Page 38 of Blurred Love

I circle my hand around the room. “Stay here while I’m gone. I need to know that you’re okay while I’m away, and the only way to do that is if you’re here.”

She wants to argue with me, but she must see how important this is to me because she agrees. “Okay, I love you, Colter.”

I hug her to me, “I love you too, baby. I’ll be back as soon as I can, and I’ll call or text you if I can.”

We kiss, and I have to force myself to back away from her. I get to the front door before she stops me. “Wait, what if you can’t call? How will I know if you’re okay?”

I smile softly at her. “I’ll have Brooklyn put you on the wife list. She’ll keep you updated.”

She sighs. “Okay, I love you, Colter. Don’t forget you promised. You have to come back to me.”

“I promise.” I walk out the door and have to run through the compound to the get to the other side of the property where the warehouse is. The whole way, I’m thinking about Poppy. She’s my life and soon to be wife. And the promise I made to her is one I’m going to keep.

CHAPTER19

POPPY

TWO WEEKS LATER

I’m sprawled on Abby’s living room floor, holding my sides from laughing so hard. It started out as a subdued night. Walker, Kanan, Davis, Elias, and Colter are still gone. We don’t know anything except that they are okay. I’m not ignorant. I know that status can change in an instant, but as of right now, they are okay.

Abby had the idea that we should all get together. A part of me wanted to stay at Colter’s house and wait for his call, but Abby insisted that I needed to be with the girls. And right now, as I look at their smiling faces, I know she’s right. I need this more than ever.

Brooklyn picks up her drink and holds it out. “Toast. To our men that make this world a better place.”

I somber quickly and sit up, holding out my can of soda. I didn’t want to drink tonight because no matter what, I want to sleep in Colter’s bed. I feel closer to him when I do, so no drinking for me.

Brooklyn, Abby, and Emerson, Kanan’s wife, and I all clink glasses. We’re all quiet afterwards, and I look at the other women. They’re all amazing women, and I’m not going to let this pass me by. “How do you guys do it?”

I don’t have to explain because they all know what I’m asking. “You just have to believe.” Abby nods and then with a smile on her face, she continues. “Plus, Davis knows he can’t leave me with these two kids.”

We all laugh, and Brooklyn leans toward me. “I wish I could say it gets easier, but it doesn’t. Every time Walker goes on a mission, I’m half out of my mind with worry. Sometimes it’s easier, like when I can talk to him and hear for myself that he’s okay, but other times, when we don’t know what’s happening or when they’re coming home, it gets harder.”

I blow out a breath. “It’s been horrible. I jump at every tone on my phone. I’ve texted with him a few times, and that’s been good… I just wish I knew when he was coming home, that’s all.”

We talk about the kids, the food truck, and a little bit of everything else. When I bring out the special dessert I made, they all ooh and aah over it. We’re all eating when my phone rings. I see Colter’s name on the caller ID and squeal. “I’ll be back, it’s Colter.”

My friends all cheer, and I walk out onto the front porch. I’m smiling ear to ear when I answer. “Hey.”

Colter’s voice is soft, but there’s a loud noise in the background. “Poppy. Are you there?”

“Yes, yes, I’m here.”

“Fuck, I miss you so much.”

I sit down on the rocking chair. “Oh, Colter. I miss you, too.” I hate to add any pressure to him, but I have to know. “Have you found Zach? When are you coming home?”

“We found Zach. He’s going to be okay.”

I hold my breath, waiting for what I want to hear.

His voice gets louder as the noise around him gets louder. “I’ll be home in the middle of the night.”

“Tonight?” I screech.

He laughs. “Yes. I’ll be home tonight.”

When the noise level goes down, he talks normal again. “I’m about to get on the flight. Will you be home?”

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