Unwritten

by Hartley, Jenna

  She wiped away a tear with the back of her sleeve. “I just don’t understand. Unless—” She glanced up at me, suspicion in her gaze. “You’ve met someone else.”

  I shook my head, taking her hands in mine. “Katie, you’re a wonderful person. And you deserve more.”

  She sniffled, and my gut churned with unease. Heath had been right, the bastard.

  I wrapped my arm around her, giving her a hug as I ushered her toward the door. “I should’ve listened to my friends,” she muttered. “They all warned me about you. They told me you’d never want more than sex.”

  I frowned. I distinctly recalled telling her this could never be anything more than sex. And I remembered her agreeing. But I should’ve known better. “Do you need a ride home?”

  She shook her head, wiping her tears as we neared the door. “I’ll be fine.”

  I shut the door behind her and leaned against it with a heavy sigh.

  “Told you,” Decker called from his bedroom. The door to his room opened, and he stalked out.

  Fucker. “Were you eavesdropping?”

  “Kind of hard not to. Just like it was impossible not to hear you two fucking in the next room.”

  “Whoa.” I held up my hands, surprised by the strength of his anger. “What crawled up your ass?”

  First the heavy conversation with Olivia, then Katie, now this. Was it a full moon or something?

  “What crawled up my ass?” He stepped closer, his chest nearly brushing against mine. It felt as if we were about to face off in a boxing ring.

  He held my gaze a moment, then backed off. “You know what? Never mind.”

  “No.” I inched closer, invading his space. “If you have something to say, say it. No lies, right?”

  We’d met in BUDs and had been part of the same unit ever since—me, him and Heath. They were like brothers to me. Decker and I had even retired and gone to Cole at the same time. But in the past few months, there had been a shift in our relationship. I wasn’t sure whether it was my injury or the thing with Katie, but something had changed. Of all people, I thought Decker would always have my back. Now, I wasn’t so sure.

  “No lies. Right,” he snarled. He pushed against my chest, and I reeled backward, more shocked by his hostility than his physical aggression.

  “What the fuck is your problem?” I asked, shoving him. I didn’t want to fight with one of my best friends, but I wasn’t going to take shit from him or anyone.

  “You.” He was panting. “You are my problem, Connor. You knew I had a thing for Katie, and you pursued her anyway. And now, you found a new, shiny toy. So, it’s time to move on, right?”

  I wasn’t sure what I was most upset about—the fact that he felt like I’d stolen Katie from him and used her. Or the idea that Olivia was nothing more than a passing diversion.

  “That’s not true.”

  He scoffed. “So, you weren’t using Katie? You haven’t moved on?” He stepped closer. “I hear you talking to Olivia on the phone every night. How long will it be before you grow tired of her too?”

  I clenched my fists, fuming at his accusations. Mostly because I hated how accurate they were. I had used Katie, but I wouldn’t treat Olivia like that.

  “If you had a thing for Katie, you should’ve spoken up.”

  His eyes narrowed to slits. “You’re an asshole, Connor.” He spun and marched toward his room, slamming the door behind him.

  Fuck. Was there a sign over my head that said “Let’s gang up on Connor”?

  I went to my room and fell back on the bed. I wasn’t sure where the day had gone so wrong, but it had. And while I was tempted to call Olivia, I didn’t want to dump my problems on her. I’d already confessed enough—definitely more than I’d ever planned to. So, I opened my Kindle and downloaded Meghan Hart’s latest book instead.

  * * *

  “Come in,” Mark said from across his office. His back was turned to me, and I shut the door behind me.

  I sank down into the chair, though I didn’t feel at ease. Decker and I were still at odds. Katie avoided me in the office. And even Olivia was acting weird—cagey or something. Ordinarily, I considered myself skilled at reading people, but at the moment…I couldn’t seem to get anything right.

  It would help if I could see Olivia. If I could convince her to FaceTime, then I could see what she looked like, read her facial expressions for clues. As it was, it felt like I was flying blind—trying to decipher the feelings of a woman I’d never met and likely never would.

  “How’s Spines for Soldiers going?” he asked.

  “Good.” I smiled, thinking of Olivia. “I’ve already said this to Nat, but thank you for nominating me.”

  He sat back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. “Well, this is certainly a change from when I first told you about the program.”

  He arched an eyebrow, as if inviting me to elaborate. I didn’t.

  “I’m hoping you called me here to discuss my return to field ops now that I’ve been cleared by my doctor.”

  “Not quite. I wanted to talk to you about going out to California next week.”

  I tried to maintain a neutral expression. The fact that he wanted to send me to California could mean any number of things, from a training opportunity to a chat with Jackson—the founder of Cole Security Forces. Actually, I had no clue what it meant. “Sure.”

  “Igloo Books is hosting a panel on the Spines for Soldiers program. They want feedback on what’s working, and I think they’re hoping for some good publicity. What would you think about attending?”

  “You’re kidding?” I choked out, wondering why Olivia hadn’t mentioned it. Though maybe she wasn’t in charge of the panel.

  He shook his head. “Is that something you’d be interested in?”

  I tried to hold back my smile. A free trip to California? Hell yeah! “Absolutely. The program has been very helpful, and I’d be happy to speak about it.”

  And meet Olivia. Oh god, I couldn’t wait to meet her.

  “Would it also be possible for me to use some leave to extend my trip? I’d like to stay through the following weekend, if possible.”

  He shuffled some papers on his desk. “That was the other thing I wanted to discuss. The ambassador is threatening to sue Cole Security.”

  I stared at him, mouth agape. “You’re fucking kidding me.”

  He shook his head, massaging his temples. “I wish I were. Which is why your vacation request comes at a good time.”

  Now his request for me to attend the Spines for Soldiers event made sense. He was trying to get rid of me—at least temporarily. I sagged in my chair, afraid to ask what this meant for the future. But I didn’t have to wonder long.

  “It’s bullshit, and we will do whatever we can to fight it,” he said.

  “What about the fact that his son was beating his wife and child?”

  “We don’t have any proof,” he sighed.

  “I do. I could testify against him.” It wouldn’t be the first time I’d testified against someone.

  He shook his head. “It’s not that simple. You’re—you wouldn’t be seen as reliable. Trust me,” he added. “I’ve already talked to Gretchen about it.”

  I hung my head. If he’d gotten Gretchen involved, this was serious. She was a badass attorney who helped Cole out from time to time. “Shit. I’m sorry, Mark.”

  I wasn’t sorry I’d hit the bastard, but I was sorry for how it was affecting Cole Security. And the impact it was having on my friends, my brothers.

  “He had it coming.” Mark met my eyes, his voice steely.

  “Still,” I said, trying to sort through the options. At the moment, I only saw one. “I think I should resign.”

  I didn’t like it. Didn’t want to. But if that was what needed to be done, I would.

  “Fuck no.” He ran a hand through his hair. “The guy’s a pompous ass, and we never should’ve taken him on as a client. Charlie and some of our other assets are looking i
nto leverage.”

  I nodded. “I appreciate that, but…”

  Mark leaned forward. “It’s not going to come to that.”

  I nodded, hoping he was right.

  He rubbed his temples, and I sensed he had more to say. “Is everything good between you and Decker?”

  I cursed under my breath, even as I tried to maintain a neutral expression. Fucking SEALs—they gossiped more than a group of women.

  “Nothing we can’t handle.”

  He gave me a terse nod. “Good. If Aaron and Liam could sort out their shit about Natalie, the two of you sure as hell can too.”

  I nodded. Though it had gone down years ago, everyone knew Liam and Aaron had been best friends before Aaron was taken hostage. At the time, Aaron was married to Natalie, but now she was married to Liam.

  “Women.” He rolled his eyes, and I wondered what Charlie had done now.

  Though, considering their relationship dynamics, his exasperation was nothing new. They were like two sides of the same coin—stubborn, headstrong, and used to being in control. Still, they somehow made it work. Not just work, they were good together. Good for each other, somehow giving the other exactly what they needed.

  He stood, and I followed suit. “We’re having a barbecue out in LA for Jackson’s birthday next week. It’ll mostly be some of the guys from our SEALs class, but you should definitely come.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  He walked me to the door, opening it before saying, “Enjoy your vacation.”

  “Thanks,” I said, knowing that this wasn’t quite the vacation I’d envisioned.

  I stepped into the hall, trying to make sense of everything that had just happened. And while I should’ve been focusing on my uncertain future, all I could think about was the fact that I was going to California. That I would finally get to meet Olivia and have a conversation face-to-face. I didn’t even make it to my office before pressing her name on the contacts in my phone. It rang twice before she picked up.

  “Hello?” The sound of her throaty voice went straight to my cock. Fuck, it was sexy. She was sexy.

  I glanced at my watch and realized just how early it was. Just past five in the morning her time. Shit. “Did I wake you?”

  “Connor?” I heard rustling, and I imagined her sitting up in bed.

  I groaned at the image, wishing I were there. But I smiled to myself as I remembered that soon, I would be. Maybe not in her bed, though I certainly wouldn’t complain if that happened. But in the same state, the same city, the same room.

  “Is everything okay?” she asked, sounding more alert.

  “I have good news.”

  “Did the guys make it back safely?” she asked, making me realize I hadn’t gotten a chance to update her. And she’d been sweet enough to worry about them and ask.

  “They did.”

  She let out a breath. “Oh good. I’m so glad.”

  “But that’s not what I was calling to tell you.” I rocked on my heels, excitement coursing through me for the first time in months. “I’m coming to California. Get this—to participate in a panel on the Spines for Soldiers.”

  “You what?” she practically shrieked. I told myself it was out of excitement, but I wasn’t entirely convinced. “I mean, that’s great that you’re willing to talk about your experience.”

  I frowned, figuring it had been her idea. Okay. She’d started the program, but I didn’t know how much of an ongoing role she had apart from being my reading buddy. Well, she was more than my reading buddy, but I didn’t plan to divulge that to the publishing company.

  “And I have some unused vacation time. So…I was hoping we could hang out. Meet face-to-face.”

  There was a long, silent, pregnant pause. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  My chest tightened, and I stared at the floor, trying to make sense of her response. What had changed since the other night?

  “Why not?” I started pacing in front of my desk.

  “Because I’m not sure your girlfriend would like that.”

  “Girlfriend?” I asked.

  “You know…Katie?”

  I laughed but quickly sobered when she didn’t join me. “Katie’s not my girlfriend. We used to—hang out,” I said, fumbling for a term that wasn’t completely demeaning. “But we don’t anymore.”

  “So…the other night?”

  I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. “Was nothing. We haven’t been together in weeks—not since before you and I started talking. But I made that clear the other night.”

  “Oh.”

  I frowned at the phone. This conversation wasn’t going at all how I’d planned.

  “Is this the point where I should ask if you have a boyfriend?”

  She laughed so hard, she snorted, and it was fucking adorable. “No. I don’t.”

  “Good.” Relief coursed through my veins, relief and excitement. “Because I’m taking you out when I come to LA next week.”

  “Are you even going to ask me?” she teased.

  “I’ll send you a formal invitation,” I said, an idea already forming in my mind.

  “What does that mean?” Despite her confusion, despite her earlier hesitation, she sounded excited.

  “Just check your email, okay?” I said, unable to hold back my smile. There was a knock at my door. “I have to go.”

  “Bye, Connor,” she said in a soft voice.

  “Bye, Olivia. I’ll see you soon.”

  I might not know what the future held, but one thing was for certain—I wanted Olivia to be a part of it.

  Chapter Nine

  Olivia

  “Tell me again what it says.” Alyssa stood behind me in the mirror, curling my hair.

  I held the phone up to my face so I wouldn’t have to look down as I read Connor’s latest email aloud for a third time. Not that I minded. I’d read the email so many times myself, I could all but recite it.

  Dear Olivia,

  You swore to meet with me if I came to California. Well, I’m asking you to make good on that promise.

  I’ll be at The Last Bookshop this Saturday at four in the afternoon. I’ll be the tall, sexy guy with the blue button-down shirt.

  I look forward to meeting you then.

  Sincerely,

  Connor

  When I finished reading, Alyssa let out a sigh. “Gah! How did you luck out with a hot SEAL who is totally book boyfriend material?”

  She stood behind me, wrapping my hair around the barrel of the curling iron. She was almost done, and it looked amazing—romantic and sexy at the same time. What would Connor think?

  “Ah!” she squealed. “This is so exciting. Can I go with you if I promise not to interrupt, please?”

  I laughed. “Um. No.”

  “But you are going to send me a picture of him, right?”

  I frowned at her in the mirror. “I’m not sneaking a picture of him. That would be weird.”

  “Well then, ask him to take one with you. You know—to commemorate the fact that you actually met.”

  I laughed. “We’ll see. Besides, you’ll get to see him on Monday at the panel.”

  “True.” She curled another piece of hair. “But you wouldn’t make your best friend wait that long, now would you?”

  She batted her eyelashes at me, and I laughed.

  “I make no promises.”

  “So…how are you feeling?” She set the curling iron down and picked up the hair spray. I closed my eyes and held my breath as she spritzed it over my hair.

  “Nervous. Excited. Like I might throw up.” I held a hand to my stomach.

  “You’re not going to throw up.” She nudged my hand aside. “That’s just the butterflies.”

  She stood back, admiring her work in the mirror. “There.”

  I moved my head from side to side, watching the curls as they bounced. And trying to ignore those pesky butterflies, as she called them. Because right now, they felt like they were try
ing to make a break for it. “Gorgeous. Thank you.”

  “Wow.” She leaned her hip against the bathroom counter. “You’re actually admitting that you like how you look? This is big.”

  I rolled my eyes, even though I knew she was right. “I’m working on it.”

  She wrapped an arm around my shoulder and squeezed. “I’m glad. You’re beautiful, and it’s time you realized that. It doesn’t hurt to have a hot guy interested either.” She winked.

  “Yeah, well…I’m not sure if he’s hot or interested.”

  Though, his friendship had certainly boosted my confidence. Connor was… He’d never seen me, yet he was still interested in talking to me. He always made time for me. I didn’t need to see him to know I was attracted to him.

  “He’s definitely interested.” She crossed her arms over his chest. “He referred to this as a date, didn’t he?”

  “He said he was taking me out. So, not technically a date. Besides, he invited me to get coffee.”

  She blew out a breath, brushing some of her hair aside. “It’s a date, Olivia. He probably just picked a coffee shop so that it would be less pressure. Besides, it’s not just any coffee shop—it’s the coolest bookstore on the planet. And your favorite.”

  “True.” I leaned forward, fluffing some of my hair. I did love The Last Bookshop. It was my happy place.

  “Are you listening to me?” She grabbed an eye shadow palette.

  “I am. But…well, what do you think he’s expecting?” I toyed with the hem of my shirt while she dug in her makeup bag for supplies. “We haven’t talked about where he’s staying. Do you think he’s hoping to stay with me?”

  “Hell yeah!” She grinned. “But no.” She sobered when she saw my panicked expression. “I’m sure he’s staying at a hotel. Didn’t you say that Igloo is putting up some of the guys?”

  “For a night or two, not a week. He had some leave saved up.”

  “Which means there’s time to figure it out. Why don’t you just go meet him and see what happens?” She dabbed at the eye shadow palette. “Close.”