“Hey yourself.”
“What’s up?” I asked, staving off the inevitable.
“Your mom said you were acting funny last night. She texted and asked me to check on you.”
“Of course she did.”
“What was that about?”
“Oh, nothing. Well, no. Actually, yeah, there is something.” I rubbed my eyes. “Look, I don’t know how else to say this, but…is there any way, any feasible way to get you out to the ball?”
“My gosh. Derrick, we’ve been over this. I can’t go. We’ve got a huge case the week after that—”
“Wait, wait, wait.” I put my hand on my forehead. “You said it was that weekend. Not the one after it.”
“The judge pushed it back. But I still need that weekend to prepare.”
“Then you can come. You just won’t.”
“Derrick.” She let out a long slow breath. “I told you. This is the case that’s going to make my career. And I know the ball is important to you, but—”
“Amy.” My laugh sounded hysterical. “I don’t know how else to tell you this. I need you. I need you here. I need you to marry me. I need you to be my date at a ball. I need you…and you’re never here. Ever. Heck, you don’t even want me to come visit.”
Silence. Then a sob on the other end. I closed my eyes and sat down on the locker room bench. “I know you’re busy. And I know you’re trying to make a career for yourself. And I support you. I always have. But—”
“You couldn’t care less about my career.”
“That’s not true, and you know it. But you can’t keep dodging things, Amy. Sooner or later, we’re going to have to figure things out.”
“We had them figured out. Until you decided you just had to move back.”
And there it was. All my fault again. I might as well be in this relationship with myself.
“I gotta go.” I stood. If I didn’t get some sleep soon, I was going to pass out on the road. “But we’re going to finish this conversation. Soon.”
* * *
I don’t understand, I prayed as I made my way out to my truck, exhaustion temporarily forgotten as frustration built inside me again. It wasn’t like I could just up and move back. I’d offered time and time again to fly her out, and my parents had extended the use of their guest room. She still hadn’t given me a date for the wedding, and the harder I pushed, the farther she seemed to be from picking one. After my conversation at church with Jessie, I really got the feeling a lot of this had to do with Jade. But what could I do with that?
My phone buzzed again as I climbed into the truck. I pulled it out and glanced at the screen. It was from Hernandez.
Dude, I forgot to ask you, is Barnes right? That your girl’s coming to the ball?
I made a face at my phone.She’s just a friend. I’m working on getting my fiancée out still. Why?
I just thought you should know, he texted back.You should probably just buy your girl a frequent flyer card.
I had the sudden urge to throw the phone out the window. Instead, I gritted my teeth and texted back.Why?
Because they’re moving the squadron picnic up. It’s in three weeks instead of six.
Crap. I’d completely forgotten about the squadron picnic.
Taking my keys out of the ignition, I got back out of the truck and slammed the door. Thankfully, Barnes had gotten there early and was already in his office. I knocked on the door frame.
“Sir?”
“Come in.” He looked up from the file he was reading. “Allen. What can I do for you?”
