A Lover's Lament

Shit. There for a second, I completely forgot about the explosion. “I don’t even know what happened that day. Why didn’t you call? Why couldn’t you at least email me to let me know that you were okay?”

Devin groans, and I picture him dropping his head back and running a hand through his hair like he did when we were kids. “Trust me, I would have, but those damn mortar rounds took out our communications center and it took days to get it up and running again.”

I didn’t even think of that. “That’s not at all what was running through my head,” I say, a shiver racing down my spine.

“I don’t want to know what was running through your head.”

“Hell no, you don’t.” My head falls back against the cabinet as relief sinks in, seeping its way through my body.

“I’m sorry, Katie.”

I’m not sure what he’s apologizing for, but the way his words come out makes it sound like everything. “You’re forgiven.” A smile spreads across my face because, in my heart, I know that he really is forgiven … for everything. Before, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be able to forgive Devin for the way he walked away from me, but that seems so insignificant right now compared to everything else that has happened. “No more apologies, okay? From now on, you and me, we keep moving forward.”

“I like the sound of that,” he says with a hint of playfulness in his voice. Heat radiates through my chest, and I reach for the spot that’s been aching the past several days, only to fin

d it gone.

The phone line gets scratchy and I hear several other voices before Devin speaks again. “Katie, I hate to do this, but I’ve gotta go. We’re getting ready to leave, but I promise that I’ll call you as soon as I can.”

“You promise? No matter what time, you promise you’ll call?”

“I promise,” he says, laughing.

“Good. Because if I don’t hear from you soon, you’re in serious trouble.”

“I find that incredibly intriguing, Miss Devora. What would be my form of punishment?” he says suggestively.

“Hah!” I bark out, a huge grin splitting my face. “Of course you would turn that into something dirty.”

“You didn’t answer my question. What’s my form of—?”

“Goodbye, Devin.” I sigh, feeling like the weight of the world has been lifted from my shoulders.

“Bye, Katie.”

“If It Means a Lot to You”—A Day To Remember

I’M SHEDDING MY EQUIPMENT BESIDE my cot, just after mission, when Tavares bursts through the entrance of our tent, his frantic movements catching our attention. His eyes lock on mine and when I see the look of pity on his face, my blood runs cold. I know he’s here for me… but why?

In three long strides, he’s standing before me. His mouth opens and closes several times as though he has something to say, but he just doesn’t know how to get it out.

“What’s up, man?” I ask, dropping my body armor to the ground and unbuttoning my uniform top.

He remains silent and looks over to Navas, who is holding a Hot Rod magazine but has his eyes locked on Tavares, waiting for him to speak as well.

“Dude, Tavares, what the fuck is up?”

“We need you over at HQ …” His eyes flit around my face and his voice trails off. I can tell he wants to say more, but can’t.

Now I’m annoyed.

“Who is we, Tavares?” I ask, trying to keep my voice as calm as possible.

“Captain Kendricks,” he says before turning on his heel.

“No,” I snap. He looks over his shoulder, and the determination must be written all over my face because he spins around to face me. “Tell me what’s up.”

“I’m not really sure. Kendricks didn’t mention anything.” I don’t believe him, but I won’t try and press him for more. I’ve known Tavares long enough to understand he says what he wants to and nothing more. If there is one thing in this life I’ve mastered, it’s the ability to read people.