Page 87 of That Last Secret
That’s where we stay the entire night before we both fall asleep.
Emiline Ford has changed me.
I can’t tell if that scares me or excites me.
Either way, I don’t want this to end.
I’m mentally drainedfrom the rollercoaster of emotions I’ve already been through today.
The chief brought me in earlier because he said he had to talk to me about something. He prefaced it by saying it was nothing serious and I wasn’t in trouble. I gathered, considering I haven’t done much in the last few weeks since I took some paid time off over Christmas and spent the holidays relaxing.
Thomas and Peyton invited me to their place with everyone, but I declined because I had picked up an overtime shift. A few days later, I spent the entire night with Emiline in my arms after an intense movie night.
I don’t regret it. Not even for a minute.
In fact, I’ve never wanted more of something in my life.
The issue I’m facing is dreading being in Thomas, Marc, and Oliver’s presence. Mostly because I’m afraid I’ll slip and tell them what’s happened between us before Emiline and I agree todo so. Besides, she and I haven’t even talked about if we would, when we would, or what the hell this truly is between us.
I want her to take control of this situation because the last thing I want to do is to cause her any more stress than she’s already under. Yet here I am, sitting at our usual spot in Moore’s and having a drink with the guys while doing everything I can not to bring her up in conversation.
I slap my hand on the table. “For the first Wednesday in forever, I finally have some news for everyone and something exciting to share.”
“You finally got to sleep with your one and only celebrity crush?” Oliver jokes.
“Why do you have to keep bringing that up?” I fake pout. “You and I both know that will never happen.”
Besides, I totally have a thing for your sister.
“Continue with the news, Logan,” Marc urges.
“I had a meeting with the chief today. We discussed the possibility of a promotion for me this upcoming summer. If all goes well, you’re looking at the next Chief of Police.”
“No way,” Thomas says first.
“Good for you, brother!” Marc slaps my shoulder from my side.
“I’m not sure I’m ready for it, but I’m excited.”
And that’s the truth.
It’s been a long-time dream of mine, but that doesn’t mean I’m ready to lead the entire department. I’ve been here long enough and grew up around this line of work to know what I need to do and how to take on the job, but the anxiety will always be there.
It doesn’t matter how tough you are on the outside. Change can be scary for anyone.
The conversation shifts to Oliver as he tells us about his recent trip to Marc’s new house, in Roxbury, A nice, quiet,mountain home he picked out as the family getaway to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
“Are you still in contact with the bartender?” I ask Oliver.
His face twists into something I’ve never really seen on him before. Sure, I’ve seen him smile before. The guy never stops smiling, but this one is different.
“She has a name, you know,” he says.
“Eww. Fix your face.” I wrinkle my nose in disgust. “Why are you smiling like that?”
“Here we go,” Thomas says, leaning forward on the table.
“Should I tell you now or later that she’s here in the city?” Oliver says.