Page 6 of No More Lies

“I need to take that time I mentioned to you about.”

“OK. Right now?”

“Yeah. I mean if you really need me on this next one, then I’ll be there, but to be fair, there’s always going to be an op.” It was true, there was never a good time to take time off with what they did, but he had to work things out with Diane. He didn’t want to lose his family.

“I understand, and I told you it’s not a problem. We’ll handle it. Any idea how long?”

“As long as it takes to fix my marriage,” he answered bluntly.

Dex was quiet for a minute, watching him. Steve almost squirmed.

“You are coming back, right?”

Steve sighed. Yeah, he’d thought about that, too. What if it was his job that was the problem? What if Diane wanted him to quit? It had never been an issue up until now, but with Onyx, the jobs were even more dangerous than when he had been a SEAL.

“I hope so,” he answered honestly. “I have to see what Diane wants.”

“Fuck, Steve, I get you love your family, but damn I would hate to lose you, man.”

“Trust me. I don’t want to leave. The team means everything to me. You know that. I can’t imagine doing anything else. But if it comes down to the job or my marriage, I have a big decision to make.”

“What’s brought this on?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s not my job. Maybe she’s just fed up with being the one to juggle everything, especially as she’s trying to become the youngest junior partner. Diane’s made a lot of sacrifices because of what I do over the years. Perhaps it’s my turn to make some.”

The thought of stepping away from operating was not something he wanted to consider. He wasn’t ready to retire. He easily had another ten years in him.

“Take whatever time you need,” Dex said, putting his hand on Steve’s shoulder. “But I’m still here. We all are. If you want to talk, grab a beer, blow off steam. Whatever. We’re all here for you. You know that.”

He nodded. “I appreciate that. And I might take you up on it, depending on how bad things really are.”

“You’re not worried it might be someone else, are you?”

Steve wasn’t surprised at the question. Dex didn't do subtle. “No, I don’t think so. I know she’s determined to make partner, but my gut is telling me there’s something else going on.”

“What else could it be?”

“All I know is she’s barely home. She’s even missed Megan’s softball games recently. Maybe it’s Onyx, maybe not. Hell, maybe it’s me, and I’ve just let things get stale.”

“If there’s anything I can do, just ask. I mean it.”

“I know, thanks.”

“And I’ll throw this out there. If you want Kelly to talk to Diane, I’m sure she would. You only have to ask. Those two have been friends a long time.”

“Maybe she already has–over tequila shots,” Steve said dryly.

“If she did, Kelly wouldn’t tell me. We don’t blur those lines.”

“It doesn’t bother me if she did. You guys are family.” Steve stood up. “Thanks, Dex.”

Dex held his gaze for a moment. “Keep me in the loop?”

“Of course.”

Walking away, Steve’s heart weighed heavy in his chest. He loved his wife, and he wanted their marriage back on track. They had to work this out, which meant they needed to talk. Communicate. Even if he was afraid of what she was going to say. What if she didn't love him anymore?

Diane, his angel. The woman amazed him. After delaying school when the unexpected pregnancy surprised them both, she studied at home, then forged ahead to get her law degree after Megan was enrolled in kindergarten. It was a rough ride for a while, but they had made it work. That had been more her than him. She handled everything while he was away on deployments. And there had been many. The ongoing War on Terror had meant deployments to the Middle East for months at a time. Diane never complained, and she’d gotten her law degree while also taking care of Megan, the house, and balancing their finances.