Page 28 of Single Mom’s Navy Seals (Claimed by the Alphas #2)

AVA

L ying on the bed and staring at the goddamn ceiling isn’t exactly the most productive use of my afternoon, but I can’t force myself to move.

The late-afternoon sun filters through the bedroom window, casting warm rays across the worn quilt covering my legs. It’s quiet in the house, except for the occasional burst of laughter drifting up from downstairs.

I know exactly what’s going on down there. Eli has roped Cole, Jax, and Liam into yet another round of Uno. That little guy’s excitement over finally mastering numbers and patterns is adorable, and now he drags anyone within arm’s reach into playing his favorite game.

A faint smile tugs at my lips despite my emotional chaos.

But it fades, replaced by a tight knot of guilt twisting in my gut.

I’ve been avoiding everyone today. Earlier, I ducked into the bathroom, pretending I needed privacy, and when Eli inevitably came looking for me afterward, I even went so far as to fake sleep.

A pathetic, cowardly move. Yet, I can’t deny it’s effective.

I close my eyes, groaning inwardly at my own behavior. What the hell is wrong with me? I’m hiding like a child, too chicken to face reality because I kissed Cole yesterday, and I kissed Jax a week before that. Now I’ve kissed two of three.

Then there’s Liam, and if we’re going to face my awfulness head-on, I have to admit that I’d be lying to myself if I pretended I didn’t feel drawn to him, too.

The man simultaneously irritates the hell out of me and sends sparks flying up my spine every damn time he walks into the room.

I haven’t even figured out what the fuck that feeling is yet, let alone how to handle it.

I’m officially the worst fucking decision-maker on the planet.

God, I’m mortified. What does this make me? Who kisses multiple guys they’ve known for less than two weeks and feels things for both? And not just a casual attraction, either. Real, deep feelings that I have zero idea how to navigate.

I roll onto my side, pulling the quilt up to my chin and gazing out the window toward the pasture.

The horses are wandering, their movements relaxed and lazy beneath the glaring sun.

There’s one chestnut mare that Eli named Cocoa.

She lifts her head, snorting, before returning to grazing.

I envy her simple existence right now, without complicated relationships or confusing feelings to navigate.

It would be easy to blame this whole damn mess on Jax.

He started this cascade of emotional confusion with that first kiss on the porch swing.

I should’ve put a stop to things right then.

But the truth is, I wanted it. I still do.

And I wanted Cole’s kiss, too. I probably want Liam’s, too, not that he’d ever give it to me.

But, each time I think about their lips on mine, warmth floods my chest, guilt following immediately on its heels.

I’m leading them on, aren’t I? Letting them both think there might be something more, when I’m not even sure I can offer that.

What are we going to do, be long distance while I’m in Witness Protection at a desert horse sanctuary that barely gets cable, let alone Wi-Fi?

That still doesn’t settle the fact that I’ll have to choose, and I don’t know how I’m supposed to.

And there’s Liam. I can’t imagine what he must be thinking. He’s probably disgusted by my behavior, knowing I kissed both of his closest friends. But then, he’s been avoiding me so blatantly, maybe he doesn’t even care.

My stomach twists again, anxiety creeping in as my thoughts spiral endlessly.

The idea of being honest with any of them terrifies me.

It would mean facing emotions I’m not ready for, putting my already fragile heart on the line again.

I’ve spent years protecting Eli, focusing solely on his safety.

Allowing myself to feel this deeply for not just one, but three men feels reckless.

But there’s a part of me—a stupid, hopeful, impulsive part—that wonders if it could work. Yet even as the thought crosses my mind, reality slams down hard. They’re here temporarily. Eventually, this job ends, and they’ll leave. There’s no logical way for anything real to come of this.

A burst of laughter echoes up from downstairs, Eli’s bright giggles accompanied by Jax’s loud whoops and Cole’s low chuckle.

I smile faintly again, heart aching with both happiness and sorrow.

Eli’s attachment to them grows deeper every day.

The way he looks at them—like heroes, role models, the father figures he’s always lacked—it breaks my heart.

He deserves so much better than the uncertainty and confusion I’ve allowed to seep into our lives.

Sighing heavily, I stretch, muscles stiff from lying so long in one position.

My eyes drift again to the window, focusing briefly on the distant horses.

The late-afternoon sunlight has begun softening, casting everything in gentle golden hues.

But even the peaceful scene outside can’t fully calm the storm raging within me.

My pulse quickens, heart thumping anxiously as I contemplate what to do next. Do I continue avoiding everyone? Do I pretend nothing happened, acting oblivious to the kisses and unspoken tension? That might be easiest, safest. Eli’s happiness matters too much to risk further hurt and confusion.

I sit up, running my hands nervously through my tangled hair, frustration and embarrassment washing over me again. God, Ava, get your shit together. You’re a grown-ass woman, a mother, not some confused teenager. These feelings can’t derail your entire life. Focus.

Yet even as I lecture myself silently, uncertainty still lingers stubbornly at the edges of my thoughts. There’s no clear answer, no easy solution to this tangled emotional mess I’ve created. I close my eyes, rubbing the tension from my temples, hoping some clarity will magically present itself.

Outside, Cocoa lifts her head again, ears perked attentively as if sensing my turmoil. Then she turns, moving toward the group of horses grazing farther out. The simplicity of their lives, their uncomplicated relationships—it makes me ache with envy and longing.

Lying here, stewing in my own guilt, isn’t going to solve anything, and it’s definitely not going to get me closer to figuring out how to handle this mess. With a frustrated sigh, I toss back the quilt and swing my legs off the bed, padding softly toward the bedroom door.

The house has gone quiet. Eli must’ve convinced the guys to take him outside, so I take the opportunity to slip down the hall toward the bathroom, desperate to splash some cold water on my face and shake off my own self-pity.

I’m so lost in my thoughts that I don’t hear the footsteps approaching the bathroom door until I collide face-first into a solid wall of muscle. Panic jolts through me, and I let out a startled yelp, stumbling backward.

Strong hands catch my shoulders, steadying me immediately. “Easy, it’s just me.”

My pulse is racing as I look up into Liam’s face, illuminated dimly by the hall nightlight. He’s staring down at me, eyebrows drawn together in confusion and mild amusement.

“Jesus, Liam. You scared the shit out of me.”

His lips twitch in something that might almost be a smile, if Liam were actually capable of smiling. “I gathered. What are you doing wandering around in the dark?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” I shoot back defensively, crossing my arms.

Liam shrugs, expression unreadable. “Security check.”

Of course he is. Because Liam doesn’t relax, ever. Even here, even now, he’s still in full protector mode.

An awkward silence settles between us. I shift uncomfortably, unsure of what to say. The tension we’ve been dancing around ever since I kissed his friends seems to crackle louder in the quiet hallway.

Finally, Liam clears his throat, eyes flicking away for a brief second before returning to mine. “You okay?”

I blink, taken off guard by the quiet sincerity of his question. “I’m fine.”

Liam arches an eyebrow and then says, “If that’s what you want me to believe.”

He goes to walk away, and don’t ask me why the words fall out of my lips, but they do.

“Liam?”

He stops and turns partially to face me, his shadow long in the hallway light. I swallow the lump rising in my throat.

“I… I just wanted you to know that you guys are all equal to me. I really value all of you, and I hope, no matter what, you know that.”

His expression shifts, something unreadable flickers in his eyes. Then, before I can register what’s happening, he takes one step forward. Then another. His boots are nearly touching my bare toes.

“Is that right?” he asks, voice low. Quiet. Dangerous in the way it curls around my spine.

I nod, breath caught in my throat.

Liam’s hand lifts, not touching me, but he presses one palm to the wall just beside my head, then the other. His arms cage me in with practiced precision, his broad frame crowding mine. I’m not scared. I’m electrified. Trapped in the best, worst way possible.

He leans down, his mouth just inches from mine, and the heat rolling off him makes my knees wobble. His eyes flick to my lips, then back to my eyes. His jaw clenches. Like he’s barely holding something back.

“You think we’re all equal?” he murmurs, voice gravel and heat.

I nod again, weaker this time.

“I know you kissed Jax,” he says, eyes darkening. “I know you kissed Cole.”

His breath fans across my cheek. My pulse is a deafening roar in my ears.

“You’ve been avoiding me,” I whisper, barely able to form the words.

Liam’s gaze bores into mine. “Because if I don’t… I won’t stop at just a kiss.”

The world tilts.

Then, just when I think he’s going to close the distance—his mouth brushing mine, hands slipping lower—he pulls back an inch. Just one.

His voice drops to a near growl. “You think that makes us equal?”

I can’t answer. My voice is gone, lost somewhere between adrenaline and longing.

Liam’s lips twitch—not quite a smile, but close—and then he pushes off the wall, backing away with military control, leaving me breathless and burning in the dark hallway.

“Think about what you really want,” he says, and then he’s gone, his footsteps echoing down the hall, leaving only the echo of what almost happened—and the terrifying ache of how badly I wanted it to.