“Thank you for sharing this with me.” I carefully steadied mybreath. “I’m surprised you told me, but I’m glad.” What the hell was going on? I could feel myself starting to shut down again, but I wouldn’t let him see that. I couldn’t burden him with my emotions any longer, especially not now.
“There’s a reason I told you.” He said, his voice was low and tense, and I realized Liam’s eyes were locked on the rearview mirror.
I froze. “What is it?”
“Don’t look.” He said, pulling out onto the road. “Someone’s been following us.”
“Liam, what the hell is going on?” I breathed shakily.
“Everything’s going to be fine.” He said, “I’m going to make sure you’re safe. I promise.”
CHAPTER 42
The Rookie
CARTER
Tatum dropped his loaded barbell to the ground with a thud. “Someone’s in a good mood today.”
“Fuck yeah, I am,” I grunted, watching the sweat trickle down my brow in the gym mirror as I dropped into another repetition. “I nearly cleared my PR.” The feel of a good workout had always been meditative for me, but I was especially grateful my body was mostly back to normal and I was feeling stronger than ever. “It’s just a matter of time.” I added more to myself, forcing that sliver of doubt out of my mind.
“Obviously.” Tatum agreed, chugging from his water bottle.
“Oh,” I added nonchalantly, though I was anything but, “And the love of my life is flying in this weekend.”On the private jet I’d bought just for her,but I didn’t mention that little detail to Tatum.
“Ah, there it is.” He shot me a mischievous look. “I’m actually surprised you’re going so hard today.”
I could sense an incoming jab, but I humored him anyway. “Why’s that?” I huffed, dipping into my next repetition.
Tatum grinned wide and made a vulgar gesture, lifting his spread fingers to his tongue. “You’re going to wear yourself out beforeshe does.”
I choked on my laughter, nearly throwing my back out as I quickly racked the bar, bracing against my shaky legs to catch my breath. Dirty motherfucker. But it was true. Sara wanted to go at mock speeds—I smiled, having never considered it quite like that before.
“Good luck with that, Casanova.” Tatum snickered, “Don’t go too hard, or next week is going to be a bitch.” He considered for a moment, his expression turning more sobering. “Or maybe in that case… do. Last hurrahs and all.”
I grimaced. This would be the last time I’d see Sara before I deployed. While it was good to be back to work as usual, the thought of being away from her for so long made my chest ache in a way I didn’t know it could.
“I can’t help it. I have zero willpower when it comes to her.” I panted, lifting the bar again, fingers flexing over the grooved metal grips.
“That’s how I knew Jillian wasthe one.” Tatum said, heading for the locker rooms.
The one.
I didn’t even bother shooting back a clever remark because I think a part of me knew the truth of that statement. A part of me had alwaysknownI felt that way about Sara. I just hadn’t allowed myself toadmit it. As hard as I’d tried to stay away from her, I just couldn’t do it anymore.
I dipped low and dug into my heels as I forced myself to rise and then do it all over again. Sara was consuming me, dragging me into her orbit like gravity itself.
Selfishly, I didn’t want to fight it anymore.
She occupied my mind, day and night. The sound of her laugh, the dimple on her left cheek when she was being snarky. The feeling of her curls tangled around my fist while I kissed her. The whiny, frustrated sounds she made when I whispered very, very dirty things into her ear, even over the phone.
I wanted to give her the moon on a string. Wanted to give her everything money could buy, and anything it couldn’t. I tried notto get ahead of myself, but she was going to be here this weekend, and when I got my hands on her.
I was so whipped.
“I’m happy for you, Casanova. You deserve it.” Tatum chuckled over his shoulder. “You finally grew a pair.”
“You should try it sometime.” I shot back, hating that he might be the tiniest bit right.
