Chapter 32
The weekend had been amazing, and the week great. They were building their relationship and Apple felt lucky to get to know Lainey. This weekend, they were planning on doing a picnic with Trip’s SEAL team and their families.
He got the call at two in the afternoon. They would need to spend Friday and most of Saturday at the base, providing backup to a team doing a raid on a small island just south of the Bering Sea. The raid was happening in Russia, and it was absolutely off-books.
Tensions were high. If the team going in was caught, it would all be over. They were taking down a terrorist cell that had plans to attack in the next thirty days. If the raid wasn’t successful, everything would go to shit.
At least when he finished providing back up, he would be able to head home and spend the rest of the weekend with Amelia and Lainey.
Wild and his team would stay out there for another few months.
Being deployed hadn’t been a big deal before Amelia, now he wondered how difficult it would be leaving his family behind.
Apple stepped outside and called Amelia. She answered on the first ring.
“Hey, what’s up?”
“I’ll be coming home tonight, but I have to stay on base Friday. I’ll be able to come home at some point on Saturday.”
“Oh, well, we’ll adjust dinner on Friday night.”
“You’re okay with it?”
Her laughter made his heart squeeze. She was good with so much of the Navy stuff. She hadn’t complained once when he had odd hours or anything else.
“Of course, I'm okay with it. This is our life for now. Later, things will be different. Plus, it's not like you're skipping out because you don't like spending time with us. This is your job.”
“I love you.”
Her sharp intake of breath made him think he’d made a mistake by saying those words. He froze. Maybe he should take it back? But the words were out there.
“You do? Oh, Avery. I've wanted to say that to you for a while now, but I didn't know how you would take it. I've fallen in love with you, too.”
He sighed at her words. She knew how to make him feel good. “I’m glad you feel the same way I do.”
“Same. We can talk tonight.”
His lips tipped up as happiness filled him. Sharp stepped outside, probably calling to tell Danika they would be at the base on Friday night. He lifted his chin, acknowledging his buddy before saying goodbye to Amelia.
Apple headed inside and ran into Squat. “You got the news?”
“Sure did. Just got off the phone with Asher. I'm glad we set our picnic for Sunday, and we don't have to cancel with Trip's team.”
“Yeah, that would have been a bummer.”
“Is Neo around Lainey’s age?”
Apple shook his head. “No. I think Neo is a little older.”
“Well, hopefully, they'll have fun together.”
Apple nodded. “I’m sure they will.”
Squat held up his phone. “I’ll be inside in a few.”
Apple nodded and headed in. Griz had his weapons out and was cleaning them. He had no one to call. It was weird that they all had partners, and Griz was the only one without a girlfriend. Maybe he wasn't interested in having someone in his life.
“Hey, you’re coming on Sunday, right?”
Griz nodded. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
Apple narrowed his gaze, and his lips twisted up to the side. “Are you dating anyone?”
Griz shook his head. “Nope.”
“What about that woman I saw you with?”
Griz shrugged. “We were just hooking up.”
Apple wouldn’t push Griz. He knew the man was private and didn’t need to push him on who he was dating or if he even wanted to.
The other guys came inside. They focused on cleaning their equipment and their area. He was almost done with cleaning when a text from Thario came in. He read over it, unsure if he needed to worry about it or not.
“Hey, what’s up?” Sharp asked.
“Thario sent a text. The guy who owned the club where Amelia worked fell off the radar. Apparently, the dude who owns the email address that was sending shit to Amelia was arrested. Said he let the owner of the club use his email because the guy threatened him. It’s a convoluted story.
Thario doesn’t know where the owner is. Hell, we weren’t even tracking the owner. ”
“Well, shit,” Sharp said.
“Yeah, shit,” Apple said.
“Do you think he’s coming this way?” Griz asked.
Apple shook his head. “No clue.”
Sharp pulled out his phone then dialed Thario and put him on speaker. Thario answered on the second ring.
“Hey, Sharp, what’s up?”
“You're on speaker. I just heard you don't know where that jerk who owned the club where Amelia worked is.”
“Yeah. He took off after his bar was burned down. I don’t know where he is.”
Griz cleared his throat. “We have to be on base Friday night and into Saturday.”
“Shit,” Thario said.
Apple had an idea. “Hey, do you think you could stay with Amelia and Lainey Friday evening?”
“Absolutely,” Thario said.
“Good. Thank you.” Relief filled Apple. Someone would be with Amelia while he was away. He would have to head to work on Monday, but he had a weird feeling about this weekend and he didn’t want her being alone.
“Frog would love to see Lainey.”
“I think it would be good for them both.”
“I should have brought them both over before now,” Apple said.
Thario chuckled. “Yeah, you should have. It will be good, though. Frog likes kids.”
“He does.”
“I gotta let you go. I have a call with a group in Oregon.”
“I hope it’s a good call. Thank you. I’ll see you later.”
“Sure thing. And don’t worry, they will both be safe.”
The call ended, and Sharp pocketed his phone. “There. That's settled. Now Thario will be with her.”
Apple nodded. “Thanks for calling him.”
Sharp waved off his thanks. “Looks like we’ll have a long day tomorrow. I’ll see you all in the morning.”
Apple headed home, wishing he had the whole weekend to spend with Amelia and Lainey, but he was happy they would be safe with Thario and Frog. At least he could rest easier while he was spending the night working.