48. Alex
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
alex
The warm water cascades down my back, easing my strained muscles from the hours of drills we ran over the past couple of days. The summer heat combined with the physical intensity of training did a real number on my body. Or maybe my heart wasn’t in it as much.
Although I love spending time with my platoon, this was the first time I was counting down the minutes until I could leave. Until I could get back to her.
When I step out of the shower, I grab a clean towel from the hook and use it to wipe the water dripping off me.
Nothing like a hot shower to make you feel more alive and get the blood flowing.
Not to mention remove the godawful smell.
I didn’t want to waste any time showering after drills, choosing to come home to Chelsi immediately.
It’s hard to explain how her mere presence can soothe my soul in a way nothing else can. How much the sound of her voice brightens my day. How the thought of spending my life with her causes my entire body to buzz with energy.
She’s everything to me. My entire life.
With the towel wrapped around my waist, I head into the bedroom, and Chelsi’s nowhere to be seen. Once I’ve thrown on a pair of underwear, navy athletic shorts, and a dark gray T-shirt, I start to walk into the living room when I notice my phone on the floor near the bed.
That’s odd.
When I pick up my phone, I go to the call history, only to see my worst fear come to life. My stomach falls and all of the air in my lungs disappears.
Claire called.
She must’ve talked to Chelsi.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
Racing into the living room, I spot that Chelsi’s shoes are gone, as well as her keys. She wouldn’t need those if she were meeting the delivery driver. Where did she go? What is she thinking?
Fuck. How is this happening?
Bracing a hand on the wall, I hit Chelsi’s name on my phone only to hear it go straight to voicemail. I try again but get the same response.
My fingers fly across the keyboard as I quickly send her a text, praying that she’ll read it.
Alex
Please call me. We have to talk.
I wait a couple of minutes. When Chelsi doesn’t read my message, I pull Claire’s number on my phone and press it.
“It’s about damn time you called me back,” Claire says in an irritated tone.
“What did you say to Chelsi?” I bite out, trying to rein in the rage and pain coursing through my veins.
“Not much. Just asked her to have you call your wife back.”
The veins in my head throb, ready to burst at any moment. “Are you fucking kidding me? You said that to her?”
“Well, technically, it’s the truth.”
“You know it’s not like that. It’s never been like that. What the actual fuck is wrong with you?”
“What did you expect me to do, Alex? I’ve been trying to have this conversation with you for weeks, but you refuse to be reasonable.” Claire sighs loudly. “I only want what’s best for you.”
“That’s hilarious, considering you just blew up my life. She left, Claire. I was in the shower when you called, and now, she’s gone.”
“I didn’t mean for this to happen. I thought she’d confront you about it and you’d finally come clean. Tell her the truth. Start living your life. Allow yourself to be truly happy.”
I scoff. “After all I’ve done for you…this is how you repay me. I can’t believe you would be so heartless.”
“Alex, I’m really—”
I end the call, unable to hear another word. There might be some truth to what she said and her intentions, but it doesn’t take away the pain she’s caused Chelsi. Or me.
Fighting back tears and gut-wrenching pain, I grab my keys and head out to find her. I won’t let this be the end of us.
She needs to hear the full truth about my past. The one I should’ve told her from the very beginning.
Hopefully, it’s not too late. Hopefully, I haven’t lost the love of my life.