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NAVY

“Kingston, where are the extra paper plates?”

“In your hands, Navy girl,” he tells me, grabbing me by the shoulders. “Hey, look at me. It’s gonna be great. Bodhi has no idea. He’s gonna shit himself over this. You did good, girl. Look at this place.”

I’m overwhelmed and overstimulated in every way imaginable, but King is right.

Party planning is in my bones and everything looks perfect.

The weather is perfect—it’s sunny with a light breeze, perfect to swim or lounge by the heated pool. Black and silver balloons cover every surface of the house, looking like a party clown threw up, and it’s exactly the vibe I wanted.

The French doors leading to the pool deck are opened, giving the room an infinite feel and making the space open and inviting. Music blasts from the house’s surround sound, and tables are set across the pool deck with endless options of Bodhi’s favorite foods: steak, grilled chicken, roasted veggies, and all kinds of fruit and cereal.

I laugh just looking at everything together; it makes sense where his massive physique comes from. He eats healthier than anyone I know.

Protein priorities.

The best part about the view, however, is the people slowly showing up who all equally love Bodhi St. James. The man is more deserving of love and good things than he realizes.

I can’t wait to tell him how much I love him.

I take a deep breath. “You’re right, King. Everything looks great. Thanks for talking me off a ledge. I just want everything to be perfect for him.”

“I don’t think there’s anything you could do wrong in Bodhi’s eyes,” King says matter-of-factly.

“Son of a bitch, you know too?” I ask him.

He chuckles, wrapping his teddy bear arms around me. “We’ve all known, Navy girl. It’s not very often someone steals Bodhi’s attention, but you had his from day one. I’m just happy he got his head out of his ass and stopped hiding it.”

I smile as butterflies take flight in my stomach.

My heart has reached maximum fullness, and it’s the most precious feeling. I never want to let it go.

I’m ready to love him and I hope he sees just how much today.

“Sailor, you in here?” A familiar voice calls out from the front door, and I instantly tense up.

Crew.

I’ve been so preoccupied with planning and setting up that I forgot he was coming early to talk.

My heart drops as Crew’s tall frame saunters into the kitchen, holding a case of beer and a tub of…beef jerky.

He holds the tub in the air. “For the birthday boy. Now he won’t steal my shit in the dugout.”

Why? Why do I have to hurt him? I hate myself for it.

“Hey, Crew!” I call out to him, giving him my best smile even though cheery is the last thing I feel right now.

“Hey, pretty girl,” Crew says, walking up to me with a quick kiss on the cheek.

Fuck. My eyes immediately scan the room thinking Bodhi saw, but he’s not here yet.

I breathe a sigh of relief. “Thanks for coming early.”

He places the beer in the large cooler before turning to me with a smile. “Of course. It’s no problem at all. So where’s the birthday boy anyway?”

King laughs. “Little P took him for coffee. He should be here soon.”

King has nicknames for everyone. If he likes you, you get a nickname.

I had to practically beg Penelope to come early and distract Bodhi for the morning while we got everything set up. Gus and Mack were supposed to be more help; instead, they started a cornhole match and refused to quit until one of them won fair and square.

Competitive men.

Crew laughs and reaches out to grab my hand. “Did you still wanna talk?”

He’s holding my hand, and it feels wrong. I pull away carefully, enough not to make him think anything of it. I’d never want him to be embarrassed for showing his feelings toward me. He’s never been ashamed and has always made me feel desired without apology.

“Yeah. Let’s go over here. King, can you handle things for a minute?”

King salutes me. “You got it, boss.” Then empties the rest of the drinks into the cooler.

I lead Briggs to the dining room area for more privacy.

“It’s so good to see you,” Briggs says, pulling me into a hug.

I smile timidly. “You too. How’s Addie? And Boone?”

A big smile brightens his face. “Addie is great. She’s talking so much now. It’s crazy.” He laughs. “Boone is swamped. I couldn’t ask for much more.”

I nod. “I’m happy for you, Crew. It seems like everything is working out great for you.”

He smiles and holds my arm carefully. “What’s going on? You seem…sad.”

I’ve never been happier in my life. But right now, yes, I’m sad.

I look into his blue eyes and dread the words about to leave my mouth.

“Crew, I don’t think I can see you?—”

“Because you’re in love with Bodhi?”

My heart drops. “You know?”

Crew nods. “It was pretty obvious. Just been waiting on him to grow some balls and call me out.”

“I guess that’s fair. Crew, I’m sorry,” I tell him sincerely. “You are such an incredible guy, and I know it sounds like bullshit for me to say, but I thought I was ready to meet someone new and give dating a shot. Except, I wasn’t, and I’m so sorry for that.”

Crew reaches for my hand. “I get it, Navy. It sucks but I’d rather know now than six months from now.” He looks at me with so much heart it’s painful. “Do you love him?”

“I do,” I tell him. “I don’t think I ever stopped.”

He nods. “I’ll respect that. I don’t like it, but I appreciate you being honest with me.”

My heart breaks for him but I know there’s another woman out there who is perfectly made for Crew Briggs, and wherever she is, she better be ready for him—he’s a catch.

“Always. You better bring little Addie to the fields one day to meet us. I’m in need of some baby snuggles.”

He chuckles. “I can do that. Although, she’s hardly a baby anymore.” Crew rubs the back of his head, staring mindlessly at the wall behind me. “Hey, Navy. Can I ask you something?” His hand finds my wrist as he looks me in the eyes.

“Sure.”

“You think it’s possible to meet someone to settle down with at my age? With a daughter and everything,” he asks, and I can see the lingering loneliness.

I nod. “I do.”

“I sure hope so, sailor. I’ve got a lot of love to give.”

I know you do.

“You put yourself out there with me…just keep yourself open to the possibility. She’ll find her way to you and Addie.”

“Am I interrupting something?” A gravelly voice echoes from behind us, and I turn with Crew to find Bodhi vibrating with anger, his green eyes dialed in on where Crew’s hand touches my wrist.

“St. James.” Crew turns toward him calmly.

“In the flesh,” Bodhi bites out. He’s livid.

I need to stop this.

“Bodhi, hey. We’ve been waiting for you,” I tell him kindly.

He ignores me, his eyes never leaving Crew’s.

Crew looks toward me. “The man of the hour is here.”

Bodhi drops his backpack on the ground, comes up beside me, and reaches to hold my hand, intentionally for Crew to see.

I yank my hand from Bodhi’s and turn to him in frustration. “Don’t. Now is not the time for that.”

He smirks.

I look to Crew, hoping he can see my withdrawal out of respect for him. “Crew, I’m sorry. I didn’t think you knew, and I could have prepared you better. Although, Bodhi is now in the doghouse for the foreseeable future.” I cut him a stern look.

Crew nods, and I can tell he’s ready to check out and forget this conversation ever happened. He ignores Bodhi’s animalistic behavior and says, “It’s about time man. You could have just said so.”

I can feel the frustration rolling from Bodhi beside me. For a second, I think I may need to referee, but Crew does the respectable thing and pats Bodhi on the shoulder. “Take care of her, man. Before someone else does.”

Bodhi stands still as Crew walks away without another word, leaving the two of us alone in silence.

I anxiously look toward Bodhi with my arms crossed. “Well, if you don’t mind. I’ve got a party to help with.”

I attempt to walk away but only get so far before strong arms lift me and carry me to the wall behind us.

“Did you think I was finished here?” Bodhi asks me.

He looks lethal and downright sexy. What the fuck is wrong with me? I should be angry and throw shoes at him or something.

Instead, I’m considering how much of a scene pouncing on him would cause.

I love when he takes what he wants and demands it.

I grin with venom. “Nope, but I was.”

Bodhi’s smirk lights up his face and I can feel heat mixed with anger simmer through him. He’s irritated and turned on.

Great, that makes two of us.

I freeze in place as Bodhi’s knee anchors itself at my center underneath my dress, putting enough pressure to make me gasp and squirm against him. I draw in a sharp breath at the touch of him and he chuckles, knowing the effect he has on me.

“He put his hands on you. You know what this means, terremoto?”

There’s that name again.

I pant, struggling to remain paralyzed by his effect on me. “What’s that?”

He grins, and it’s as wicked as they come. “Strike three.”

I suck in a breath. I almost forgot about his little baseball game.

I laugh, but not for long before Bodhi leans forward and runs his warm tongue up the length of my neck. I let out a sharp moan and his hand reaches to cover my mouth.

“Greedy girl. It seems I have you confused.”

I roll my eyes, silently praying for him to lick me again. Instead, his mouth ghosts the sensitive spot where my ear meets my neck and he whispers, “Drop three, baby.”

Drop three?

Goosebumps erupt across my skin, leaving me no chance to respond before Bodhi grabs his backpack and strides off to the party where his guests are waiting.

“Surprise!” I hear everyone yell.

Except for me. I’m unable to move.

Bodhi called strike three but what does that mean for me?

Drop three? I know that term…

Drop three. Think, Navy, think.

Bodhi’s a catcher, so the term must mean something to him.

Holy fucking shit.

I don’t know how I didn’t put it together sooner.

Drop three is the moment in a game where the batter gets their third strike and if the catcher drops the ball from their glove, the batter is free to run and possibly be safe on first.

That is…if they make it.

Catchers have speed and agility. They are trained to be quick on their feet and react in order to get that dropped ball to first base before the batter is safe.

I know what this means for me now. He gave me three chances before he would take matters into his own hands. I never knew something so unpredictable would be so exciting.

Bodhi’s coming for me, and it’s about damn time.