A SEAL's Courage (Military Match #1)(18)

“I know, but you can’t stop living. At some point you have to get back up. For what it’s worth, I think she’s the perfect person to find your feet with. And if she made you that offer, then she knows what she’s in for. Talk to her.” Will gave his shoulder a supportive squeeze, then glanced at him. “You made any plans for the bachelor party yet?”

He sighed. When his brother had asked him to be his best man, Trent had been honored. Will was his when he married Wendy. Now, though, he didn’t know if it was a job he was cut out for. His head wasn’t in the game. “Not yet. I’ve been researching possibilities, but you haven’t told me your preferences yet.”

“Sorry. Work’s been crazy. We’re launching a new ad campaign, trying to get revenue up. Sky and I barely see each other these days, let alone have time to plan a wedding. She and I were talking a bit ago, though. We were thinking of a joint bachelor, bachelorette party type thing and forgoing the usual strippers and alcoholfest. This is her second marriage, and neither one of us is up for the custom unrestricted night out.”

Trent could help but laugh. “Somehow I had a feeling you’d say that. I’m glad. We did that when I married Wendy and look how that turned out. I’ve been pondering things that didn’t involve strippers. A tour of local breweries, maybe.”

“Sky and I were thinking something like this would be great.” Will nodded, indicating the crowd out in front of them. “Just a big pre-wedding bash with friends and family.”

Trent nodded. “I’ll set it up. Maybe I can set something up with a local brewery, have them bring in a beer sampler or something.”

“Sounds good.” Will studied the crowd out in front of him for a moment before drawing a breath. “Means a lot to me you accepted, you know. I know things have been hell since you got home, but I plan to get married only once, and letting someone else be the best man didn’t feel right. It’s been you and me from the beginning.”

Trent leaned sideways, bumping Will’s shoulder again. “From the womb, man.”

Will nodded at the crowd again. “Heads up. Lauren’s on her way out of the room, and she has a follower.”

So he wasn’t the only one who’d noticed Lauren’s overeager new “friend.”

Trent followed his brother’s gaze in time to see Lauren round the corner out into the hallway beyond the room. Two steps behind her was the guy she’d been dancing with. The same one who’d been feeding her drinks all night.

Trent was on his feet and moving around the table before he could draw his next breath. “I got her.”

Halfway to the ballroom entrance, Mandy moved into step beside him. “So you noticed him, too.”

Trent grunted in response, sights set where he’d last seen Lauren. “Who the hell invited that guy? Do you know him?”

“I don’t know. He must’ve come as someone’s friend. I’ve asked him to back off more than once, but every time I turn around he’s back, shoving more drinks into her hand. I told her she should let loose a little tonight, allow herself to enjoy the party, but that isn’t what I meant.”

“No worries. I’ll make sure he gets a very clear picture.” The thought had irritation prickling along his nerve endings and his hands fisting as his sides. He darted a glance at Mandy as they rounded the corner into the hallway. “But you should start winding this party down.”

“Agreed.”

As it turned out, they didn’t have to go far. Lauren and her new “friend” stood outside the women’s restroom, some twenty feet or so down the hall. She leaned against the wall, eyes full of fatigue. The guy had his hand braced beside her head. Even though she kept looking anywhere but at him and shaking her head, the asshole kept leaning in to her. Every time she pushed his hand away, it returned, grazing somewhere else he clearly wasn’t invited to touch.

Trent ground his teeth and moved toward them. She’d hate him for following her, but the guy clearly wasn’t taking no for an answer. He’d made it only halfway to her when Lauren braced her hands against the guy’s chest and shoved with enough force he stumbled back two steps.

“I said no!” Her voice rang down the hallway, echoing off the walls.

Trent halted, unable to hide what was surely a smug smile. Even tipsy, Lauren wasn’t helpless. Good for her.

“Atta girl,” Mandy murmured beside him.

“You get her. I’ve got the jackass.” Having seen enough, he resumed his trek in their direction.

Beating a hasty retreat, the asshole pivoted. As his gaze landed on Trent, he halted in his tracks.

Trent crossed the space between them, stepping close enough the guy wouldn’t mistake his meaning. “You go back into that party, and I’m going break off both your arms and shove ’em up your ass.”

The guy glared at him, but turned nonetheless and stalked toward the elevators.

Trent crossed to where Mandy now stood with Lauren and tucked his hands in his pockets. “You all right?”

“For the last time, you guys, I’m fine. I came out for some air and to pee, and he followed me.” She shot a sideways glance between him and Mandy, eyes narrowed in irritation. “I appreciate the help, but I didn’t need it. I can take care myself. I’ve taken self-defense classes.”