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NAVY

Navy: Hi.

Briggs: Sailor. I never thought I’d see the day :)

Navy: What gave me away?

Briggs: The hesitant greeting. But I’ll take it. I’ve been waiting for you to reach out—way to keep me on the edge of my seat, pretty girl.

Navy: I’m a woman of high demand. I told you the line was long. You were next on my list ;)

Briggs: Haha. Works for me. So how about that date?

Navy: Fine.

Briggs: Your thrill is contagious.

Navy: Where are you taking me?

Briggs: How about we start with dinner and a movie? Maybe sushi and the new rom-com with Mark Wahlberg that just came out. That is…if you still like fun things.

Navy: I’m in. But only for the sushi and Mark. You’re still on probation, mister—time to pull out all the stops.

Briggs: With pleasure. Pick you up tomorrow at seven :)

I’m going on a date with Crew Briggs.

This is my first official date since ending a nearly fifteen-year relationship with Luke and then my messy whatever that was with Bodhi.

I honestly never thought I’d see the day when I was this excited to go out with another man. Although Bodhi and I were never a couple, his dismissal and sudden rejection of me fucked me up. I’ve never been a woman to let any man have that kind of hold over me, but Luke messed me up, and I think I’m finally turning a corner.

Things have been more tame between Bodhi and me at the house. We aren’t chatty, but we are cordial. That seems to be the only thing working for us at this point. Anything past that will be either arguing or fucking.

Neither of which I’m willing to do.

Yep, I said it. I don’t want to fuck Bodhi. I once wanted to very, very badly. But that was before he turned me down and made me feel like a dirty mistake. I’m better than that. I deserve better than that—and I’m finally going to take what I want.

I can ponder the possibility of Briggs and I not working out, but it seems pointless. I’ll never know how we mesh in an emotional, physical, or sexual way until I give him a shot.

This date with him is a clean slate and my chance to choose my happiness for once. I’m exhausted from waiting for incompetent men to decide I’m worthy enough to love fully.

I know one thing is certain—I’ll never find out from inside this house.

* * *

The rest of the night went by quicker than I expected.

The guys had a team dinner to attend, so I had the house to myself. Although I live with three other guys, I seem to spend a lot of time alone. I haven’t decided if that’s good or bad for my mental health.

Gus texted me close to eleven last night, saying they were hitting up Delta after—which is shocking considering Bodhi was with them, but not my problem. Knowing they would be out for a while, I decided to make some hot chocolate and binge some of my favorite sappy rom-coms. It’s been forever since I had a good cry and last night felt like no better time.

I regret that decision this morning as I wake up and immediately feel the heaviness in my eyes. I’m not typically a crier, but the Hallmark channel gets me every time. They love to bait you with the sick children, the failing marriage, yada yada yada. I can’t handle it.

Despite the drag my tears have brought to my face, I feel refreshed and excited about today. It’s Saturday morning, and although I have a full day before my date with Briggs, I’m looking forward to it.

Today is the first Saturday in forever that I have no plans during the day. I’m choosing to use this time to catch up on laundry, finally clean my room, and maybe get some yard work done for the guys. They’ve never actually come out and said it, but I know they crave a woman’s touch in this house.

It needs it.

I’ve done little things, like scattering throw pillows across the couch, adding the warmth of blankets in cozy areas, and introducing some house plants, but the exterior needs curb appeal.

I won’t go crazy, not wanting to overstay my welcome and make it seem like I’m getting too comfortable here. This house is not my forever plan, and there will be an expiration date—whenever I get that figured out. However, I think this will at least show them my appreciation and help them check off something I know they’ve been hoping to get done around here.

After showering and changing into workout clothes for the day, I head downstairs to see who’s awake and get some coffee in my system.

I’m greeted by everyone except for Bodhi.

“Morning!” I acknowledge the guys in my cheeriest voice.

Gus, Mack, and Kingston turn my way in unison, and I’m stopped short by smooth and rigid muscles.

Holy abs. Living here ain’t that bad.

“What up, sailor?” teases Gus.

“Jesus, not you, too. I don’t know why everyone still calls me that,” I respond, hugging them all.

“Ah, you know we love to ruffle those perfect little feathers you’ve got going for ya,” says King. Of course, King is the one to joke about it. He’s always the one kidding around and making things fun. Except, I know for a fact it was Briggs who came up with the nickname for me, and somehow it made its way around the League.

Honestly, if any woman ever complained about the predicament I’ve found myself in with these fine as hell men, I’ll show her the exit door myself.

Not only are they drop-dead gorgeous, successful, and athletic, they’re the best group of guys I’ve ever known. They love their people something fierce and it’s a shock they’re all single.

It’s weird to think about, given I’m also single.

I’ve never been interested in them romantically. I was most definitely in a haze of stupidity after wasting all my years with Luke, while these three became my closest friends in the meantime.

The thought of something more has never even crossed my mind.

Except for the missing one, I should say.

Speaking of…where is he? I’m not asking, though.

“Har har. So what’s everyone up to today?” I ask as I grab an everything bagel to pop into the toaster.

They perch themselves against the kitchen island and sip their coffees. Well, King is drinking his precious and perfectly steamed chamomile tea.

Boujee man.

Mack joins the conversation. “Not a lot, and thank fuck for that. We haven’t had a free Saturday in ages.”

I know that’s true. Although their jobs are genuinely something they love, the lifestyle is demanding and requires a lot of their time and attention.

There are pros and cons to every job, I suppose.

“Dude, for real. I want to veg out on the couch and do nothing all day,” Gus chimes in.

“I’m still hungover from last night,” King replies.

“Fuck, dude. Me too. I lost count after five of how many tequila shots I threw back,” says Gus.

“You two are idiots.” Mack doesn’t drink much, so they likely made him the designated driver. Although, now that I think about it, I’ve seen Bodhi order a drink plenty of times but never actually drink it.

How am I now realizing this?

He always remains composed, and I’ve never witnessed him intoxicated. I think I’ve always thought he’s protective and likes to make sure everyone around him is safe—that’s who Bodhi is.

It could also be because I don’t hesitate to unwind and have fun. I should pay closer attention, I’m that seeing now.

“I have a better idea,” I say as I walk to the fridge, my thoughts set on my morning coffee.

“Speak, woman,” Gus demands.

“Wait a second.” I turn toward Kingston. “You are so sweet for making my coffee every morning. I can’t even remember the last time I had to make it myself. You even use my fun cups with designs to match my socks.”

I have an obsession with weird and funny socks.

I never let them show publicly, though. My outfit will always look killer, but my socks scream weirdo—I love it. They remain hidden under my boots and make me feel like I have a secret that no one knows about.

It may seem silly, but it’s my thing.

“That ain’t me, Navy girl.”

I look at Gus and Mack, searching for any signs of it being them, and come up empty. Then who is it?

It can’t be…Bodhi…right?

Surely, Bodhi doesn’t know how I drink my coffee. I don’t remember telling him or being with him when I ordered one.

But he’s the only one left to question.

Someone has been preparing my coffee for me every day since I moved in here. Not once have I had to make it myself.

Whether they make it at night or in the morning, I don’t know, but the three before me are denying it, leaving only one other possibility.

“Bodhi?” I ask them, reaching for a glass straw to give my coffee a good stir.

I take a long sip. It’s perfect. I honestly wouldn’t change a thing.

Just the way I like it—heavy cream, light on the coffee.

“No clue,” Gus answers. I guess I’ll have to ask Bodhi myself.

“What’s your idea?” Mack asks, interrupting my spiraling.

“Oh! You guys are gonna help me plant some flowers and shrubs in the front yard. I’d say that the flower bed needs a facelift.”

Gus rolls his eyes while Mack gives me a death stare. I’m sure there are better things they would rather be doing, but I’m not giving them an option.

“You want us to plant flowers?” Mack asks hesitantly.

“That’s what I said.” I smile at him. “Come on, it’ll be fun.”

“Is this what normal people do on their days off? Plant flowers and soak in hangovers from the night before?” King asks.

“No, but this is what homeowners should do on their days off. It won’t kill you to get a little dirty.”

Gus chuckles abruptly. “Oh, sweetheart. I get plenty dirty. In fact, I got filthy with —”

“Shut it down!” I raise my voice in panic before he can continue that sentence. “Please spare me the details of your promiscuous fucking.”

He gives me a sinister smirk, and I can’t help but laugh.

Once a playboy, always a playboy.

I’ll keep that nugget of information to myself and ensure Tenley doesn’t find out. Although she’d never admit to it bothering her.

“You literally told me you have no plans but to veg out on the couch. Let’s go, pretty boys. No tight pants needed for today. Grab your best painting shorts, and off to the gardening store we go.” I shove them along, pushing their gigantic bodies up the stairs to get ready.

The grunts and groans escaping them have me giggling at the bottom of the stairs.

This should be fun.

It’s time to bring some life into this place.