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ChapterEighteen
Hunter
I’m exactly where I’m happiest, sitting with Jasmine cuddled up on her couch, not a care in the world as we watch an action flick. I laugh because Jasmine gets so into the movie she tenses and curses at the television, making me focus more on her than the movie. This woman is fierce, and I love every single second of it.
The room is dimly lit, casting a warm glow to match the cozy atmosphere. Between the two of us we’ve polished off a large pizza, a bag of chips and dip, and sadly, a half-gallon of ice cream. I’m hurting, but Jasmine is talking about making popcorn. How she can put away this much food is mind boggling.
“Okay, I really want that popcorn,” Jasmine says, and I burst out laughing.
“You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I just saw that guy in the background eating some, and now I want it,” she tells me. “I’ll go make it.” She pulls out of my arms and hops up. I look at her slender but muscled body and shake my head.
“No judging. I’m still recovering,” she tells me, and I laugh.
“Okay, you can have whatever you want,” I tell her. She beams at me before leaning down, giving me a quick smack on the lips before dancing away. I shake my head as I lean back. My stomach hurts from how much food I’ve put away, but I guarantee when she comes in with a huge bowl of hot, buttery, cheesy popcorn, I’ll reach for it. It’s a good thing I’m wearing sweats, big sweats, that expand no matter how bloated my stomach is.
I lean back as the scent of popcorn fills the air. The coffee table is filled with wrappers from all of the other crap we’ve been eating for the past two hours. I should get up and clean, but I’m just so comfortable right now.
I think of cheating on her by unpausing the movie when my phone buzzes, interrupting my mellow ambiance. I briefly glance at it, figuring I’ll ignore whoever’s on the other end of the line. It’s nearly eight in the evening. There shouldn’t be anyone I want to talk to.
The caller ID shows an unfamiliar number, but my heart quickens when I notice the FBI code on it. Crap! I have to take this. I tap my screen to answer the call, glad Jasmine’s in the kitchen. I’m not sure either of us want to hear what this call might be about.
“Agent Hunter Sparks speaking,” I say, slipping into my agent voice. My mind races over what this could possibly be about. I haven’t talked to anyone since I filed for my leave of absence. It’s been pleasantly relaxing. I need to figure out if I want to go back or not. So far, I don’t know.
A stern voice starts speaking on the other end of the line, delivering a concise briefing. I don’t know this person, but apparently the FBI has an urgent case that they need all hands on deck... especially those with my experience. If I turn down this job my time with the FBI will officially be over.
Am I willing to throw away a good career? The bigger question is am I willing to risk my relationship with Jasmine for my career? I don’t think I am. I’m so unsure right now.
“The bottom line, Sparks, is we need you to fly to South America in one week. The mission is in place and there’s been... complications.” I’m filled with a mixture of danger and excitement. This is exactly the kind of case I thrive on. I love rushing in when most people want to rush out. There are so many damn policy decisions that have to be made, this kind of stuff usually doesn’t happen more than once or twice a year. My heart thunders as I listen to the man continue.
I don’t think my adrenaline has been this high since I woke up in the hospital to find Jasmine hooked to all sorts of machines. This is much better than that feeling a couple of months ago. I never want to experience that again. Am I willing to risk putting myself into a hospital bed, and making Jasmine worry about me as much as I worried about her? Shit! I wish this was an easy decision.
“Did you get that?” the man asks.
“I understand,” I tell him, already imaging the scene and the dangers I might encounter. It excites me. “Give me a few days to make a decision,” I say, hoping they’ll do that.
“Forty-eight hours and not one minute longer,” the man says. He then hangs up, leaving me in a whirlwind of thoughts. At least they’ve given me some time to decide. How do I choose? I can’t imagine leaving Jasmine behind. She’s my rock, and I’ve been hers while she recovers. I’m becoming dependent on her because I can’t imagine us apart for too long. What in the hell is wrong with me? I’ve never been this sort of pathetic creature.
My duty to my job is when I’m called, I serve. I swore in at the academy that I’d do that, and this is the first time I’ve fought with myself on whether to work or not. I don’t like this indecisiveness.
I sit back down as Jasmine walks into the room with the biggest bowl in the house nearly overflowing with popcorn. It makes me laugh. Jazzy carefully sits so she doesn’t lose any of the hot, buttery creation. When Jasmine makes popcorn, she doesn’t do it by half measures. She takes her time and makes sure each piece is properly coated with butter and seasoning, including her favorite cheese sprinkle. She likes to take a handful of popcorn and mix it with chocolate chips so she gets sweet and salty. I have to admit I’ve become a bit addicted to her bad habits.
“Did you bring the chocolate chips?” I ask.
Her eyes widen. “I would’ve realized I forgot them in a minute,” she says as she pops some corn in her mouth. I laugh and stand.
“I’ve got you covered.” If I pretend I’m getting them for her, I won’t feel so bad about eating away.
“I know you like it as much as I do, Hunter,” she calls after me. I get the chocolate chips from the freezer, put them in a bowl, then come back in. She takes a good look at my face.
“Are you okay, Hunter?” Damn, this woman’s observant.
“I’m great.” I sit. “I’m always good when we’re together.” She looks like she wants to push me, but I stick my hand in the bowl and grab some popcorn, making some spill onto her lap and the floor.
“Don’t waste the popcorn,” she says, looking horrified at the loss of a single piece.
“Jazz, have you seen the size of that bowl? I highly doubt we’re going to run out.”
