Page 29 of Taking a King
I smile and shake my head. “You’re probably right on that one,” I say. “There’s always another jarhead to take my place.”
He shrugs. “Well, if you change your mind,” he says. “You know where I’ll be.”
“I’ll keep it in mind,” I say.
He studies me for a moment before speaking again. “Do you want to stay in for 20?”
I know exactly what he’s asking me. After twenty years of service in the military, I’ll be eligible to retire. I’d keep many of the benefits as well as receive a paycheck for the rest of my life. It’s not something I thought about when I joined the Marines at 19 years old. At the time, I’d just wanted a steady paycheck and a roof over my head. Maybe a way to pay for college that didn’t involve a mountain of loans. Now, though? It’s been nearly 10 years and I know I need to decide what my future will look like. It had been simpler before Claire. But now I can’t seem to consider my future without wondering how it will affect her. Which is ridiculous. Isn’t it? We haven’t talked about the future or even defined our relationship yet.
I open my mouth to answer, but Ronan’s phone rings again, saving me. He glares at the device before answering.
“King here,” he says in a professional tone. He walks away to have his conversation in private just as Van and Wyatt appear at the table.
Wyatt nods in Ronan’s direction. “Work?”
I nod. “Yeah. Second call in 15 minutes.”
Wyatt sighs. “Figures. He’s been crazy busy lately.”
Van shakes his head. “They need to get some help before Quinn has that baby. You know Ronan will want to take time off with her.”
“Well, yeah,” Wyatt says. “Wouldn’t you?”
Van laughs. “Unlike the rest of you guys, I don’t have to worry about that. I’m still blissfully single with no babies on my brain.”
Wyatt gives him a playful shove. “Just you wait. Your time will come.”
“Not anytime soon,” Van says, shaking his head.
Van and Wyatt tease each other for a few minutes while we wait for Ronan to finish his call. I think about his offer of a job. Had he been serious? Would he really want me to work with him? Is that something I’d like? I haven’t given much thought to life outside of the military. It hadn’t been a concern before. But now, I’m starting to wonder what I might do if I don’t decide to reenlist.
“Okay,” Ronan says, breaking into my thoughts. “Let’s do this.”
The next half hour is filled with bachelor party discussion. The brothers talk about Finn and his likes and dislikes. I ask questions to try and find out more about what he might enjoy. He’s the oldest of the family and the one who had to step up after their parents died. For that reason, he’s never really had the chance to let loose as an adult. Wyatt wants to have a wild night that Finn will never forget while Ronan opts for something tamer. Van seems content to listen and add to his brothers’ ideas. Clearly, I don’t know Finn as well as his brothers know him, but I decide to offer an outsider’s perspective.
“What about a speakeasy?” I say, speaking for the first time in several minutes.
Everyone turns their attention to me, waiting for me to elaborate.
“I have a buddy who said he went to one in Wilmington last year,” I say. “He said it was a blast. They’re all secretive and by invitation only. You have to know someone to get an invite. You text the number and they send you an address. It sounded like fun.”
Wyatt shrugs. “Could be fun. Can you get us an invite?”
I grin. “I might. Listen, it’s low-key, nothing too wild, but still a good time. Do you think Finn would like it?”
Ronan looks thoughtful. “It sounds like it’s right up his alley,” he says. “He loves that kind of thing. Especially if it doesn’t involve wild clubs or exotic dancers.”
“That’s what the party bus is for,” I deadpan.
Ronan shoots me a glare. “No exotic dancers.”
I laugh. “Fine, fine. But you did ask me to help you plan it.”
He rolls his eyes heavenward. “I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?”
I shrug and shoot him a grin. “Guess we’ll find out.”
Chapter Fifteen