Indefinite (Salvation #6)(36)

“Of course. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry, Gretch. This is what we do.”

We’re the friends who can say whatever it is that we truly think and then get over it and move on. Which is exactly what I want us to do. Fighting about this isn’t going to change my mind.

“Well, let’s have fun and dance the night away.”

I smile and nod once. “That’s what I’m talking about.”

Now, let’s see if I can actually accomplish it.





18


Quinn





“What the fuck am I doing?” I ask Liam as I slam my hand onto the counter. “Why am I going back there?”

“I don’t know. I guess you should stay here since it’s not going your way, right?”

I’d really like to punch him in the face, but since I’m standing in his kitchen, that seems a bit rude. “Thanks for the advice.”

“It’s better than the shit you fed me when I was dating Lee.”

I was so stupid then. I had this idea of what was right and wrong, and I was a shitty friend. He wasn’t doing anything inappropriate, but there’s a code we live by, and fucking another SEAL’s wife—even if he was dead—was not okay. However, all anyone needed to do was spend a minute with them together to see they were right for each other.

Natalie made Liam a better man. Liam gave Natalie strength when she needed it.

Still, I didn’t support my best friend, and for that, I’m still sorry. “I was a dick.”

“You still are,” he says with a laugh.

“Yeah, but I was wrong, and I’m sorry.”

Liam sighs. “We’ve already had this out, dude. We’re fine. You came running here when the unit returned from deployment, and I don’t understand why. Other than you’re lost and needed my expert advice because you probably fucked up your plan to wear her down.”

And I guess I’m still stupid too.

I thought that Ashton would’ve seen the truth and come around. Sure, she kisses me like she can’t help herself and we had some pretty fantastic sex, but then she always walks away. Her touching me is more of a reflex than a want, and I’d like it the other way around.

“None of it is working in a meaningful way.”

“Well, let’s recap your brilliance, shall we?” The sarcasm in his voice is not at all reassuring that he believes I’m at all brilliant. “First, you arrive at her parents’ house without talking to her first and use your injury to get sympathy. Then, you rent a room in the same apartment building she lives in with the purpose of proving you’re not going anywhere. Really smart.” His tone is pissing me off. “But that’s nothing compared to you following her around even when she’s pretty much said in a hundred ways she doesn’t want you there. Let me know if I missed any key points. Oh, wait, I forgot, you screwed her too—and not in a way that proves you love her.”

Natalie walks into the room, rolling her eyes. “Don’t give up, Quinn. Women love to be pursued!”

“See, your wife thinks it’s a good idea.”

“She didn’t say that. She just said not to give up. We all know this is going down in a blaze of glory, which I’m assuming you know as well. I’m not sure how you think this plan of yours will work.”

“That’s not what I said.” Her hand rests on Liam’s shoulder. “I think it’s admirable that you’re going there. When I was dealing with my life falling apart, Liam was here. Showing up is what a woman wants. I know it feels worthless because nothing seems to be changing, but you have to put in the time.”

No amount of time is going to work, and that’s the scary part of it all. I’m not going to win her back because I’ve failed her too many times.

“And if time isn’t enough?” I ask.

Natalie smiles softly. “Then you’ll have to ask yourself if you did enough. Ashton has a huge heart, and no matter what she says, it belongs to you. She needs to find a way to trust you with it again.”

I know she’s right.

“So, what’s your plan?” Liam asks as he takes a drag of his beer.

“I’m submitting early discharge papers tomorrow or a medical release and moving to New York.”

The beer goes flying across the room and both of them stare at me. “You’re what?” He practically yells his question.

“I’m getting out. She’s more important than all of this. She wants a husband who isn’t always leaving. She wants kids and a life that I can’t give her while I’m still enlisted. Ashton has a great job there, I won’t ask her to leave it.”

Natalie opens her mouth and closes it. “Well, I’ll be damned.”

“Why are you two so shocked?”

“Are you fucking kidding me? You’re the one who gave me shit when I talked about getting out. You said this life is all men like us know, and you’ve suddenly had a change of heart?”

I walk around the counter and sit across from him. Liam has been my best friend for more years than I care to count, and I’ve always had his back, just like he’s had mine. There’s a brotherhood in our line of work, but ours is even deeper than that. He’s the guy that I never have to question. When he’s on my six, I know I’m set. He explains it the same way.