Page 104 of Callahan

I reached over and grabbed his disfigured hand.

“You need to talk to somebody about this. You can’t continue blaming yourself for something the enemy did. It’s not. Your. Fault.”

“I don’t think Brian or Shawn’s family would see it that way.”

“I think that’s exactly how they’d see it. You were in a hostile area. You’re not Superman—you don’t have x-ray vision. Bad people killed Shawn; not you, Adam. My God, you were injured, too!”

He squeezed my hand.

“You don’t hate me?”

“Are you kidding? Of course not. I can’t imagine what you guys were going through just trying to survive while doing your jobs. You’re not to blame.”

He released his grip on my hand.

“Thank you for saying that.”

“I said it because I mean it. And I’m serious—you need to talk to someone about this.”

“I went through pretty intensive therapy before being discharged. I thought I had dealt with it, but being here, seeingeverything Shawn lost… it’s hard not to feel responsible for that.”

“I’m sorry. Truly. And I would hate for you to leave, but why are you staying in Haven Springs if it’s hurting you to be here?”

“Because it would hurt me more to go. I owe it to Shawn to make sure you and Conor are safe and happy.”

Right. He owes it to Shawn.

“Would it be easier for you if we weren’t involved anymore?”

I knew I was being a martyr, but I was really hoping he’d shoot the idea down on the spot.

He didn’t immediately disagree, which told me a lot before he even said, “Let’s cross that bridge when I move out.”

~~~~

We were able to clean my small apartment top to bottom and had almost an hour to spare before seven o’clock, when the O’Briens were going to bring Conor back.

It seemed our conversation in the car had killed any horny feelings we’d normally have, because it felt like we’d consciously steered clear of one another while we cleaned. So, when he asked if I wanted to grab dinner at Clay’s instead of suggesting we fool around with our remaining time, I was only mildly disappointed.

“You sure you want to be seen with me?”

“Princess, people are already talking. They know I’m staying with you. Us having dinner together shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone.”

“Okay but let me jump in the shower first.”

He threw his head back and groaned, and I initially thought he was annoyed because he was hungry, so I defensively replied, “I can get ready fast.”

His chuckle was low when he said, “That’s not it, baby. Now I’m imagining you naked in the shower, and the last thing I care about is dinner.”

Annnnd, the horny feelings were back.

I bit my bottom lip suggestively.

“Well, maybe you could help make sure I get all the shampoo out of my hair.”

****

Adam

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