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“I feel like I failed her. Like I missed something or should have been more focused.”
“If you missed it, we all did. Do you think I’m incompetent?”
“No, sir.”
“Then don’t hold yourself to a higher standard.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Now, get out of my office. I’m sure you want to get back to your girl.”
“I do, but I have to take care of something first.”
I moved to leave when Chief said, “Colton.”
“Yeah?”
“If you love Remi, make sure you don’t allow anything to come between you. This job does enough of that.”
“That’s good advice, sir. That’s my plan.”
Chief nodded. “Good.”
“You mind if I take the rest of the day off?” I asked him, taking a chance he’d cut me a break after that talk.
“You got it. Just don’t be gone too long.”
“I won’t. Thanks, Chief.”
He waved me out of his office. Dismissed, I grabbed my keys and headed to my car. I needed to find Austin. I’d kept tabs on his family online. I think I’d always had in the back of my mind that I should reach out. But I never did. Now I had a reason to. If I wanted Remi, I needed to heal my past.
Dexter was just pulling into the lot, and he stepped out of his patrol car and asked, “You headed back?”
I nodded. “I’m taking the rest of the day off.”
Dexter paused, his brow raised. “You going to Remi?”
A surge of longing hit me in the chest. That’s where I wanted to be. Making sure she was taken care of. “I have something I need to do first.”
Dexter nodded, his face lined with approval. “Good for you. Just don’t be gone too long.”
“I won’t.” I rarely asked anyone for favors, but I needed this. “Can you check in on Remi for me?”
“I’m a poor substitute for you.”
“I hope to be back late tonight or tomorrow.”
I moved toward my car when I paused and added, “Chief gave me the promotion.”
Dexter smiled. “Congratulations, you deserve it.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know about that, but I’ll prove it to him every day.”
“I know you will.”
It felt great to be valued and appreciated. To have friends who supported me. Dexter had always been there for me, but I hadn’t let him in. I kept everyone important to me at arm’s length. Dexter. My parents. My coworkers.
I pulled up the address on my phone and headed south. I hoped Austin was home because I needed to get back to Remi. Every mile I traveled away from her hurt.
