Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 88220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“From Southwest?” I asked.
“Gate five at seven twenty-five. I miss you,” he said, much more quietly.
Of course, I never gave him a break. The rest of Dash’s life came easy. Someone had to keep him on his toes. “If you missed me, you’d have come home on time.”
“Baby, I know you’re giving me a hard time, and it’s deserved, but I’m exhausted and the wind and ocean and you and the kids sound wonderful.”
“So you’ve been productive?” I asked. We were months into the investigative stage of the pre-suit. This phase had taken longer than he believed it would, I wanted him home badly. I loved being a parent, and I loved my life, but all of that included Dash. With him no longer around, all the activity felt like a chore.
“Very. We added five additional complainants. Brianna and Stone have done an exceptional job. Stone’s an incredible young man, the way he sniffs out information and digs into research is better than anyone I’ve worked with. He’s a pro. I’m probably going to have to put him through law school.”
“When do you file the complaint?” I asked.
“Next week,” Dash said. “I’ll fly back to Chicago, and that’ll put an end to weekly travel. I miss you, Beau-beau. It’s unbearable to be away.”
“Are you with Lon now?” I asked, which I didn’t normally do.
I took it as my job to never let him forget what he almost threw away, not in a destructive way, but to keep us both on our toes. But I rarely brought up Lon. They were too much alike. He still bothered me.
Silence held us both, answering my question. “So you’re in Chicago right now?”
“I am,” Dash said quietly.
“Has anything changed there?” I asked. The question was a far bigger one than it seemed.
My heart picked up its beat. Dash needed to come home. I needed him here.
“The city’s still too busy and too fast. I landed here this morning. Lon and I talked about timing and other things. We’re having dinner with Penny tonight for them to meet Stone and Brianne in person. Brianne’s staying in Chicago for the time being. I’ll fly back for an overnight trip next week. I want you to come with me.”
“Do you miss that life?” I asked quietly. Dash had worn his success well there. It was busier, at a much faster pace, in a far different way than our slice of the world. “You’re stuck here with me forever now, but that was a pretty glitzy life.”
“I don’t miss a single second. I do miss the complexity of the caseload…”
A scream pierced the confession, and I glanced over at the kids. Ava was chasing Fisher who darted away so fast, she couldn’t keep up.
“Paw! Make him stop.” Ava darted this way and that, until she abruptly halted and screamed to the heavens. Her fists and body shook under the force. “He makes me crazy. Now we have to start over again. We were almost done.”
“I’ve gotta go,” I said, my silly jealousy evaporating into nothing. “Remember when you wanted more children after West?” I said teasingly. “We should’ve included the girls in that decision. We have a solid divide now. I’m not sure this will end well for us.”
Dash laughed but didn’t disagree. “Go deal with them. Check for the correct gate in the morning. I love you.”
Those three words ended every one of our conversations. “I love you too.”
I tossed the phone on a towel, while getting to my feet. “Let’s load up. I’ll bring y’all back to finish the badge if we can’t do it at home.”
The dogs stood too, shaking the sand from their coats. The sheer volume of beach necessities had turned me into a pack mule. I sighed as I looked at all the stuff we had to get back home. I called over our two youngest. We had a new addition to our family fun in the form of child leashes for Fisher and Hunter. The only reason we used them was to keep them from running into traffic without realizing what they had done. It enabled me to focus on everything else while doing my best to keep them all safe out here on my own.
Seven twenty-five in the morning turned to eight forty-five as I waited in the garage facing Southwest Airlines arrival section for Dash to land. I arrived early enough to park with a clear view of the terminal’s baggage claim carousels, waiting for Dash’s text message that he was on his way out.
Every time he traveled, it was the same routine. His checked bag included the necessities: suits, shoes, and valuable grooming products. His carry-on was strictly reserved for his tech equipment. The airplane hadn’t landed yet, the baggage handlers still had to unload the luggage, and my bright idea of renting a cheap motel to fuck my guy was looking less and less likely as the minutes ticked by. My anticipation for Dash’s return was slipping into frustration. My body had its own grievances, and they weren't subtle.