Olivia
“Hey.” Connor’s voice echoed through the speaker on my phone, filling my house with his presence. “What are you doing?”
Boy was his voice sexy. Deep and rich. I kept trying to imagine the man behind it.
It had been weeks since we’d started talking, and we rarely went a day without checking in. I felt like I knew so much about him, and yet, I still had no idea what he looked like. I had an image of him in my head, but I had no way of knowing if it fit him. It was both exciting and infuriating, but it wasn’t like I was going to ask him to send me a selfie.
I crouched down, filling Luna’s bowls with fresh food and water. “I just got home. I’m feeding Luna.”
“Hey, Lunakins,” he called in a cutesy voice that made me smile. She weaved through my legs before darting for the food bowl.
“How was your day?” I asked.
“Mostly good.” I could hear the smile in his voice, but I also sensed his exhaustion. “I had my final doctor’s appointment and officially graduated from physical therapy.”
“That’s great!” I said, genuinely excited for him. “Does that mean you’ll get to go back in the field?”
“Not yet,” he said, and I couldn’t get a read on his tone.
“Still, it’s a step in the right direction. And one that definitely calls for a celebration.”
“I’d love that, but I don’t think it’s in the cards.”
“No? Why not?” I placed the food bag back in the pantry and went over to the chair that looked out my big front window.
“Some of the guys are out on a mission. We lost coms with them, and…” He blew out a breath. “Sorry. I shouldn’t be talking about this with you.”
I placed a hand to my chest, suddenly realizing that easily could have been Connor. He’d been injured—not that long ago. But I’d never stopped to consider the very real danger he faced. Hadn’t wanted to.
I didn’t push for more. Whether he didn’t want to talk about it or wasn’t permitted to, it didn’t matter. Either way, he was concerned. He might no longer be a SEAL, but his job was no less hazardous.
“I’ll be thinking about them. I hope they’re okay.”
“Thanks,” he grunted. “It’s part of the job. It’s what we’re trained to do. But that doesn’t make it any easier.”
I nodded, absorbing his words. I just wanted him to know that I was there for him, that I was listening. That I cared. Because whether I liked it or not, admitted it or not, I was invested in this man. I went to sleep thinking about him. When I woke up, he was the first thing on my mind. And talking to him was often the best part of my day.
“So… How are you enjoying our latest read?” I asked, sensing he needed a change of subject.
“I wanted to talk to you about that. I’m not going to be able to finish it.”
“No problem,” I said. “I understand if you’re too busy or distracted with what’s going on at work.”
“That’s not it.” I heard rustling and wondered if he was lying down. I closed my eyes and tried to imagine him and what he was doing. “I don’t want to read a story that contains domestic abuse.”
His answer surprised me. I’d assumed—given the things he must see in his line of work—that it wouldn’t faze him. I hadn’t even given it a second thought.
“Even if the main character overcomes it?” It was sort of a spoiler, but I was speaking in general terms.
“I’m all for it, for overcoming adversity, but…” He blew out a breath, and I sensed there was more he wasn’t telling me. “That certainly wasn’t my reality.”
I swallowed hard, and silence fell between us. The sun was dipping low in the sky, palm trees swaying in the breeze. But where Connor was, the sun had likely already set. Still, it was comforting to think that we were both looking at the same sky, even from across the country.
“Connor?” I finally asked.
“My father was abusive.” There was a steeliness to his tone I hadn’t heard before. An edge that spoke of both anger and strength.
Abusive?I sucked in a sharp breath, the air slashing my lungs. I didn’t want to think of anyone hurting Connor. Especially not the man who was supposed to love him, protect him.
