Being that we are the primary office for all first responders, firefighters, and police officers in Milwaukee, this is a normal occurrence for me, which typically ends with me dialing Cole on lunch to check in.
“Hey, Liv,” he says, out of breath when he finally answers on the fourth ring.
“Hey, sorry, good time?” I ask, instantly regretting bugging him during the day.
“Always a good time for the baby sis,” he responds, and my frown turns into a small smile.
“I don’t have a lot of time, it’s lunch, but I just wanted to check in and make sure everyone is okay?” I ask hesitantly.
Something crashes behind him, followed by laughter and another bang. I instantly freeze. I know that laugh.Noah. Why is Cole hanging out with Noah in the middle of the day? They haven’t been friends in years. He must be at the station with the guys, screwing around per usual. I roll my eyes listening to Cole yell “hey” at the guys followed by a soft chuckle.
“Yeah, Liv, everyone is fine. Why?” he asks suspiciously.
“EMS patient, sorry to bother you. Bye,” I say, feeling like the annoying little sister who wants to be included in everything.
“Wait,” he says with a sigh. We've had this conversation at least fifteen times before and he knows that treating injured emergency personnel always worries me. I don’t hang up but also don’t say anything in response. I hear a door close and know he’s walked into the office for some privacy.
“Liv, I know treating emergency personnel can be hard for you and that you immediately think of me but, I promise you we are good and safe,” he says reassuringly.
We? Who are “we”? And why does he think I'm concerned about anyone else?
“Thanks, Cole. I just needed to check-in. This was a rough one. Hey, I gotta get back to the office, talk soon.”
“Love ya, Liv,” he says before hanging up.
I feel a combination of stupid and annoying, but also a sense of relief. Fisher Creek is an extremely small town, where not a lot of big emergencies happen, but accidents still happen. Thunderstorms still knock down trees. Teenagers still make stupid decisions. Emergencies happen. I can’t help but worry now and again.
Later that night, is the first time I consider calling Noah. After a long day, a night bath and a glass of wine, I'm now laying in bed staring at Noah's contact. My inner monologue weighs the pros and cons of calling him for at least thirty minutes before I decide against it.
Thinking about Noah is all-consuming, I’m not sleeping, I’m barely surviving work, and I don’t want to do anything. Remembering the nights we’ve shared, the kisses, and the magnetism between us is affecting all aspects of my life.
Caroline and I are fighting more often and I know it's because I'm being a colossal bitch. I'm grumpy and I don’t want to go out to the bars and I definitely don’t want to go on double dates. I just really haven’t been myself. I make a promise to myself to be better for my friends because I know they have been the best to me.
Waking up after yet another night with almost no sleep, I have a headache, my eyes feel heavy, and I'm in dire need of caffeine before attempting to get my day together. It’s Saturday and I want to go for a run this morning to try to clear my head and get out of this funk before Caroline and I head to the bookstore. Then later this evening we are meeting Mason and Savannah for drinks.
Throwing on whatever comfy sweats I can find with my sports bra, I put my hair into the messiest bun and look for my big glasses before stumbling into the kitchen for some coffee.
Standing in the kitchen, I notice a note from Caroline on the counter that reads.
Got called into the studio for an emergent story this morning.
Bookstore tomorrow?
I'm not surprised, but a little disappointed, because today’s supposed to be the day everything goes back to normal for us. Caroline has been my best friend and rock for the last nine years. Our friendship is so important to me and I want to make sure I nurture our friendship the way it deserves. I also understand that Caroline has been picking up as many extra shifts as possible after breaking up with Ben over the holidays.
She says it was just one of those things where things were good, but not great. She was happy, but felt like they weren’t constantly having fun. That he couldn’t be her best friend and would settle for where they were in life instead of pushing her to be the best.
I startle at the knock on the door because I’m not expecting anyone. Caroline’s at work and Mason and Savannah are traveling home from Chicago today, not expected to be back until later this afternoon, and none of them would knock.
The knocking continues as I'm too busy thinking to even move to see who it is. I have watched too many crime shows and read too many thrillers to just open the door empty-handed. Grabbing the biggest knife from the block and hiding it behind my back, I walk over to the front door.
At this point, I'm standing on the other side of the door when whoever is there knocks again, this time a little more firm and aggressive.
“Cole?” I say, looking through the peephole. I quickly unlock the door and open it. “What the heck are you doing here?” I ask as Cole pushes through the front door.
“We missed ya and wanted to go out in the city,” he says slyly.
“We?” I question.
