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10
Aiden
“My uncle said he hated Navy basic training. Was Navy SEALs training similar?” Nadia asked, cutting a sliver of grilled chicken, sitting next to me at the wooden kitchen counter.
“Not at all. Waking up every day before sunrise after only sleeping four hours broke several guys.” I chugged my beer.
“I still have calloused hands from climbing up and down the rope so many times during Hellweek.”
Nadia grabbed my hand and traced her fingers over the rough skin.
“Damn.”
“Basic Underwater Demolition training to become a Navy SEAL was no picnic either, but it prepares you to become the best. Navy SEAL training is in a league of its own. Paddling in the surf late at night against rough freezing waves is one of the most mind-numbing task. Imagine holding an ice cube in your hand until it stings. That’s how cold the ocean feels.
You have to dig deep in your mind to make it through every last task.” I took another swig of my beer.
“Nothing makes you feel better than keeping your team safe and everyone returning from a mission.” I grabbed Nadia’s hand.
“Admiral Cutner will send me on a new mission very soon. That was the deal I agreed to, so I could have a short leave. Honestly, I wanted nothing else to do with the Navy.”
Her mouth dropped open.
“When you have a special skill set like mine... SEALs aren’t ever done with war. There is always someone who wants to hurt the American people. Then the SEALs are called to handle the situation.”
Nadia clutched my hand. “Have you ever thought about running… away?”
I chuckled and released her hand. “Yup, for a split second before I arrived home, I thought, I should disappear. I’m trained to survive I could walk away and never be found. Maybe, I love what I do more than I was willing to let on. I’ve been a Sailor for ten years. Do you still want to move forward? With me?”
“Aiden, you know better than anyone, none of us are promised tomorrow. I could make a left turn onto a street and end up in a car accident that takes my life.”
My heart raced and my stomach bottomed out. For the first time I had someone in my life I cared about and damn sure didn’t want to lose her.
“I am aware of the danger. If we had a family, I’d hope my parents and yours would love their grandchildren and willingly help if I was ever in need.”
My brow rose. “A family?”
“Aiden, it’s not about if I am ready for a life together. Are you?” she smirked. “Excuse me.” She walked into the bedroom.
Telling her I couldn’t follow through with the possibility of us was on the tip of my tongue.
My PTSD was kicking in. I snatched up the AK forty-seven then stalked out the front door.
Breathe. Breathe, Aiden.
I couldn’t let her see me like this. I stumbled through the dark woods. A tree branch to my left shook.
Someone’s coming.
I raised my rifle eye level. Gawking through the scope. Sweat poured down my face. I blinked twice to focus.
Slowly I side stepped between the trees.“Show your face. Don’t let me find you. I’ll blow your head off.”
“Aiden!” my name echoed in my ears.
“Aiden, it’s Nadia. Please don’t hurt me,” she cried.
I peered to my left then right.“Nadia? Don’t…don’t come any closer.”
