31
Jake
The ground beneath my feet shifted with every step as I hauled ass down the beach, Lady close on my heels. Her endless energy was just what I needed to push me further. I’d been running hard for almost an hour and just had a little farther to go before I reached the crest overlooking the ocean. My chest and legs burned with every step, but the cold morning air felt wonderful, helping me stay alert despite how exhausted I was.
We’d fallen asleep in the blanket fort for a second time last night, even knowing one of us would have to get up to take Harrison to school. It had been worth it though. Harrison had insisted on sleeping next to me this time, and when we woke in the morning to the sound of Rey’s alarm, I found Harrison curled up snugly at my side, sound asleep.
It had been the final wrecking ball to my defenses. I fucking loved the kid, and all I wanted was to be the man he needed, right alongside Reyes.
But I still couldn’t shake the doubt and I knew only one person who could help me do that.
When I reached the top of the crest, I slowed to a stop and stretched my already aching muscles. Lady walked in tired circles around me before lying down on the path, panting hard. Her tongue lolled out, but her mouth was curving up in a human-like smile.
I stared out over the immense expanse of water before me, willing myself to relax. Ever since Beckett had taken me on a run here during my first week in Reedsport, it had become my favorite place to go when I needed to think. To my right was the town, with its picturesque shops and benches lining the main road, and below me was the harbor, with about a hundred boats tied up to the docks. The view of the ocean calmed me, and the feel of mist against my skin rejuvenated me in a way I couldn’t explain.
I sat on the ledge after stretching both legs, completely exhausted. Lady rested her head on my foot, too tired to get up and move any closer.
“Only a couple more days with you, girl,” I said between breaths, giving her a scratch behind the ears. I had to admit I was going to miss having her around.
My phone rang, and I pulled it out, smiling when I saw Mom’s name on the screen.
“Hey, Mom. I was just going to call you.”
“Hey, son,” she said, her voice thick with emotion.
“You okay? You sound like you’re crying.”
It took her a minute to answer. “No, I’m not.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Grant died in a car accident last night.”
Pain in my chest exploded and I sucked in a breath of air. “What?”
“Someone ran a red light and hit him. He was killed instantly,” Mom explained, her voice full of grief.
I bent forward, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Oh, God.”
Grant Nelson had been my dad’s friend since before I was born. He’d met my father when they volunteered for the Special Olympics in college, and according to Dad, it had been the friendship of a lifetime. He’d been the one to encourage Dad to propose when he knew Mom was the one, and he’d been there for her more than anyone after Dad died. He’d even come to see me off when I joined the army. I wasn’t as close to him as either of my parents were, but Grant’s presence was a rock in my life, and I simply couldn’t imagine a world without him.
Lady moved next to me, nudging her nose in my hand, as if sensing my unease. I folded one arm around her, more thankful than ever that she was with me. She all but fell in my lap, licking my skin wherever she could reach.
Mom remained quiet for a long time, letting me process the news. When I finally came to my senses, I asked, “Are you okay?”
“Oh, hon, I’ll be okay. I just wanted you to know. I don’t know when the funeral is, but I’ll let you know as soon as I hear,” she said.
“Yeah. Okay,” I said.
“Reyes is welcome to come too,” she added. “I hope you know that.”
Once again, I couldn’t breathe. Grant’s death had made it far too real for me. I knew when I became a police officer what kind of risk I was taking, but it had never bothered me. I was called to serve and protect the community, and I understood what kind of sacrifice that meant should the worst happen. It was why Mom and I never hung up without saying we loved each other, because we both knew we might not have another chance.
You’re worth it.
I love you, Jake.
Fuck. How could I have been so stupid! It didn’t matter how much distance I tried to keep between us, Reyes would still be hurt if I died on the job or walking across the street. And what’s worse, if I died yesterday, he wouldn’t have ever known how much I loved him. Or Harrison for that matter. Neither of them would have known how important they were to me!
