Page 62 of Digging Deeper

“Yeah, I’m fine… a call ran over so we’re still out in the field. I’m sorry, I didn’t have time to text you.”

I try to keep my emotions at bay so he doesn’t hear how worried I was as I say, “It’s fine… I just wanted to know where you were.”

“I’m sorry, sweetheart, I might be home late. Don’t wait for me to eat dinner,” he says quietly, and I have a feeling I didn’t hold in my worry as well as I thought.

“Okay. Will, um… will you call me when you know you’re coming home?”

“Of course. I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Talk to you soon.” I hang up, absently pet the dogs, and without thinking twice, I dial Holds, and as soon as he picks up, I say, “Can you come over?”

He pauses for a beat. “Sure.” He pauses again, then says, “You know they’re okay, right?”

I blow out a breath. “Yeah, but… I didn’t… he wasn’t here when I got home and I-I… I didn’t know where he was.” My chest feels tight from holding back, but I’m trying my best. Drix is fine, he’s safe, he’s not… this isn’t the same as Taylor.

“Okay, as soon as Peanut comes back inside, he and I will be right over.”

“Thanks, Holds.”

We hang up and I finally give my babies the attention they deserve. After they go outside, I get them to cuddle with me on the couch while I wait for Holden to show up. Luckily, I don’t have to wait long. He lets himself inside with his key and my dogs excitedly greet Holds’s dog while my best friend joins me on the couch. As soon as he sits down beside me, he tugs me close, wrapping an arm over my shoulder and kissing the top of my head. I wrap my arms around his waist and whisper, “I thought he would be home before me, so when I got here and he wasn’t in the house…”

“I know,” he says. “It doesn’t happen too often, but sometimes they have to stay late. Jameson calls or texts when he can.”

“I’m glad he’s back at work, but…”

“But you’re scared. It’s okay to be scared for him, but you know they’re staying as safe as they can, and they’re out there helping people and—”

“I know.”

After a moment, he asks, “Are you mad he’s back at work?”

I jerk my head around to stare at him with wide eyes. “Are you insane? Of course I’m not mad about that. That’s been his goal this entire time. I’m damn proud of him for getting back out there.”

A slow smile spreads on Holds’s face. “Good.”

I elbow him in the ribs. “Am I mad… seriously, Holds. I can’t believe you asked me that.”

“I wanted to be sure you guys are on the same page, that’s all.”

I roll my eyes at my best friend, then settle into his side. “Can we talk about something else?”

He nods and reaches for the remote to flick the TV on. “Let’s chill for a while, and if they’re out for a long time, we can order some dinner, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

Holds keeps me distracted for a good hour before Drix calls to tell me he’s on his way home, and when he finally walks through the front door, I practically tackle him. He catches me and holds me close, and I grip onto him wishing I never had to let him go.

Drix pulls back and cups my cheeks to press a sweet kiss to my lips before he whispers, “Are you okay, sweetheart?”

“Yeah.”

“Hey, Gav,” Holds says, interrupting us. “I’m gonna head out.”

“What about dinner?”

“I’ll grab something on the way home for Foxy and me. Call me tomorrow.”

“I will.”

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