Chapter 2

CHAPTER

TWO

Faith

It's been forty-eight hours since his flight left. That's the last I've heard from him. While I know he's safe, I'm still worried. I can't seem to help myself where Chad is concerned. I might be keeping him at arm's length, but that doesn't mean I don't care about him.

Shaking out of my thoughts, I grab my laptop so that I can continue looking for jobs. I've been accepted as a substitute teacher at our local school here in Cooper and the surrounding areas, but I want to have my own classroom and students.

I'm currently living with my twin brother, Ford, and his fiancée, Shayne. Shayne and I were roommates before my brother left the Army, and she insisted that I live with him instead of moving home with my parents.

I have to admit the thought of moving home didn't sit well with me. Don't get me wrong. I love my parents. They're incredible, but once you have a taste of freedom, it's hard to go back. Not that they would butt into my business, too much, but it's just my childhood bedroom makes me feel as though I'm still a teenager. Besides, I'm only here until I find a teaching position and start getting a regular income. Then, I'll find a place of my own.

Needless to say, I took them up on their offer. I'm hoping that it's only going to be for the rest of the summer, but right now, the job search is looking grim. I'm making it sound worse than it is. I've applied to several schools and even have a few offers, but they're not the offers I was hoping for. I want to teach kindergarten. Yes, I'm aware that I'm being super picky, but that's what my heart is set on. I know that I should just accept and hope that a kindergarten spot becomes available, but as I sit here applying to more schools, branching out a little farther than I originally hoped, I can't help but send up a silent plea that what I'm looking for will fall in my lap.

My phone rings, and I jump at the sound. I grapple to grab the device and end up knocking it off the bed. Tossing my laptop to the side, I slide off the mattress, grab the phone, and swipe at the screen. "Hello," I say in a rush.

"Faith?" Chad's deep voice wraps around me like a warm embrace. "Are you all right?"

"Chad! Hi! Yes, I'm fine." I huff out a deep breath as I try to calm myself down.

"What are you doing?"

"Now? Or when you called?" I ask.

"Both." He chuckles. "Tell me about both."

"Well, when you called, I was searching and applying for jobs."

"And now?" he prompts.

"Now, I'm sitting on my bedroom floor, trying not to be a heavy breather into the phone."

"I'm going to need you to explain that to me, darlin'," he drawls.

Damn, I miss him. "Fine." I sigh dramatically, and I can already practically see him smiling in my mind. "When my phone rang, I had to wrestle the comforter for it, and I lost the battle. The phone slid off the bed, and in my attempt to get to it before it stopped ringing, I ended up on the floor too."

"Are you okay?" I can hear the concern in his voice, and my heart clenches in my chest. I miss him so much.

"I'm fine. Better now that I'm talking to you. How's Texas?"

"It was fine."

"Was? I'm going to need you to explain that to me, darlin'." I pitch my voice to attempt to sound like him. I fail miserably. Chad's voice is deep and sexy, and yeah, I don't even come close to replicating it, but he gets the point if his laughter is any indication.

"As soon as I got there, I was told I was being transferred and given a new position."

I swallow the lump in my throat that has suddenly appeared. Please don't let him be overseas. Please don't let him be overseas. I chant the words over and over in my head. "Where are you?"

"California."

"Oh." I heave a sigh of relief. "That's great, Chad. Congratulations! How's California?" I ask, trying to mask the fear that was just coursing through my veins.

"It's too far away from you. From Ford and Shayne," he quickly adds.

"But you're on US soil. It could be worse." I pause, taking another deep breath, attempting to gather my composure. "You have to give me your new address. I have letters and care packages to send."

"Already?" he asks.

"Are you really surprised?" I ask.

"No. Not the least little bit." He chuckles. "Thank you for the letter."

"Did you wait?"

"Kind of. I made it all the way to Texas, but on the plane to California, I caved."

My heart races knowing he read my letter. I opened my heart to him. "I knew you would." I'm smiling. "Although, I am impressed that you managed to make it to Texas and on the next plane before you caved."

His deep laugh wraps around my soul. "Tell me about your job hunt?"

"Well, I've been approved as a substitute from a laundry list of schools in Cooper and the surrounding area."

"And a full-time position?" he prompts.

"I've been offered a few," I confess.

"Faith! That's incredible. Do you know which you want to accept?"

I pause and decide to give him the truth. I've never lied to him, and I won't start now. "None of them. I mean, I don't think any of them. They're just not what I want, Chad."

"What do you want?"

You. I swallow my gut reaction. "I want to teach kindergarten. It's been my dream, and I know that I'm being irrational. I know that with teaching, you don't always get the exact grade that you want, but I really want kindergarten."

"Then you hold out for what you really want."

"Yeah, I know, but then I'm living with Ford and Shayne rent-free, I might add. They're just starting their life together, both of them out of school and out of the service, and I'm here like the third wheel that I am. I need to find a job and find my own place."

"Faith, you know that they don't give two shits that you're living with them. In fact, I know Shayne is happy that you're there. She loves being roommates with you."

"Yeah, but now she's marrying my brother, and I'm sure they want their alone time together. I just…I'm feeling so overwhelmed. My heart wants one thing, but I know in my mind that taking any position with a good school to get my foot in the door is the way to go, but I just can't seem to accept any of them."

"How long until you have to give them an answer?"

"The end of the month, so three or so weeks. Give or take a day or two."

"Take a few days to think about it. Talk to Ford and Shayne. Talk to your mom. I'm sure she has great advice."

"I have. She told me that sometimes I need to get my foot in the door and hold out until the class that I really want opens up."

"I know you have your heart set on kindergarten, and I have no doubt that's where you will end up."

"Yeah," I say softly.

"Listen, I need to go. I have to get settled and grab some food. I have to report at 0400."

"Okay. Stay safe and send me your new address."

"I will. Call or text anytime. I'll reply when I can."

"I know the drill."

"Just making sure you know that I might not be there, but you're here with me. Always."

Hot tears prick my eyes. "I miss you."

"I miss you too. Get some rest."

"Night."

"Night, sweetheart."

The line goes dead as the tears fall. Glancing at the clock, I see it's midnight here, so it's nine in California, I think. Hopefully, he can find something to eat this late and get in bed. I hate to think that my whining about my job search kept him up too late, where he'll be tired tomorrow.

Over the job search for tonight, I stand from the floor and grab my laptop, placing it on my nightstand. I'll start my search over again tomorrow. Sliding beneath the covers, I close my eyes and will sleep to claim me. Only, it never comes. Over an hour later and I'm still staring up at the dark ceiling. Reaching over, I turn on the lamp, grab the notebook and pen from the nightstand, and begin to write.

Chad,

It's late. Well, after one in the morning. I can't sleep, and since you have to be up at the ass-crack of dawn, and I can't call you, a letter it is. I'm really struggling with this job situation. I have three offers. One from Cooper Elementary and two from surrounding elementary schools. All three are good schools, in good neighborhoods, and not a far drive from Cooper.

I hate that I'm being so difficult, but my heart is telling me to hold out. It feels as though I'm settling, even though I know that's not the case. I'll still be a teacher, still helping to shape young minds, just not the new young minds I was hoping for.

Anyway, I hope that you're settling in well. I miss you. Be safe.

Love,

Faith

Closing the notebook, I place it on the nightstand as a reminder to drop the letter in the mail tomorrow. Turning off the lamp, I snuggle back beneath the covers, and finally, sleep claims me.

I'm back in my room, hiding from my brother and best friend. I'm once again scouring the internet for jobs when my cell alerts me to a message.

Chad: Can you talk?

Me: To you? Always.

I've barely hit Send when my phone rings. "Hey," I greet him.

"It's good to hear your voice."

"It hasn't even been twenty-four hours since we last talked."

"Too long."

"How was your day?"

"Long, exhausting, overwhelming. This new position is more responsibility, and while I'm thrilled to be given the opportunity, there's a lot to learn."

"You're going to be amazing, Chad. You're hard-working and dedicated, and I have no doubt you're going to be kicking ass and barking orders in no time."

He huffs out a laugh. "How about you? How was your day? Any luck with the job search?"

"Nope. I've applied for a few more. I've also been researching the three schools that offered me positions. Creeping on their websites and social media. Just trying to get a feel for each of them."

"That's a good idea."

"I don't know why I'm letting this stress me out so much. I should be thrilled that I have three offers to choose from. It's not that I'm unhappy, but I really had my heart set on kindergarten."

"I think you should take a step back. Take a break for a few days. Don't look at jobs or research schools. Just chill and try to clear your mind. Maybe then you'll feel more confident in your decision."

"Yeah, maybe you're right."

"Of course I'm right."

"That does sound nice, but it's not like I have a job and am rolling in the dough to take a trip."

"Come to me."

I freeze. Pulling the phone away from my face, I make sure we're still connected. "What?" I ask, placing the phone back to my ear.

"You heard me. Come to California. Visit me. I'll rent you a room and buy you a plane ticket. Come here and enjoy the sunshine of the West Coast for a while. Clear your mind."

"I can't just come to California."

"What's stopping you, Faith? It's the summer, you're not committed to a job yet, and it's California. I have the weekends off for now, except team workouts, and we can spend a day at the beach."

"Are you even near the beach?"

"Yeah, well, kind of. Closer than you are," he teases. "I heard some of the guys talking tonight, and Moreno Beach is just about one hundred miles from where I'm stationed."

"That's a long drive."

"But it will be with me."

"We'll get there and have to turn around."

"No, we can leave early, then spend the night, and drive home early the next day."

"That's a lot of driving when we could be visiting."

"Babe, we'll be together the entire time. Come on. It will be fun."

"We don't have to go to the beach."

"Fine, we can do whatever you want. We can lock ourselves in your hotel room for all I care. We can have dinner each night and then explore the area on the weekends. I haven't had time to do that yet. I need you here to experience it with me." His voice is pleading, and I admit seeing him already has a strong appeal.

"I can't let you buy me a ticket and a room. I have money saved up."

"I can and I will. Look, I've saved almost every dime I've made while enlisted. I can afford to bring you out here, and I want to see you. Please say yes. I'll take care of it all right now. You'll have the details in your inbox within the hour."

"I don't know." My heart gallops inside my chest. Can I really just pack up and go see him for a few days? I miss him like crazy, and honestly, I'm not doing much here right now. Excitement bubbles up inside me.

"Come on. Come to California, clear your head. Even if you get a position, I know you, and you won't be taking any time off except for school holidays that teachers don't have to come in for. You're too dedicated. Please."

"You really want me to come and see you?"

"Yes." No hesitation.

"I do miss you. I miss your hugs."

"Then come to California and get one. I promise to smother you in hugs while you're here to tide you over."

"You drive a hard bargain." I bite down on my bottom lip while I process what he's asking. I would love to go see him. I've never been to California, so that would be a new experience as well, but the biggest appeal is Chad and his hugs.

"Only for things I really want."

"You promise lots of hugs?"

"Unlimited," he says, hearing the excitement building in his voice.

"I can buy my ticket and room."

"No. I asked you to come to me, and I'm paying. Let me do this, Faith."

"Okay." My voice is soft.

"Really?"

"Really. If you're sure."

"Fuck yes, I'm sure. When? When can you be here?"

"I've got nothing holding me back. You tell me when to be there, and that's what I'll do."

"How long? How long can you stay?"

"How long do you want me to stay?"

"All summer?" he asks, hopefully.

"That's going to be an expensive hotel stay."

"Damn," he mutters. "I wish you could stay on base with me."

"It's fine."

"I need at least a week. Seven days."

"Okay."

"Wait, two weeks. Yeah, two weeks."

I laugh. "Why don't you check on the prices of hotel stays and flights and then we can decide. Even if it's one night, it will be worth it to get to see you."

"Oh, hell no. It's going to be longer than one night."

"Okay. Just let me know when you get it all figured out."

"You're really doing it? You're coming to California? You're coming to me?"

"I am."

"Fuck. I miss the hell out of you."

"I miss you too."

"Okay, I'm hanging up now. I'm going to find a room and a flight. I'll have it all worked out within the hour."

"It doesn't have to be tonight." I smile, even though he can't see me. It makes my heart happy that he's so excited for me to come and visit.

"Yes, it does. I'm not giving you the chance to change your mind. The ticket will be nonrefundable. You have to come to see me."

I can picture the big grin on his face.

"I won't change my mind."

"Good. I'm going to go. I'll call you back in a few."

"Okay."

"Stay by your phone."

"I'll keep it on me," I assure him.

"Fuck yes," he says as the line goes dead. I can't help the giggle that escapes just as there's a knock at my bedroom door.

"Come in," I call out.

Shayne sticks her head in the door. "Hey, we're going to watch a movie. You want to join us?"

"Uh, no, thanks, though. I'm waiting on a call from Chad. He's advised me that I better answer."

"I thought I heard you talking."

"You did."

"And?"

"And he asked me to come to California to see him."

Her eyes light up. "And you said yes, right?"

"I did. I've been telling him how stressed I am about this whole job search situation, and he thinks getting away for a few days and clearing my head will help."

"Does he now?" She grins.

"We're just friends."

"Does your heart know that?" my best friend counters.

"I think so." I look down at my phone that's gripped tightly in my hands.

"When do you leave?" she asks.

I'm grateful she let it go. "I'm not sure. He's arranging it all. He's supposed to call me back."

"We can pause the movie when he calls," she offers.

"You don't have to do that. I'm going to wait for his call and go to bed. I didn't sleep well last night."

"All right, well, if you change your mind, you know where we'll be. Oh, and let me know when you need a ride to the airport." She winks and closes my bedroom door.

I think about her question about if my heart knows, and it does. It's all we are and can be right now, but that doesn't mean I don't wish for more. It was a mutual decision for us to see where the future takes us and if it would bring us together as more than friends who kiss, hug, and talk to each other multiple times a day.

My heart knows we're friends.

My heart also knows that we love Chad Anthony.