I tried to figure out what it was exactly. He was not the Brent that I had grown up with, but I had assumed that his independent life away from our parents had changed him, and that was all. Now I was starting to suspect that there was more going on with him than met the eye.
Chapter Seventeen
Phil
“You’re doing well, Phil,” Sarge said to me. “All your performance evaluation reports have been glowingly positive. It’s almost boring.”
I laughed. “I’ll take boring any day, then.”
“All jokes aside, I’m impressed with your commitment, Phil. You are doing a fantastic job.”
“Thanks, Sarge.” I nodded. “I really appreciate you saying that.”
“Can I give you a piece of advice, though?”
“Please do.”
“Invest in other aspects of your life, too,” Sarge replied. “Your personal life being one of them.”
I smiled. “Actually…I have.”
“Oh?”
“Her name is Megan.”
“And, this is the girl whose brother is your friend?”
“That’s the one.” I nodded.
“The friendship wasn’t worth missing the opportunity to date her, huh?”
“Not even a little bit,” I said. “She’s definitely worth losing Brent over—in fact, that might happen either way. But yes, we’re together now.”
“I wondered about that twinkle in your eye.”
The blush on my cheeks shocked me, and I hurried to cover it up with an embarrassed cough. “Is there a twinkle?” I asked, keeping my voice even.
“I think so… There’s new light.”
“This girl is special,” I said. “She brings the light.”
“Sounds like a keeper.”
I laughed nervously. “I’m still nervous to bring her into my world—it’s not a perfect one.”
“Whose is?” he asked. “The point is that she’s your priority.”
“She is.” I nodded. “And she understands about my job.”
“Are you living with her?” Sarge asked.
“Uh…no.”
“Living with her is the only way to know if she’ll truly be able to handle this life.”
“I suppose you’re right,” I nodded. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.