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BODHI

I had to get out.

The walls of Boone were caving in around me and I knew I had no excuse to feel that way.

Navy isn’t mine. She never has been and never will be.

So why did I want to kill Briggs for blatantly asking her out in front of us? Briggs is a good dude who has been a close friend of mine since he was on the team. I hate to say it, but Navy couldn’t do much better than him.

However, I’m gonna choose to rebuke that shit.

The idea of Briggs getting to experience the side of Navy that I’m confident only I have had the pleasure of seeing, or the image of his fucking hands on her, makes me so feral I’d risk it all to kill him myself.

But he’s my friend, and Navy is my friend.

Fuck!

All I know is I couldn’t breathe out there.

There she was, looking like a goddamn fantasy in her sexy work clothes I’ve missed catching her in during the season, tipsy, drunk on whiskey, and enjoying the attention of a decent dude that wants her.

I could see the heart eyes overcome her, and truthfully, who could blame her? Navy deserves a man who will be proud to have her on his arm.

I would be, but I can’t.

I fled to the bathroom to take a minute and calm myself down before I did something I would regret. What I didn’t expect was to hear secretive whispers and annoyance from Gus and Tenley as I approached the table.

It looked a lot like they were directing it at Navy, too.

Then I heard my name, and something along the lines of Navy not telling me. Tell me what?

I slide in next to Navy, forcing her to scoot over and give me space to sit. I place my forearms on the table, trying my best to mask how I feel right now and act like I don’t give a shit.

Not the case, but I need to know what she’s not telling me.

“What does Navy still need to tell me?”

I direct my question at Tenley and Gus because I can’t bear to look at Navy. I know the second I look into her tranquilizing green eyes I’ll crumble at her feet and forget all that’s happened between us.

She doesn’t deserve my avoidance, but I’d rather her have that than a front-row seat to my confused feelings.

Tenley and Gus are silent. Something big has happened here and I have a feeling I won’t like it.

“Bodhi…” There she is. Let’s hear it, my little terremoto.

“Yes, Navy? Please tell me what I don’t know.”

Her eyes find her lap, and this has to be the first time I’ve ever seen Navy do anything resembling cowering—she’s always so strong. On the contrary, I’m slightly staggered that Gus and Tenley cornered her like this, so it must be something important. Navy has never intentionally done anything to hurt anyone, and I’m confident that whatever it is she hasn’t told me, there’s a logical reason for it.

It’s one of my favorite things about her.

As if a wave of confidence comes over her, Navy says, “I’m not staying with Tenley anymore.”

Okay…how does that warrant Tenley being upset?

“I see…then who are you staying with?”

“I’m not.” What?

My focus is on Navy and only Navy; I couldn’t look away if I tried. “You’re not what , Navy?”

Her head lifts, and I catch Tenley sending Navy a nod. “I’m not staying with anyone, Bodhi.”

What the fuck?

“Navy…spit it out. Where are you living then?”

“At a hotel.”

Son of a fucking bitch. My hands grip the water in front of me and I find myself shaking—shaking with worry and panic. Why didn’t she come to me? Why did she keep it from me? Surely, she didn’t think I’d be upset with her.

Oh, I am. But not because Navy left Tenley’s place.

“Technically, it’s a motel.” That came from Tenley, and I catch Gus shushing her in a harsh whisper.

“Ten, seriously? Whose side are you on?” Navy asks.

Tenley replies, “I’m on your side, and that’s exactly why I’m not letting you live like this anymore.”

Navy looks at me and I can feel the apology in her eyes. “I’m staying in the Motel 6 off Ashbury.”

Ashbury? Hell no. Does she have any idea what kind of crime happens down there? I need to tame my rage because that’s not what she needs right now. But over my dead body am I going to let her sleep there another night.

“Navy, I’m trying my best to be patient, but I’m fucking livid right now. I trust you had a reason, but I have to know…what in the hell were you thinking?”

“I don’t owe you an explanation, Bodhi.”

“Like hell you don’t.”

Navy replies, “We. Are. Not. Together. Therefore, I’m not your concern.”

We throw Gus and Tenley off balance.

They must be wondering what would make Navy say something like that. No one knows how well Navy and I genuinely know each other, and we promised no one would ever find out.

Especially Callaway.

Selfishly, though, Navy feels like mine. More than she ever has, and I’m aware it makes me fucked up to even think that.

“You’re not staying there anymore, Navy.”

I promised Callaway I’d take care of her. I won’t break that promise to my best friend, even if I can’t have her how I want to, even if she hates me for sending her mixed signals right now.

Navy evidently finds me amusing because she erupts into hysterical laughter, deciding to plead the fifth. “Hilarious. Tenley, Gus, Bodhi…it’s been fun, but I’m going to call an Uber and head out. There’s a warm bed at the Motel 6 with top-notch service calling my name.”

Her soft frame presses against mine, urging me to move and let her out. I’ll give her this for a second, then strike when she least expects it.

Letting her out of the booth, I choose to keep quiet as she waves sarcastically at us before heading to the exit. “Tell Briggs I’ll be seeing him,” she announces with a wink.

Yeah…we’ll see about that, my little earthquake.

You can’t get away from me that easily.