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All I remember is every day waking up either excited to see Redix or missing him. He was my first thought. He was my every dream. And when he pushed me away, I fell into Silas’s strong arms so fast it wasn’t fair to either of us. Yes, he’d been waiting on me… but what do I want?
I come home to my empty condo. I don’t have weekend plans. I don’t check my phone for missed texts or calls. I focus on my job and my cases, and I make sure I get a daily run on the beach, too.
My world revolves around me for a change. Not forever. Just for now. And I can feel my heart growing stronger. Like I could survive so much pain before. But now I’m preparing for peace, for happiness one day. I just don’t know how to get there.
Somewhere in the frenzy of pings from my mama’s, one from mine gets my attention. It’s Penny, and I excuse myself to the deck to answer her call.
“Hey. Everything alright?”
“My water just broke.”
“What? Are you okay? Do you need an ambulance?”
“Relax. I’m at the office, and it looks like I peed the floor. No biggie.”
Penny refused days off before she was due. She said she could be bored waiting at home or work, so she’d rather have the distraction.
“Well, get your ass to the hospital.” I have no patience. I’m six hours away and helpless.
“I am. Hank’s on his way. My mom’s watching Nina. Bitch, this ain’t my first rodeo. Chill out. I gotta update you.”
“Okay.” I know what about—Derek and Renie’s case. Everyone’s working on it, and Penny’s in charge. “What’s up?”
“The DNA sample Redix got from Nicolas matches three open rape cases out of New York.” Her voice sounds strained. “So when we catch Derek, he’s going in for good.”
“But we gotta catch him.”
That’s the problem. Derek Baucom is a slippery eel. I know he’s hiding on the water somewhere and slithers onto the island for his stalk. There’s just a lot of damn water to search.
“We will.” Penny groans. “But you gotta take the lead because I’m taking the three months off I’ve earned.”
“Yeah, you are.” I wish she could get more maternity leave.
“Just tell me you can handle this without another shouting match with Redix. I know y’all run hot, but someone needs to work with Renie.”
“We’ll be fine.” That’s true. I’m not mad at Redix. I want him to be happy. “Renie and I go way back. I got this.”
“Gooodddd.” She groans even louder.
“Bitch, get to the hospital.” She’s gonna have that baby in the office, I swear.
“I am,” she says before she gasps. “Oh, that was a good one.” Contraction, she must mean. “By the time you get home, your godson will be here.”
“I’m looking forward to it. Love you. Now go!”
I end our call and stare at the misty mountains. I need to get back to work. The thought of leading Renie’s case again fires me up. She’s like a little sister to me.
And I can handle being around Redix again.
Maybe.
What if he and Silas are a thing now? It’s not odd to imagine, just new. All I’ve known is Redix fucking lots of women when he was drunk, and only me when he was sober.
Thoughts of him with Silas warm my heart and flame through my sex. How Silas could heal him too if he lets him.
But what if Redix is still with that woman from his AA meetings? Imagining him with her? I wanna shoot something. I’m such a hypocrite.
Because what if Silas has been going to the sex club alone? As fine as he is, there’d be a long line of fucks waiting for him. That kinda makes me jealous.
