“In your humble opinion.”
He waggled his eyebrows. “The only opinion that matters.”
“God, that ego of yours is on full display today.”
“I always have the Maxwell ladies to keep it in check.”
She chuckled. “I’ll make a note.”
“I want to introduce you to the team, but first, I have to make nice with my CO.”
“No problem. I promise not to tell him you use his name as a cuss word and that you think he’s a Russian spy.”
He laughed and patted her head. “Good girl.”
She slipped her arm through his, and they head toward his CO. Introductions were made and Holly charmed the dragon with her smile and quick wit. And then they were off to meet his team.
Giving them all a steely glare, he said, “Okay, men. This is Holly Maxwell. There will be no stories about me shared, got that? Unless, of course, you enjoy wake-up calls at three a.m. followed by a nice, relaxing five-mile swim.”
The guys laughed and gave a round of “Yes, Chief,” replies.
The women welcomed Holly and before long, he found himself separated from her as she joined the women talking about whatever women talk about.
“What do you think they’re talking about?” he asked his number two guy.
“I have no idea,” Jacob said. “Hair? Clothes?”
“You’re both wrong,” Cowboy said. “They’re talking about how studly this team is.”
That comment produced some hearty laughs.
Jacob tipped his head toward the female group. “Holly doesn’t seem like your usual type.”
“Agreed,” said Cowboy.
Benjamin frowned. “What do you mean?”
“She’s mature, logical, and not an airhead,” Jacob replied.
Benjamin smirked. “Seriously? Are you saying she’s old?”
“God, no,” Jacob hurriedly replied. “I mean, well, take Eric’s date for example. Pretty, rockin’ bod, but couldn’t tell you who the president was if you asked.”
“Hey,” Viking replied. “She knows who the president is…probably.”
Benjamin laughed along with the rest of the guys.
“No,” he acknowledged. “Holly isn’t my usual date.”
“So, what’s the deal? Don’t tell me that the confirmed bachelor has fallen,” Cowboy said.
Benjamin scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous. She’s fun. We’re having fun. That’s it. You know I’m not the settling down type.”
“Yeah,” Cowboy said. “That’s what we all say until…whoops. We find ourselves settled down and not minding it a bit.”
Three heads nodded. Banger, Ringer, and Viking all shook their heads.
“Nope. Not me,” Ringer said. “Ain’t no woman gonna tie me down.”
“Ditto,” Viking said and the three guys clinked their beer bottles in agreement.
“You wait,” Nick added. “I thought the same thing but…” He shrugged. “I’m not giving up Dani for nothing.”
“Enough.” Benjamin’s voice took on the tone he used during missions. “My life is my business and nothing for you busybodies to be concerned with. You can keep your quilting circle opinions to yourselves. I’m going to grab a beer. Anyone else?”
He walked away, Jacob behind him in step.
“So, I’m hearing rumors,” Jacob said.
“Yeah? About what?”
“You. Your future.”
Benjamin slowed long enough to glare at Jacob and then started walking again. “Yeah, well, don’t believe everything you hear.”
“I hear you’re considering leaving teams.”
He slowed again and then stopped. Jacob paused.
“Where’d you hear that?”
“Here and around. Is it true? Are you putting in your papers? I know you mentioned it some time back, but then the subject dropped, and I figured you changed your mind.”
Benjamin rubbed his neck. “The whole damn base is like a little gossip circle. I’m not ready to bring it up with the guys, but I’m giving it some thought. To be honest, I didn’t figure I’d live this long.” He shook his head. “Seriously, I figured I would die as a SEAL. Instead, I found myself in charge.” He snorted. “Not what I foresaw.”
“Have you decided what you want to do?”
“I’ve got a couple of options. I want to make my twenty before looking too far down the road. But let’s be honest, Rooster. I’m getting a little up there in age for an active SEAL.”
“Oh, man, that’s bullshit. Other than Nick, you can still run the O course in record times. I’ve seen you run rings around guys younger than you.”
“Maybe, but I don’t want the day to come where I slow down the team or put my guys at an increased risk because I’m not pulling my weight.”
“That’s ridiculous. You haven’t slowed at all.”
“I’m thirty-five. Not far from thirty-six. It’s time, Jacob.”
“Fuck.”
“Agreed.”
“What are you two girls gossiping about?” Cowboy said. “Hairdos for prom?”
“Shut up,” Jacob said with a laugh. “We were talking about all the cute boys in our class.”
With that, the three of them headed for the beer laughing the entire