Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77874 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77874 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“Will you help me? I think I need to find a treatment center to go to for a little while.”
“Yeah, of course. Whatever you need, and when you come back, Pretty Girl, Casanova, and I will be waiting for you.”
I give him a truth he’s helped me learn, at least when it comes to him. “I know.” Archer loves me, and I love him. We’re going to make this work, together.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Archer
I sit across the desk from my superior, who is looking at me like I’ve lost my mind.
“You’re giving your notice?” he confirms.
“Yes, sir.” The fact that the choice wasn’t harder tells me it’s the best one for me.
“If this is about Easton Swift, that’s been worked out.” As soon as Gregory discovered it was Rhett and not East who broke into the house, he didn’t want to press charges. There’s not a doubt in my mind that he would have otherwise. I figure it’s one thing for East to get into trouble, but Gregory isn’t the kind of man who would allow that to happen to someone like Rhett. Gregory must still be hoping he’ll get Rhett in his life again, if only so he can try to control the oldest Swift brother. Even if Rhett doesn’t forgive him, it would look worse for Gregory if the town knew Rhett broke in as opposed to East. People look up to Rhett, see Rhett as an extension of Gregory, and he would never want to do something to change that.
“It’s not about that situation. It’s not about being with East at all.” Though in some ways, it is, if only because I would always choose East over anyone or anything else. “I just feel like I’ve done everything I can do here. It was never my dream. I was trying to fix something that I could never fix, make amends for something that I don’t have to make amends for. And now I want to see what else is out there.”
He nods, but the way the corners of his eyes crinkle when he looks at me, I’m not sure he believes me. Which is fine. He doesn’t have to. What matters is knowing this is right for me.
“We’re going to miss you around here. You’re one hell of an officer.”
I nod in return. We finish our conversation, I fill out all the paperwork, and then I leave. In two weeks, I’ll no longer be Officer Archer Thorn. I’ve never given myself time to figure out exactly what I want. I’m happy to be doing it now.
I head to the car, then drive to East’s house. Well, home, I guess I should call it. We didn’t speak about me officially moving in when he gets back from his inpatient program, but he asked me to stay here with the dogs while he’s gone.
It’s only been eight days, and we haven’t gotten to talk as much as I’d like, but I know he’s where he needs to be. I’m proud as hell of him. And according to Dusty, Morgan has also made an appointment to start seeing a therapist. It’s past time they got the help they deserve, unlearning the toxic behaviors they were taught and realizing that none of what happened was their fault.
I’m not sure if Rhett is doing the same, but I can only hope he is.
I park in front of the house, the weather gray and getting cooler. As soon as I unlock the door, the dogs come spilling out, jumping and falling and telling me hello, before it’s clear they’re looking around for East.
“He’ll be home soon. I promise.”
My cell rings, and I pull it out of my pocket, hopeful that it’s him. My heart jumps when I see it’s from the facility where he’s at. Our calls are short, but I look forward to each and every one of them.
“Hey, sweetheart. How are you doing?”
“Not great,” he replies honestly, which is a step in the right direction.
“Thank you for being honest with me.”
“I miss you.”
“I miss you too. So fucking much. How is the medication making you feel?” They started him on them when he first arrived but warned him that they can take a while to work—and find the right medication and dosage—and that the most important piece will be the therapy.
“I don’t notice much difference so far. I’m sleeping better, though.”
The dogs come in, I close the door, then sit on the couch. “That’s good. You need it. Pretty Girl and Casanova are at my feet. I think they know I’m talking to you.”
“I can’t wait to see them.”
“They can’t wait either.”
“I’m drawing you,” East says softly. “You said once you wanted me to draw you, and I’ve been doing it every day. Makes me feel…close to you.”
My heart swells. None of this is easy on East, but he’s there, and he’s trying so damn hard despite feeling that getting healthy means losing Ella. “I can’t wait to see them. Save them all for me, okay?”