Finally, a computer. With Internet.

Following our hour-long show, I was exhausted. Afterward, we did autographs and were shown around the place a bit. We practiced for our next show and now, here I was. I really wanted to soak in a bathtub, maybe with some Epsom Salt. But warm baths were one of the many luxuries that would have to wait till I returned home.

I had a small break before dinner and then another meet and greet. All my girls were checking their emails or Facebook on the computers in the communication hall. I however, had more important things to research. I picked a spot in the back and got to work.

“Kyle Lawson football.”

Articles popped up. Terrell Kyle Lawson. So Kyle was his middle name—seemed like a clandestine SEAL maneuver. I clicked on the Wiki link.

Terrell Kyle Lawson is an American football player who left his professional career and became an officer in the United States Navy. He turned down a five-year, 9.6 million dollar contract with the Oakland Marauders. Popularly known by his initials, T.K., Lawson is as renowned for his refusal to grant any media interviews as he is for his talent on the field.

He gave up 9.6 million dollars?! I knew he was special. To some, that action would seem like he ripped up a winning lottery ticket.

Article after article rehashed the same story with no new insight, mainly because Kyle had refused all media interviews. Which made perfect sense because anonymity was important to be a member of the SEALs. Despite all the recent SEAL memoirs, SEALs were supposed to be silent operators. That much even I knew.

Maya pulled her chair next to mine. “I can’t believe he’s the same guy we met at Green Flash Bar & Grill. That’s crazy. His boy Vic is fine as hell with his insane body and never-ending tats—thank God I didn’t hook up with him though. I remember that night I just thought both of them were players. I would never date a SEAL. And neither should you.”

I rolled my eyes at her. “It’s totally fate—we were meant to see each other again. I honestly believe that. Yes, he may be cocky. But there’s more to him than that.” I pointed to the screen. “Case in point. Check this out. Did you know he turned down a 9.6-million dollar contract to become a SEAL?”

She studied the computer screen, and crinkled her face. “That’s pretty stupid if you ask me. I mean, think of all the good he could do with that money. There’s no law that says you have to blow it on mansions, a Maserati, or frivolous bullshit, Sara. He could’ve saved a ton of homeless dogs or donated to a women’s shelter.” I knew she was right, but his decision did not lose its luster in my eyes. It was still humble.

“All good points. But he told me at his place that he wanted to live his life with a purpose. And this is the path he chose. I have to respect it. Plus, it’s totally hot.”

She twirled her hair, giving me a vacant stare. “First off, that’s a line. One that you fell for. You’re always trying to give people the benefit of the doubt. And secondly, even if he meant it, it’s stupid, not hot. Do you know how dangerous his job is? Sounds like he’s chasing a high. He’s an adrenaline junky. Seriously, Sara, you know these SEALs. All the ones I’ve met are cheaters. One girl on our squad dated one and he cheated on her with a stripper. A stripper! You need to stay far away from him. Did you forget he fucked you seven ways to Sunday and never called you? You know that every chick in San Diego drops their panties at the first sign of a SEAL. You don’t need to deal with that shit. You’re beautiful, smart, love kids, are a professional cheerleader, and have a career ahead of you as a teacher. I mean you work part time at a preschool. I thought you wanted to get married in a couple of years and have a family? Kyle’s not the type to settle down. You can get any guy you want. Don’t waste your time on a player.” Jesus. She needed to take a breath. She sounded so judgmental right now. Just knowing the girls she knew boasted about being with SEALs told me those girls were with attention seekers too. Most SEALs never spoke about their careers. Did she ever think of that? Okay, so he wasn’t perfect. Who was? Definitely not me. Then again, I’d known Maya for way too long. The rant she just unloaded on me came from a good place. And she wasn’t wrong about the things I wanted.

I nodded my head in agreement, forcing my heart to listen, but it refused. Fine, he was a player, but every player can be tamed for the right woman, right? And I didn’t blame him for not calling me, after all—we hadn’t exactly started our relationship out on the right foot. I was equally at fault. It was exhausting going back and forth on what he represented to me and what I wanted out of us hooking up. Emotional whiplash was a real bitch.

Maya clutched my arm. “Aye, Sara, seriously. No. Forget about him. I don’t care that he fucked you like a porn star. He’ll never be faithful to you. A SEAL and a baller? It’s the worst combination. He probably gets more pussy than an animal shelter.”

“Nice, Maya,” I groaned.

She kept going. “Not to mention you’re on a USO tour. If you sneak away to hook up with him, you’ll get kicked off the squad. Did I ever tell you about Emma? She was on the squad a few years ago. Well she was caught blowing the bassist for Möxie Cörps. They flew her ass home, made her turn in her poms, and even the website erased any trace of her. You can’t get anything past Denise. She’s like a hawk. Take it from your captain. If she finds out, you’re as good as gone. All you ever wanted was to be a cheerleader, and you worked so hard. Don’t throw it away on this guy’s jock.” Damn it.

“You’re right.”

Maya pursed her lips, and shook her head. She knew me well enough to know I was already fixated on Kyle. But she didn’t need to sound so matter of fact about it. What the hell? Was I destined to be alone? What was wrong with having a good time? I could handle this. I turned back to the computer. At least she stopped the nagging, stood up, and left.

I closed out the articles on Kyle and logged into my Facebook, reading my messages. My mom worried about me being overseas, and my friends back home wanted to know if I’d met any sexy male celebrities on the tour. Yes, there were some hot movie stars on the USO tour, but none of them were worth mentioning at all. I only had eyes for Kyle.