CHAPTERNINETEEN
Danny
Two Weeks Later
It’s official,I fucking miss her. The last few weeks have kept us out of each other’s lives. Laying in my bunk at the firehouse, I’m hit with an ache in my gut I’ve never had. Looking through the pictures we’ve taken of each other on my phone clogs my throat with unexpected emotion.
This is deeper than I ever intended for it to be. I want to see her smile, hear her voice, feel the warmth of her body next to mine.
D: I need to see you.
H: I need to see you too. When do you think we can make it happen?
D: I get off-shift in the morning. Do you wanna have lunch?
H: After church? That’s serious stuff.
D: I’m serious with how much I want to see you right now. Feels like it’s been years.
H: Now you’re just being dramatic.
D: Am I though?
H: No, I’m this side of being dramatic too. It’s been way too long.
D: So lunch?
H: Yeah, definitely lunch. Wanna go outside of Bradford? That way we don’t have to worry about anyone seeing us?
It’s uncomfortable and I know it’s my own issue, but maybe she doesn’t want to be seen with me for other reasons than her dad. I mean - my grandparents don’t even want to acknowledge me - why would she? I take those thoughts and shove them into a trunk then turn the lock on that fucker. That shit has no place here. Not in this relationship.
D: Wanna hit Red Creek?
H: Sounds good. I haven’t been there since I was a teenager.
D: Here I am, making you do all the things you haven’t done since you were young and carefree.
H: Screw you, I’m still young and carefree.
D: LOL!
H: See you then, Rookie.
D: Rookie?
H: Isn’t that what everybody calls you?
D: You’ve only called me that once, so hopefully you’ll start using it. I’d love too hear it more from your mouth.
H: Maybe you will tomorrow :) See you then.
Now I’m fucking hard. Reaching down, I palm and adjust my erection. One day soon, I’m going to need to get inside her. It’s something we have to make time for. Closing my eyes, I imagine what it will be like.
Immediately, I decide maybe that isn’t the smartest thing to think about in the bunk area.
“Rookie, let’s run some drills,” Cam yells from the commons area.
Should’ve known I wouldn’t get much time to rest. “Be right there.”