Ryan Evans, his best friend and former roommate, had already climbed the net and was nearly off the frame, prompting Matt to pick up speed. When his feet finally collided with the hard ground, he let out a breath and grinned, knowing without being told that he and the guys had done the course in record speed. Today’s exercise was meant to show the new trainees that finishing the course with a decent time wasn’t something that would happen overnight. Apparently a cocky recruit had passed out from exhaustion yesterday trying to conquer the course, after being ordered to call it a day. The commander had asked Matt and some of the other members of SEAL Team Fifteen to put on a little demo for the newbies this morning, show them what they could look forward to after they completed the training.

The small group of young men broke out in polite applause when the demo ended, but Matt could see several faces gleaming with determination. Those were the ones who’d end up making it through the program. He’d worn that same expression on his face when he first joined up. The others…well, most of them would burn out, or quit long before their training ended.

“You were slacking,” Ryan said as he tossed him a bottle of water.

Matt unscrewed the cap, took a couple of swigs, then poured water on his face and neck. “Yeah, I know. Sorry, man. I was a bit distracted.”

“Nice time,” another voice remarked.

Matt turned and greeted his buddy Aidan Rhodes with a grin. “Hey, man, didn’t realize you were allowed to leave the desk.”

“Hey, I might have a desk job now, but I can still kick your ass on that course,” Aidan shot back. “I had the best time in my class.”

The two men shook hands as Aidan said, “Want to a hit a club this weekend?”

Matt hesitated. “Not sure yet. I might have plans. But I’ll shoot you a text and let you know at the end of the week.”

“Cool.” Aidan ran a hand through his close-cropped brown hair. “I should head in. Keep in touch, bro.”

As Aidan strode off, Carson Scott and John Garrett approached, using towels to wipe the sweat from their faces. “Beers?” Carson suggested.

Matt grinned. “It’s eleven thirty in the morning.”

“Shit, you’re right. Better make that coffees then.”

The four of them wound up leaving the base and driving over to Shelby Garrett’s bakery, which also doubled as a coffee shop. They planted their asses on the chairs out on Shelby’s small patio, while the part-timer, Amy, brought over some coffees.

“Shel’s not working today?” Matt said, watching as the young employee headed back inside.

Garrett shook his head. “Penny’s colicky. Little bugger kept us up all night, so I encouraged Shel to stay home and relax.”

Matt smiled at the mention of Garrett’s six-month-old daughter. The squirt was pretty damn adorable, with her father’s dark hair and mother’s sparkling blue eyes. All the guys on the team had instantly fallen in love with the kid, though Will Charleston’s new baby, Lucas, was pretty freaking cute too. It seemed like everyone around him was popping out babies. Jane, the wife of their lieutenant Thomas Becker, was due to deliver next month, and he’d even overheard Carson’s wife, Holly, mention to Annabelle that she wanted to try for a baby soon.

“Tell them the other news,” Carson spoke up, sounding edgy.

Matt and Ryan eyed Garrett uneasily. “What other news?” Ryan asked.

After taking a long sip of his coffee, Garrett set down the mug and said, “I’m going off active duty next month.”

Silence.

It took a few seconds for the words to register in Matt’s head, and when he realized he’d indeed heard them right, he shook his head in shock. “You’re off the team?”

Garrett nodded. “I took a position with a security firm in San Diego. I’ll still be in the reserves, but no more missions for me.”

Ryan looked flabbergasted. “Why the hell not?”

“Because I’ve got a wife and kid to worry about now. Look, boys, I’ve done a hell of a lot to serve my country. Now it’s time to focus on my family.”

The second silence that followed dragged on for longer. Matt couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He’d figured John Garrett would be career navy. Guy had enlisted at the age of eighteen, went to officer school, worked to make it to junior grade lieutenant. And now he was getting out?

“It’s time,” Garrett repeated, his voice quiet.

Matt was the first to snap out of his surprised trance. “Are you sure about this, man?”

“Oh yeah. Trust me, when you get married, you’ll understand. My two girls come first now.”

Carson suddenly smirked. “Oh, I think Matt understands. Rumor has it he’s found the woman of his dreams.”

Matt’s eyebrows shot up. “Where the hell did you hear that?”

“Holly and Annabelle were gossiping about it yesterday.” Carson wiggled his eyebrows. “According to Annabelle, you’re in love with a woman named Georgia who has really nice tits.”

“First, her name is Savannah,” Matt said coldly, “and second, her tits are none of your business.”

Both Carson and Ryan hooted, while Garrett’s mouth lifted in a wry smile.

“Shit, it’s actually true,” Ryan said gleefully. “I figured Annie was exaggerating when she mentioned it, but that possessive look on your face…fuck, you really are into this girl.”