35. Connor
CHAPTER 35
CONNOR
I t didn’t matter how long I’d been in the Navy or how far I moved up in the ranks—getting summoned into the boss’s office always gave me a panicked butthole clench.
Especially when I wasn’t just getting called into my direct supervisor’s office. No, today it was the CO who’d summoned me twenty minutes before I was due to leave for the day. I hadn’t even had a chance to text Alex and let him know I was on my way home.
“You wanted to see me, ma’am?” I asked.
“Yes, Lieutenant Commander.” Captain Tucker gestured at one of her guest chairs. “Have a seat.”
I hoped she didn’t notice my nervous swallow as I sat down. From her intense frown, my initial instinct had been correct—this wasn’t good. She wasn’t about to let me know I’d made commander or I was being moved to a supervisory position in the hospital. From the hardness in her eyes, I almost had to wonder if I was getting demoted for some reason.
At least she didn’t keep me waiting long.
“To cut right to the chase, Lieutenant Commander,” she said, looking at me over her glasses, “someone has expressed concern about you engaging in fraternization.”
My stomach dropped. “Frat-fraternization? With who?” Playing stupid was better than outright denial; if she knew something I couldn’t explain away, lying would be a hole I couldn’t dig myself out of.
Captain Tucker folded her hands on her desk. “HM1 Barlow has been observed entering and exiting your home in Sanlúcar. On multiple occasions.” She inclined her head. “Would you care to explain what he’s doing there?”
“Oh.” I cleared my throat. “He’s, um…” I scratched the back of my neck as some warmth rose in my face. With a nervous laugh, I said, “He’s been helping me with my Spanish.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “With… your Spanish.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I sheepishly held her gaze. “I was, um… I was one of those idiots who came here thinking most people would speak at least some English.”
She gave a quiet, sympathetic laugh. “Yes, it was eye-opening, wasn’t it?”
“It really was. HM1 Barlow heard me complaining about it to someone, and he offered to help.” I shook my head. “I can see how it looks inappropriate, but that’s all it was.”
“I see.” She studied me, scrutinizing me as if looking for some kind of tell that I was lying. It was hard not to squirm because, yeah, I was fucking lying. Keeping these cards close to the vest was no easy task; the slightest twitch could tip her off that I was bullshitting her, and then my career would be toast.
By some miracle, though, I must’ve convinced her.
“All right. Well.” She pinned me with a stare. “Given your respective ranks, I would suggest finding someone else to help you with your Spanish, Lieutenant Commander.”
I nodded, struggling to keep my relief hidden. “Yes, ma’am. Will do.”
She dismissed me.
Out in the hall, I kept the casual facade in place until I was well out of her sight. Near the elevators, I leaned against the wall and finally released a relieved sigh. She’d bought my story. Thank God.
Time to get the fuck out of here.
In theory, I could’ve stayed and argued with her that there was nothing inappropriate about someone helping me learn the local language. It was pointless, though. The UCMJ was crystal clear, and Alex coming to my house—regardless of why—qualified as a “too familiar” relationship. Especially since we were meeting one-on-one, off-base, and outside of working hours. It didn’t matter how ridiculous or outdated it was. It didn’t matter that he wasn’t my subordinate. The rules said officers and enlisted couldn’t fraternize, and that was that.
And if Alex coming to my house to help me with my Spanish was a bridge too far, then the two of us hooking up and traveling together was professional suicide.
I knew that. I’d known it going into this. All along I’d absolutely known what was at stake, and I’d been careful to keep us from getting caught.
Still, someone had seen us. We were on our commanding officer’s radar. I’d been warned. Any “it’s not what it looks like” cards we had were now played.
All the way down to the first floor, my mind reeled, searching for some kind of solution. As I stepped out into the thick Andalusian heat, I was cold all over, too aware that I’d dodged a bullet that I wasn’t likely to dodge again.
If someone saw Alex and me again…
If someone saw him entering or leaving my house again…
We were fucked, and not in the fun way.
By the time I reached my car, I’d come to the only conclusion I could think of. I didn’t like it, but I was short on options.
Heart pounding, I leaned against my car and texted Alex.
Change of plans for tonight. Can you meet me in Cádiz instead?