Page 52 of Under Pressure

Sean scowled at her. The little vixen knew exactly what she was doing, playing on everyone’s egos as easily as Axel plucked guitar strings.

Kate smiled up at Axel from where she stood in his grasp; like he was the best thing she’d ever seen. “He’s pretty great.”

“23 Lionsis my favorite song,” Jonah said. “Listening to it live was like feeling the earth move beneath my feet. My mates and I couldn’t stop talking about it for months. Life-altering.”

Axel loosened his grip on Kate, his tense posture eased, and a smile covered his face. “Thank you.” He pointed to Sean. “I wrote that song for Sean.”

Everyone turned to Sean with expectant faces. If it were any other situation, he would have bragged about his unit and made some comment about how honored he was to serve with them. But he couldn’t get his tongue to work. The SEALs were a part of his life he didn’t want this guy anywhere near—they were now the only part of his life that wasn’t Jonah-tainted.

Dad cast looks at himself in the window, obviously pleased with his good genes and Axel stood atop his rock and roll pedestal. At this rate, they’d ship Jonah and Blue before they cut the birthday cake.

Sean had the sudden urge to go into Gramps’ garage and beat his punching bag. To death. If Grandpa hadn’t already killed the thing weeks ago.

Against his better judgment, he looked at Gramps. Gramps was still frowning at Jonah. His shoulders were back and he leaned slightly toward Sean in the biggest show of solidarity he’d ever displayed. Sean straightened, grateful for the support.

“Well, should we get this party started?” Polly called from the kitchen. The group glanced that way, saving Sean from their scrutiny.

People headed back to their seats, and Sean caught Polly and Rosa staring—their gazes darting between Sean and Blue and her Ken doll. Had there ever been a Ken doll that looked like Sean? No.

He scrubbed a hand down his face and rolled his eyes at himself. What was he thinking?Had there ever been a Ken that looked like him, for the love.Who thought things like that? He was losing it. In front of his friends and family. And Polly and Rosa were getting a front-row seat with their knowing gazes.

Jonah kept his hand on Blue’s lower back heading for the chair. He slowed when he saw Bear. Then Sweetie moved, knocking balloons around, and a second later, her green, scaly tail popped out of the sea of pink. Jonah jumped back, yanking Blue behind him, then pointed. “What’s that?

A deep, rumbling growl came from Bear.

Polly rushed forward, kicking balloons out of the way so Bear and Sweetie were visible. “It’s just Bear and Sweetie.”

Rosa was behind Polly lickety-split. “They’re mascots for The Palms. Aren’t they adorable?”

Jonah narrowed his eyes, then smiled wide again—the guy wielded that thing like a weapon, and so far it seemed to work. Every time. “We don’t normally keep alligators as pets where I’m from, but sure, I guess they’re cute.”

At least he hadn’t used Blue as a shield. Though, if he had, it would’ve made it easier to hate the guy, but Sean had to admit, that so far he’d been perfectly nice. He hated that too.

Sean had a flash of an image of Jonah dressed like Crocodile Dundee.

“Are they in costumes?” Jonah frowned.

“Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth,” Rosa said.

“Right,” Jonah said. “Persuasion. I love that book.”

The women exchanged looks and Kate let out an audible, gusty sigh. Not that he’d thought any of them were ever on his side, but now he knew for sure they weren’t. Sean frowned. Of course Jonah had readPersuasion. Sean hadn’t even known who the characters were.

Jonah let out a loud sneeze, and then another.

“Are you all right?” Mom asked.

“Fine, fine,” he sneezed again. “It’s just that I’m allergic to dogs.”

Blue stared at Jonah, eyes wide, then whispered in his ear. He shook his head and she frowned, quickly turning from him to place her gift on the piano with the others.

“Oh! I can take them outside.” Kate exclaimed and jumped to her feet.

Axel grabbed her hand. “Let Sean do it.”

“Sure thing.” Sean took a deep breath and got a move on—he needed a minute, and this was the perfect excuse to step outside.

“Thanks, Sean,” Kate said.

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