Page 96 of Beast

Kyle gave me a devilish grin. “Couldn’t stay away from her for a day. We’ve been back, what, five hours? Have you already hit that?”

“Two days, asshole. You saw her greet me at the dock. Welcome home sign and everything.”

Vic raised his eyebrow. “What’s the problem? You wanted to see her anyway.”

I glanced over near the pool; Annie was sitting at a table chatting with the other women. She gave me a big smile and waved at me. “Yeah, I did. But, I mean, she has Gabriel, and we’ll leave again soon. I don’t want to confuse him; poor kid’s been through enough.”

Vic jumped in. “Walsh, she wants you. She’s a good girl. And she’s gorgeous. You have nothing to lose. Stop being such a closed-off prick and give her a chance.”

I was going to respond, but Annie walked over to me carrying a plate of food.

She smiled and I couldn’t help but think even though I didn’t fit in her life, she sure seemed at home in mine.

27

Patrick

AFTER A FEW HOURS AT the party, I was about to leave and take Annie and Gabriel home. Carina had worn Gabriel out playing house, and the little guy was passed out on the floor.

Vic’s mom whispered. “Pobrecito, mijo.”

“Why don’t you and Annie go somewhere? Let Gabriel sleep. If he wakes while you’re gone, I can keep him entertained,” Vic offered.

“Oh. I don’t know. Are you sure that’s okay?” Annie crinkled her brow.

“Yeah, I’ll just be cleaning up. We’ll be fine.”

“Okay. But we’ll only be gone for an hour.”

“Don’t worry about it—take your time.”

I was excited and nervous to get alone time with Annie. I didn’t even know where to take her. I decided I’d show her around the SEAL base, since it was close by the back roads. It was private, beautiful, and where I spent the majority of my life. As we drove in my beat-up black truck from Chula Vista through Imperial Beach on our way to Coronado, I couldn’t shake the gnawing feeling that I shouldn’t push her away. I’d been alone for so long, I didn’t even know what my life would be like with a girlfriend.

The view of the Silver Strand beach was on our left and Annie stared out the window.

“You okay?”

She blinked back tears. “Yup.”

I touched her thighs, sliding my hand in between them. Not to start anything, just to touch her. It would take me a lifetime to comprehend what she’d been through.

“Tell me.”

“It’s nothing.”

“I want to know.”

Her hands shook. “I was having fun at the party, just being normal. Everyone was so nice to me. But I kept thinking they were all looking at me. No one brought up the fact I’ve been on the cover of every magazine, flashed across all the news networks. I haven’t been out in public much. Everyone must think I’m this bitch who abandoned her family and let her boyfriend become a suspect for murder, just to run off.”

I had no idea she’d felt everyone was judging her. “First, none of that is true. If you want to ever want to tell anyone what really happened to you, I support you. Any of them who recognized you probably think you had a good reason to vanish and were in awe of your strength. And all the other Team guys were jealous I had the hottest girl there.”

“Thanks, Pat. You’re full of shit, but I appreciate your effort.”

We pulled in to the Naval Amphibious base, and I decided to give her a quick tour. When I showed her the obstacle course, her eyes got wide. “I want to try it.”

“Who are you, GI Jane?”

“I could do it. I don’t quit.”