Reece and I both race up the stairs to the media room and he hits the one and only computer first. Sure I could check on my phone but if I made it, I want to see it in big letters.
“Fuck, man.” I groan, shoving him in the back. “Hurry up.”
He finds the Yahoo website and enters his info. I pace behind him, waiting to hear if he made Lieutenant or not but hear nothing. After a minute I look to find his head down on the desk.
Fuck.
“I didn’t make it.” He mumbles. “Fuck. I really needed this.”
I put my hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Reece. I was pulling for you.”
He clicks out of the internet and stands up, allowing me to take his spot. I’m not sure I want to look at this now that I found out Reece didn’t make the cut. What if I failed too? What if I passed? That would be bad.
I rip the Band-aid off and log in finding the email waiting for me.
It’s worse. Not only did I make it, but a second email states they have an opening for me – here at our station.
“What’s it say?” Reece asks from behind me.
I don’t want to tell him. We’ve gone through and done everything together. College. Training. Finding a job. I knew making Lieutenant might mean we would be separated but I didn’t think only one of us would pass. I take a deep breath knowing that if it was the other way around, I would be happy for him. Right?
“I made Lieutenant,” I tell him in a monotone voice and swallow before I finish. “They have a spot for me here.”
Reece picks up a chair and shoves it across the floor. “Are you fucking kidding me? You’re joking right?”
Offended, I stand up. “I understand you’re upset about not getting a spot but you seem more upset that I got one.”
He shoves me. “I am! Just like I told you, Casen. You always get everything. I’m so fucking sick of it.”
What the fuck? Where the hell did this come from? I thought we hashed it all out.
“Fuck you, Reece.” I shove him back.
He launches at me, and we crash to the floor. I hit the leg of the desk and a shooting pain strikes my head. I push on his chest but he doesn’t move.
“Don’t you get tired of everything being handed to you, Casen?” he yells, punching me in the jaw.
I brace both feet onto the ground, pushing Reece up, and he falls off me. I stand and look down at him. He looks pitiful. “Never fucking touch me again, Reece. Do you fucking hear me? Everything I have I worked for.” I point a finger at him. “I’ve supported you through everything. I forgave you for what you did to Embyr. This is how you react when I get a promotion. You’re supposed to be my best friend.”
“What the fuck is going on in here?” Captain yells, stopping short when he sees me. “You’re forehead is busted open, Parker.”
My fingers brush my temple and bring back blood. “Fuck.”
Cap points at Reece. “He do that?”
Reece rises to his feet, seemingly ready to accept whatever is about to happen to him.
I shake my head no. “I fell.”
Captain looks disappointed. “Head to the ER. You probably need stitches. I’ll call someone in. Want me to write a report?”
I glance over at Reece. His hands are on his hips, and his head has fallen to his chest. Coward won’t even look at me. “No, not necessary. I’ll keep you posted.”
I’m almost to the door when Captain calls me back. “Congrats.”
I nod in thanks. Reece is looking up now but he still has murder in his eyes.
Three stitches. Three stitches were all I needed, and I was ready to go back to the station but someone had already been brought in. Luckily, when I called Embyr and told her I was headed to the emergency room she took the rest of the day off and met me there. Sexiest fucking nurse ever. She picked up some ice cream and beer on the way back to my place and ordered a pizza. She won’t let me lift a finger.
