A SEAL at Heart by Anne Elizabeth Read Free Book Online Page B

take a lot of fancy acting.
    Was the “I fucked up” special still available at the North Island flower shop? It was colorful and supposedly worth the $99. Maybe he needed to go for the “don’t divorce me” bouquet, which had three dozen long-stem roses, two red birds of paradise, and the large box of Godiva chocolates. Was it worth $200? A couple of the Team guys swore by it.
    Abruptly, the Naval Air Station North Island NAS came into view. Had he run that far and fast?
    As he neared the guardhouse, a strange tightness started to climb his skull with sharp icy pain biting stabs to the back of his head. It hovered over the spot where his wound was. Supposedly, the head fracture was mostly healed, but of late, the pain had gotten sharper and somewhat more intense. What the hell do these docs know?
    Jogging in place, he rubbed gently over the spot. Pain washed away his mental gymnastics; a deeper jab—into his brain—forced him to stop.
    Fuuuuuuuuck! It’s like an ice pick!
    A familiar voice made his head turn so fast, it felt like whiplash.
    “You look like hell, my man.” His swim buddy, Don, stood wavering in front of him. His BDU—battle dress uniform—was pristine; not a speck of dirt or blood was on the black cloth, and even his hair was slicked in place. There was an air of calm as if he’d just arrived at work and all was right with the world.
    “You’re not really here.” Saying the words aloud made Jack feel better. His heart was racing and he consciously calmed his breathing. Training had taught him he could control practically every bodily function. Though in truth, he did feel slightly sick to his stomach. Oddly enough, at the same time, he was wishing with all his might that his swim buddy were really standing there.
    “Nah, man. I’m here. Well, sort of…” Don said, still grinning. “I only seem to have a front. I can’t turn around. Though, I guess it’s okay. It’s not like I’m going to do the hokeypokey or anything.” His smile melted away. “Jack, how’s my angel—my little girl—doing? I can see her, but I miss holding her in my arms. When can you visit, hug her for me?”
    “I, uh, don’t know.” Jack was embarrassed that he hadn’t seen Sheila or their daughter, but what could he say as an excuse? Nothing! His emotions berated him. “Man, I have to ask you, what happened?”
    Imaginary Don shrugged. “It’s my turn to say ‘I don’t know.’ What’s the last thing you remember?”
    Looking down at the sand, Jack studied his shoes and allowed what he knew to come easily to him. The sensory data was crystal clear. “I can see my feet hitting the ground. Everyone was accounted for and had gone into formation, following the plan. Above us, bats were flying and the wind was picking up. Clouds blocked the light coming from the moon and stars. No one was around, but for some reason, I had an ache in my spine, which usually means there is something going on. I turned to look at you, and then… then… nothing.”
    “You’ve got to do better than that, my friend. Much better!” Don’s image wavered. “I can’t hang on. Time—for now—to split. Hang loose, bro.”
    “Hanging loose,” Jack repeated, per their habitual parting.
    The pain in the back of Jack’s head squeezed tight. The ice pick drove its way even further in. He closed his eyes to block out the swirling images and he held the palms of his hands against his eyes until it subsided.
    When he opened them again… he was alone.
    Seagulls dove down in front of him, landing on the sand. Screech! Screech!
    I’m fucking going insane. He put his feet back in motion. Pushing through the pain and the dizziness, he forced himself to run back to the Amphib Base. He set a brutal pace for himself, and sweat poured off his body in rivulets.
    By the time he reached the base, his heart was thudding a harsh cadence and the back of his head was slamming with pain. Slowing his pace to a light jog, he calmed his heart