CHAPTER FIVE
Friday, April 6th
Coronado, California
Peeling off his mask, Bryce pulled himself out of the water at the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado and knew they had nailed it. The new platoon he’d been assigned to had just completed a training exercise in Glorietta Bay, and they’d accomplished the task in record time.
The group emerged from the water, bumped fists, and took off their fins. Jason, their CO, checked his watch and nodded. We shaved off three minutes today, so let’s add another two tomorrow.”
“Roger that,” the group replied in unison.
Bryce felt the last of the day’s sun on his shoulders as he trudged up the sand embankment and decided that seventy was the perfect temperature for the first week in April. He hadn’t spent much time in Coronado and was looking forward to the post-deployment cycle they had over the next couple of months.
His swim buddy Logan came up alongside him and grinned. “Took us a couple of rotations to get on the same platoon, but it finally happened.”
“Ready to be out there with you, brother.”
“Yeah, it’s gonna be fun runnin’ and gunnin’ together.”
“Absolutely. I don’t know about you, but I finally feel like I’m contributing something and not just taking up space. The last deployment in Khost was brutal, and I learned a ton of shit that’s got me ready for the next one.”
“Yeah, me too. Almost died once or twice and those close calls have made a difference in the way I operate.”
They crossed Tulagi Rd., walked over to the trailer that was parked next to Turner Field, and started divesting themselves of their equipment.
“Once you load your gear, you guys are done for the day,” Jason called out.
“Roger that,” Bryce replied as he slipped his tank off his shoulder. Looking across the field, he noticed a softball game in progress and heard a lot of hootin’ and hollering. It appeared to be a game with mostly women playing, and he wondered when and if Daphne was ever going to get in touch with him.
After they’d left Djibouti, he’d been downrange for close to ninety days and hadn’t been able to keep in touch. When he’d finally gotten back last week, he’d left her a bunch of texts that had gone unanswered.
Not that he could blame her. Hell, she was a beautiful, smart woman back in her hometown, and if he had to bet, she probably had a different date every night of the week. He was undoubtedly no more than a distant memory to her and, even though they had spent an amazing evening together, it clearly wasn’t enough.
As he dropped his dragger and mask into the basket, he heard the guys talking about grabbing some chow and thought about joining them. Peeling off his wetsuit, he then shoved his feet into flip flops and slid his shorts and sweatshirt on.
Walking closer to the field, he watched the game and thought about hunting Daphne down on base and seeing if she could refuse him face to face.
“Damn good view,” Caid commented as he peeled off his wetsuit. “Don’t see many spectators; maybe we should go over and cheer them on.”
“Yeah, it would be the right thing to do,” Bryce replied with a laugh.
“What’s that?” Ace asked as he pulled a T-shirt over his head.
“Cheerin’ the women on,” Caid replied.
“Yeah, that’s what they need, a bunch of frogmen yelling,” Ace added as he walked over.
Walking closer to the field, Bryce crossed his arms over his chest and studied a woman in the outfield. He rubbed his eyes and then looked again and swore it was Daphne. Moving in her direction like she was a magnet to his soul, he ignored the guys throwing remarks.
When he was within a couple of feet, he knew he’d finally managed the impossible and run into her. Now he’d know one way or another if anything was possible. “Daphne!”
Turning, she held her glove up against the last of the day’s sun and grinned. “Bryce?”
“Hi, darlin’.” Laughter spilled out of her pretty mouth and he felt the joy of it move across the wind that had picked up. Nothing better than a woman’s laughter and to have it aimed in his direction was one of God’s many blessings. He peeled his eyes away from her momentarily, heard the crack of the bat, and saw the ball sail through the air in her direction.
The sun was at a perfect angle to blind her, and since she was looking at him, she couldn’t move away from the ball before it clipped her in the head. Flying across the space that separated them, he caught her just as she tumbled to the ground.
When her soft curves slid against him, he held tightly and fell back against the ground, knowing the right time and the right place would forever be defined by this moment.
Sitting up, he kept his hold firm and swept the hair out her face. “Shit.” He moved his hand to her neck, checked her pulse, and felt it slow and steady. “Open your eyes, sweetheart, let me know you’re okay.”
Before she could respond, he was surrounded by the guys and many of her team members. “Give her some space,” he barked.”
Jax moved through the crowd and shook his head. “Lt. are you getting the ladies knocked out so they’ll pay attention to you?” He kneeled and began checking Daphne’s head and then her vitals. “Knocked her coconut good.”
“Is that your professional SOF medic opinion?” Bryce asked as he ran his hand over her cheek.
Laughing, Jax leaned back on his knees. “Yeah, as a matter of fact, it is.”
Feeling Daphne move in his arms, he leaned down and watched her eyes flutter open. Smiling, he saw the moment she recognized him. “I think we nailed the landing and should expect a ten from the judges.”
“Lt. Bryce Andrews, what the heck are you doing at my softball game?”
“Apparently, getting you knocked out.” She gave him a small smile and moved as though she was going to get up. “You just stay put for a bit and let’s make sure you’ve got your legs under you.”
Moving her hand to her head, she winced when it touched the big red lump that was starting to form. “Got a goose egg.”
Jax got up and crossed his arms. “You shouldn’t drive tonight and, to be extra safe, have someone stay with you for twenty-four hours to make sure no additional symptoms develop.”
“Thanks, Jax, and it’s nice to see you, by the way.”
“You too, Daphne. Get some ice on your head because you’re going to have a hell of a headache.”
“Got it.”
“I won’t leave her side,” Bryce stated firmly as he tightened his grasp.
“Jeeze, this guy will do anything to get a second date.” When no one laughed, she shrugged. “Usually my jokes don’t bomb quite as badly.”
Kissing her head, he let out a long breath. “It’s going to be a minute before I’m going to laugh about this one.”
“We’ll leave you to it,” Caid said as he signaled to the guys to head out.
Bryce watched his buddies wander off and then Daphne’s teammates. He stood, holding her in his arms. “Let me get you home and make sure I don’t cause any more accidents.”
“Knew you might be dangerous when I met you but had no idea it was going to be this bad.” Wiggling out of his embrace, she put her feet on the ground and wobbled. “I guess I could use a ride home.”
Wrapping his arm around her, he led her in the direction of the parking lot. “Thought so.”
As they moved off the field slowly, he felt better than he had in a very long time; minus the head injury, this was as good of a reunion as he could’ve hoped for.
***
Daphne sat on the couch in her apartment and watched big-bad Bryce fuss around her like an old biddy. “The ice pack doesn’t need to be refreshed.”
“I’m going to run across to my apartment and get a bag of peas because it will form to your head better.”
“I can’t believe we live in the same apartment complex. The Warner must be the top recommendation for new Navy arrivals.”
“I know at least four guys from the Teams who live here, so I think you’re right.” He moved toward the door and then stopped. “Don’t move while I’m gone because the last thing we want is for you to get up and get dizzy.” Picking up her purse, he handed it to her. “Grab your phone, so if something happens, you can call me.”
“I got a new phone when I arrived back in the States and haven’t put in my contacts yet.” Pulling her phone out, she handed it to him. “Put your number in.”
“Did you happen to get some texts from me last week?”
“No.” Seeing his face split into a grin made her wonder why he looked so relieved.
“That makes me feel a whole lot better, and I can breathe easier knowing that you didn’t try and avoid me.”
“Is that what you thought?”
“Yeah, I figured you arrived back in your hometown and had the men lined up around the corner waiting for their turn.”
“I don’t make them wait; I give out numbers, so it keeps things nice and orderly.” When he frowned, she wondered why all her jokes were bombing. “That was a joke, Bryce.”
He walked back to the sofa and sat down carefully. “In every joke, there’s some truth, and I know better than anyone how attractive and appealing you are, so don’t underestimate my willingness to decimate the competition.”
Leaning back, she felt her head pound. “We’re going to have to leave that one for another day because my headache has really started to kick in.”
Taking her hand, he held it gently. “I’ll order some Chinese food and grab some ice cream. We can start watching Narcos or whatever you want and relax.”
“That sounds great; thank you for hanging out and making sure I’m okay.”
Leaning down, he kissed her head. “Always. I’m just sorry that our second date is the result of a head injury.”
Pressing her hand to his chest, she let out a small laugh. “Yeah, maybe the next time you can just ask.”
“Consider yourself asked for the foreseeable future.”
Pushing at his chest, she leaned back. “One date at a time, sir.”
He heaved himself off the couch and handed her the phone and remote. “Be back in ten.”
Leaning against the pillow, she waved and watched him walk out of her apartment and silently whistled. His PT shorts showed off his tight behind and muscular legs, and she knew that resisting his charm, amazing body, and clear interest was going to be darn near impossible.
Not that she had ever really considered it an option.
Truthfully, he was a dream guy, and she wanted to see if he was as good as he seemed or if the cold light of day would show her something she didn’t care for. One way or another, she wanted the chance to get to know him.
Hearing her phone buzz, she picked it up and grimaced as she read the text from the man she had a date with tomorrow night. Letting her finger hover over the screen, she couldn’t decide what to do. When she had accepted the invitation, she had no idea where Bryce was or if he was still interested, and now she didn’t know if she should cancel it.
After all, they had only had the one date and, despite her interest, she had no idea if they would get along. She set the phone down and flipped it over, closing her eyes, she hoped the perfect answer would reveal itself.
When nothing came to mind, she decided that canceling this late would be rude and she might as well go out with the pilot and see if they had any potential. After all, she was a single woman, and limiting her options would be foolish.
Right?
Picking up her phone again, she sent off a quick text confirming the date. When she saw his emoji reply, she felt sick to her stomach.
Like she was cheating on Bryce.
Rubbing her head, she knew it was a ridiculous thought, and clearly, her lack of experience was at play. After all, it wasn’t like there was some agreement she was breaking with Bryce.
“I’m free and easy,” she announced to the room, “nothing is going to hold me back.” Hearing the door open made her keep the rest of her affirmations to herself. When she saw Bryce walk in with supplies, she felt that same sick feeling and knew she should cancel the date with the flyboy.
“Food will be here in twenty minutes,” he announced as he set down the bag. He pulled out two cartons of ice cream and put them in the freezer. “Didn’t know if you liked rocky road or just plain chocolate, so I brought both.” He then held up a bag of peas and a bag of corn. “Figured we could rotate these and get most of the swelling down tonight.”
“Thank you, Bryce.” Seeing his happy smile made her stomach turn over because she had no idea how she was supposed to play the field when she had the best man standing in her apartment. “Come and help me pick what to watch.”
Seeing his easy, confident walk as he moved in her direction made her realize he wasn’t going to have to do much to decimate the competition, except be himself.
Which, by the looks of it, would be more than enough.