Page 56 of The Biggest Sacrifice

I hate these calls. They make them worry more, because we can’t hear each other correctly, which is why I don’t use the satellites.

“I’m good. Everything’s fine. I got your letters. I wanted to check in.”

“Tommy, I’m only - every – word. We’re – here. Miss you.”

I’ve got to jump right into it.

“How’s Farrah?”

“Farrah? She’s --. What’s going --? She’s pulled - a bit. Hangs with - girls and new guy.”

Fucking new guy. Just wait until I get home.

“Tommy, you left her. She was - for a - while.”

I grip the phone tighter. I fucking know I left her. I left you all.

“Bill, don’t let her slip away.”

“Tom, I don’t… new guy…”

“What the fuck!”

“Tom I can’t – “

The static on this line is so bad. “I’m going to text you. Bill, if you can hear me, I’ll text you.”

I hang up. There’s no point. This conversation is only making me more and more upset, and he can't even hear me.

I grab a pen and paper and write. But first, I shoot out a text on the app to Billy.

Me: Don’t let her forget about me.

CHAPTER 34

FARRAH

I’m in my classroom,putting away the last of the art supplies that were left out. It’s Friday. I’m exhausted. I love these kids, but damn, they never run out of steam. Me? I’ve been running on pure adrenaline for the last few weeks. Everything with Tommy has been progressing forward in a healthy way. He’s been opening up a little more each time we talk. It’s not a lot, but I see it. He’s trying.

However, as soon as he gives a sentence or two, shows me what he’s thinking, he immediately covers it with sex. The emotion dries up and the physical takes over. That primal need still deep within him races to the surface to protect the vulnerability he shows. I understand that’s been his protection for so long. He uses the masculine side of him to cover the soft.

If he can’t get control of it, I have a feeling this will be a lifelong back and forth that he uses to hide his true self away.

“Hey, little mouse.”

Lost in my thoughts, the voice startles me. “Oh!” I relax at the sight of him. “What are you doing here?” Admiring all six feet of him, leaning against my classroom door, wearing his police uniform, only makes him that much hotter.

“I’m on break and had to come and see you.”

I lean against my desk and put my hands on my hips. “Is that so?”

Walking with the swag of a man on a mission, I watch as he enters the classroom completely. “That’s so.” He stops in front of me, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. “I didn’t get my fill yet today.” He gives me a kiss, then lays that smirk on me. “I know you gotyourfill-”

I smack his arm. “Don’t be so crude!”

He chuckles. “Just being honest.” He wraps both arms around my waist and pulls me in flush against him. I rest my chin on his chest and look up into his eyes. “What’s on your mind, Tommy?” He waggles his brows. “Stop! I’m being serious. You never show up at my school.”

“I’m off at eight, but I wanted to make sure you were coming over. Or I’m coming to you. Whichever, doesn’t matter to me, but I want to make sure you’re all mine tonight.”

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