Playboy (The Trident Series II: BRAVO Team #4)

CHAPTER THREE

Tuning out the country music, the muted conversations, and the occasional burst of laughter, which were all the usual sounds of a typical night at Bayside Bar and Grille, Playboy lined up his shot, his eyes narrowing in concentration as he aimed his cue. His teammates, Aussie and Snow, stood by with their beers, watching the game unfold.

“Come on, Playboy, you got this,” Aussie encouraged, taking a sip from his bottle.

Playboy smirked as he leaned over the pool table. He wasn’t about to let an easy fifty bucks slip through his fingers. However, his mind wasn’t entirely on the game.

He pulled back his cue and struck the cue ball, sending it smoothly across the table to sink the nine ball into the corner pocket. A small cheer went up from Aussie and Snow, but Playboy’s thoughts drifted elsewhere.

“Nice shot!” Snow clapped him on the back. “But seriously, man, what’s up with you tonight? You’ve been distracted ever since we got here.”

Playboy shrugged, trying to play it off. “Just got a lot on my mind, I guess.”

Aussie raised an eyebrow. “You mean, you have a certain someone on your mind?”

Playboy rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the smile that tugged at his lips. “Maybe.”

Aussie grinned, leaning on his cue. “Seeing that her teammates are here, do you think she’s gonna show up tonight?”

Playboy glanced at the entrance, his heart giving a hopeful flutter. “I don’t know. Oliver said that she might, but you know how it is. I don’t want to get my hopes up.”

Snow laughed. “Man, you’re hopeless. Just ask her out already. What’s the worst that could happen?”

Playboy rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a little sheepish. “It’s not that easy. Every time I get close, I either freeze up or fucking Vicky shows up.”

Aussie looked confused. “I thought you set things right with Vicky and told her to back off that you weren’t interested.”

Playboy nodded. “I did, but she’s not getting the message.”

“Maybe you need to make her see that your interests lie elsewhere,” Snow chimed in. “You know, make a move on Gabby and let Vicky see it.”

Maybe they were right. But when he made any move on Gabby, he wanted it to be genuine and not feel like he was putting on an act.

“Who knows, maybe she’ll show up tonight,” Aussie said. “I don’t see Vicky here, so that takes care of that issue. As far as you getting cold feet—just be yourself, man.”

Playboy appreciated the pep talk, but his nerves were still there. They started another game, and he took the first shot, missing the pocket entirely. Aussie and Snow exchanged knowing looks but didn’t say anything, letting the missed shot speak for itself.

As the game continued, Playboy found it increasingly hard to concentrate. His eyes kept darting to the door every few minutes, his mind replaying the night they met, which was hard to believe it had been almost nine months ago—nine months of crushing on the beautiful and smart Coastie.

A few days after Leo’s party, he reached out to Oliver and asked him for some background on Gabby. At first, Oliver thought he was joking, but then he explained how he and Gabby had met, and Oliver was surprisingly onboard. When Playboy mentioned that he had never seen her before, Oliver told him that she had just joined the team a few months prior and kept to herself outside of work.

Playboy had been happy to learn that she wasn’t dating anyone. However, Oliver mentioned that she wasn’t much of a dater. He found out that she was a workaholic, which was fine because in his line of work, being a SEAL, his job had to be the top priority as well. Oliver said that the way to Gabby’s heart was through chocolate. Apparently, she was obsessed with chocolate.

Before they ended their conversation, Oliver had issued a warning to him, which Playboy found amusing. Oliver reminded him that Gabby was like a sister to everyone on the team and that if he hurt her, they would make his life miserable. Playboy told him that he understood. However, he had no intention of hurting her. At least intentionally.

Playboy mostly got the opportunity to say hi to her in passing when she came to Bayside on Friday nights. But the most interaction he’s had with her happened a few weeks ago at a charity gala, in which they were seated next to each other. He could thank his friend Alex for arranging that.

Playboy was completely lost in thought when Snow nudged his arm.

“It must be your lucky night. Look who just walked in.”

Turning his attention toward the entrance, Playboy’s heart skipped a beat as he saw Gabby standing just inside the door. She was dressed very casually in gray leggings that hugged her shapely legs and an oversized dark blue Coast Guard sweatshirt. She was looking around, and once she located her teammates sitting at a high-top table near the bar, she headed in their direction.

Even in the crowded room, she was like a beacon, cutting through the crowd effortlessly—well, almost. His eyes narrowed as he watched her move. At first glance, she seemed like her usual self, but there was something off in the way she walked. Was she limping? It wasn’t obvious to everyone, but he noticed. He could tell she was trying hard to hide it, but she was doing a terrible job of masking the pain every time she stepped with her left foot.

Aussie, who was sitting next to him, nudged his arm. “I wonder what happened to her.”

Snow followed Aussie’s gaze. “Whatever it is, it looks like it hurts pretty bad.”

Playboy’s eyes flicked back to Gabby just as she pushed through the last cluster of people, her eyes fixed on the table where her teammates were sitting. She turned her head slightly, and that’s when he saw something else. Is that a black eye? It was faint but definitely looked bruised. His stomach clenched. Something had definitely gone down, and now all he could think about was finding out what it was and making sure that she was okay.

He wasn’t the type to get nervous often, but suddenly, his palms felt a little clammy. He wanted to laugh at himself for feeling that way. Hell, he went into battle with the meanest people on earth and would never break a sweat. But a petite blonde-haired, blue-eyed pixie could bring him to his knees.

Should he walk over and ask her? Would she brush him off? He could never really tell with Gabby. One minute, she’d crack a joke with him, and the next, she’d be all business. He was about to push the thought aside when Aussie grinned and leaned over.

“Dude, you look like you’re about to pass out from thinking too hard. Why don’t you buy her a drink,” Aussie said, slapping him on the back. “Girls love a free drink. Plus, it looks like she could use a good drink.”

Playboy blinked, then gave a slow nod, smirking a little to cover his nerves. He knew just the drink to hopefully put a smile on her face. “That’s actually not a bad idea.”

Snow raised his glass. “Good luck!”

Playboy laughed, but inside, his heart was racing as he flagged down a waitress.

◆◆◆

As soon as Gabby entered Bayside, the familiar scent of seafood and the sound of laughter and chatter filled the air.

Bayside was a unique little bar and restaurant tucked away on a secluded beachfront lot that mostly only locals knew about. It was the local hangout for many military and law enforcement personnel in the area, especially the SEALs.

From the outside, the building appeared run down, which was purposely done by Paul, the owner, who was a former Marine. Nine times out of ten, any tourist who accidentally found the place would take one look at the building and keep driving, unbeknownst to what awaited them inside. He wanted a place where military and law enforcement personnel in the area could go and feel comfortable without the hassle of tourists.

The nautical theme mixed with a bit of patriotic flare gave the place a homey and relaxing vibe. But what the place was really known for was the food, especially the prime rib special that already had her mouth-watering. Her friend Luna was supposed to meet her there after work for dinner.

She scanned the room and spotted her team gathered around their usual table near the bar. She was doing her best to walk normally but failing miserably. Again, she felt like an injured penguin— waddle, limp, waddle, limp . Her hip was killing her, and there was no hiding it. They’re going to be so pissed.

Tristan and James spotted her first. With their drinks in hand, they looked happy and relaxed—until they noticed her struggling. Tristan’s smile faded, and James sat up straighter, his brows knitting together in concern.

And let the shit show commence!

“Gabby!” James called out. “What the hell happened?”

She waved her hand dismissively, even though she was wincing with every step. “Hold on. I’ll explain in a minute. Just let me sit before I collapse.”

The guys all exchanged worried glances as Rowan pulled out a chair, and she carefully got one butt cheek on the high chair and then slowly slid the rest of her butt onto it. The relief of getting off her feet was immediate, but she knew the interrogation was coming.

Oliver and Rowan both leaned in to look at her eye. “How is it feeling?” Oliver asked.

Gabby chuckled. “Like someone punched me.”

Most of the guys laughed. However, James gave her a deadpanned look.

“What?” she asked him.

He quirked his eyebrow. “Are you going to address the elephant in the room?” he asked, his eyes moving to her hip.

She took a deep breath. She wasn’t lying to Capitan Graham when she told him that she would have a story to tell the guys.

“Okay, fine. But you have to promise not to laugh.”

They all nodded solemnly, though everyone was already smirking.

“So, there I was at the grocery store, just minding my own business, picking out avocados because, you know, I love to make guacamole. Anyway, I noticed this little old lady struggling with a watermelon. She was like ninety and barely holding it, so I went over to help her. But it turned out she wasn’t just any old lady. She was a professional wrestler in disguise.”

James blinked as his eyebrows shot upward. “What the fuck, Gabby?”

“Stay with me,” Gabby continued, trying not to laugh. “So, it turned out this granny was undercover, waiting for her arch-nemesis. Next thing I know, a guy built like a refrigerator shows up at the end of the frozen food aisle. Granny starts screaming at him and then heaves the watermelon at him. Then they run toward each other and start throwing down! Ganny then picks the guy up and body-slams him into the bin of green peppers and cucumbers.”

Leo choked on his drink, trying to stifle his laugh. “Jesus Christ, Gabby.”

“Oh, it gets better,” she tells Leo. “So there I am, trapped in the chaos of this geriatric wrestling match. I try to sneak away, but the refrigerator guy spots me and throws a frozen turkey at my head! I duck, but I lose my balance and slip on a rogue zucchini. Next thing I know, I’m crashing into a tower of soup cans, full body impact. Right hip first. BOOM! That’s how I got this bruise.”

Tristan was doubled over, shaking with laughter. James tried to maintain some composure, but even he was snickering. “So, you’re saying that a zucchini took you out.”

Gabby nodded, trying to keep a serious expression on her face. “I’m telling you, those things are deadly . Never underestimate a well-placed zucchini.”

By now, the entire team was in hysterics, with tears in their eyes. Blake wiped his eyes, barely able to speak. “You…you’re gonna stick with that story?”

“Oh, one hundred percent. It’s a lot more exciting than saying, ‘I got into a fight with some dude on a yacht and fell wrong and busted my hip,’ don’t ya think?”

Suddenly, the laughter ceased, and eight sets of eyes were aimed at Gabby. She felt herself shrink under their stare.

“What the hell do you mean you got a busted hip fighting a big dude on a yacht?” Tristan growled.

Gabby swallowed hard. Shit was about to hit the fan.

“Exactly what I said,” she told him, trying to avoid his glare.

“Gabby, are you saying that you were injured and never told us?” That question came from Adrian.

“Umm…like I told the Captain, I thought it was just a little stinger.”

“Wait a minute. The Captain knows about this, but not us?” James asked, looking both upset and hurt.

“Look. Yes, it hurt after the fight. And no, I didn’t say anything to you guys. And I’m sorry. I seriously didn’t think it was that bad until I woke up from my nap and could barely walk. Then, when I saw the damage, I knew it was more than just a little stinger.”

“You need to get that looked at,” Rowan stated, leaning back with his arms crossed.

“No need. When I told Graham, he personally drove me to the hospital and waited.”

“Holy shit!” Tristan exclaimed. “And you still didn’t think to let us know? Gabby, you can’t hide stuff like this from us. What if it was worse?”

She felt a pang of guilt. “I know, I know. I just didn’t want to worry you guys. Plus, how many times have we all walked away with bruises somewhere on our bodies and never said anything?”

Ignoring her question, Tristan asked, “So, what did the doctor say?”

“Just a bad contusion. I’m on desk duty for two weeks,” she said with a pout.

James suddenly started laughing, and everyone looked at him.

“What’s so funny?” Oliver asked.

James, still chuckling, shook his head. “I think Gabby wins. I think I actually prefer the zucchini story over the real story.”

Everyone started laughing, and just like that, Gabby knew she was cool with her team.

A waitress suddenly appeared and handed Gabby a chocolate martini.

Gabby looked at her. “I didn’t order this,” she told her, though it looked delicious.

But before the waitress could respond, a deep and very familiar voice that sent shivers down her spine spoke from behind her. “I did.”

When Gabby turned around and saw Playboy standing there, looking dangerously handsome, her heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, the pain in her hip was nonexistent.

Ever since he had saved her from busting her ass at Leo’s party months ago, he had always had that effect on her. He had a way of making her nervous and flustered in a way she couldn’t quite explain.

Though, in all honesty, after learning his call sign was Playboy and then that woman showing up at Leo’s, she was a little skeptical about him and his ways. That was until Oliver told her that Playboy had asked about her. When she told Oliver about her hold-ups with his name and that woman, Oliver assured her that his call sign did not dictate who he was as a person. Oliver offered nothing but praise for him.

Their paths had crossed a few times when they saw each other at Bayside. However, there were times when that same woman, who she now knew was named Vicky, would just pop up out of nowhere and steal his attention.

However, she did get the opportunity to spend a little more one-on-one time with him at a charity gala a few weeks ago. It was ironic that they had been seated next to each other. She had enjoyed talking to him and getting to know him a little more, though they mostly stuck to safe topics like their jobs and the charity that was raising money that night. Still, it had been nice to talk to him in a quieter setting than Bayside. And just as she thought things were heading in the right direction between them, Vicky reared her ugly face again, putting an end to a perfect night up until that moment.

Up until she met Playboy, she wasn’t into the dating scene. She was twenty-eight and focused on furthering her career within the MSRT. Playboy, however, made her see she could have the best of both worlds—a career she loved and a boyfriend.

She thought for sure that Playboy was interested in her more than just being friends. And there were times when she thought he’d ask her out. But then the conversation or something would get all turned around, and before she knew it, she was leaving without an offer for a date.

There were a couple of times when she considered asking him out, but she ended up chickening out for fear of being rejected if he wasn’t interested.

But now, here he was, and he bought her a drink. And a chocolate one at that.

She smiled at him. “Thank you! Chocolate is my favorite,” she said as she took a sip of the sweet, smooth drink.

Playboy grinned. “You’re welcome.”

The two of them stared at each other for a few moments until Oliver cleared his throat, pulling Gabby back to the moment.

“Are you here alone?” she asked him.

“No, I was playing pool with Aussie and Snow. I saw you come and saw you limping, so I just wanted to make sure you were okay. And, of course, buy you a drink.”

Gabby sighed. “I’m okay. It’s just a little injury. We had a bit of an intense situation overnight, and I drew the short straw to fight the biggest dude,” she joked, trying to downplay the incident and injury.

Playboy’s eyes darkened with concern. “Are you okay?”

She shrugged. “I won’t lie. My hip hurts like a bitch. And on doctor’s orders, I’m sidelined for two weeks. But it’s nothing I can’t handle,” she said with a little shrug.

Before Playboy could press further, Luna, Gabby’s best friend and roommate, appeared. Of course, right when Playboy was talking to her.

“Hey! Sorry I’m late. My dumb ass boss couldn’t make up his mind on a proposal we were working on, so I had to stay until it was finalized and submitted.”

“No worries,” Gabby told her friend.

“You’re still up for dinner, right?” Luna asked, her eyebrows raised as she realized who Gabby was talking to.

“I am. If you are.”

“Yes, I’m starving.”

“Okay.” Gabby looked over toward the other side of the bar where she and Luna normally sat when they came to Bayside for dinner. She saw a table open by the window. “There’s an open table. Why don’t you grab it while I finish up here.”

Luna looked between Gabby and Playboy and grinned.

“Sure. Take your time,” she told Gabby and winked.

Gabby shook her head and laughed. The rest of her teammates were involved in their own conversation, which just left her and Playboy to themselves.

“Well, I don’t want to hold you up from dinner with your friend. I just wanted to make sure that you were okay,” Playboy told her with a smile as he stepped back slightly.

Right at that moment, Gabby wished they were alone and that she could spend a little more time talking with him, especially since it appeared that Vicky, his stalker, wasn’t there.

She carefully got down from the chair and looked up at him.

She grinned as she raised her drink. “Thank you for buying me this. That was sweet of you. And for coming over to check on me.”

Shit, was she blushing? Her cheeks felt like they were on fire.

“You’re welcome,” he said with a chuckle and started to turn away, but Gabby stopped him.

“Hey. Are you going to the sniper competition on Saturday?” she asked him.

He nodded. “Yeah, me and the guys are going to watch.” His eyes traveled to her hip. “Are you going to be okay competing with your hip?” He asked, appearing genuinely concerned.

Gabby smirked, her hip aching but not about to admit it. “Oh, it would take a lot more than a bruised hip to keep me from that competition.”

Playboy gave her a quick once-over, his gaze lingering on her lips before he smiled. “Well, I guess I’ll see you on Saturday. And if I don’t get to talk to you before the competition starts, I wish you the best of luck.”

Her damn cheeks hurt from smiling. “Thanks! I’ll see you there.”

He smiled and winked before turning and walking back to his friend.

She watched him walk away. Yes, she got a good look at his firm ass in his jeans. She felt a mix of excitement and nerves bubble up inside. Her heart raced a little faster than usual, and she couldn’t help but bite her lip. She really wanted to get to know him. Who knew…maybe Saturday would be her chance. Could she muster up enough courage to finally end their cat-and-mouse game?