Page 28 of Under Pressure
“On top of my dresser.” Johnny smirked.
“You mean my dresser?” Axel said. “How long have you been at my place exactly?” Axel had recently gotten engaged to his girlfriend, Kate, and was recording music with his new producer, Callum, here in Diamond Cove. He’d all but moved here, having purchased one of the cliff-side homes, but he still owned his place in Los Angeles. For some reason, Johnny had all but made himself at home.
The moment Knox and Gray heard Axel’s voice, they jumped in behind Sean, inserting themselves in the frame, and nearly bowling Sean over.
“Axel—written any new songs for your favorite Navy SEALs?” Knox asked.
Axel shook his head. “Not lately.”
“Man gets himself a gorgeous, classy girlfriend, and all he can do is write love songs,” Knox said. “Typical.”
Axel and Dad chuckled.
“I can write a piece on the hygiene practices of the typical on-duty SEAL if you’d like?” Johnny offered. “I’ve heard some interesting stories about someone’s toe-jam that’d make a great focal point.”
Knox spun on Sean. “You promised not to say anything.”
Sean shrugged and lifted one hand in a “what” gesture. “They’re my brothers,” he said sheepishly.
“Which means they tortured it out of him,” Dad said.
“Man gets himself a couple tattoos, and suddenly he thinks he’s a gangster,” Gray said, looking pointedly at Johnny. He lifted his wrist and pointed to his SEAL logo tattoo that said,The only easy day was yesterday. “I’ve had this for twelve years.” It wasn’t his only tattoo either. And he wasn’t the only guy in their unit with tatts. Mack had a Celtic cross on his right shoulder that extended down into a half sleeve, amongst others, and Wolfe—the team’s man of mystery—had who knew how many.
“Tattoos are superjammin’,” Dad said. “Maybe I should get one.”
“Oh, yeah, great idea, Dad,” Sean mocked. “Hey! You could get Mom’s face tattooed on your chest for her birthday! I bet she’d love that.”
“You think?” Dad scratched the back of his head.
“No,” Sean, Axel, Johnny, Knox, and Gray said in unison.
“Good to see you, Mr. Clayton.” Gray nudged into frame. “How’s it going? How’s the lovely Mrs. C?”
“Panicking about getting older,” Dad said with a light chuckle. “And please, call me Wayne. Speaking of which, Sean, that’s why I’m calling.”
Sean squirmed. He still hadn’t gotten Mom a birthday gift, and her surprise party was in a couple days.
“Right, that’s our cue to leave,” Gray said.
“See you later.” Knox waved at the camera.
They headed for the door, and Gray walked backward. “Don’t forget you’re helping me with my house tonight.”
“You mean your run-down barn?” Knox jabbed Gray in the ribs with his elbow.
“I wouldn’t have to get help from Sean if my business partner would spend more time doing his job,” Gray said.
“Dude, your house is going to take—” Knox ticked off his list on his fingers. “Time, at least two dozen men, more money than you have, and a miracle.”
“Shut it,” Gray shoved Knox and looked at Sean again. “See you at seven?”
“Don’t worry, I got you,” Sean said.
The guys left, and Sean returned his attention to his family.
“Do you have your mom’s birthday gifts?” Dad asked.
“Yes, Dad,” Axel and Johnny echoed. Sean gave a vague nod. Dad tended to stress. If he thought Sean hadn’t gotten his gift yet, he’d freak.
