Page 1 of A Little Bit Wild

ONE

Kye

I turn into Gates’apartment parking lot and pull up to his door. We had a late night last night so we’re headed into work a little later today. He’s not out yet so I idle at the curb, waiting for him. I’m somehow early today but I know that Gates will be down in exactly two minutes. Gates is always punctual. He’s also loyal, stoic, and my best friend in the whole world.

I like to say that he’s the brother that I never had. We both grew up as only kids on the east coast. I was raised by a single dad who tried his best to make things fun even though we were always struggling. Gates was raised by an alcoholic single mother, and he actually spent more time taking care of her than the other way around. He hasn’t been back to see her once, and I can’t blame him.

My dad passed away a few years ago. They say heart attack, but I know it was from him just working himself to death. The bank took our house, and I paid to bury him. There wasn’t anything left for me back home so when Gates and I got out, we struggled with figuring out where we wanted to live.

We’ve been carpooling to work ever since we got to Los Angeles and started working for our old friends at Knight Security. Gates and I were Navy SEALs with Anson and Rhett. They both got out about six months ago and started their own security firm right after. What Gates and I got out, we tried a few different towns before we landed in Los Angeles.

I’m still not really sold on the place, but Gates was so set on it for some reason. When he told me that Dillon might be coming here, I knew that was why he was so insistent that we come here.

Gates has always been in love with Dillon. They were best friends when they were in high school but went their separate ways after graduation. He’s always insisted that they were just friends, but anyone can see he’s in love with her. I just wish they would both wise up and do something about it.

Gates opens his door and jogs down the steps toward me. He slides into the passenger seat and grunts at me.

“Good morning to you too, sunshine,” I say with a grin as I pull away from the curb.

He grunts again, and I just smile as I head down the street toward the Knight Security offices. Gates isn’t much of a talker so I’m not surprised by his lack of small talk.

“Anson texted me and said that there’s a new client there already,” I comment, and Gates nods.

“Makes sense. We wrapped up with the ambassador yesterday,” Gates grumbles, and I nod.

“Business is doing well. I wonder if they’ll hire more people soon.”

“Probably,” Gates says, and I roll my eyes.

“It’s crazy that you’re still single and don’t have more friends,” I joke, and he just grunts.

Gates and I met in boot camp, and we just clicked. I could talk to anyone, and he wouldn’t talk to anyone. We complete each other. When I told Gates that, he made me promise to never say that again.

We went through BUDS training together and then got assigned to the same unit. We’ve been through five different deployments, three different bases, and countless close calls. It’s only made us closer friends.

When Rhett got injured six months ago, I think it scared both of us. Then we found out that Anson was also getting out and decided to join them. We’re lucky that they started a company and could hire us, or I don’t know what we would be doing right now.

We’re all trained on multiple weapons, plus Gates was a medic. So far, we haven’t had to fire a single shot. The clients we’ve been getting have been a pop star, a visiting politician, and an ambassador’s family. We just spent the last week driving two tween girls around town to country clubs and fancy restaurants.

I’m grateful for the paycheck, but I’m starting to miss the excitement that came with being a Navy SEAL.

I pull into the parking lot and park in my spot next to Rhett’s car.

“Any update on Dillon moving here?” I ask him as I turn the car off.

“Yeah, she’ll be here in a few weeks.”

“How long is she staying?”

“I don’t know.”

“Whereis she staying?”

“I don’t know.”

“What do you know?” I ask as we climb out of my car.

“That you’re annoying.”

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