1 of The Only Reason (The Trident Trilogy 2)

Chapter One

Outer Banks, North Carolina

July 16, 2011

“Damn, Mills,” Mack said as Millie cut back over the top of the soft wave she was riding and glided perfectly into place next to his board. “You’re getting almost as good as me.”

Millie plopped down on her board next to him. “Almost? C’mon, Dad. You know I’ve been better than you for quite a while now.”

“Okay,” Mack said, laughing. “Someone’s getting a little too cocky about her skills.”

“You know what you always tell me: ‘It’s not bragging if it’s true.’ And I think we both know it’s true.” She tilted her head and smiled angelically at him.

Mack slapped his huge hand in the water, sending a tidal wave crashing into Millie’s face.

“Dad! So rude!” Millie tried to return the favor, but Mack quickly grabbed both of her wrists and pulled her board closer to him.

“You will never be faster than me, grasshopper. Never,” he said as she fruitlessly tried to break his hold. “Do you give?”

She snarled playfully at him. “Fine. You’re faster than me. Just not on a surfboard.”

“Millllllllieeeee!” They turned to see a boy from her high school paddling quickly over to them.

“Hey, Jake,” Millie said, leaning forward to give him a fist bump as he floated up to her.

“I saw your last ride,” Jake said. “Totally crushed it as usual.”

Millie looked right at Mack and grinned. “Thanks, Jake. I’ve always said you’re a great judge of surfing skill.”

“For sure.” Jake sat up on his board and gestured to Mack. “He’s a little old for you, don’t you think?”

“Eww! You weirdo. He’s my dad,” Millie said, punching Jake in the arm. “Dad, this is Jake.”

“Oh man. Mr. Marsh. Sorry, dude. I don’t see many dads with that much facial fur. You know?” Jake said, rubbing his hands over his own stubble.

Mack nodded, making no attempt to shake Jake’s outstretched hand.

Millie laughed as she looked at Mack’s face. “Uh, Jake. We’re about to paddle in. I’ll catch you later.”

Jake looked away quickly from Mack’s glaring eyes. “Yeah. Cool, Mill. Have a good ride.”

As Jake paddled away, Millie looked back at Mack. “Dad. We’re not dating. He’s just a friend.”

Mack sighed and looked up at the sky. “Do you remember when you were little and you were only friends with girls?” he said wistfully. “Those were good days.”

Millie rolled her eyes. “One of these days, I’m going to meet a guy you think is good enough for me, and you’re going to beg me to marry him.”

Mack shook his head. “Never going to happen. Never. There’s not anyone even close to good enough for you.”

Millie smiled. “Ooh, Dad. Speaking of my girlfriends, did I tell you about Chloe’s birthday party? It was a circus theme. And you know what that means . . .”

“Clowns,” Mack said, shuddering.

“Yep. They were all over the place. As much as you hate clowns, you wouldn’t have lasted two seconds at this party.”

“Millie. They’re clowns. Everyone should hate them. They’re diabolical and evil. I still can’t understand how I raised a daughter who likes clowns.”

“How is it that you can hunt down terrorists every day on your job and not be scared at all? But you see a big red nose and floppy shoes and you’re terrified?”

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