Page 20 of Nails
Snow howled with laughter, nearly falling out of his chair.
Nails, however, wasn’t amused.“Seriously, Mom?”
“What?”she asked innocently.“I’m just saying, if I had a nickel for every girl you’ve—”
“Stop!Please, just stop, Mom,” Nails groaned, rubbing a hand over his face.
Snow was in tears now.“Oh, this is the best dinner I’ve had in a long time.”
His mom laughed, clearly enjoying herself just as much.
Nails scowled, crossing his arms.“You know what?”Then he shook his head.“Forget it.”
His mom patted his cheek.“You are so cute when you get all flustered.”
Snow kept laughing, and Nails stabbed a piece of chicken and put it in his mouth.He was officially done with the conversation.
CHAPTER FIVE
Nails’ feet pounded against the pavement as he and Snow ran through his mom’s neighborhood.The early morning air was cool and carried the faint scent of the nearby ocean.They had already clocked three miles down at the beach and were now looping back for the last mile toward his mom’s house.
Even on their so-called off days, they kept up their PT routine.It wasn’t just about staying in shape.It was about discipline and keeping the body and mind sharp.Nails had learned early in his career that the SEAL teams didn’t allow for complacency.
Hitting the sand and hearing the roar of the ocean’s waves hitting the shoreline grounded Nails in a way that nothing else could.It was where he went to silence the noise and sort through the chaos that came with his job and his life.However, this morning, the usual clarity stayed just out of reach.No matter how far or how fast he ran, his mind kept circling back to one thing, or he should say one woman—Riley.She’d taken up residence in his head like she owned the place, and he couldn’t shake her loose.
And his mom and Snow weren’t helping the situation.Anytime the opportunity arose, they would bring her up.In fact, when he woke up this morning and came downstairs, he found his mom in the kitchen making guacamole for Riley because it was her favorite.It wouldn’t surprise him that when he got home, she would ask him to take it over to her.He wasn’t stupid.He knew exactly what his mom was doing.And he was a bit surprised by it, because she rarely meddled in his love life.So, if his mom was pushing Riley, then there had to be something special about her.
The idea of having someone to come home to was appealing.But it also scared the hell out of him.Only those within his close circle knew the true reason why he shied away from commitments.
That reason was his dad.When Nails was eight years old, he woke up one morning to discover that his dad had left.He didn’t give any warning or explanation.He was just gone, along with all of his clothes, some personal items, and his car.
Nails had watched his mom pick up the pieces, but she never said a bad word about his dad.She didn’t have to, because the emptiness in their home said enough.
He wasn’t afraid of becoming the man who left.He feared being the one left behind.
Being in a relationship with a SEAL was no picnic.There were deployments, the danger, the secrecy, and so many other unknowns.Those things broke even the strongest couples.He had seen too many guys in his line of work come home to empty houses and Dear John letters.He wasn’t sure that he was willing to risk that kind of heartache again.
Playing the field seemed like a safer route.Women came and went.Some wanted more, while others were just looking for a good time.And Nails was good at giving them a good time.Hell, he had a reputation for it.It was easier that way.No one got attached, no one got hurt, and no one disappeared in the night.
Nails slowed his pace as they hit his mom’s driveway.He started to lift his shirt to wipe the sweat from his face when movement next door caught his eye.
At first glance, he thought it was an animal under Riley’s Jeep.But looking closer, he realized it was Riley, on her back, with her legs sticking out from under the Jeep.One leg was bent, as her foot lazily tapped the pavement.Judging from the items scattered around her, it looked like she was changing the oil.
Snow followed his gaze and let out a low whistle.
“Damn.Now, that is impressive.”
Nails nodded in agreement.It was very impressive.And another reason why she stood out from the rest.
Snow leaned against the porch rail and looked between Nails and Riley.“Look, man, I get it.You’ve got your reasons for keeping things casual.And I respect that.”
Nails sighed and nodded.“Yeah, well, it’s just easier that way.”
“Okay.Except I’ve never seen you look at a woman the way you look at Riley.And I’ve known you a long damn time.”
Nails didn’t respond.He just glanced next door, where Riley was still under the Jeep.
“I’m not telling you to go marry her.Just go talk to her.Don’t let fear of what could go wrong stop you from finding out what could go right.At the end of the day, I don’t want to see you kicking yourself later, wondering what might’ve happened if you had.”
