Finally, p.25
Finally, page 25
Liam nodded. “I love you.”
“I love you. Now, let’s go. I don’t want to be late.”
Liam laughed and let her lead the way outside. He drove to Dex and Taylor’s and parked at the street. His hand was warm and soothing on her lower back as they walked up the driveway and let themselves in. The grill outside was going and everyone was talking and laughing and enjoying the day.
Caitlyn said hello to Taylor and Jessica, Taylor’s assistant. Jessica was becoming a good friend of Caitlyn’s already.
“Where’s Braden?” Caitlyn asked Jessica.
Jessica blushed and widened her eyes with a nod toward Taylor.
“He’ll be here in an hour. He worked last night. I’m trying to talk her into asking him out, but she’s trying to pretend she doesn’t know what I’m talking about,” Taylor said.
Caitlyn snorted. “I think everyone at work knows.”
“Knows what?” another woman asked. She hugged Taylor.
“That Jessica is in love with my stupid brother, and he’s too oblivious to have any idea,” Taylor said. “By the way, Stacey, this is Caitlyn. She just moved here. She’s my new model.”
Stacey smiled at Caitlyn. She was pretty, but there was a sadness in her eyes that broke Caitlyn’s heart. “Nice to meet you.”
“You, too. Are you Taylor’s sister?”
Stacey shook her head. “My husband and Braden are best friends. They grew up together and now work together. Taylor was nice enough to invite us today. I think she’s on a mission.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Taylor said, not at all innocently.
Stacey sighed heavily. “I need a drink.” Taylor handed over her glass. Stacey took a healthy sip of it and forced a smile for Caitlyn. “My husband almost gambled away everything a few months ago. Taylor is trying to get me to give him another chance.”
“Because he’s sorry.”
“He could have gotten us killed.”
“But he didn’t. And he didn’t know it was that bad. Braden said he’s a totally different guy now.”
Stacey snorted. “I’m sure he’s on a tight leash at work. I’m just not sure I can get over it. I’m trying, but…”
“Okay, no more talk about the mistakes men have made. This is a party,” Jessica said. “Come on, Stacey, let’s get a drink.”
Jessica led Stacey away from Taylor and Caitlyn. Taylor watched them go, then turned to Caitlyn. “Ever since Dex and I got together, I want to see everyone I know paired up and happy. It’s like a compulsion. But I know not everyone is ready for something.”
“Your brother?”
Taylor snorted. “God, no. Braden is just dense. He has no idea Jessica likes him. There have been times I think he likes her, but I can’t get a read on him. I meant Stacey and Wray. I’ve known Wray forever, and I adore Stacey. They were happy for a long time, but I’m afraid she’ll never let him back in. I hate that for them.”
Caitlyn nodded. “That’s sad.”
Taylor watched Stacey and Jessica. “It is. Those two women are like sisters to me in a lot of ways. I just want to see them happy.”
“Hopefully they will be one day. Something tells me you’re not going to give up on helping them.”
Taylor laughed. “You already know me too well.”
Everyone ate and drank and talked. Caitlyn was sprawled over English’s lap, his hand running through her hair. She was pink-cheeked and happy.
Just their team was left at the party. Taylor’s employees and other friends had things they needed to get back to, but the team didn’t budge. They slowly circled together until they were all paired off in front of the fire pit. Dex found marshmallows and sticks for s’mores, and they all huddled close as night fell and the temperature dropped.
“What’s your nickname again?” Caitlyn asked Rocky.
“Rocky.”
“Wait, I thought that was your real name.”
Rocky shook his head. “My name is Adrian.”
“Ooh, Rocky’s better. And that’s why your son is Sylvester?” Caitlyn clarified.
Nikki nodded. “I didn’t know his real name. I knew Rocky was a nickname, and I wanted to name him after his dad. I never thought I’d see him again, though.”
“It was fate,” Megan said.
“It was,” Nikki agreed.
“Your nickname is Slade,” Caitlyn continued around the circle.
“Yep.”
“English?” Caitlyn nudged English.
“Yep. I fit the part.”
“Dex? Because you’re so smart?”
Dex chuckled and nodded. “That’s what they tell me.”
“You guys don’t use your nicknames. Pres, Squirrel, and Hulk?” Caitlyn pointed to them.
They all shook their heads.
“You should get new nicknames. Ones you like. Let’s see, you’d be Eagle,” Caitlyn told Dunn.
“Eagle?” he asked.
Caitlyn nodded. “You keep your cool, just overseeing everything. You’re in charge, but you’re also very chill.”
“I like that,” Ashleigh agreed. “He’s even that way with Junior. I don’t have that kind of easygoing attitude about anything.”
“Jack would definitely be Casanova,” Lily said. “He’s flirted with all of us.”
“Oh, yes, that’s perfect,” Pilar agreed. “And I think Archer would be Zeus. Powerful and strong, a fierce protector.”
Lily smiled up at her husband. “That’s perfect for him. What about Jaymes and Mason. You two don’t have nicknames.”
“I’m not really a part of the team,” Jaymes argued.
Everyone around the fire protested.
“You’ve saved all our asses at one time or another,” Dunn said. “You’re one of us. She’s right. You both need nicknames.”
“The Eagle has spoken,” Jack teased.
“And Casanova agreed,” Dunn said back.
The others laughed.
“Do you have a nickname, Mason? From your Team?” Slade asked.
Mason shook his head. “I’m not that man anymore.”
English reached for Caitlyn’s hand and squeezed. He couldn’t imagine what Mason had been through, and after almost losing Caitlyn, he understood even more how painful it had to have been.
“Jaymes should be Snake. Because he’s sneaky and crafty, but only strikes when he has no other choice,” Kyra said quietly.
“That’s good. So true. Pretty badass, too,” Kayleigh agreed.
Jaymes leaned over and kissed Kayleigh. They whispered something no one else could hear and kissed again.
“I think Mason should be Stay-Puft because he’s big and bad but soft in the middle,” Kayleigh said.
Mason shook his head at her. “Please don’t help them.”
“Maybe S’mores,” Jack teased.
“Or Teddy Bear,” Archer said.
“Twinkie,” Rocky added. “Mushy in the middle.”
All of them laughed, including Mason. He shook his head and looked down at Megan. “I don’t care what you call me. She’s the only one whose words matter.”
“Megan, give us a name for Mason,” Slade said to his sister.
“Padre. That’s who he is. To both of us,” Megan said, staring at Mason.
Mason kissed her softly and nodded.
“Maybe that should be abuelo since he’s so old,” Jack teased. Pilar slapped his shoulder.
Mason shot him a dirty look softened with a grin. “I’m not that much older than you.”
“Yeah, but you are older,” Jack replied.
“It’s decided,” Dunn said. “But no matter what we call each other, the most important thing is that we’re family.”
The others around the fire nodded. Family.
Thank you for reading English and Caitlyn’s story! This story is purely fiction but was inspired by an actual church in Vermont that sits on the Canadian border. How cool is that? English was always one of my favorites, and it was hard to wait for someone who deserved him, but Caitlyn was worth the wait!
Sadly, this was the last book in F-BOMB: SEALs Love Curves. I hate to say goodbye to these characters, but it’s not goodbye forever. Remember Stacey and Wray? And Jessica and Braden? How about Adam, Lorelei, and even Captain Patrick. They are all getting stories in the new F-BOMB: Curvy Vigilantes series!
Stacey thought Wray was her forever. He picked her, but he lied and he stole and he broke her. There would never be anyone else for her, but without trust, what did they have? Wray won’t give up on them so easily, especially when he learns someone is threatening their family. FURY is coming March 11!
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About the Author
USA TODAY Bestselling Author Mary E. Thompson spent most of her childhood wishing she had a few less curves. She hid between the pages of books because her favorite characters never cared what size her clothes were. Now, neither does Mary, and she writes stories about women like her. Real women who have curves, chase dreams, and find love, because we should all be happy, no matter what size we are.
When Mary’s not reading or crafting stories, she’s playing with her two kids or living out her own real life romance with her amazing, curve-loving hubby. She has a weakness for chocolate and will fight you for the last peanut butter cup. Unless you trade her for a glass of wine. Then everyone can be friends.
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Mary E Thompson, Finally
