Page 41 of No Regrets

“Ah, so he’s heading up a black ops team.”

“Yes.” Dex gave him the bullet points of their conversation.

“That’s quite an offer. You’re considering it?” As Dex steered the boat into the dock, Matt stood up and jumped off with the rope in his hand.

“Yes, no. I don’t know.” Dex shrugged. “What do you think?”

“I think, right now, it sounds tempting because you’re worried about tomorrow. But let me ask you something. If Sam had offered you this a few weeks ago, before any of this happened, would you have even considered it?”

Dex stepped onto the dock, securing the second rope. Would he?

“The man’s a legend, and out of respect, I wouldn’t have given him a straight up no. But I get what you're saying. A few weeks ago, life was pretty good, so you’re right, maybe not. I love my team.”

“Regardless of what happens tomorrow, are you ready to walk away from them?”

Was he? That’s the one thing he kept coming back to. That little nagging voice in his head kept telling him Alpha was his family, his home.

He shrugged. “Would you have considered an offer like this?”

His father smiled. “No. But, the world has changed, Dex. I know that. What Sam’s offering is still serving your country. And unfortunately, the post 9/11 world needs teams like this, more than they did when I was your age.”

“You don’t think I would be deserting the boys? Letting them down?”

“Is that what you’re worried about?”

The two men gathered their stuff off the boat, including the cooler with their catch, and headed to Dex’s truck.

“I don’t know. Maybe.” Shit, his head was so screwed up right now, he didn’t know what he thought about anything anymore. His life had been so simple a few weeks ago. A career he loved, commanding a team who were family A woman he loved, who understood what he did. Never complained, accepted what he had to give. And you took that for granted.

His dad spoke, interrupting his line of thinking.

“Listen, son. You could never let me down. We might have our differences, but I will always be proud of you. As for your team, they might be shocked, but if this is what you really want to do, they’ll understand.”

“SEALs was always my dream.”

“And you fulfilled it. You are Navy. You made it through BUD/S, served as a SEAL, and now lead your own team as an officer. A Lieutenant Commander. Nothing can take that away from you. I wouldn’t think any less of you if you decided to go for Sam’s offer.”

“Well, he’s given me some time to think about it. If I get booted off the team, the decision might come easier.” They reached his truck and dumped the cooler in the back.

“That’s not going to happen.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Look, if you take Sam’s offer, just make sure you do it for the right reasons. You have a lot going on right now. The hearing. Kelly. Don’t rush it and if you want to talk again, I’m right here.”

Pops was right. As always.

“Now, how about we go and cook up this fish?” Matt slammed the tailgate shut and headed to the passenger side.

Dex got behind the wheel and started the engine. “Thanks, Pops. I needed this today.”

CHAPTER NINE

Dex steered his truck onto his street, recognizing the various trucks, jeep and black Mustang parked outside his house. His team were there, waiting for him. He glanced at his father, who, after their fishing trip yesterday, insisted on coming with him to hear the board’s decision today.

“I should’ve known they wouldn’t wait for me to reach out to them.” He parked and they both got out.

Ryan, Tyler, Donnie, Steve, and Mackie were sprawled around his front porch and driveway. They were getting to their feet as Dex and his dad walked toward them.

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