Page 33 of Something Borrowed

“Thank you,” he said with a nod as he stepped out and grabbed his duffle off the conveyorbelt.

Looking around, he remembered why he hadn’t gotten out after his first four years. The people shuffling their way through the airport, the workers who thanked him, even Adrianna, were the reason he hadn’t left. He spent his life serving his country so that everyone on the home front could be safe. Terribly rough goodbyes were inconsequential when he looked at the bigger picture. He had a job to do, and heartbreak or not, there was nothing he’d rather be doing.

Walking over to the window he dropped his duffle bag at his feet and fished his phone from his deep pocket. He was going to regret making the call, but it didn’t feel like he had a choice. He was a little nervous she wouldn’t answer, but on the third ring, her voice chimed through clearly.

“Jaxon?”

“Sorry to have messed up our wonderfully dramatic goodbye.”

She sniggered. “I think I can forgive you. Is everything all right?”

“Yes. I just wanted to say thankyou.”

“Forwhat?”

“For being with me. Not everyone can pull off dating or being married to military personnel. You do just as much of the hard stuff as I do. Every goodbye is for both of us. Every long distance phone call and every time I’m deployed you’re just as worried as Iam.”

She was quiet on the other end; he couldn’t even hear her breathe.

“I don’t know what to say,” she finally admitted.

“There’s nothing to say. People thank you for my service, and I want to thank you for standing by my side as I service. Whether we last a day or a lifetime, you make this easier. You make what I do worth doing.”

“Jaxon,”

“No. I mean it. I’ll deploy a hundred times if it means keeping you safe from the bad guys.” He’d never sounded more passionate about anything in his life—had never meant anything more in hislife.

“We need to hang up, or I’m going to start crying. Fuck, I’m going to cry either way I’d just rather not do it on the phone withyou.”

The faintest touch of a smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “I loveyou.”

“I love youtoo.”

Clutching the phone for a moment longer he hit the end call button on the screen and stuffed it back into his pocket. Blowing out a breath he re-gripped the handle on his duffle and made his way to find his gate. Christmas was coming, but it was a long wayaway.

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