Page 18 of Protection for Asher (Safeguarded By The SEAL #4)

Squat enjoyed spending Saturday with Asher. He’d seen the disappointment in her eyes when they’d been talking about friendship, but he hadn’t wanted to make a move yet. Maybe he’d misunderstood what that look had been about.

She was still dealing with the shock of everything that had happened to her. It wouldn't be fair to start something they couldn't keep going once she realized he wasn't what she wanted.

Squat knew he wasn't a prize. He might be strong, but he was short, and his job came first. He lived for the Navy.

The women he dated couldn't handle him leaving for weeks or months at a time.

He had secrets like all SEALs, but those were because of his job and had nothing to do with his personal life.

Not everyone understood that distinction.

He kept life compartmentalized, and there were compartments he could never share with someone he was with.

Would Asher understand that he was being secretive not because he found someone, but because the Navy had sent him information?

She could never have access to his phone so she could look through stuff.

He knew some women balked at not knowing their man’s passwords or other information.

He got it. Guys cheated. Hell, some SEALs even cheated, and when they were caught they got in trouble.

He would have to be careful with Asher, and move slowly.

If they rushed into things, both of them could end up hurt, but her more than him.

When they arrived at the park on Sunday, the other guys were there. Danika, Rowan, and Nichole met Asher and pulled her over to the seats they’d already arranged. He stepped over to the grill where the guys were standing around.

“How is Asher doing?” Sharp asked.

“She’s good.”

Jay angled his head toward the women. “We wanted to say hello, but we don’t want to overwhelm her.”

“She’ll be fine, I think. She’s handling everything really well.”

“That’s good,” Apple said.

“Why don't you all come over? You can meet her officially.”

“Sure.”

Sharp picked up the spatula. “Let me flip the meat.”

After Sharp flipped the meat, they all moved to where the women were sitting. Asher stood, and he could see the hesitance in her stance. She looked almost afraid.

Squat moved to stand next to her. “These are the guys on my team. Sharp, Jay, Apple, Griz, and Shine.”

Tears filled her eyes as she moved to each man and gave them a hug, thanking them for rescuing her. When she stepped back, there wasn’t a dry eye in the bunch.

“We like these types of rescues,” Jay said.

Griz nodded. “Yeah. You’re alive, and that’s a good thing. We’re glad you made it home.”

“Thank you,” Asher said as she wiped her eyes.

Squat put his arm around her shoulder and gave her a quick hug. It was obvious she was trying not to lose it.

Sharp went back to the grill to check the meat, but the rest of the guys stayed close.

“I can’t express how thankful I am you all saved me. I don’t know how much longer I would have lasted.”

Sharp came back over, his expression serious. “You are strong. Most people fall apart after going through what you went through. You’re doing good.”

Asher wondered if these guys were just blowing smoke at her, but they seemed genuine. She felt okay, which surprised her. She’d been through hell and had come out on the other side without having too many problems. Some stuff was lurking under the surface, but when it hit, she could handle it.

Being at the park with these people made her feel safe.

She knew the women and could tell that if she stayed here in San Diego, they would end up friends even if nothing happened between herself and Squat.

These guys were all nice, and she imagined they would continue to be nice even if she was just Squat’s friend.

“I don’t always feel strong.”

Griz nodded. “I don't either. Sometimes, after a bad mission, I lie in bed and cry.”

Apple nodded. “Yeah, holding it all together all the time is a myth. There are times you just aren’t going to have it together.”

Asher blew out a harsh breath. “Thank you. I’m sure I’ll go through cycles of falling apart.”

“We’ll be here for you when you do,” Danika said.

Asher hugged her and then laughed. “Look at me getting all emotional. Thank you again.”

The guys gave her another hug before going back to the grill to finish cooking the meat.

Squat made sure she got a burger and chips, and Danika brought her over a drink.

She was impressed that everyone was helping her so much.

When the guys got up and started tossing around a football, she turned to Nichole.

“Are they always like this?”

Nichole’s eyebrows shot up. “Like what?”

“So attentive? I've never in my life seen guys who cared for the people around them. Usually, they sit around and act like kings instead of partners involved in a relationship. Or at least they did where I grew up.”

All the women laughed and then nodded. Danika was the first to speak.

“They are doers. I mean, sometimes I fix meals and have a plate ready for Sharp, but he doesn't like sitting still. If he’s home before me, he makes dinner. We work together on everything when he’s around.

He knows that all the errands and decisions fall to me when he’s away on a mission, so he likes to do more when he’s home. ”

“Shine is the same way,” Rowan said. “They like to keep busy.”

Asher shrugged. “It has been good with him helping so much. I just thought he was being nice to me because of what happened.”

Danika shrugged. “Maybe, but they are also really good guys who have a strong urge to care for the people in their lives.”

Asher nodded, even more convinced that there wouldn't be any romantic connection between them. He was just being nice, and she could live with that. Though if she had a chance for more with Squat, she would jump at it.

After about twenty minutes, the guys stopped playing ball and came over to sit with them. She liked how the guys acted around their women. It was different from what she'd grown up around and so much better. It was obvious the guys cared about the people around them.

When it was time to go, Squat helped the guys load up their cars, and then he helped her into the car. Being with these people was starting to heal her. She knew she needed to set up time with a therapist, but spending time with Squat's friends was good for her.

“That was nice,” she said as he took his seat in the car.

“It was. I like this crew. They're good people.

Most of the SEALs are. Like most things, there are a few bad guys, but for the most part, they are good.

If you stick around, you'll meet a lot of the guys.

I hang out with Wild's team, and Rider's team is great, too. There are some older guys who are retired who I still see from time to time.”

“You all are a tight-knit group.”

He nodded. “We are. When you go through stuff like we do, you become tight with those around you.”

She stared out the window as they drove. “I’ve never experienced anything like that.”

“It’s rare. Close friendships need something to form a bond. The women are close because they end up leaning on each other when we are away on missions. Of course, not every woman married to a SEAL wants to be friends with the other wives. I guess everyone has their own preferences.”

“I get that. Danika, Nichole, and Rowan are good friends.”

“They are.”

They pulled into the driveway at his place, and she felt like she was putting too much pressure on him, so she changed the subject.

“I want to look into what I need to do for college.”

“Cool. I'll make sure you have access to my computer. You mentioned medical earlier. Do you have a specific program you want to do?”

“Not yet, but there are basics I could take. If I get those out of the way, it will give me time to figure everything else out.”

He opened the door, and they stepped in. She breathed a sigh of relief at being home. She’d felt safe when they’d been in the park but at some point after they left the park the pressure had started to build as fear took over. She needed to get her responses under control.

Squat moved past her and into the kitchen to grab a glass of water. “Yeah, that would be good. I’m glad you want to stay.”

“You are?” He was unaware of the pressure building inside of her. Maybe she needed a nap. That would help her regulate.

“I am. It’s nice having you here. I like it. I hope you don’t mind me saying that.”

She shook her head. “No, not at all. It’s nice being here. I like spending time with you.”

“Good.”

She blew out a breath, trying to ease the pressure. “I think I need to take a nap.”

His gaze met hers, and he nodded. “That would be good. I need to read some stuff before work tomorrow.”

She turned to head upstairs but spun back. “Christopher, I really appreciate you being so kind to me. You don't have to, and I realize that.”

“Hey, of course, I'm here for you.” He moved to her and gave her a quick hug. “Now go get some sleep.”

She smiled and turned to head upstairs. The tightness in her chest eased a little more. There wasn’t anything physically wrong with her but worry still ruled. She should feel better after spending the day at the park, but she felt odd. Like something was wrong and she couldn’t get a hold on it.

She lay down and pulled the covers up over her head, blocking out the light. Sleep came fast, tumbling her into dreams. At first the dreams were slow but at some point it turned troubled but she couldn’t claw her way out to the surface.

Squat checked the time, thinking Asher would probably want to wake up from a nap soon. She'd been asleep for more than two hours and might not sleep at night if she didn't wake. He thought about going up to her room to make sure she was awake but didn't want to scare her.

He stood and stretched just as a scream filtered down from upstairs. He took off, taking the steps two at a time, and burst into her room.