Page 108 of Brighter Shades of Light
“Better now that I’m talking to you.”
“Same.” Cody gave methatlook, his eyes creased around the edges and a soft smile in place. It was a lovesick expression that made my heart beat faster. “Tell me what you did today.”
“I had coffee with Jared and Lucy in town, and then I walked around for a while. What did you do?”
Cody pressed his lips into a line. “Did some target practice and basic demolition. Can’t say much more than that.”
I nodded, knowing most of what he did was confidential, especially over Skype, since it was sometimes monitored. “I called today to have solar panels installed on the roof.”
“Still saving the planet, I see.”
“I can say the same about you.” I brushed my bangs aside, realizing I needed to trim my hair. A hair cut had been the last thing on my to-do list, though.
“Nah, I’m just a regular guy.”
I was about to tell him he was so much more than that when there was the sound of an explosion.
Cody jolted and looked to the side before standing up and leaning down to the screen. “I gotta go, baby. I love you.”
The call ended.
I had never been more terrified.
I shook, and tears welled in my eyes. What frustrated me most was there was absolutely nothing I could do. There was no way to find out what happened, other than to wait until I could talk to him again.
“Please be okay,” I said, putting my face in my hands.
I found myself turning on the news a lot, both dreading and anticipating any word about his unit. But there was never anything broadcasted about it.
Sometimes, no news is good news,Cody had said.
Surely, if there had been an attack, I would hear about it.
Days passed, and there was still no word from Cody. I sat at my desk, watching the snow fall outside the window. The clocks in front of me began to chime, counting down the seconds until noon. It was Christmas Eve, and I was off work. I would’ve preferred to be in the lab, though; I had started to hate being at home.
My mind drifted back to last Christmas Eve. Cody had been in the kitchen banging things around, and I had walked in there to see him covered in flour and pouting.
“I turned the mixer on too high,” he said, jutting out his bottom lip.
“You look absolutely ridiculous.” I walked toward him, smiling at the white all over his apron, shirt, and even in his dark hair. “But I love it.”
“Ridiculous, huh?” Cody pinched some flour between his fingers and flicked it at me.
That had started a tickle fight. One thathewon, of course. My strength was nothing compared to his.
I helped him clean up the mess and get back on track with the cookies. We had spent the whole day doing the holiday activities he loved—baking, watching old Christmas claymation movies, and eating so much I felt like I was going to pop. I played a few songs on the piano while he sang.
I blinked away my daydream and focused on the computer. There was no music playing and no warmth. I wrapped my arms around myself and tried to stop feeling so sorry for myself. No matter how upset I was, it was nothing compared to how Cody had to feel being so far from home.
Please let him be okay.
I wouldn’t be able to cope, otherwise.
I jumped at the Skype notification. When answering the call, I couldn’t even get a word out upon seeing him. My throat was tight, and my eyes watered. Relief, joy, and worry all wound through me.
“Hey, you,” Cody said, smiling. Although tired, he appeared healthy. He wasn’t wounded or hurt in any way that I could see.
“Hi.” My voice cracked. “I was beginning to worry.”
