Page 71 of Drop Three

But I will be anxiously watching the clock for Navy to get back home.

I won’t be sleeping tonight; I can promise myself that.

I won’t know peace until I confirm for myself she’s safe, unharmed, and untouched—emphasis on the untouched.

“You scrub that any harder—the glass might shatter,” Callaway announces, sneaking up on me in the kitchen.

I turn to face my best friend. Callaway is tall, like most of us, close to six-four in height, strong, and lean. He puts in work in the gym, making him the best starting pitcher in the League.

Before Kodi, Cal had the ladies dropping to their knees over him. Evidently, black hair, tattoos, and some scruff are catnip to women.

I, however, have never seen him happier than he is with Kodi.

It helps that she’s his sister’s best friend, a thing that Navy had to learn to accept earlier this year, but ended up being the best thing to ever happen to Cal.

“Oh. Right. Trying to clean up around here,” I respond.

Cal laughs and takes a seat at the kitchen island. “So what’s new with you, man? It’s weird not seeing you guys every day. What have I missed?”

Oh, nothing. Only how obsessed I am with your sister, I can’t have her, but I want her. My therapist thinks I’m fucked up, and I still have nightmares. It’s another day in the neighborhood, my friend…

“Not much. We’ve been chillin’. How are things with you? You and Kodi getting settled in?” Most of us call Dakota by her nickname, Kodi. She’s one of the most down-to-earth and cool chicks I’ve ever met.

She fits well with Cal.

Before they got engaged, Cal purchased Kodi’s old family home that her deceased parents left for her. They’ve been renovating it for the last few months and are now getting settled enough to enjoy it.

Cal rubs at his beard. “Things are great, man. Marriage is fucking incredible. I didn’t think I could love that woman more than I did before we were married. I was wrong.” He’s practically glowing and shit. It looks good on him.

“I’m happy for you, man. You both deserve it.”

“Thanks, B.”

I haven’t had anyone call me B since Navy stopped. Cal and Navy Hayes are the only ones who have ever used that nickname for me, and it’s fitting because they have always been like family.

I nod in silent recognition before grabbing a beer for Cal and water for me, then sit beside him. “We’re gonna have a housewarming party,” Cal says.

“That’s great, man. You know I’ll be there.”

He pats me on the shoulder. “Good, because there’s someone I want to introduce you to.”

Not again.That has my defenses rising.

The guys have tried to set me up in the past and let’s just say…things didn’t work out. It seems my reserve makes women run in the opposite direction.

Cal sends me a small smirk. He knows I’m hesitant to meet new people. Hell, I can barely tolerate the people I live with. “Who?” I ask, sending him a weary look.

“Okay, don’t freak out. Her name is Poppy. Kodi met her a few weeks ago when we hired her to do some interior design work on the house. They hit it off right away, and she’s coming to the party.”

I’m still not catching on to how this involves me.

“And you want me to meet her because…?” I’m not stupid, but I need to hear him say it.

“Because I want to see you meet someone, B. She’s a pretty girl,andshe’s single. What do you have to lose?”

Everything.Navy.Shit, I don’t know.

I get where Cal is coming from—he wants to see me happy. But I was…with his sister. Maybe this is the next step I need to force myself to take to get over her. I mean, she’s about to go on a date with fucking Crew Briggs. I need to move on somehow.

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