Page 28 of SEAL's Sunshine
“No, turd blossom, but thanks for asking.”
“Fuck you, Murph. Didn’t we see enough of each other earlier?”
“Yeah, but I’m just checking on you. That shooting doesn’t feel right, and we wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“Why wouldn’t I be? I’ve got Halo and I am a SEAL. I think I could handle most things that came my way.”
“Knock that chip off your shoulder, kid. It’s serious. Jake has us all on alert. He’s got one of those feelings.”
“Fuck.”
“So keep an eye out and if anything is weird, call one or all of us. And make sure you have your phone near in case we call.”
“Copy that. I’m headed to the store and I left Miranda in the apartment, but Halo is with her. Maybe I shouldn’t go.”
“She’ll be fine especially with Halo there. We don’t think it involves her, that it’s us they’re after.”
Fuck. So much for some peaceful time off. It never fucking failed. “Gotcha. Thanks for letting me know.”
Jake’s ‘feelings’ were never good and usually on point. It was like some freaky antenna that he had. Hopefully, this would be the first time he was wrong. Even so, he stayed extra vigilant as he drove to the store and while he grabbed the items on his list. He wasn’t sure if someone was watching him or if it was his imagination, but the little hairs on the back of his neck stood up as he headed back to the truck. Loading everything into the passenger side gave him a chance to look around. Nothing seemed off, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that someone had their eyes on him.
Cam made it back home in less than an hour. When he opened the door, he was relieved and a little surprised to see Miranda sitting on the couch watching TV with Halo by her side.
They both looked toward the door when he came in. “Do you need any help?”
“Nope, I’ve got it. Any trouble?”
“Only if you consider Halo trying to hang out in the bathroom with me while I showered. I told him that he wasn’t allowed, and he wasn’t happy.”
Laughing, Cam put away the groceries. “Good dog. I told him to stay by your side, so he was following orders. Orders are important.”
“I know, but did you expect him to be in the bathroom with me?”
“I wanted him to be there if you needed him, but no. I didn’t expect him to hang out in the bathroom, but I’m not surprised.”
“Next time you’d better be more specific then.”
“There won’t be a next time.”
“Why not?”
“Because I won’t be leaving you alone again while you’re here. Can you blame me for wanting to spend as much time as possible with you?” Hopefully, he’d be forgiven for his sort of white lie. He did want to spend as much time as possible, but he wouldn’t take the chance of leaving her alone again either.
“I like that idea. I know the week is going to fly by.” She was right about that. The good times always passed too quickly.
Filling a bowl with popcorn, he grabbed a beer for him and a bottle of water for her and joined her on the couch. Halo didn’t want to move so Miranda ended up in the middle between her two overly protective men. But from the smile on her face, he didn’t think she minded at all.
After much discussion, they settled on the first Captain America movie since it had action and a great love story, even if it didn’t have a happy ending. As Cam expected, about halfway through the movie, Miranda was asleep on his shoulder. It reminded him of when he was growing up, how his mom would fall asleep on his dad. The warmth of the memory lifted some of the worry that had worn on him since Murph’s call.
Chapter 9
It wasdark when Miranda woke up screaming. But this time she wasn’t alone, Cam held her in his arms and rocked her.
“Easy, Sunshine. It’s just a dream. You’re safe. I have you.”
“I’m sorry.” Her voice sounded hoarse and tearful. Two nights in a row hadn’t happened in ages. The shooting earlier on top of all the other stresses didn’t help.
“You have nothing to be sorry about. I guess I don’t have to ask if you’re still having the nightmares.”
