Page 37 of Drop Three

I’m choosing to ignore him because I don’t owe Bodhi anything.

Like the wonderful friend she is, Tenley decides to speak for me, “Of course he doesn’t. She knows he would shit a brick.”

“Lovely illustration, Tenley.”

Her arms are crossed, and her body is thrown back against the booth seat. It seems like I’ve hurt her somehow, and I hate that. I only left her condo because I didn’t want to overstay my welcome. I know I’m a lot to handle, coming with many suitcases and a hearty appetite, but I won’t be a burden to someone else’s life.

“You need to tell him, Navy. He’ll be more upset if he finds out on his own.” I appreciate Gus’s suggestion, but I genuinely feel I don’thaveto tell Bodhi anything that doesn’t concern him.

“Gus, I don?—”

“Tell me what?”Bodhi.

I look at Tenley and Gus. “Great. Thanks a lot, guys.”

11

BODHI

I had to get out.

The walls of Boone were caving in around me and I knew I had no excuse to feel that way.

Navy isn’t mine. She never has been and never will be.

So why did I want to kill Briggs for blatantly asking her out in front of us? Briggs is a good dude who has been a close friend of mine since he was on the team. I hate to say it, but Navy couldn’t do much better than him.

However, I’m gonna choose to rebuke that shit.

The idea of Briggs getting to experience the side of Navy that I’m confident only I have had the pleasure of seeing, or the image of his fucking hands on her, makes me so feral I’d risk it all to kill him myself.

But he’s my friend, and Navy is my friend.

Fuck!

All I know is I couldn’t breathe out there.

There she was, looking like a goddamn fantasy in her sexy work clothes I’ve missed catching her in during the season, tipsy, drunk on whiskey, and enjoying the attention of a decent dude that wants her.

I could see the heart eyes overcome her, and truthfully, who could blame her? Navy deserves a man who will be proud to have her on his arm.

I would be, but I can’t.

I fled to the bathroom to take a minute and calm myself down before I did something I would regret. What I didn’t expect was to hear secretive whispers and annoyance from Gus and Tenley as I approached the table.

It looked a lot like they were directing it at Navy, too.

Then I heard my name, and something along the lines of Navy not telling me.Tell me what?

I slide in next to Navy, forcing her to scoot over and give me space to sit. I place my forearms on the table, trying my best to mask how I feel right now and act like I don’t give a shit.

Not the case, but I need to know what she’s not telling me.

“What does Navy still need to tell me?”

I direct my question at Tenley and Gus because I can’t bear to look at Navy. I know the second I look into her tranquilizing green eyes I’ll crumble at her feet and forget all that’s happened between us.

She doesn’t deserve my avoidance, but I’d rather her have that than a front-row seat to my confused feelings.

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