Page 36 of Cowboy SEAL Homecoming

It hurt. She might have expected this kind of harsh reaction from Jack, but not from Gabe. It also hurt because a friendship had been developing between all of them. She finally had friends, and she was screwing it up.

She tried to blink back the tears. Tried to be strong and honest at the same time. “I’m sorry,” she managed, her voice little more than a whisper. “I was worried because I care.”

“If we wanted any of that, we would have gone home. Do us a favor and keep it to yourself.”

A tear slipped out, and she could only hope the dark obscured his view. He could think she was wrong, but she didn’t want him to think she was weak.

“Good night, Becca,” he muttered, pushing off the railing and striding inside. When the door closed with a slam, she jumped.

She wiped hurriedly at her cheeks, knowing it was only a matter of time before Alex and Jack came back too.

She’d grown to like all of them. Even surly Jack. She wanted to help. But she didn’t know how. Apparently caring wasn’t it, and Gabe had something of a point. Neither he nor Jack had gone home in the aftermath. They were here. Away from people who presumably loved them.

But Gabe was wrong about Alex, because Alex had come home, and maybe his father was dead, but he had people here who cared very much.

She heard Alex and Jack’s approach, arguing as they stomped toward the house. She tried to sniffle and mop up best she could, keeping her face averted as they crested the stairs.

“Bit cold out for stargazing, isn’t it?” Alex asked.

Which was possibly the worst thing he could have said to her in the moment. Oh, he could be her mom, worrying over it being too cold, but she couldn’t express legitimate concern over his behavior the other night?

Bullshit. Bull. Shit. She pushed herself out of the chair and stood to face him and Jack. “I’ll survive.”

“Hey, what’s wrong?” he asked, his eyes taking in what had to be the signs of tears on her face.

“Nothing,” she replied. Because he was always telling her that. Nothing was wrong. He was fine. They were all fucking fine.

“You’re crying,” he said, glaring at the house, then back at her.

Like this was Gabe’s fault. Hardly. It had started with the man standing right in front of her.

She looked him straight in the eye, knowing he would see every last trace of tears. Let him. Let them all see it. Maybe then they’ll get it.

“I’m fine,” she said, making sure to say it in the exact tone of voice he always did. “Just fine.”

Alex wasn’t going to swoop in and demand she tell him when she was feeling weird or awkward. He didn’t get to lecture her about standing up for herself to the guys. She certainly wasn’t going to let this turn into the three of them deciding what was best for her while she got shut down if she even expressed some concern. Rightful, thoughtful concern.

They wanted to shut her down and out? Well, they’d get the same treatment right back. And if Alex tried to push her on that, boy but he would be sorry.