War Torn

Chapter 2-1

Chapter 2

The next day I’m at the office

shuffling papers and trying to keep my mind off the TV in the other

room, reports of rebel activity on the Bridge and thoughts of Tomas

headed right into the fray, when the phone rings on my desk. For a

moment I just stare at it, dreading the worst. When it rings again,

I snatch it up and frown at my desk. If they managed to get past my

secretary, they don’t need the Captain Jace Rickert bit.

“Yes?”

“Hey.”

The breathless whisper belongs to

Tomas, I’d know it anywhere. My blood surges, a sudden rush that

leaves me light-headed and ecstatic for the first time since he’s

left. “Baby.” I grin into the phone. “I miss you something

fierce.”

Tomas laughs. “I miss you, too. We

stopped to refuel and Livy’s around the corner, watching out for

me. I just wanted to call and say I love you.”

“I love you, too,” I

whisper. “They say it’s getting worse out there. Is Rosser reading

the field reports? Alden thinks you guys will be back before you

know it. He says we’re on the brink of war.” Lowering my voice, I

add, “God, be careful, Tomas. Please—”

“I will,” he replies, and

then he mutters, “s**t. Liv says we’re shipping out so I gotta go.

Take care, lover boy. I’ll see you soon enough.”

He makes a kissy sound through the

phone that brings a smile to my face. I can imagine him at a pay

phone somewhere kissing me through the line while Second Lieutenant

Essner motions for him to hurry.

“Love you,” I say

again.

Then he’s gone.

Out in the lobby I hear shouts and

gunfire erupt from the TV, and a reporter says things are looking

bad at the Bridge. The president is hearing peace proposals but

there’s little hope any middle ground will be reached. I stare at

the papers on my desk, stare through them; I see Tomas in my

mind and can hear his voice within me, and I want him so bad, my

stomach twists into knots of apprehension and fear. Please send

him back to me. Soon.