Page 2 of Dangerous Desires
Scout nodded, “I know. I just hate it. I wish that my life was different. That it wasn’t this way.”
Jet put his hand on Scout’s shoulder, “I know. I hate it. That your father couldn’t just accept you for who you are. That you didn’t want your life to be the same. But you are here now. We are alive and one day, when we leave the SEALs, we are going to find the women meant for us and live the best fucking life. I swear it.”
Scout shook his head, “I want to believe that. I really do. But I just don’t think I can.”
Jet squeezed Scout’s shoulder, “Trust me. I can see it all right now. That we are meant for big things. And there is a woman out there that is all ours. I can see her in my mind's eye right now.”
Scout nodded, “I wish I could be that optimistic. I really do. I want a girl. So bad. One that is all mine.”
Jet nodded, “I do too. We have to keep the faith though. Someday we are going to find them. I just know it.”
Scout nodded and went to his bunk. “I hope so. I don’t want to marry the woman my dad wants me to. Gag me.”
Jet laughed, “Your dad is strange.”
Scout rolled his eyes, “You’re not wrong. He is batshit crazy. After my mom died, he went nuts. Had a different woman every night and I think he is on his sixth wife now? I lost track. By the time I get out of the Navy it will change again. It doesn’t matter though. Not since he disowned me. I never want to see him again.”
Jet sighed, “Well, my parents love you. So there is that.”
Scout laughed, “I like them too. Your dad is funny as hell. Plus, how cute is your little sister?”
Jet smiled, “Aria is cute. She has the best personality ever. And she just started fourth grade. It’s so weird to see her so grown up.”
He pulled out the picture of his family and ran his thumb over his little sister’s face.She was a surprise later in life for his parents and his mom had a rough pregnancy. Before Aria was born, she had a small stroke in the womb, and she was born with cerebral palsy.
She used a set of crutches most of the time but could walk if she had to. She did around the house a lot, but at school, she used her crutches. She was smart as a whip and though it took her a minute to do the things everyone else could in seconds, she never let it get her down. Everyone did what she asked though and she had him wrapped around her finger. For sure.
Bo was the same and he took her to the mall all the time with her friends. Or just the two of them. Jet missed her and Bo a lot, but he knew it was going to be worth it when he left the SEALs. Jet talked to his parents as often as he could, and Aria was always excited to see him.
He loved her. And he couldn’t wait to see her. He knew he needed to tell his parents about their close call today and he dreaded it. His mom was the sweetest, but when it came to her kids, she was a mama bear through and through and he worried she would be scared. He knew that she knew that being part of the SEALs wasn’t always going to be all cupcakes and rainbows, but today was an eye-opening experience for him.
He looked at Scout, “I need to call my family. Do you want to come talk to Aria? After we shower? I need to wash the mission off me.”
Scout nodded and they walked to the command center where they had the computers they could use to Facetime. As soon as they were ready, he called his parents. It was a Saturday, so he sat down at one of the computers and called his family. It rang for a few seconds and then Aria’s face filled the screen.
“Jet? Hi! I miss you!”
Jet smiled, “Hey there squirt. I miss you too.”
“Is Scout there? I want to say hi to him.”
Scout leaned over and Aria grinned at him, “Scout! You look like you were sunburned.” Scout laughed, “Not quite small fry.”
Jet cleared his throat, “Hey Aria. Can you get mom and dad please?” She nodded, “Sure.”
He watched her turn away from the computer and heard her crutches click as she put them on.She walked out of the frame slowly and Jet missed her. She was growing up so quickly and he felt like he was missing it. His mom walked in the room in seconds and his dad followed close behind. Jet was grateful his dad was actually home.
“Hey there Jet. How are you?”
He shook his head slowly, “Not so good. We had some issues today on a mission.”He couldn’t give all the details to his parents, but he told them enough to let them know how close they came to dying.
His mom had her hands to her mouth and his dad had his arm around her. “Did anyone get hurt?” She finally asked and Jet nodded, “Crew got hit by debris. He is going home for a short leave. But he is okay. We all are.”
Scout nodded behind him. “We really are Mr. and Mrs. Cannon.”
Relief showed on her face and she sagged against John. “Please be careful Jet. Please. I can’t stand the thought of losing you.”
He reached out and touched the screen just over his mom’s cheek. “I will be fine mom. I have my crew at my back I swear.”
