Page 11 of The Team

Rhett didn’t particularly like the guy, but he had to respect that.

And he had to best him, of course.

When the drill sergeant blew his whistle and called it all over, everyone dropped to the ground, panting, laughing, cursing.

But Yin barely rested his hands on his knees, so of course, Rhett had to stand tall. He allowed himself to put his hands on his hips to catch his breath.

What he wanted to do was collapse to the ground and groan. But he couldn’t let Yin win.

So he pretended he was fine and stood there, measured breathing, even smiling.

His team had done well.

“Beers are on me tonight,” he said.

Sid hauled himself up and gave Rhett a shove as he walked toward the showers. “And so they freaking should be.”

Echo followed Sid but gave Rhett a pained huff. “And pizza.”

Rhett gave a nod. “Deal.”

Azrael groaned as she got to her feet. “I hate you all,” she said, still puffing as she followed the others.

Rhett laughed and lifted his shirt to wipe his face. When he looked over at Jay, Jay put his hand up. “Need help to get up.”

Rhett laughed and, taking Jay’s hand, pulled him up to his feet. “Shower, food, bed,” Jay said. “In that order.”

Rhett had to agree.

Jay looked over at Chen. “Totoro, get up. You like pizza?”

Chen groaned as he slowly got to his feet. “Pizza, yes. Like very much. Punishment, no like very much.”

“Same, big guy,” Jay said. “Same.”

Without a word, Yin headed toward the showers and Chen followed him. Jay turned to Rhett and gave him a smile. “You know how I said I think he likes you?”

Rhett grumbled. “Hm.”

“Well, I take that back,” Jay said. “I don’t think the pit viper likes anyone.”

Rhett almost smiled at that.

Jay began walking to the showers, not looking to see if Rhett followed. “I wasn’t kidding about the shower, food, and bed thing. And next time we get followed at one o’clock in the morning and decide to have a fight in the street, can we ask them first if they’re Chinese special ops?Because I don’t want a repeat of today. Ever, if possible. Could have saved us all this trouble if we’d just asked them to dance.”

Rhett smiled as he followed him. “Dare you to ask Yin if he wants to dance. Idareyou.”

Jay laughed, but it sounded pained. “No thanks.”

The showers were open, like most military showers were. Rhett was very used to seeing all the guys naked and rarely even looked at any of them. They were all fit and jacked, nothing new to be seen. It’d been that way since his cadet days back in the beginning—well, except with Jay. After all, the showers were how he and Jay had first ever hooked up. But modesty was not something the military afforded.

Chen didn’t seem to care either, but Yin showered in the far corner. Fast and efficient, as he was in most things, Rhett assumed.

But as he walked out, with his towel wrapped around his waist, Rhett saw Yin’s back. Almost every inch was covered in scars and shrapnel wounds.

Well, shit.

The others noticed too.

---