Page 12 of The Forever Game

Turning back with a sad sigh, Caleb helps me get the woman to her feet and we walk her to the squad car, securing her in the back before radioing the station.

The booking goes as smoothly as it can, and I manage to write up most of my report before heading back out on patrol, cruising the streets past Nolan U campus and making sure the college kids are behaving themselves. It only feels like yesterday since I was one of them. My carefree days of hockey and classes… it was a good life.

Damn, we thought we were so smart, owning life and dominating on the ice.

But we didn’t know shit.

Not really.

Adulting is hard. It’s good hard. I love my life. But some days in this job are tougher than others, and I’m feeling it today. Abused kids are always a trigger for me. Probably because I was one. I’ve worked my way through it, but every time I have to deal with a case like today, it rears its head and I’m back to going through the steps.

At least it’s quicker than it used to be. I find my calm, peaceful place with relative ease, and Caleb’s none the wiser as he navigates down Main Street and turns east.

My phone dings, and I check the message, my heart sinking as I read Casey’s text.

It’s announcement day! Baby number three is on the way! My house is turning into a zoo but bring it on!

“Shit,” I mutter, staring at the string of happy emojis that would usually make me laugh. But all I can think about is Rachel.

Does she know yet?

“You good, man?” Caleb glances at me.

“Yeah, just need to call my wife. Can you pull over, please?”

He does so without hesitation, and I jump out of the car, calling Rachel and holding my breath until she answers.

“Hey.”

I can instantly tell she’s been crying, and my heart starts bleeding.

“Cariña.” I whisper her pet name, and she breaks down.

Squeezing my forehead, I keep my emotions in check, not wanting her to carry the burden of my own pain too.

Ever since she told me she wanted to have kids, I’ve been all in. She whispered it to me on our wedding night, and we started trying on our honeymoon. Yeah, we were young, but I was so ready to build a family with this woman. She was going to be an amazing mother. Her sweet heart and kind smile… I couldn’t wait to watch her interacting with our babies.

But… they never came.

It’s been about four years, and we’ve had no luck.

Every month she gets her period.

And every month, she cries.

Now Caroline’s pregnant and?—

“I’m fine,” she whimpers. “Thanks for calling to check on me, but really… you need to focus on your shift. You be safe, and I’ll… I’ll see you when you get home.” She squeaks out the last few words, then hangs up before I can say anything.

Leaning against the hood of the car, I feel my chest deflate, my insides concaving as I lightly kick a clump of snow on the path.

“Hey, man. Everything all right?” Caleb’s head pops out the window.

I glance over my shoulder, trying to smile at my partner. He’s older than me, with twin girls in middle school and years’ worth of experience on the force.

“Just…” I hold up my phone, then make myself stand. “Rachel’s having a really bad day. She’s crying and…” I shake my head.

He gives me a kind smile. “Think it’s about time you clock out for the day, then, huh?”

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