Desert Alpha: A Lady Boss Press Navy SEAL Novella, Bethany Lopez [readict books .txt] 📗

We finished our meal and drove back to the base, which was always an adventure in itself. Once we arrived, we had to go through a couple security checks before we could get on base, and another before we could get to our section of the base.

Once we parked the car by our squadron headquarters we said our see you laters and went our separate ways. When I saw Rich walking toward the gym, I took it as a sign, put on my metaphorical big girl pants, and called out to him.

He glanced over his shoulder and stopped when he saw me. The initial flash of happiness crossing his face made my stomach clench, but I kept moving toward him.

“Hey, you got a minute?” I asked when I was only a few feet away.

“Just,” he replied, a scowl now marring his features.

“I need to talk to you about what you said last week in tent city.”

Rich crossed his arms and planted his feet shoulder width apart.

Jeez, defensive much?

“What? About the frogman? I thought they left.”

“They did,” I replied, choosing to ignore his snarkiness.

“What about it then?”

“I didn’t appreciate you threatening me. I’m sorry if you’re still hung up on the past, but, Rich, we have been over for so long I really have a hard time understanding why you’d come at me like that.”

“Maybe I didn’t want you to do something stupid and get in trouble. Especially over a guy like that.”

“So, you’re saying you weren’t threatening me, but rather you were looking out for me?” I asked, not really buying it.

“Yeah, Cass, so what if I was? Sure you’re my ex, but that doesn’t mean I want you to make a bad decision and get yourself reprimanded.”

“I’m a grown woman and don’t need you looking out for me. Plus, the team is gone and probably not coming back, so there’s nothing to worry about. Let’s just do the rest of our time here and try and stay out of each other’s way, okay?”

“Wow,” he said, throwing his hands out. Maybe he’d expected me to say thank you? “If that’s how you want it.”

“It is,” I replied, then turned on my heel and walked away with my head held high and a little spring in my step.

Chapter 14

Rip

Unopened Letter #1

Rip,

Hey, I hope this letter finds you safe and sound. You’ve only been gone for a couple days, but I really miss you. Is that weird to say? I hope not. I want to be completely honest and upfront with you, so I hope me stating my feelings doesn’t make me seem like a clinger, or worse, like Rich.

Speaking of Rich, I decided avoidance wasn’t going to be the answer this time around, so I stopped him and told him I didn’t appreciate his threats. He tried to say he was simply looking out for me, but I don’t know if I can believe that was true. Still, I said my peace and we agreed to stay out of each other’s hair for the rest of the deployment.

I don’t know how long this truce will last, but I’m choosing to be optimistic.

I’m not sure when, if ever, you will receive this letter, but I’m going to keep writing as much as I can. It helps to feel like I’m talking to you, especially at night when I’m alone in my bunkbed with my roommate snoring from across the room.

Hugs and Kisses,

Cass

Unopened Letter #2

Rip,

Oh my gosh, you will not believe the week I’ve had.

First, we had a USO show come in, some NFL cheerleaders, so I had a meeting with my staff and briefed them on expectations… you know, flowers and gift baskets in the room, make sure all of the rooms had fresh linens and were cleaned… that sort of thing. But, on the day of arrival my night manager completely spaced and when they arrived nothing was done. The commander was pissed, and we all got called into his office.

Then yesterday I was at the Cantina, and Rich was making an ass out of himself by hitting on women for my benefit. I mean, he made sure I was in hearing distance each time and he didn’t only do it once, no, he hit on five women in the course of thirty minutes. I don’t know if he was hoping to make me jealous or what, but all he did was make me throw up in my mouth.

Not literally, of course.

Looking back at what I wrote I realize how insignificant my problems must seem compared to what you and your team are facing. I hope you won’t mind me venting and know I understand my problems are first world at best.

Thinking of you,

Cass

Unopened Letter #3

Rip,

Hey, Babe. I hope I’m not being presumptuous, and that you don’t mind being called Babe.

I got a care package from my sister today and sure wish I could share it with you. She’s a baker and makes the most amazing fudge. She also sent cookies and brownies, but the fudge is my favorite. Lori nearly choked herself she was eating the baked goods so fast.

Are you allowed to get care packages where you are? Probably not, huh? I’m sure you’d settle for a hot meal at this point. I hope your mission is over soon. I know it’s doubtful that you’d come back here, but maybe luck will be with us and we’ll both be back stateside around the same time.

They told us today that our replacements will be here in two weeks, so we should be able to leave in about a month, once they are all trained up.

Hope to see you soon,

Cass

Unopened Letter #4

Rip,

I hope you are okay. You’ve been gone for about a month now and the fact that I haven’t heard from you makes me nervous, even though I know you said there was a chance you wouldn’t get my letters or be able to write while you were on