Epilogue
Finley
Time is meaningless at this point. In fact, I’m pretty sure I’m now delirious. I’ve checked the doors and windows so many times, I’m pretty sure I’ve worn a path on the old hardwood floors at this point.
Sutton, bless her heart, is curled up on the couch, having finally passed out, but I’m too hyped up at this point to do anything but wait.
It could be the countless glasses of my diet soda I’ve drank, or even the whole chocolate bar I ate. I’m sure I went over the daily allotment of caffeine about three servings ago, but until my man is back under this roof, as well as everyone else, I’m not going to be able to rest.
The radio static goes louder, then I hear his voice. The mellifluous tone sends tingles through me even as I reach for the device. “We’re on our way back, wildcat. Do you copy?”
“Copy, Mercury. We’ve got the light on,” I reply.
“Are you really using the slogan for Motel 6 right now, Fin?” Orion asks through the open line and I know he heard what I said.
Smacking my hand on my forehead, I silently count to ten then hit the button and say, “I’ll always leave the light on for y’all, you big oaf. Now, unless you want me to give you my two weeks notice before we’ve taken in one vehicle, you’ll give the radio back to Mercury.”
“Wildcat, he’s now pouting,” Mercury tells me, making me chuckle.
The sound wakes up Sutton and she rolls so she’s sitting up, wiping her eyes as she asks, “Are they home? Is that them? What’s going on?”
“They’re on their way and Orion was being his normal goofball self.
I guess we’ll find out whatever they’re able to tell us when they get here,” I reply.
To Mercury, I say, “Gonna go put a fresh pot of coffee on for y’all since I’m sure you might be tired but you’re not gonna be ready to sleep when you first get home. ”
“Debrief first,” he says. “See you soon, wildcat.”
I don’t answer him through the radio, just softly whisper, “See you soon.”
“I’m glad that didn’t take too long,” I say as we head up to our room. “I know you probably want a shower and we both need to get our heads down on our pillows for some much-needed rest.”
“We’ll save time and shower together, wildcat,” he replies, grinning at me.
Suddenly, my tiredness, which finally caught up to me the minute he pulled me into his arms when they got back, completely dissipates and something else is on my mind. “Kinda like that idea,” I tease.
“Good, because you didn’t have a choice,” he jests as he unlocks the door.
One deliciously, thoroughly pleasurable shower later, I know what the fuss about shower sex is all about and let me tell ya something, I’m here for it!
Now, I’m snuggled into him, my head on his pec as I run my hands through his chest hair. “Mercury?” I call out.
“Right here, wildcat, what’s on your mind?”
“Tonight, while I waited and drove myself crazy, one thing kept running through my mind. A regret of sorts, if you will.”
“What do you possibly have to regret?” he asks, turning his head to look into my eyes.
“The fact that I haven’t told you how I feel,” I admit.
“I didn’t expect it to happen, and honestly never thought it would, but from the moment you found me, broken and bleeding, you’ve kept me safe.
You didn’t pressure me for anything more than friendship and let me set the pace.
Mercury, I love you with everything that’s in me.
I don’t care if y’all end up dabbling on the wrong side of the law or not, I’ll be by your side.
Manning the phone, holding the radio, and leaving the light on. ”
He cups my face in his hands and softly whispers, “I love you more. Now, let me show you just how much.”
THE END… for now
Up next up will be Midas and Lelanie and hopefully, the Montana Kings will get their men!