AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You’re not going to stay here with everyone?” I questioned, looking into her eyes. I wanted her here with me, with our friends and family. It about broke my heart when she shook her head and dropped her eyes from mine.
Instead, she turned, and I noticed she and Cara made eye contact. Then she turned back to me, softly smiled, and placed a kiss on my cheek. “You just enjoy yourself, okay?” she whispered, placing another kiss on my cheek before turning and leaving. Everyone was quiet, and they looked my way with concern as she slipped down the hall. It was only a matter of moments before the talking started again and soon the room was filled with laughter, while we all shared stories and relived some of our greater takedowns.
As the afternoon passed, officers came and went. It was great seeing everyone, but soon it was just Ryan, Cara, Dave, and I. Bailey hadn’t made an appearance all afternoon. Instead, she claimed she wanted to make sure that everything was clean and organized for me.
She’d just brought in a plate of food and made a little small talk with Ryan before returning to the kitchen without so much as a glance in my direction.
Cara leaned over, a look of concern on her face, and whispered, “Is she okay?”
“I don’t know. She’s been funny for the last week. It’s like she has something she wants to say but won’t.”
“I’ll talk to her,” Cara said, standing, taking some plates into the kitchen.
As soon as she was gone, Dave cleared his throat and leaned in closer to me. “Jackson, I wanted to let you know we arrested Dorian Patton the night of your shooting. He turned Garrick in to us, gave us everything. We just need to find him, but in the meantime, we had forensics examine the bullet casings that we found at the scene against the one we found at the scene the night Connor was shot.”
I almost didn’t believe what I was hearing. “Don’t leave me in suspense. What did you find out?”
“It matched. It was the same one Connor was shot with,” he said, keeping his voice low. “You were right. It was Garrick. I’m sorry I didn’t want to hear about it.”
“Have you told Bailey?” I could feel excitement building at the fact that we had finally found his killer.
“Not yet. It’s not a matter of public record yet. We are launching a full investigation into this guy, but as of right now, there is a warrant out for his arrest. He is up for charges in relation to both incidents.”
“Good to know. Thanks.”
“On that note, I must get going. Got to get back to the station. Jackson, I’m glad you are home. Enjoy your time off. Ryan, don’t be late for your shift, or so help me.” Dave chuckled as he made his way out the front door.
As Dave pulled the door shut, Cara and Bailey stepped into the living room. Bailey looked around at the mess of plates and glasses and then met my eyes.
“Bailey, did you want some help to clean this mess up?” Cara questioned.
“You don’t have to. I’ll be fine.” She shrugged.
“No, come on. I’m not leaving you with all this mess,” Cara said, getting up and stacking dishes into a pile. “You guys just relax.”
Bailey wouldn’t hear of it, and instantly began helping Cara clear up all the dishes and put everything away. Once finished, Ryan and Cara said their goodbyes and started home. The second the door had closed on their car, Bailey started gathering her things and turned to look my way.
“I think I’m going to head home.”
“Why? I was hoping you’d stay, maybe watch a movie with me. Perhaps help me to bed.” I winked, tugging on the bottom of her t-shirt.
I watched her look around the room, as if she was looking for a reason or excuse why she couldn’t stay.
“Come on, sit down,” I said, flipping the TV on and patting the empty spot beside me on the couch.
With hesitation, she hung up her sweater and keys. “Did you want anything from the kitchen?”
I shook my head. “Nope, I just want you.”
She wandered over and sat down beside me. I lay down and put my head in her lap, then flipped the channels until I found a movie for us to watch. We were about halfway through the movie when I looked up and noticed that Bailey wasn’t really watching the movie. Instead, she just sat there staring out the front window, a faraway look in her eyes.
“Are you okay?” I questioned. “You’ve been quiet all afternoon.”
She looked down at me as her eyes welled with tears. “Jackson, I—I can’t do this.”
“You can’t do what?”
“This. I can’t do this. I can’t do us. I can’t be with you and be so afraid that every time you walk out that door, you won’t come back. I can’t take it. You almost didn’t come home, and it was at that moment I realized just how much I love you. I can’t lose you too.”
