Page 53 of Drop Three

As soon as my feet meet the entryway, I’m greeted with the sight of Navy bent over in a downward dog.Fuck. She’s doing yoga.Her living here is setting me up to fail.

I’ve always known Navy does yoga, but I’ve never had the pleasure of witnessing her in action.

I only know what a downward dog is because Penelope loves that yoga shit too. She still does it, which pulls at my stupidly smitten heart, thinking about how much Penelope would love Navy.

The view right now, however, is one I could never complain about. Navy’s tight body is squeezed into the tiniest pair of hot pink yoga shorts with a matching sports bra. The bra has all those twisty strings on the back of it that look like they should be cutting her circulation off, but Navy looks like the epitome of comfort. She’s barefoot, and her untamed curls are tossed around her head, giving me a front-row seat to admire the curve of her ass and the sexiness of her elongated spine.

She’s stunning.

I let the door shut behind me, and that catches Navy’s attention.

She stands quickly, tossing her hair behind her as she attempts to balance herself. I watch from a distance as her eyes find me quickly before she reaches for the television remote and stops her workout.

“Oh, hey. Sorry, I didn’t think anyone would be home for a while.” She reaches for her water bottle and takes a long chug.Jesus.Navy is sweaty and flushed, and I have to practically knock my dick with my backpack to get it to calm the fuck down.

Taking a deep breath, I respond, “All good. I was at therapy and figured I would head home.”

I set my backpack on the dining room table and walk to the kitchen to make my protein shake and a bowl of cereal.

“You’re not going to dinner?” Navy asks as she walks past me to the fridge to grab another water bottle.

I shake my head without looking at her, focusing on the task before me. “No. I had plans after training and it would have been too late by the time I finished up. Don’t feel up to it anyway.”

Navy nods like she understands. I think she does.

One thing I’ve noticed about Navy over the last year is that although she’s extroverted and knows no stranger, she enjoys her quiet time—her isolated peace.

We’re the same in that way.

I turn to look at her and find her bright green eyes already on me. “Let me eat real quick, and then I’ll be out of your hair.”

We’re tiptoeing around each other, and I hate it.

It feels abnormal for us. Navy has been a solid ground for me this last year. I look to her when I need to recenter my thoughts and take a breather. Being around her feels fresh and new—even today.

I hate that the comfort we’ve always had as friends is missing.

Her lean body is perched on the kitchen countertop as she soaks in my every word. “Oh, you don’t have to. I was almost finished anyway. I’m probably gonna shower and then head to bed,” she tells me.

God, we’re being so fucking formal around each other, and I want it to stop. I need to cool the air between us.

I stare at her intently. “Listen, Navy, I’m sorry about that night at Boone. I don’t know what came over me, but I had no right to corner you like that and demand things of you. It’s not my place, and I’m sorry if I hurt you. I have difficulty not interfering when people I care about are at risk.”

“Or staying in a roach infested motel.”

I raise a brow. “At risk. My point exactly.”

She sends me a slight smile, not enough to show happiness but to express appreciation and acknowledgment. “Thanks for saying that. I know how much you care, Bodhi. But without mentioning the past, you made it clear where you stand, and I’m trying to move on. All I ask is that you respect that, and let’s try to be friends if possible.”

I question where she gets her ability to forgive without restraint. She gives it to me without compromise, making it available no matter the cost.

Her compassion is one more reason why I don’t deserve her.

Yet, hearing her say she wants to move on stings like a bitch. I don’t want her to move on, but it needs to be done to make sure Cal never finds out about Fiji and her feelings for me fade—my feelings too.

It hurts more than I expected.

Now I’m going to be forced to put on a fake smile and pretend I’m happy for her as she dates other guys, introduces them to the team, and fuckingbrings them home for the night.

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