Page 38 of April’s Fool

“Did she explain why?” April’s brows furrow as she asks.

“Nope.” I lean against the pillows behind me and sigh. “Won’t say it didn’t sting because it sure as fuck did. I was a kid, and I thought she was what I wanted.” I suck in a breath, pinch the bridge of my nose, and squeeze my eyes shut. “My brothers, the SEAL teams, got me through it. Them and Hazard. I pushed through and learned what we had wasn’t what I wanted after all. I was able to see through the fantasy to what we’d been.”

“I’m glad they got you through it,” April whispers, her hand on my thigh making me open my eyes to look at her again.

‘“Yeah.”

“So, you were a SEAL?”

“I’ll always be a SEAL,” I point out. “It doesn’t matter whether I’m out or not because it’s not a title. It’s part of who I am, and I’m damn proud of it.”

“You should be proud of it,” she agrees. “You don’t have to talk about it, but I was there when Twister mentioned your time in the⁠—”

“I lost my brothers on a mission,” I say, interrupting her. “The last mission we were all on together went haywire, and I was the only one left standing.”

“I’m sorry.” Tears prick her eyes, and she squeezes my thigh again.

Taking her hand in mine, I look at it, comparing how dainty hers is to mine. “You’ve got nothing to be sorry about. But you should know that I won’t talk about that time beyond what I’ve just shared with you. I don’t talk to anyone other than my brothers in the club. Some of them were in different branches of the military and know what a loss like that does to a person.”

“I wouldn’t push you to talk about anything you don’t want to share. It’s not mine unless you decide to give it to me.” April moves to straddle my waist, her hands coming to either side of my face. “I wouldn’t know where to start with what you saw and did, so I’m glad you have someone to talk to. But just know that the door will always be open for you to come to me if and when you need.”

Fuck me. April couldn’t be any more perfect if she tried.

“Before that night you slept in my bed with me at the clubhouse, I didn’t sleep more than a few hours at most. Nightmares plague me. I can’t say they’re gone completely, ‘cause that’s not a guarantee, but I haven’t had one when you’re in bed with me.”

April’s breath hitches. “You said something like that before.”

“Yeah,” I agree.

“Kayla dropped out of school this week and isn’t ready to tell her parents yet. She said she needed time to get her head straight. That’s why she’s staying at the apartment. She was nearly done with school, weeks away from graduating, when she quit. She’s not a quitter, but something happened to her that she’s not willing to talk about.”

I understand what she’s getting at and why she’s willing to be there for her friend. “Then let her stay however long you want her to.”

“Yeah, but I won’t be able to let her stay there for long. The lease is about up. The deal was that I’d move out the day after graduation.”

“Then, if she needs it, we’ll move her in here, or I’m sure Cannon could offer a room at the clubhouse.” We didn’t have that much extra space, but we’d make something work, as the club did for this weekend.

April smiles at me, eyes boring into mine, pink tinging her cheeks.

“What are you thinking about now, sweets?”

“That I want to continue playing,” she whispers.

“How so?” I cock a brow, grinning at her, glad we’re out of the heavy.

“Well . . .” she trails off, eyes darting away as she finishes, “I want to try sucking your cock.”

My cock thickens and jerks at the very thought of having her mouth wrapped around it. “ Have at it then.”

“I don’t know how.” The pink in her cheeks brightens.

“Baby, do what you feel is right, and I’m gonna like it.” Hell, just having her mouth on me will have me ready to blow.

“Okay.” She nods, sliding down my legs.

“Lose the shirt first,” I order. If I’m gonna watch her suck me off, it’s gonna be with her completely naked.

As she takes my shirt off and tosses it aside, I slide off the loose-fitting shorts I’d pulled on and kick them off.