Page 33 of Another Love, Another Time

River

I’ve been Auggie’s partner for about a week.

He’s changed. I can tell he doesn’t want to make me mad.

I can tell he’s walking on eggshells around me.

I don’t want that. If we are going to be partners, we have to trust one another to tell each other how it is.

I’m half tempted to push his buttons to see how far I can push him.

I should, but I won’t. I asked him to keep it professional at work, and he has held up his end of the request.

Auggie and I are currently driving to follow up on a lead to one of our cases.

I’ve gotten used to the comfortable silence.

I’m grateful that he’s giving me space and not forcing the conversation he knows I’m not ready for.

If I’m honest, I don’t think he will be ready for it either.

I want to lie, to say that I can’t stand his presence, but it feels nice to hang out with him, even if it’s only in a professional manner.

I feel my walls slowly coming down around him, which both excites me and scares me.

I’ve only let one other person in since Auggie, and that’s my husband.

I look over at Auggie, and this scene reminds me of when we were younger, right after he got his license, when he drove me around in his truck.

He catches me looking at him and gives me his trademark smirk.

“What?” I ask. I wonder how many times he has smirked at Melissa.

I can tell he knows where my thoughts took me, and he clears his throat.

I shake my head. Wanting to change the subject, I start, “Your mom invited me to a family barbecue this Sunday. I guess they think I’ve been here long enough, that I need to face the firing squad.

” I chuckle, steering my thoughts from our past.

“Yeah, I got the same invite. Did you not tell them I was your partner?”

I scoff. “No. I don’t want them knowing where I work.”

“You didn’t tell your mom where you work? Riv, she needs to know. What if something happens to you, and they call her? What does she think you do?”

“She thinks I work in an office. I told both of our moms I didn’t want them to know because I don’t need them showing up.”

“You’re right.” He smiles and shakes his head. “They would have shown up.”

“Have you told your mom?”

“No, but I haven’t had a chance to talk to her. I’ve been busy. I got the invite through text, and I just responded with a thumbs up.”

I sigh. “I really missed your mom’s cooking. They don’t serve food like that overseas.”

It has been a week since I started at the HPD so far.

Everything’s going well. I love the team; they remind me of my last team.

All of them have a sense of humor, and they enjoy playing jokes on one another.

You can tell they all have a tight bond, and they have welcomed me into the fold seamlessly.

This morning, Mackey invited some of the team over to his house to hang out and watch baseball tonight. I responded that I’ll join.

My thoughts are interrupted by my phone vibrating, and I see that it’s Baxter.

“Hey, do you mind if I get this? It won’t be very long.”

“Yeah, go ahead. We have another ten minutes before we get there.”

I hit the green circle to accept. I really don’t want to have a conversation with Baxter in front of Auggie, but I don’t really have an option.

I don’t know when I’ll be able to speak with him again, and I haven’t been able to talk to him all week.

He got special permission to text me the first day I was here to make sure I arrived safely.

“Hey, Bax,” I say softly.

“Hey, Rhondy,” he says a little too loudly. I have to pull my ear from my phone.

“Wow. You’re really loud today.” I know Auggie can hear every word he’s saying. I laugh awkwardly.

“Sorry. I just missed you. I haven’t had a chance to call all week, and I don’t have very long.”

“It’s okay. You know I get it.”

“I know you do. How are you? Have you seen him yet?”

My heart speeds up. Auggie can hear him. I glance at him. He’s focusing on driving, but I can tell he’s listening from the way his hands white-knuckle the steering wheel. There’s no use in beating around the bush.

“Yeah. Funny story. He’s a detective too. He’s, uh, actually my partner. He’s sitting right here; we are currently in the car.”

“Holy shit! Really? What are the odds?” He laughs.

“I know, right?” I force a chuckle.

He lowers his voice. “Have you talked to him yet?”

I know what he’s implying. We’ve had several conversations about me moving to the same town Auggie lives in. “Not yet.” I look back over at Auggie. “I will. I’m just not ready yet.”

“Don’t put it off too long. You’re no chicken shit. Not my Rhondy.” He says that last part a little too loudly.

“You’re such an ass!” I joke.

“Yes, but you love this ass,” he states confidently.

“You’re right, I do.”

He continued, “I’ll have to get off soon, but I want to let you know they are letting me take leave in the next five to eight weeks. I want to make sure I can see you.”

“Really? I can’t wait to see you!” I can’t hide my excitement. “I should be in my new place by then. My mom will be excited to see you, too. We’ll have to go over to her house while you’re here. How many days do I get you?”

“I’m not sure how much time yet, but I’ll let you know as soon as I do. I have to go visit mom and my siblings too, so I haven’t decided if I’m going to come see you first or them.”

“You want me to go with you?”

“Yeah, if you want.”

“When you know more, I’ll check my schedule and see what I can work out.”

“Okay. Well, I have to go. Parpan wanted me to tell you he said hi.”

I miss those guys. “Tell him I said ‘hi’ back. I love you. Stay safe. Make smart choices.”

“Love you too, Rhondy. You stay safe, too.” And then he’s gone again.

I take a deep breath and let it out.

“You okay?” Auggie asks.

“Yeah. I just miss him.”

“I’m sure. I bet it’s hard to be away from him.” I see him swallow. “So, he knows about me?” He seems nervous now. He looks at me and then back at the road.

“Yeah, and he knows who you are. Why wouldn’t he?

He’s my best friend.” I don’t say that to be mean.

Or maybe I do. It’s true. After what happened, I had to distance myself from everyone.

Baxter weaseled himself into my broken heart and has never left.

He came along when I really needed him. I’d do anything for him, and I know he would do the same for me.

“Why does he call you ‘Rhondy’?” he questions.

“It’s a long story. It goes with the other stuff I’ve been putting off talking to you about. Let’s put a pin in it for later.” I look back at my phone, trying to distract myself.

“I get it. Just for the record, I’m glad you had him.”

I look out the window and let out a sigh. “Yeah, me too.” I smile as I think about Baxter and his nickname for me.