Page 23 of Protecting Andie

Rider grunted. “Jesus. That’s none of your fucking business.”

“Oh yeah, he got some.” Rider opened his mouth to tell them to shut up, but Q continued. “Don’t worry, we won’t say anything. We’re happy for you.”

Bud patted him on the back. “Yeah, man, we’re thrilled for you.”

Trip squeezed his shoulder. “I can’t wait to meet her.”

“Thanks, guys. I knew you’d all come through for me.”

“Always.”

Rider left the base, excited to speak to Andie when he got home. He missed her, which was so weird because he didn’t know he could miss someone after such a short period of time, but he sure as heck missed Andie.

14

Andie hated being alone. Emily was gone, and so were all the other wedding guests. She’d left the hotel and felt the downturn almost immediately. She enjoyed getting texts from Rider, but she didn’t want to inundate him with too much.

She knew she was a lot. Talking was a huge part of her personality, and sometimes, people couldn’t deal with that part of her. Mainly, guys couldn’t deal with that part of her. Other women didn’t seem to have an issue.

Rider hadn’t been bothered by her talking. He’d actually joined in joking with people, talking to the guests, and having a great time. When the couple who brought their kid with them arrived to pick up their goody bag, Rider gave the kid a shoulder ride and didn’t care that the child had gotten sticky lollipop goo in his hair. He’d shrugged it off and told the couple to have a good time.

She’d been surprised by him. Emily had said he was a good guy. Now she knew Rider was a great guy.

When he called that evening, excitement skittered through her. “Hello.”

“Hey, it’s good to hear your voice. I gotta tell you, I miss seeing you. I’m glad you’ll be here in a week.”

“Same. I need to take care of a few things, like cleaning out the refrigerator and making sure none of my food will go bad.”

“Oh, that’s important. I once went on a mission, and the chicken in my refrigerator went bad. It stank terribly.”

“That’s awful. I guess that’s something you have to take care of before you go.”

“Yeah. It was a problem until Trip got married. Now, his wife comes over when we get called away. She freezes what she can. If she doesn’t think something will freeze well, she takes it and leaves cash on the table.”

“Cash?”

“Yeah. She won’t just take it. I tell her she doesn’t have to pay, but she insists.”

“Well, that’s nice that she isn’t just taking. So is it weird that she comes into your place?”

“It was at first, but she doesn’t ever look through anything. She just makes sure the trash is empty and nothing will rot. She does it for the rest of the guys, too. Except Hop and Zip now that they are with their women.” Her laughter was music to his ears.

“Their women?”

He chuckled. “Trip is married to Remi. Hop is married to Vera, and Zip is with Talia. I know you told me the names of your teammates. That leaves Bud and Q, who aren’t with anyone.”

“Yeah, I’m not sure Q would ever date anyone.”

“Why?”

“I’m not sure I can pinpoint it. It’s just this feeling I get. He’s different, just more stand-offish when it comes to women. I mean, I know he’s not a virgin, but I haven’t seen him with anyone in a while.”

“Maybe he’s just not interested.”

“Maybe. I mean, I get it. This area is wild. It’s not Los Angeles, but it’s still wild. Women come down here trying to pick up military guys.”

“Really?”

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