1102 Sugar Rd. (Cherry Falls)

Twelve

Graham

“Son of a bitch,” I grumble with sleep still clogging my throat. My phone ringing on the nightstand is low, but that doesn’t mean it won’t wake up the house if I let it keep going off. Faith and I have a routine—when Logan goes to bed, I stick around in the living room until we know for sure he’s sound asleep, then we get ready for bed. I keep spare clothes in my truck, wake up before Logan does, get ready and pretend that I’m just coming in as he wakes up. I did have to go home one night, take care of things around the house, pay some bills, and do laundry. That night was spent with both of us on the phone, Faith in bed, fingers playing with herself and me using my fist to her soft moans.

“What’s wrong?” Faith murmurs as I’m reaching for my phone.

“Work, I’m assuming,” I tell her honestly. I may have taken vacation days, but I’m still called in when it’s a necessity.

“Hello,” I answer the phone. Dispatch is on the other end of the line. All units are needed for backup at the gas station robbery. I’m flying out of bed, throwing on my clothes, stepping into my boots while she relays all the information and then ending the call.

“Gotta go. Stay home if you can today. There’s a robbery going on at the gas station, and I’d feel better if you and Logan didn’t venture out.” By the time I’m ready to go, Faith has the bedroom light on and she’s dressed in a robe and standing in the bedroom doorway with a cup of coffee ready to go.

“Alright, be safe, check in when you can.” I stop in my tracks, never thinking she’d be okay with this, not when my job had her hackles rising not long ago.

“Will do. Tell Logan I’m at work, but we’ll go out for ice cream when I’m back?” I ask her, my hand cupping her cheek, my other grabbing the travel mug.

“I will. Come back to me, Graham.” Emotion chokes Faith up.

“Always. You and Logan are my purpose.” I watch as her eyes close, then blink rapidly, and that’s when I know I’ll do whatever I need to come back to them.

“Okay.” Watery eyes open. I swallow to hold down the words that are ready to come out of my mouth.

“Soon, alright?” I dip down so she’s not staring up, and I kiss her, wanting some part of her with me while I’m gone.

“Yeah,” she breathes against my lips before we pull apart. “I’ll walk you out. I’m probably up for the day, anyway.” It’s then I look at the time. It’s going on five o’clock in the morning, and know I need to be on my way.

“Lock up. The chain, too. I’ll call you if it’s a fast call and I’m ready to be back home.” She nods, then she does as she said, walking me to the door, watching me load up in my Tahoe, and not closing it until I’m backing out of the driveway. I turn off all thoughts of the two people who are my family. I need to get into the mindset of work after having a week off. It’s not that I don’t want to think about them, it’s just that if I don’t have a clear mind, mistakes could happen. And there’s no way I’m not coming back to Faith and Logan.

Thirteen

Faith

“Love isn’t easy, Wren, you know that?” I’m telling my best friend on the other end of the line. Well, honestly, I have two. Lily is my other one. This time, I needed Wren because it wasn’t long ago I told her not to dive into a relationship regarding love. Now look where I am, unbelievably in love, like knock-you-on-your-ass amazing. It makes me glad she didn’t listen to me when I told her to be careful with Caleb.

“Don’t I know it. What’s wrong in the Graham department? I thought it was all hearts and fairies?” It’s been hours since Graham was dispatched for backup. I paced the floors, made Logan a massive breakfast, drank four cups of coffee, turned the news on, then turned it off when it was the same thing over and over again about a hostage situation with the gas station attendant and the robber.

“It is, except for, you know, the job issue. It’s killing me inside knowing that each time he gets called out, it could be the last time I ever see him.” Logan is luckily playing with his Legos. I don’t even care that he has them spread out all over the house, lined up through the hallways, some of his buildings in the living room. As long as it keeps him entertained and us inside like Graham asked, everything is fine.