7. John

CHAPTER 7

JOHN

I had very few things in my apartment in San Diego, so packing up took almost no time. I had just closed the box of kitchen items that I was planning to donate when Laura stopped by.

My 24-year-old daughter from a previous relationship was a grad student at San Diego State studying journalism. She worked part time in social media for the San Diego SunRays and hoped to stay on permanently.

"I brought you some SunRays merch to wear in Portland. I'm sure everyone will love it up there."

I laughed. "You're trying to get me in trouble, aren't you?"

She stepped into my apartment and directly into my arms. "Duh. They have a good team up there, but the Rays are better. Just ask me."

I closed the door and motioned toward the kitchen. She took a seat on the countertop while I moved the last box.

"You know EMH has close connections to the Pirates, right? Like the two owners are married to players."

Before she could answer, I cut her off. "Hey, if you ever wanted to come to Portland, maybe Aidan could get you an interview with Greer Rowan and their communications team."

Laura smiled placatingly at me. "I can't see myself leaving San Diego anytime soon. I like it here plus mom and Richard live close by."

"Yes, how are your mother and Dick?"

She pointed an accusing finger at me but laughed anyway. "Don't be mean. He's a nice guy."

I scoffed and leaned against the countertop across from her. "Maybe so, but I'm going to miss you. That's all."

"And I'll miss you. You could still take the job with the Rays."

"I could," I said, "but there's something important I need to take care of in Portland."

Laura grinned at me. "Some thing , or some one ?"

I raised my brows, trying not to smile when he came to mind. But I was finding that impossible to do. "Someone. And he needs me, whether he wants me or not."

Her expression changed, and I could see her trying to read between the lines. "Who wouldn't want you? You're the best."

I raised a brow. "Your mother, for one."

Laura went wide-eyed. "Touché, but she doesn't count."

When we were together, Carrie didn't want to be a military wife. Much less one of a SEAL who disappeared in the middle of the night and might not come home. She wanted stability for our daughter, and when she met Richard, he gave her what she needed. Now she had an accountant and our daughter.

"Is that all you're going to tell me? There's more to the story than you're letting on."

I looked at the young woman who had become my best friend and gave in. "His name is Brent. He's thirty-five, and a former SEAL. He works for EHM as well."

She stared at me while I squirmed. Some tough commander I was when one look from my kid had me folding like a house of cards.

"You love him, Dad?"

I ran my hands over my head and looked up at the ceiling. I could deny this until my dying day, but what was the point? What would that get me? So I told her the truth. "Yes, I love him. We met a while back in Vegas…"

I paused. Was I going to tell her when I was pretty sure he didn't know?

But my daughter, who loved a salacious story, beat me to it. "You got married, didn't you?"

I covered my face and sighed when she laughed at me.

"It's not funny," I insisted. "It's serious. And he doesn't know."

If I thought that was going to get her to stop laughing, I was wrong. She only laughed more. So I waited her out.

"I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't be laughing, but that's some drama TV shit right there."

"I know," I sighed, scrubbing my hands over my face. "It's a mess."

When she got her laughter under control, I looked at her. "You see why I have to go to Portland? I have to at the very least get divorced."

"Is that what you want? A divorce?"

I shook my head. "No. I want to try to make a go of this thing. He's charming in a frat boy kind of way, funny, and sweet. And the attraction is unreal."

She curled her lips in, but it didn't hide her smile. "It's okay, Dad. Go to Portland and turn on the charm. You'll have him falling for you in no time."

I grunted, not so sure it would be that simple.

She opened her arms, and this time I walked into hers for the hug.

The next morning, I loaded up my truck for the drive to Portland.

Needing some time to put things into perspective, I decided to take the Pacific Coast Highway and enjoy the beauty of the ocean. The thirteen-hundred-mile drive gave me time to figure out where to start and how best to handle all this with Brent. But when GQ called nine hundred miles in, the picture got very clear.

"Something has come up, and I need some surveillance."

"Okay. Give me the details."

I heard his chair move back. "Greer Rowan is being sued by a former player. His attorneys contacted me about checking the guy out. I'm going to send Dreamboat with you. He and Daredevil forcefully helped the former player leave the stadium. It's a miracle they aren't suing me."

I chuckled, understanding what he meant. "I bet they enjoyed that."

"Yeah, probably too much. I'll send you the details as soon as you get back, then you guys can take off."

"Okay. I should be back in Portland later tonight."

"Sounds good."

When the call ended, I knew I'd done the right thing by taking this job. Now I could tell him everything and he couldn't run away from me.