Page 3 of Trucker
He wanted to say something else, but his phone began vibrating.
The smile that crawled across his features told me if I stuck around for that conversation, I’d be a third wheel.
Pen was the only person who could make him smile like that.
I took the hint.
Patting his shoulder, I walked away and allowed my body to get swallowed by the crowd. Quickly, I retrieved the gift I’d brought for the newly weds and dropped it off with the others. All I wanted to do was head home, but I couldn’t leave until I let the bride know.
“Hey beautiful.” I walked up behind Zoom, the crystals on her wedding dress rough against my palm at her lower back.
She spun and grinned before tossing her body into my arms.
“Congratulations.” I told her, hugging her back. “I can’t get over how beautiful you look.”
“Trucker!” She cheered. “I’m a wife now.”
I grinned.
“I know.” I released her to pat Kaos on the shoulder. “Who would have guessed it would be to this guy.”
“Hey, now.” Kaos laughed. “Thanks for coming.”
“Of course.” I eyed Zoom. “Or your wife would neuter me.”
Kaos crinkled his nose at me.
“That’s nice.” Kaos wrapped an arm around her hips. “Hearing someone call her my wife will never get old. What’s up?”
“I’m heading out.” I told them. “I have to be at the station early tomorrow and I don’t want to be half asleep for that.”
Kaos nodded.
“I’m sorry,” Zoom said.
I managed a smile.
It took me another little while to get out of the place. I was stopped by our friends for short conversations before I all but fell out the door.
The temperature was steady again—and I filled my lungs with some fresh air, wishing I hadn’t quit smoking so many years ago.
“Hey, wait!”
Turning, Moose ran toward me.
“I’m getting back on a plane first thing in the morning.” Moose explained. “Remember what I said, right?”
I thought back to his words and nodded.
“I’ll take a break as soon as I can.” I told him. “You’re right that I can’t keep going on like this, but the station needs me to step up right now. It’ll be easier on the gang.”
And over the next little while, I sucked it up.
During the day, I worked as I was expected to. During that time, I handled my responsibilities and Zoom’s as well as ran the fire station to ensure we had everything handled.
One call blurred into another and another, but I managed to hold everything together as my feelings of soul weariness grew and grew.
It swelled like a tidal wave from some far-off place. It expanded into my chest to almost a size twice as big as me and more.
