Page 16 of Loving a Warrior

“Three…two…one. Execute!”

Matt exploded into action. The trainees went wild, waving their arms and running alongside as he leapt, climbed, and crawled. Every move was smooth, and smooth really was fast; it was like watching a ballet. Shane shouted in awe as Matt effortlessly scaled the rope Shane had just fallen from, reaching the top to do a Tarzan swing over to the cargo net.

When he neared the end of the course, the screaming escalated into a frenzy of “Soup! Soup! Soup!” Matt hit the sand at a dead run and ran to the pull-up bar, leaping to grab it. The men counted along. “One! Two! Go, Soup! Four! Yeah! Fuck yeah!”

At the triumphant shout of “Twenty!” Matt collapsed into the sand, chest heaving. Silence fell as the class breathlessly waited for the verdict, and when Salazar shouted, “You made it,” they all broke into loud cheers.

Matt jumped to his feet to be greeted with backslaps and head rubs, and Shane caught his breath at the sight of the open, devastating grin that lit up Matt’s whole face and made his eyes dance.

Wow.

“What’re you gonna do now that you’re the hero of our class?” Elias shouted as he grabbed Matt up in a bear hug and swung him around.

Matt slapped his back a few times before he pulled away, his teeth white in his sweaty, dirty face. “Just gonna enjoy feeling like a hero.”

* * *

There was still equipment to be washed off, boats to be rigged, and supply chits filled out before the class was secured for the weekend, but Matt was floating on air the whole time. It was nice to see smiles on the faces of those who’d previously looked through him like he didn’t exist, and Matt basked in the approval and camaraderie, beyond relieved to be back in their good graces.

After their chores were finished, everyone filed into the classroom for one last debrief.

“Report.”

“Sixty-three men assigned, all present.”

“Well, that’s it for my part, gents,” Salazar said. “Thirty-nine have already decided this training is too much, that life in the teams isn’t for them. You still have a helluva long way to go, guys, but I think you’re ready.”

“Hooyah!”

“It’s been a tough three weeks, but lemme tell you, it’s only gonna get tougher. Days will be longer, there’s gonna be way more after-hours stuff, and you have to get everything done. If you don’t, believe me, you’ll pay for it.”

A tingle of anticipation went through Matt at the thought of the challenge to come.

“Hooyah!”

“I suggest y’all go home this weekend, make love to your wives and girlfriends, and kiss your kids, because as of 0500 on Monday, First Phase owns you. Drop.”

As they pushed ’em out, Salazar shouted, “Keep making me proud. I want to shake every single one of your hands at graduation, understand?”

“Hooyah!”

“Recover. You’re secured.”

With loud whoops, everyone rushed out to start their weekend. Matt watched Shane dash eagerly on ahead. Some of the married guys went home every night, no matter how late it was, in order to spend even a few hours with their families. Others, like Shane, stayed in the barracks all week and only went home on the weekends. His wife picked him up on Friday nights like clockwork, and Matt could see her now in the parking lot, pacing next to her car, the baby strapped into her seat in the back.

Married. Family man. Off-fucking-limits.

Matt sighed and made his way to his room, almost bumping into Shane on the stairs as he flew down them. He was freshly showered and damp, his T-shirt clinging to him in several spots, jeans riding low. Fuck it all, despite everything they’d been through and all the soul-searching Matt had done, his stupid heart still sped up at the sight of him.

“Have a good weekend, man,” he managed.

Shane flashed him a brilliant smile. “Thanks, I will.” He leaned against the railing for a moment, regarding Matt with a mischievous look in his eyes. “As of Monday we won’t be swim buddies anymore, will we?”

During the rest of First Phase the class would be divided into boat crews and would do everything as a crew. It was unlikely they’d be assigned together since boat crews were grouped by height.

“No, I guess not.”

“Well, I declare you the winner of our impromptu competition.” Shane reached out for a knuckle bump. “You crushed it, Soup.” With a wink, he pushed away from the railing and ran lightly down the stairs toward the parking lot, eagerness in every step.