Page 10 of That Last Secret
I’ve wanted to be a police officer since I could walk. It feels like it’s always been in my blood to follow in my dad’s footsteps. He was the former police chief, and I’ve looked up to him my entire life. Hell, I still do, even years after his passing.
The current chief, Bob, is actually his old partner, and he’s finally talking about retirement. The thought of taking over his position fills me with excitement and nervousness. I want the job more than my next breath.
It’s partially because I would love to no longer be on the streets as much as I am, but I also want to make my father proud. His dedication to his work and family has always inspired me, and I feel that by following in his footsteps, I can honor his memory.
Silas introduced me to this gym about six months ago. He’s been coming here for years and finally talked me into joining.
He might be older than me, but he started on the force long after me. Like many people, he didn’t know what he wanted to do with his life after high school. During our first shift together, I learned that after graduation, he was a single guy torn between becoming a police officer or going into accounting.
He initially chose accounting, and after a few years of hating absolutely every minute, he realized the desk job life wasn’t for him and went back to school to study criminal justice.
He’s genuinely one of my best partners since I’ve been here. And I’ve gone through my fair share of them. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m an asshole or because I drive them away with my intense work ethic. Either way, Silas puts up with my moods, never asks questions, andwantsto work.
My mind is a whirlwind of thoughts as my punches grow stronger and stronger.
Work, my dad, and a specific blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman.
It still feels weird to think of her like that because she’s always been my best friend’s little sister. Emiline Ford was always Thomas, Marc, and Oliver’s kid sister. Three best friends who have become more like brothers to me.
I wasn’t dumb about the fact that she’s older now, but something shifted during our weekend trip to the beach house for Tommy’s birthday.
After our little argument over the card game, my brain rewired itself.
Now, my mind is constantly invaded by thoughts of an undeniably off-limits woman.
Thoughts I don’t fuckingwantto have.
Months later, I still cannot rid my mind of them.
Which is why Emiline infuriates me now.
It doesn’t help that prior to that trip, I only saw here in passing. Now she’s unavoidable in my line of work since she works at this hospital. It’s not like she works in another part of the building, and I don’t have to see her. She works at the front line of the ER, and she’s one of the first faces we see when we bring someone in.
The last time I brought someone in and saw her, my steps faltered and I fought a silent battle inside of me to maintain my composure around her.
The minute my eyes landed on her, I couldn’t look away. Her long blonde hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and she was wearing a pair of deep maroon scrubs. The color complemented her ivory skin and made her eyes shine brighter, if possible. An image burned in my brain for no reason. It made her look almost angelic as she sat behind the desk, sipping her iced coffee.
Emiline has this pureness and innocence to her that a part of me craves to corrupt, a desire that burns within me like a forbidden flame, but I can’t allow it.
I ended up trying to get out of there as fast as I could.
Now, I’m constantly wondering what it is about her and why she’s always on my mind.
I’m mostly curious about her.
She’s sassy and strong-willed.
But is that a way for her to hide some form of trauma from the world the same way I do by being the funny guy around friends?
I could be overthinking it.
I could be wrong.
I can’t help but wonder.
I release everything I feel, punch by punch, until I have nothing left.
“Jesus, Bennett.” Silas stops me, stepping back. “You’re wound up worse than usual today. And to think that was just the warmup.”