Page 36 of SEAL's Temptation

Chapter 17

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“HEADS UP!”AUSTIN SHOUTED, and Ryan’s attention turned back to the volleyball game.The ball came sailing toward him, and he ran and leapt into the air, spiking it over the net at the last second as his team whooped and cheered.

“Get your head out of your ass, Renegade!”Sawyer quipped, shooting him a shit-eating grin from the other side.

Ryan flipped him the bird but didn’t reply as Sawyer chuckled.

The game with his teammates and their women continued on, but Ryan’s head wasn’t in it today.The sun shone bright in the Hawaiian sky, and he looked around at his buddies, listening to their laughter and conversation but not joining in.

That call from Avery earlier had him distracted.

Something was bothering her.He wasn’t sure if it was homesickness or missing him or whatever was going on with the doctor she worked with.The only other time he’d talked with her, she’d been upbeat and excited.

Ryan had been on long deployments before.He knew what it was like to be surrounded by the same people day in and day out.To be on a schedule you had no control over.His teammates were his best friends, but even then, he knew what it was like to miss the comforts of home.

He realized he’d never asked Avery what her longest assignment had been in the past.As a volunteer, it was likely only a month or two.She’d been down there just over a month now and likely realized she had a long, long way to go.

The game eventually finished up, and Ryan went to grab some water.The others were beginning to unpack the coolers, and he had to admit he was starving.Maybe a little food and shit talking with his buddies would make him feel more like himself.

“You seem somewhere else today,” Wyatt commented as he walked over.

Ryan looked at his team leader.It wasn’t so long ago that Wyatt had been the one who was unsettled, worried about Callie.Funny how quickly things changed.They were engaged now, and Callie lived here in Hawaii.Not unlike his other teammates’ women, he realized.Alexa, Austin’s girl, was the only one who’d already lived in Honolulu when she’d gotten together with Austin.The others had moved here to be with their boyfriends.

“Avery called right when I pulled into the parking lot earlier,” Ryan explained.“We rarely get a chance to talk on the phone, so it was a surprise.Guess it shook me up more than I realized.”

“Is she okay?”Wyatt asked, looking concerned.

“She’s good,” Ryan assured him.“They’d headed up to Panama City for the day to do some shopping and get supplies.It was just unexpected to hear from her.She seemed a little down—homesick maybe.And I don’t know that she likes all the people she works with.Avery said she’d email me later to explain more.”

“And now your focus is on your girl,” Wyatt said knowingly.

Ryan lifted a shoulder.“Can’t help it.We’re used to being long distance, but this is different.I mean, we weren’t exactly together yet then, but we talked nearly every night.It’s different now.She’s in a dangerous part of the world, and I’m always wondering if she’s okay.Do me a favor and don’t let Aaron know she’s feeling down.I don’t want to deal with his ‘I told you so’ quips.”

Wyatt nodded.“I wouldn’t say anything about that.Not my place, man.Did you at least let him know you spoke with her though?He worries, too.”

“Yep.I told him she’s doing good,” Ryan said.“Safe.She emails him sometimes, but I know she’s reluctant to say much since he wasn’t happy she moved down there in the first place.”

“Speaking of moving, Aaron said she plans to move to Hawaii next year?”Wyatt questioned.

Ryan grinned.“She does.Av packed up all her stuff in California to prepare for her assignment.Her entire apartment is in storage now.She was determined to take this job, but after that, Av said she’ll come here to see what happens between us.”

“She’s headstrong like all our women,” Wyatt said, a note of appreciation in his voice.

Wyatt wasn’t wrong.The women his friends had ended up with were all career-driven and successful in their own right.Independent.Callie was a travel blogger/influencer.Alexa was a photographer.Layton a realtor.Emersyn was the only one with an office job, but as a DEA analyst, it was anything but a boring nine-to-five job.

“She is,” Ryan said, pride filling his chest.“She’s driven, dedicated, and compassionate.I know she feels for all the patients she’s helping—especially the kids.And she’s managing the staff there.They’re local nurses, although the doctors are American.I know Avery likes her roommate, Luciana, which is good.”

“That’d be a hell of a long year if you didn’t get along with the person you were rooming with,” Wyatt said.

“It would.I’m glad she’s happy for the most part.”He briefly glanced around at his friends.“I just wish she was here with the rest of us, you know?”

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