Blake’s bicep. “He’s been gone five years now.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
“He would’ve liked you,” she said, climbing into her car. “Thank you for your service.”
He nodded and headed back to his SUV, stowing his things in the open trunk. He climbed in and turned off his hazard lights, starting the engine. It wasn’t exactly how he’d planned to spend his Saturday morning, but damn. Helping someone out was the least he could do.
His phone buzzed with an incoming call, and he saw Troy’s name on the screen.
“Yo, what’s up T-Rex?” he asked, calling him by his nickname.
“Logan and I are hitting the beach later on. You in? Pretty girls in bikinis are a sight I never get tired of.”
“Don’t I know it. And hell yeah, I’m in. What time are you guys meeting up?”
“Thirteen hundred work for you?”
Blake glanced at the clock on his car stereo. It was only eleven thirty now. He had plenty of time to swing home, change, and grab a cooler full of beers to bring along. Although the men kept in shape with their grueling SEAL training, that didn’t stop them from enjoying themselves on the weekend. And there was nothing like tossing a football around on the beach to get the attention of the ladies and then inviting a few over to join them for a beer.
“Works for me. I’ll bring the beers.”
“Sweet,” Troy said. “I’m already running late, so I’ll shoot the others a text.”
“Running late? Where are you going?”
“I gotta drive the woman I brought home last night back to the bar. The pretty redhead? She left her car there, and let’s just say we were in too much of a hurry last night to worry about logistics.”
Blake chuckled. “Such a gentleman. She’s not coming along today?”
“She’s not invited.” His voice dropped. “She’s in the shower right now. I made up a story about some training we’re doing later.”
“So, no round two?”
“Oh, there was round two and three. But she already asked me about my plans for the next couple of weekends, so I’m saying sayonara. This was supposed to be a one-night kind of thing, not my next girlfriend.”
“Gotcha. Well, we wouldn’t want her to keep you from all the other beautiful women out there.”
“You know it. Don’t worry, I’ll let her down easy.”
“Right. I wouldn’t expect anything less. Catch ya later.”
Tossing his phone onto the passenger seat, Blake eyed traffic in his mirrors and then pulled back onto the highway. The older woman he’d helped was long gone. Blake drove a few exits down and then took the offramp, heading toward his townhouse. He’d just moved in a year ago after being tired of apartment life. He was only renting since he was in the Navy and could always get PCS’d, but hell if he didn’t appreciate having more space and a small yard.
He was an outdoorsy guy, that much was for sure. He’d never survive a desk job. Hell, when he was done being a SEAL, he’d have to look into a job training other men. Because sitting in a closed-in office all day? It would never happen.
That shit was the stuff nightmares were made of.
His gaze shifted as he saw two military jets flying overhead. He’d never get tired of the sight. San Diego was definitely a Navy town. He’d been stationed out here since BUD/S and couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Although many guys that he’d met over the years were spread out across the U.S. and the entire world, he’d grown to love Coronado and San Diego.
And damn. Sunny weather, days training on the water, and men he’d trust with his life didn’t hurt. Nor did the beautiful women on all the beaches.
An hour later, he was heading toward Imperial Beach, windows down and music cranked up. He’d thrown a tee shirt on over his swim trunks, and with his aviators on and gear in the back, he was ready to soak up some sunshine and flirt with pretty women. A convertible with two women stopped beside him at a light, and the driver waved. She had on a string bikini top and was tanned and toned—not to mention completely too made up. Her hot pink lips probably attracted plenty of attention, but he wasn’t into kissing a woman and ending up wearing as much makeup as her.
He nodded but pulled forward as soon as the light turned green.
Grabbing a decent spot near the beach by some stroke of luck, he climbed out and rounded