Page 47 of See Through

“What is it trying to say?” Cooper wonders, and Dean and I shrug. We don’t know either. It’s too garbled to make anything out, but I swear, it didn’t sound like that before.

“We don’t know.”

“We could try to isolate both voices, but I don’t think it would be of use,” Dean says.

“So that’s it? Some of this is going to be left as is? Doesn’t that drive you both crazy?”

“It does,” I tell Cooper the truth. “It actually drives me insane, if I can be quite honest, but I’ve learned to live with it.”

“How?”

“It’s life, Cooper. Life is full of unknowns and things that will drive you insane if you ruminate too much, like I did. I got us into that mess at my house because I couldn’t bear to deal with the fact that my brother died in a way that felt suspicious. It was the unknown of that entire thing that freaked me out the most. I didn’t know why he had died, and I couldn’t bear to live with it. It gnawed at me every single day, but this investigation taught me life is full of unknowns you might never have the answer to. Sometimes, things just can’t be explained in a way that makes sense, and there’s no reason for that. It simply just doesn't make sense, and that is an answer in and of itself. Sometimes, the only answer is that there isn't one, and you have to live with that so it doesn’t drive you into someone you don’t recognize.”

Cooper nods, and I feel Maven’s hand caress my back as Dean shuts his computer.

“There may be times when life doesn’t give you the answers you’re hoping for, but I’ve learned recently that even with the unknowns and the dirt life is constantly throwing at you,” I look at Dean and the people sitting around this table with me, “there are also flowers and grass that grow inside of it. Altogether, it’s a beautiful garden. I’d rather focus on the flowers than the dirt.”

“Me too,” Dean agrees.

“Does that mean you’re done investigating?” Maven wonders, her hand still caressing my back.

“For a while.” I smile, loving the idea of something new popping up in my future. I already have a few ideas about what I want to venture into next for my channel. “But it’s not forever. I’m sure one day, we’ll get back to it.”

“Just not any time soon,” Dean tells them. “Do you guys want to stay for dinner?”

“Uh, I’d love to.” Maven grabs her purse. “But I have plans already. I’ll see you tomorrow, Aubs?”

“Mhm.” I throw my arms around her. “I love you. Thank you for everything.”

“Anything for you, Aubs.” She pulls away from me. “I’ll see you guys.”

“Sounds good.” Dean waves her off. “What about you?”

Cooper runs a hand through his hair. “I’ve got standing dinner plans already. Sorry, dude, but you bet I’ll be back to bugging you at work this weekend. Wear those adorable blue scrubs I love.”

“Just for you, I will,” Dean jokes back with him. “See you.”

“Always a pleasure, Aubrey.” Cooper hugs me before he also leaves.

“Did that seem weird to you?” I say as I slide between Dean’s legs. He may be sitting on of his barstools, but he’s still the same height as when I’m standing in front of him.

“A little bit, but I’m more worried about my beautiful girlfriend. Are you doing okay?”

“I’m okay.” I wrap my arms around his neck. “Better now.”

“Me too.” He presses a kiss to my lips, his arms wrapping around my body as he pulls me in closer. “I’m always better when you’re around.”

“I can’t keep thinking about what happened. I need a distraction. I-I need⁠—”

“I know what you need, baby.” He grabs me and lays me on the loveseat. “Let me take care of you.”

“Your bed is about fifty feet that way.” I point toward his bedroom.

“Too far.” He pulls down my pants and underwear in one fell swoop, his tongue on me in seconds. “It’s rude to make a starved man wait.”

“O-Okay,” I pant, already flushed and panting, before I feel two fingers slip in. I don’t know what it is about this man, but I never thought I would see the side of him that devours me with a simple look. “Dean⁠—”

“I know, baby. Just feel my fingers,” he whispers as he curls them, hitting a deeper spot than before.