Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Don’t get me wrong, I’d dated other women. My first four years in the Academy, I was still heartbroken over Adelaide, and I didn’t really date anyone seriously. I did hook up with a few women, though. Nothing serious. It was just about the sex, to be honest. I wasn’t interested in anything more because I’d be heading into the Navy soon, and honestly, I knew my heart would always belong to Adelaide.
The last time we’d spoken in person, Adelaide had told me she’d recently broken up with some douchebag doctor she’d been seeing on and off. It hadn’t been anything serious, she’d said. I had told her about Olivia and that the same went for me. They were both someone to fill the emptiness. I hated the guy, though, when I first heard about him from Braxton, Adelaide’s older brother. I didn’t even know the guy, but the fact that he got to touch her, kiss her, sleep in the same bed with her, nearly drove me mad.
Since I’d been back in Seaside, Adelaide had only been home a few times. The first time, we’d missed each other since I’d been out of town for a training class. The second time, I’d been dating Olivia and Adelaide had been with the douchebag doctor. We’d texted, tried to make it work for lunch or dinner, but could never find the time to meet up. Then her dad had the heart attack.
The cracking of my radio pulled me from my thoughts, and I quickly focused back on guiding the large vessel.
“All fast, Captain,” I said a short time later as I turned away from the large window that overlooked the pier. God, there was nothing like seeing a vessel moored to the cargo transfer point and knowing you were a major player in getting it there.
“Thanks a lot. We’ll see you again, I’m sure.” Captain Smitty shook my hand and then slapped me on the back.
The officer on watch walked back through the ship to the gangway. “Thank you, sir.”
With a nod, I replied, “No problem. Have a good one.”
As I made my own way down the gangway, I pulled out my phone and sent my brother a text.
Me: I’m off for the next few days, meet me at our spot?
It took Brody a few minutes to respond.
Brody: Hell to the yes. See you there in like thirty.
After stopping by the station to say goodbye to everyone, I went home, dropped off my work stuff, and changed into jeans and a long-sleeve T-shirt. It might be July, but at night it got downright chilly by the waterfront. Our favorite bar, The Dog Pound, was located right by the pier.
As soon as I arrived, it didn’t take long to find Brody in the mix of the crowd. Where there was laughter, my brother would be in the middle of it. Most likely causing the laughter.
“What did you do now?” I asked as I stepped into the small group of men. They were all friends of ours. Braxton Bradley—Adelaide’s brother—walked up and smiled, reaching his hand out for mine. He’d been good friends with Brody in high school, but over the last couple of years, he and I had grown pretty close.
“My man, how was work?” Braxton handed me a bottle of beer.
“Good, brought in a couple of beauties today.”
Brody shook his head. “You couldn’t pay me a million dollars to do your job. The stress of bringing in those ships…no, thanks.”
Laughing, I replied, “Says the man who makes his living doing underwater welding.”
Brody lifted his own beer. “To dangerous jobs.”
I clicked the neck of my bottle with his, and we both drank.
Braxton snorted. “Please. I’ve got you both beat.”
“Is that so?” I asked with a smirk.
“Yeah. Try taking out a bachelorette party who’ve all decided they want to go on a fishing charter—and not one of them has ever fished a day in their lives. And they’ve paid to have the whole boat to themselves. Fucking torture. Although, I did get the number of one of the bridesmaids.”
My brother and I both cringed before laughing.
“You’re right. You win. And speaking of winning,” Brody said as he turned back to me, “Mom needs you to go pick up Dad’s anniversary gift at Reef’s.”
“Why do I have to pick it up?”
Brody shrugged. “Maybe it’s her subtle way of saying it’s time you settled down.”
I stared at my brother. “Me? You’re older than I am. Why isn’t she bugging you to settle down?”
He gave me a cheeky grin. “Because she thinks I’m dating someone.”
“Are you?” Braxton asked.
Brody laughed. “Hell no. The last thing I want is to be tied down. Every time I do date anyone, I get the whole, your job is too dangerous bullshit.”
It was my turn to laugh. “I’ve gotten that comment a time or two.”