Page 49 of Love & Consequences

“I think there's more to it, Marls.”

“Like what? Did you find something?” she asks as I get to my front door, fish the keys out of my pocket and let myself in.

“Nothing concrete. Just lists of contacts and payments and folders on Mary and her brother Jason.”

“Why would they have info on Jason? Why would they leave it just lying around? None of this makes sense,” she says, thinking out loud.

“I thought the same thing. There were surveillance images too.”

“Did you have time to get copies?” she asks. I can hear the tempered excitement in her voice.

“No. Didn’t want to risk it. But since I’ve just got home, I’m going to shower and try and download everything from my head onto paper. Then get some sleep because I’m beat. I just wanted to make sure you were OK.”

Marlee is silent for a moment, processing the information. “Aiden…”

“Don’t Aiden me. If it comes down to keeping you safe and protecting my cover, you'll win every time.” The line falls silent and I know I’ve said too much, but I’m at the point where I simply don’t give a fuck. Marlee matters to me, she always has. There will always be other cases, but there’ll only ever be one of her. And life is too short to waste second chances.

A soft chuckle on the other end of the line cuts through the quiet. “You're such a worrywart, Aiden. I appreciate it, but I'm fine. You don't have to look out for me anymore. I'm a big girl. I can handle myself, I promise.”

“I know you can. You’ve never wanted my help. Doesn’t mean I’m going to stop worrying about you. You mean too much to me. Don't you know that?"

She sighs. "I just don't want us to take any chances. We're getting close to something, I can feel it."

I drop my keys on the kitchen counter and shrug off my backpack before putting it down on the ground. "Me too. I think whatever this event is on Saturday is key to the case.”

"Bring everything you remember to the taskforce meeting and we'll brainstorm what our next step is."

“Sounds good,” I say, walking over to the refrigerator and opening it up, surveying the shelves mindlessly. “Can I ask why you're calling my phone instead of the one you gave me?”

"You weren't answering the burner. I figured you didn't have it on you when you texted me earlier."

I walk back toward the counter staring at my backpack. “Yeah, I stupidly left it in my locker. It's in my bag.”

“Here’s an idea, how about keeping it on you from now on. Your phone is not secure,” she reminds me. “Harry’s status in this case is still unknown, remember?”

“Yes, boss.”

She chuckles, making me smile. “Oh, you'd like that far too much.”

“I think you would be the one enjoying it. You used to boss me and Marcus around all the time, remember?”

“Mmm, hmm. Good times.”

I smile at the memory. “The best.”

When she talks again, her voice is soft as silk and almost a whisper. “Get some sleep, Aiden. See you this afternoon.”

“Sweet dreams, Beautiful.” It slips out but I don’t consider taking it back because it doesn’t hurt as anymore. Not when I know now more than ever that I’ll do whatever it takes to get Marlee Manning back in my life again.

“Aiden...” she breathes, and it almost sounds pained.

"Night, Marls." I end the call before she can tell me things I don't want to hear, putting my phone down next to my keys and bracing my hands on the counter.

I stay like that for while, just staring at nothing, memorizing the sound of her voice in my ear, imagining the soft sweet smile curving her lips and remembering a time when we were happy and I hadn’t screwed up her life. When we could talk and touch and kiss without wondering if we should or shouldn’t do it. A happier time. A better time. Something I can only hope I’ll get to have again.

It's not like I've ever expected Marlee to forgive me and welcome me back with open arms. But maybe once this case is over, we can talk it out and put everything on the table--so to speak. She can yell, I can apologize. She can remind me of all my wrongdoings over the past twenty years, I can plead ignorance, arrogance, and idiocy for all of it. Oh, and a whole lot of male stupidity to boot.

Then I can tell her that the dumbest thing I ever did was hurt her and promise a lifetime of making it up to her if she'll let me.

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