Chapter 8
Chapter eight
“Whoa,” Darwin said. “This has to be the nicest shooting range I’ve ever seen.”
He resisted the urge to let out an appreciative whistle as he took in the polished hardwood counter that ran the length of the firing line, the expensive noise-cancelling earmuffs, and the super-realistic targets mounted at various distances across the range.
There was even an awning mounted over the firing line so you wouldn’t have to stand in the sun.
“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” Asher said with a laugh as he walked over to stand beside him at the counter.
“Because honestly, no matter what this place looks like, I’m just eager to do some target shooting.
I probably won’t be very good since I’ve never handled a gun before in my life, of course, but still. ”
Beside him, Eli snorted. “You and me both.”
“Oh, it definitely isn’t a bad thing,” Darwin said, reaching out to shake hands with both men. “It’s just not something I’m used to in the SEALs. Our shooting ranges are a little more primitive than this. I’m kind of looking forward to seeing how rich people do things.”
“Especially with the people we’re going to be shooting with today,” Asher murmured, glancing covertly around the gravel-covered area, where other people planning to take part in the range day had started gathering.
Just beyond them were more people, hanging out among a collection of umbrella-covered picnic tables.
There were at least thirty people waiting with eager anticipation.
Darwin immediately recognized a few from yesterday’s games, but most of them were the business types he’d seen the first night, including Silas and Harold.
As a whole, they seemed less interested in the opportunity to shoot than in the chance to continue networking. Well, at least they were consistent.
Surprisingly, neither Jameson nor Rhett was there. That probably bummed out whoever was looking to make a deal with the two of them. Darwin wondered if some of the people would leave once they figured it out.
Then he caught sight of Upton, looking around with an eager smile, and Darwin weighed if he should be the one leaving. A glance at Asher made him think the other guy was considering the same thing.
“Why do I get the feeling that you’re not exactly a fan of some of these people?” Darwin asked.
Which was a little surprising since they seemed to come from the same world as Asher.
“Probably because you’re right,” Asher said. “I’m not a fan of most of them, to be honest. I mean, I’m as much about making money as the next guy, but these people never know when to stop. It gets exhausting dealing with them.”
“If you’re not a fan of hanging out with them, why did you come today?”
Asher shrugged. “I didn’t have much of a choice.
We knew that making an appearance at these events was part of the deal when Khloe wanted to have the wedding at the vineyard.
I agreed to be available for networking purposes today while she’s doing the same thing at the spa this morning.
Her father wants her to schmooze with the wives of several of his business associates. ”
Darwin cringed inwardly. Katrina wouldn’t like that very much. She’d been looking forward to spending some quality time with her sister while they got pampered at the resort’s fancy spa.
“Does everything with Jameson revolve around money, networking, and making deals?” Darwin asked even though he was pretty sure he already knew the answer.
“Pretty much,” Asher said. “I’m just glad he considered me a good business match for his daughter, or I’m not sure we’d even be getting married.”
Darwin thought Asher was exaggerating, but part of him realized it might be a legit concern. Khloe and Asher were as close as you could get to an arranged marriage. He’d never understand rich people.
Luckily, he was saved from having to come up with something to say in reply when several men carrying stacks of gun cases came out of the building beside the shooting range and walked over to place them on the tables. One of the men then stepped forward to get everyone’s attention.
“Good morning, everyone,” one of the men said a few moments later.
“My name is Ramiro Brock. I’m the senior shooting instructor and safety supervisor for this range.
While the goal is to spend the next few hours having fun, you need to remember we’ll be handling weapons that will kill you or someone around you if you don’t use them properly.
Which is why we’re going to start the day with a safety briefing. ”
The next ten minutes were filled with the same kind of range briefing Darwin was used to hearing in the Navy, with emphasis on keeping the weapons pointed in a safe direction and fingers off the trigger until ready to fire.
Based on the way Romero spoke, it was obvious the man had a military background.
“My fellow shooting instructors will be taking you in groups of eight,” Ramiro added.
“The rest of you can wait at the tables at the far side of the break area. You don’t need to wear your earmuffs, but I’d suggest keeping the foam earplugs in, just to keep your ears from ringing.
So, first group of eight, step up to the firing line. ”
“I’d have thought you’d want to go with the first group,” Asher commented as he didn’t join the business types who eagerly surged forward.
“I always think it’s a good idea to avoid people who aren’t sure which end of the weapon the bullets come out of,” Darwin said. “Let’s wait a bit until a few of the idiots have their turn. Less chance of getting accidentally shot that way.”
“Makes sense,” Eli agreed.
“Yeah, I think I’ll defer to your better judgment, too,” Asher said.
They all moved to the far side of the break area and grabbed some seats on one of the benches.
Around them, the other people waiting their turn gathered in small groups.
Darwin caught sight of Upton chatting with Silas, and he breathed a sigh of relief that the doofus hadn’t come over to sit with them.
Realizing Asher and Eli were still trying to figure out how to insert the foam earplugs, Darwin showed them how to roll them up, then stick them in your ear.
It was kind of wild to think the men had never used them before, but at the same time, why would they?
It wasn’t like they went to the shooting range on the reg.
Hell, it wasn’t a given that they did anything else that required hearing protection, like woodworking or mowing the yard.
“It seems like you and Katrina are getting along well,” Asher said, pitching his voice louder than usual because of the earplugs.
Darwin didn’t reply right away, his attention on Silas and Harold as they wandered around the break area, chatting up other business types along with Upton.
He used the distraction to gather his thoughts, not sure how much to divulge.
Up by the tables, people started shooting, the sounds of their handguns echoing around him for a moment before it faded into the background.
“We are,” he finally said, deciding to open up with the other man. For some reason, Asher felt like someone he could be honest with. “Katrina’s not like anyone I’ve ever met before. She’s so completely sure of what she wants in life. Unfortunately, I’m not sure if we’re going to work.”
Asher frowned, surprised. “Why not? You guys seem perfect together.”
“I think so, too.” It was Darwin’s turn to frown. “Then again, that could be wishful thinking. Navy SEALs typically have a hard time being in a relationship. I’m worried at some point, she’ll realize how much trouble being with me is going to be and bail on the whole thing.”
It was something every guy in his platoon had dealt with.
While some of them––like Lennox––had gotten lucky enough to find the perfect woman for them, one who could handle them taking off on a mission on a moment’s notice without divulging where they were going and when they’d be back, it didn’t mean he would.
“I don’t know about that,” Asher said. “From what Khloe told me, Katrina doesn’t seem the kind to bail on anything once she’s made up her mind. I get the feeling she can be stubborn like that.”
Darwin chuckled. “I suppose I’d have to agree with you there. She can definitely be stubborn when she thinks she’s right.”
“Did you ever consider that maybe these doubts you’re having about this thing with Katrina is more about you than her?” Eli asked.
Darwin was about to deny it––after making a snarky comment about Eli sounding like Dr. Phil––but instead, he considered the question seriously.
“Maybe,” he finally said, his gaze going to Upton. “I suppose there’s a part of me worried Katrina will bail for other reasons. Namely, because she’s way out of my league.”
“There is that,” Asher agreed. “But if she’s willing to look past your deficiencies, you should probably go along with it.”
“Gee, thanks.” Darwin snorted. “Way to make a guy feel good about himself. I appreciate the tough love approach.”
“You’re the one who brought it up,” Asher said with a laugh. “It makes me wonder, though. If you think she’s out of your league, who do you think would be a better match for her?”
Darwin refused to glance Upton’s way again, because Asher obviously already knew the answer to that. Eli had probably picked up on it, too.
“It’s not so much that I think there might be someone better,” he said. “But I’m not naive enough to think she couldn’t do better with a man who’s more familiar with her world. Her parents would certainly prefer it that way.”
“Do you really care what her parents want?” Asher asked.
“Ash is right,” Eli said. “I mean, if Katrina wasn’t interested in you, she wouldn’t have invited you to the wedding in the first place.”
“Good point,” Asher said. “Just accept you’re the one she wants to be with and stop trying to make decisions for her.”