Page 47 of Two Is Better Than One

"Don't be shy."

"Oh, I'm not. I'm trying to be different, better with Allie. I like her for real."

"What?" Casey asked, pulling back and looking at his cousin. He knew AJ had been talking to Summer's sister a lot, but quite frankly AJ was a lady charmer from way back who talked to every attractive female, so Casey didn't think much of it.

"What do you mean, you're trying to be different?"

"I'm not playing with Allie. I want to work hard to be a good person for her. I want to keep seeing her. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I prayed about it. It's like the weirdest relationship I've ever been in. I'm trying to do it right. I'm going to figure out a way to see her. When she leaves Miami in a couple of weeks—that's not going to be the end for us. I have money set aside. I'll do whatever it takes, really."

Casey stared at his cousin. He didn't know what to think. They were moving slowly, but by this time they had reached his apartment building and began walking through the lobby toward the elevator.

Casey had always been competitive. All the boys, brothers, and cousins, had tried to best each other over the years. Casey felt an ache in his chest at the thought that AJ had the key to life figured out before he did. In that moment, he admired AJ's willingness to change, commit, and speak up about his feelings. He regretted not being with Summer, and AJ's easy confidence about Allie infuriated him.

Casey did not let it show. He smiled and they rode up the elevator. "That's really cool," he said. "I like Allie. I hope it works out with you two."

"Oh, it will," AJ said, confidently.

Casey was quiet after that. The two of them said goodnight and agreed that they'd see each other in the morning before Casey had to leave town. He would be on an undercover assignment for the FBI where he would assume another identity.

Max Morgan had worked in the FBI for years before Casey was born, and it was early in Casey's childhood when Max saw that his son was born to do what he did. Casey had been trained in martial arts since his adolescence. He wasn't mad at his dad for starting him off early. He loved what he did. He had given his life to his country, serving in intense situations, mostly overseas.

This whole procedure, where he left town and then went to Virginia for a few days of prep and training was second nature for him, and it was a good thing because Casey was distracted. He flew to the facility in Virginia where he prepared for the next few months in London.

He had to get into a certain mindset before each job, so he always spent a few days out there. He would take a few days to do research and immerse himself in his next mission.

This time, preparing for work was tedious. Casey could not get his head in the game. He kept thinking about Summer. He knew her songs, and he could hear her voice in his head. He had access to her music, but he wasn't listening to any of it. He could remember it clearly enough without listening.

During those days in Virginia, Casey ate for nutrition, but he had no real appetite for food. This whole work routine seemed mundane, and he wanted to get back to the job of protecting Summer—his wife.

Casey laughed out loud when he had that thought. He was unwrapping his hands after a session of kickboxing. For the last hour, he had been using a heavy punching bag that was set up in a gym area.

Casey was accustomed to training on his own. He would prefer to work out boxing with a partner, but he was good at using the bag and he had just finished a session. He was dripping with sweat, and he used his shirt to wipe his forehead after he got his hand unwrapped. His wife. He had just thought of Summer as his wife. He knew his cousin was going to pursue her sister, and it was eating him up inside that he couldn’t say the same for himself with Summer.

He wondered what she would have said if he would have stayed. Casey thought it had been both of their jobs keeping them apart, but maybe it was only his.

He was unable to stop thinking of her. He had prayed for God to help clear his head of her and start over, but that didn’t happen. The longer he was away from Summer, the more he missed her. How would he ever wait four months? And even then, what would happen? He'd spend a month back in the states before leaving again? He thought he loved his life. But it was as if he put on a pair of glasses, and now he saw everything differently.

He had never been tempted to leave his job, and now he didn't feel like there was any other option but to leave it. He had to go to Summer. He knew London would be his last job.

He rolled the wraps into a loose roll and set them on the bench before stretching upward. He heard the familiar sound of his dad whistling from the hallway. Max often whistled when he went down hallways to let people know he was coming. He was an undercover agent like Casey, and there were times when he obviously didn't whistle, but in this situation, Max was whistling as he approached the room where Casey was. It was a slow, medium toned, contemplative whistle, and Casey judged that his father's mood was neutral.

He wondered what his dad was doing there in the first place. He hadn't expected to see him at all during this visit to Virginia.

"There he is," Max said as he appeared in the doorway. He and Casey made eye contact. "Are you getting ready to go?"

"Yes, sir. What are you doing here?"

Max closed the door behind him. He was holding a manila envelope which usually wasn't good news.

"What's this about?" Casey said.

"I don't know if it's good news or bad news, for you, Casey, but you're off this case. London's off for you."

"What? Why?" Casey stood up, and Max handed him the folder.

It was photographs of himself and Summer. It was the night before he left, and it was them in the pool. He thought they had been extremely discreet when they were on the rooftop that night, but obviously someone had been watching them like a hawk, with the camera aimed and ready to shoot.

Summer came up to him on the side of the pool, and they had held hands and spoke to each other for about three seconds. Casey held proof of that moment in his hands. His heart ached for her. He wanted to be with her right this second. He hated that someone cared enough about her to watch her like this.

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