Page 21 of SEAL the Deal

Mike snorted. “Hell yeah, we do. We’re the guys it’s named after.”

TJ pulled a box of cigars from a drawer. “Dean, you smoke?”

“Cubans or reefers?”

The Chief’s eyes narrowed.

“I was joking. Cubans are cool.”

As Dean dealt the cards Rick carried the bags containing Jenny’s poles out of the cabin. He placed them at the back of her car and quickly ducked into the bushes to pee while she went in to say goodbye to the team.

As he relieved himself he heard something rustling in the bushes. Squinting he tried to identify the source. There was a loud growl and he caught a glimpse of long white fangs in the moonlight. Zipping his fly, he backed away then turned and ran. As he burst from the bushes he almost collided with Jenny.

“Bear! There’s a bear,” he whispered.

She smiled. “Really, where?”

Rick turned and pointed. The animal lumbered out of the bushes, saw Jenny and rocked back on its haunches. In the glow of the cabin’s lights he could see its teeth. It seemed to be eyeing him hungrily.

Jenny fumbled in her bag and pulled out a flashlight. She shone it on the bear’s face. The animal let out a low growl.

“Don’t do that. You’re making it angry.”

She shook her head. “She’s tagged. I know this bear.” Jenny put the flashlight away, clapped her hands and took a step toward the beast. It reared up to its full height. “Off you go, Nancy. Stop being a little trash pig.”

The bear let out a grumble then turned and disappeared into the bushes.

Jenny unlocked her car. “If she comes around again make some loud noises and chase her off. This time of year they’re looking for easy food. Trust me, she’s more scared than you.”

Rick managed a weak nod.

“Was nice meeting you all. I might see you around the park.” She climbed inside, started the car and drove off, leaving Rick standing in the dark.

“Hey pole dancer,” bellowed Ernie. “You going to stay out there moping or you going to join the party?”

“Yeah, coming.” Rick climbed the stairs and took the drink Ernie offered him. “What did I miss?”

“We’re playing asshole and Mike’s winning.”

Rick cracked his knuckles. “Well, it’s time to turn that around. Let’s get this pretty boy bachelor messed up.”

ChapterSeven

Rick lay on a patch of sun-soaked grass. He was dressed in a full-length wetsuit, buoyancy vest, backpack and a helmet. Mike and Dean, dressed in a similar fashion, sat on a log a few feet away. All three were nursing monster hangovers.

A dozen yards away on the bank of a river TJ was lashing a cooler to the center of a blue inflatable raft. Ernie sat on the side of the rubber boat, using a foot pump to inflate it.

“What the hell did I drink last night?” asked Rick. “My head feels like I landed on it.”

Dean laughed. “That’s because you did. You don’t remember the pole incident?”

He sat up. “No, but I do remember a bear and a beautiful woman.”

Mike sighed. “Jenny, the pole dancing instructor. I don’t remember any bears.”

“There was one outside. She chased it away. The woman is goddamn Tarzan.” He stretched out his arms and lay down. “I think I’m in love.”

TJ tossed a paddle and it landed on his chest. “You fall in love every week. Now, everyone get your asses on the raft.”

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