Page 29 of The Biggest Sacrifice

I can feel the anger rolling off of him. That’s fine. Anger is a good emotion, so at least he’s feeling something. He’s not completely dead and closed off. I put the car into drive and we pull out, driving slowly along the neighborhood roads.

“So, how was your coffee?”

“Shut the fuck up. We’re not friends. I’m doing this because my superior tells me I have to. It won’t last for long, believe me on that.”

Grinning to myself, I vow to keep pushing his buttons. I have a feeling I know exactly where this guy is coming from, but he doesn’t know me and he definitely doesn’t trust me to tell me a word. I’ll try, though, for Farrah.

“Okay. No coffee talk. Gotcha.” Scanning the streets, they’re coming alive with people out for morning walks and kids heading to school. Living in a small town has been great so far. Coming from the city, I feel good here. The pace is slower, friendlier.

Sneaking a glance at Tom, I see he’s staring out the passenger window.

“Chief Hunter has us visible on the streets more. He believes that by staying seen, Christmas can remain a peaceful area.”

Tom shifts in his seat, and I keep talking. Considering he hasn’t told me to shut the fuck up again, I’d say we’re making progress.

“Plus, he feels it secures the neighborhood’s outlook on us being known as the good guys.”

“Good guys. Yup.”

I make an exaggerated gasp. “You answered me without a curse? No new guy or pretty boy either? We’re making progress, TC.”

“Dont ever fucking call me that again!” He roars out and spins in his seat towards me so fast that I think he may take me by the throat if we weren’t separated by the radios and iPad. I brake and bring the car to the side of the road. His eyes are furious. Now I see what Farrah is talking about when she says he seems to go anywhere else but here in the present.

This guy has been through some shit.

“Okay, you’re okay. I won’t say it again. I’m sorry, Tom.” He seems to relax at my soothing tone and sinks back into the seat. “You good?”

He inhales deeply. I’m almost afraid to say my next line, but I’m going to. He needs to know he’s not the only one.

“Listen, I may overstep here, but if you’ve got something you need to say, you can. I’ve been there, too.”

He continues to look straight ahead, but scoffs at me. “Where have you been?”

“I served, too. Four years was all they got from me, though. I didn’t stay as long as you did, but…” I let my sentence linger, hoping he’ll take the bait.

“What branch?”

“Air Force.”

“Pussy.”

I bark out a laugh. “Say what you want. I was just smarter than you. I chose cots over ditches to sleep in.”

He cuts me a look and I see a small tug on his lips.

“My cousin, though, he was a Marine.”

“Smart man.”

“He was.” I look straight ahead, waiting to catch him in my peripheral vision. When he moves in the seat, I turn and meet his eyes. “I know loss, too, brother.”

He bristles at my words. It’s subtle, but I see it. I put the car in drive and pull away from the curb. The rest of our shift is uneventful, but I got my point across. That was my only aim. Open up the lines of communication.

CHAPTER 18

TOM

“You’re really goingto make me wear this jersey?” I turn it around, showing off the back that reads “Gage’s Fave Twin.”

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