Claiming Her - Tory Baker Page 0,29

open the exit door and we step out into a small parking lot. “What Taylor and I both wanted was for you to stay focused while you were over there and not to worry about anything stateside. Believe me, as soon as you were home and safe, we were going to tell you,” I tell him. My stance is relaxed, but I’m not an idiot. I know what’s coming.

“That’s mighty high and mighty of y’all, thinking I can’t handle shit while I’m in the thick of things.” His hands are clenched.

“I’m giving you one chance to hit me, because, if I had a sister, I’d be in your same situation and do the same thing. But any more than that, I’m hitting back.” We took our conversation outside of the hospital and around the corner. Both of us knowing what the other expects. If the situation were reversed, my actions would mirror his.

No sooner than I say that, Bridger comes around the corner. “Oh, goodie. I’m here before the fun begins.”

“Shut up,” Travis and I say at the same time, neither of us wanting to hear his shit.

“What makes you think you’re good enough for my sister?” Travis barks out.

“I don’t think I am, but I’ll tell you one thing. I’ll make damn sure I give her everything I have to give and then some,” I reply.

We’re at a standstill, not saying a word, just two stubborn men. One Seal brother to another, each with good and bad qualities.

Travis’s gaze goes to Bridger. “Hey, I’m just here to watch. I’m sure Taylor would love to know you two are acting like heathens.” He shakes his head.

“Don’t start. I have plenty of dirt on you wanting a certain blonde-haired woman in our office,” I grunt.

“What the fuck ever. Get this over with so I can take you two idiots back to Taylor and take that certain blonde-haired woman home.” Bridger makes his way off, looking at home beside the brick building, leaning on it like he’s waiting for entry into a movie.

I brace myself, knowing what’s coming. “One hit, Travis.” I wait for him to get his one lick, but when he hits me in the jaw it’s harder than I anticipated. The knee to my stomach, though? That was a pussy ass move and has me hitting him in the jaw back.

Travis goes to knee me in the stomach again, but I’ve already grabbed him by the collar. I get a lick of my own in against his jaw before Bridger barks, “Enough! Travis, go take a walk.” The normally easygoing, calm one is pissed off; that’s something I don’t see all that often.

I hold my tongue, not saying a damn thing. Bridger is right, but I have one more thing to say before he takes a walk to calm the hell down. “I’m asking Taylor to marry me soon. I hope we’ll have your blessing, but I’m telling you now, even if we don’t, I’m still making her mine.”

Travis turns around, glares at me, shakes his head, and then leaves. I can’t read the look on his face. He doesn’t look upset; it’s a look of he’s not going back upstairs, but instead is walking down the street.

“Do me a favor, please?” I ask Bridger.

“Sure.” He nods.

“Take him where he intends to go while you take Kellie home. I don’t need a frogman going off half-cocked before he’s due back on base tomorrow.” I shake my head in disbelief.

“Not a problem. I’ll walk with you back upstairs and grab Kellie, then go find the dumb ass. He knew you liked Taylor a long time ago. I think shit is getting to him. He’s ready to finish his tour out. At least, that’s what I got from what he said before you walked into the office today.” He shrugs his shoulders.

Maybe there’s more going on with Travis than Taylor and I know about. “Let’s hope he gets a handle on things then. If not, I’ll man up and talk to him,” I admit. If Taylor finds out something is wrong, she’ll want to go off and find him, but I can’t have that. Not tonight at least.

Twenty

Taylor

“I can’t believe that jerk wouldn’t even answer my phone call. Who does he think he is? He comes home for what, twenty-four hours and then just disappears? If that were me, he’d have the fucking National Guard out looking for me.” I’m exasperated. My hands are waving in the air and this time