42. Brock Jones
Chapter forty-two
Brock Jones
I let out a long breath and shut my computer down.
It’s been a whirlwind, but it’s finally over.
Today’s fires are out, or at least at bay, and I’m free to go home.
A tired smile tugs at my lips as I think about seeing Ariel.
She’s likely already at my place and cooking dinner for the both of us.
I told her I’d get off no later than six today, and at five forty-five, I’m holding true to my promise.
Something I never thought I’d be able to do.
But with Ariel’s help, it’s become possible.
As has lowering the dose of my medication.
I went to the doctor last week, and he told me if I keep feeling the way I do, I’ll soon be off it altogether.
I drape my suit jacket over my arm and head out of my office. Marie clocked out a few minutes ago, but my recent hire, Adam, is still glued to his laptop screen.
I walk over to his desk.
“Time to head home,” I tell him.
“I’m just finishing up this email, then I’ll head out,” he replies.
He’s typing fast, and I know the look in his eyes well. If I leave him here, he’ll be at the desk for at least another hour. I reach over his desk and shut his laptop. He has to yank his hands out the way so they don’t get smashed.
“Mr. Jones–”
I hold up a hand. “It’s time to leave. Go home, eat, sleep, watch a game that one of your clients isn’t in. Call your mom.”
“Yes, sir,” he mumbles and grabs his backpack from beneath his desk. He goes to slide his laptop in it, but I stop him.
“Work stays here. You’re not traveling this week, so you don’t need to take it with you.”
“But I have so much to do. I feel behind.”
I nod in understanding. “And it’ll be there tomorrow. We aren’t saving lives. I expect you to give your all within the hours we agreed upon. After that, you need to go out and live.”
It took a few weeks to find someone dedicated enough to be a good fit for this position.
Adam is perfect for it, but his drive is similar to mine, if not stronger.
He wants to prove himself. I’m adamant not to create a clone of who I was before, so boundaries have been necessary.
It’s not easy to uphold them or enforce them sometimes, but it’s worth it.
He sighs. “Okay, I guess you know best.”
He slings his backpack over his shoulder. We walk to the elevators together and step on in unison. I lean against the wall, exhaustion weighing heavy on me. I’m glad I’ve gotten my sleep schedule in order, or this feeling would be even worse.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Adam typing on his phone.
“I hope you’re not talking to a client,” I say. He freezes, then slowly slides his phone back into his pocket. “That’s better.”
He doesn’t say anything. I’m sure he’s biting his tongue. He’s only been working for me for a little over a week, so he’s too afraid to argue. I hope I can instill good values in him before he gets comfortable enough to give pushback. It’ll save us both a headache.
The elevator opens on the ground floor, and we walk out toward the parking lot together. I pat him on the back before we part ways.
“I know you can go home and work without your laptop, but try to take my advice. I’ve been where you are. It’s only going to hurt you in the long run if you push too hard. At the end of the day, this is just a job.”
He nods, but I know he doesn’t get it yet. He will one day. I’ll make sure of it.
“Have a good night,” he says in response.
“I will.” I smile as Ariel comes to mind again. “You too.”
The drive home takes longer than I want it to, but five seconds is too long today.
There’s an ache in my bones that can only be relieved by Ariel.
I walk in, and pure comfort envelops my senses.
The sound of jazz, the smell of delicious food, and the sight of Ariel moving around my kitchen in her favorite Duke sweatshirt.
All of it combines to make the perfect balm for my weary mind.
I lean against the archway of the kitchen and watch her.
She sprinkles salt on the two steaks on a wooden cutting board that she bought to keep here.
There are touches of her all over my house.
Blankets on the couch, snacks in the pantry, a mat by the front door.
Every time she comes over, she brings something new.
“I know you’re back there,” Ariel says as she flips the steaks over with tongs to season the other side. “Quit being a stalker and come kiss me.”
I chuckle. “Yes, ma’am.”
I cross the kitchen and she turns to face me.
She wraps her arms around my neck, and she pushes onto her tiptoes to give me a gentle kiss.
The stress of the day disappears like it always does in her embrace.
I trail kisses from her mouth to her neck, then rest there, breathing in her warm, sweet scent.
“Long day?” She combs her fingers through the back of my hair.
I hum against her neck.
“Dinner will be done shortly. How about you get a shower and put on some sweats, and then we’ll eat on the couch?” She starts to massage the back of my neck, making me groan. No one has ever made me feel so cared for and understood as her.
“I love you,” I say against her skin and she stills.
“Did you just say you love me?” she whispers.
I pull back to stare into her beautiful blue eyes.
“I did,” I say, and frame her face with my hands. “I love you, Ariel. I didn’t plan on blurting it out like this, but every time we’re together, the feeling overwhelms me.”
She smiles, her eyes shining with tears. “I love you, too. I’ve been afraid I was moving too fast. I know I have a tendency to do that–”
I cut her off with a kiss. “I love how big your heart is. I want it to be mine.”
“It is. I think it has been for some time. You’ve been stealing pieces of it for weeks now.”
We share a long, full kiss that leaves us both breathless. I pull her against my chest and hold her tight.
“You said once that you wanted an earth-shattering love,” I speak into her hair.
“Yes,” she breathes, her voice thick with emotion.
“I promise to work every day to give you that. To give you exactly what you deserve.”
She squeezes her arms around me. “I-I don’t know what to say.”
I smile and kiss the crown of her head. “That’s okay. This is enough. Just holding you will always be enough for me.”
I spot her phone within reach. I grab it and change the song to one of her favorites by Wyatt Parker.
She smiles up at me when it starts to play.
We sway to the music. Lyrics about falling in love with someone you’ve known forever float around us as we share soft kisses.
Ariel rests her head against my chest, and I realize with intense clarity what my friends have been saying for months.
This is what I’ve been searching for. I thought accolades and money would fill the void, but it’s her.
Her love mends every crack and fills in every crevice of my heart as if she were made just for me.
I made it , I think as she presses a kiss right over my heart. I finally made it.