Page 3 of Gator

“That must have been hard for you,” said Kate, kissing her husband.

“I should have talked to him about it sooner. Told him all the mistakes I made and how it affected me,” said Cam. “I guess I was embarrassed about how I was back then.”

“Back then,” said Kate. “Not now. You’re a good man, Cam. A great husband, father, brother, leader. And you are an amazing lover.” She said the last words in a low purr, and Cam shook his head.

“You always could get a rise out of me.”

Ian left for the Navy eight weeks later. Many of his friends left for the service as well, some along with him to the Navy. At his two-year mark, he did what his father did, he applied for the SEAL teams. It didn’t surprise him that for some, his name brought admiration, and for others, a belief that he was entitled.

Ian did everything to prove them wrong. The training was brutal, and when they began training in extreme conditions, it took them to the Everglades of Florida. For Ian, it was like being home. He knew that the snakes and gators wouldn’t bother you if you didn’t bother them.

Walking through the smelly swamp water, a gator came swimming toward them. His teammates rushed to get out of the water, but Ian turned, smacking the gator on the snout with the butt of his rifle.

“No! Not right now,” he said, just like Mama Irene had taught him.

That was all it took. The name Gator stuck with him from that moment on. His family back home thought it was funny, but he didn’t like it very much. It grew on him, but he really preferred his given name. Although that was a challenge when home as well. He had an Uncle Ian and a cousin Ian.

“Hey, Gator! We’re heading to The Fishtail tonight. Wanna join us?” asked one of his teammates.

“I don’t think so.”

“What’s with you, man? You’ve got that trident on your chest. You’re in great shape. You’re a good-looking guy, tall, muscular. You could get all the pussy you want.”

“I don’t need to go to a bar only to know that’s not what I want. I’m not going to use some woman and leave her sitting by her phone waiting for me to call when I know I won’t.”

“Hey, I’m sorry, brother. I didn’t know you have a girl back home.”

“I don’t,” said Ian, shaking his head. “But I know I can’t get one if I’m swinging my dick at every woman that walks my way. I don’t want to be that guy.”

“You’re a better man than me, Dougall. My balls are hurtin’ tonight, and that little waitress at The Fishtail can suck an apple through a picket fence.” Ian smirked, shaking his head.

“And when she expects your call in the morning, and you don’t? Or worse, when you give her a bad phone number? What then?” His teammates stared at him, not saying a word. He knew they respected his leadership, so they listened. On occasion. “Don’t you guys have sisters? Single mothers? Would you want some dick like you doing that to her?”

“Okay, Gator, you made your point,” said the man. “We can’t all be saints like you, brother. I need a woman, and if she’s willing, I see nothing wrong with it.”

“There isn’t anything wrong with it, as long as you’re being honest.”

Apparently, that piece of his lecture got through to them. When they returned, only one had hooked up with someone. When they told the women it would be a one-time thing only, no phone calls, no second dates, they all walked away. They weren’t happy about having sore dicks, but they had to admit, it felt right.

Fourteen years of being on a SEAL team. Fourteen years of the worst pits in the world, the worst people in the world. Fourteen years of stupid fucking orders that he knew would fail, and yet he dutifully took those orders. Now, he had eight weeks to contemplate whether to go back or move on.

Home for his cousin’s wedding, he just knew this would be where he could make up his mind. Things felt the same, yet different. The new business was already getting some traction in the community, and they seemed as busy as ever. His grandparents all seemed happy with their new island, and that made him happy. So, why did he feel miserable?

“You gonna pout my entire wedding?” smirked Jak.

“Hey, man,” he grinned, hugging him and slapping his back. “No, I’m sorry. I’m just thinking about what I want to do.”

“You’ve been in a while, Gator. As long as I was a Ranger. That’s two lifetimes, brother. Maybe it’s time to come home.”

“I don’t know if I can, Jak. You know what it’s like. The adrenaline rush, the feeling that you’re saving the world, it’s hard to walk away from.” Jak nodded, looking at the people crowding the tent.

“Look around you, brother. All these men, and some of the women felt the same way. We save the world in a different way now. You know that.”

“Yea, I know.” He hugged Jak once more and turned. “I’m gonna take a walk.”

The laughter from inside the tent floated outside, following Gator out the back opening. He turned to see who was laughing so loudly, then turned back, slamming into someone. He felt the heat of food hit his chest and looked down, then gasped as he saw a woman laid out against the gravel.

“Shit! I’m so sorry! Are you okay?” he asked.

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