Damn.
“When do I leave?” I ask.
“Wednesday.”
Shit. That's less than a week.
“Any questions, Daniels?”
“No, Sir.”
“You are dismissed.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
I leave the office and know that the first thing I have to do is tell Veronica. The last time I left it wasn't nearly this hard; it was pretty simple. I had no one here that cared enough whether I stayed or not. The thought of leaving her makes my heart hurt. We are just beginning, and now we have to put us on hold. Would she even want to wait for me? Even with me being as selfish as I am--I want her to wait-- I'd never ask her to. Fuck. This sucks. I grip my hair in frustration. The last thing I want to do right now is to go to work, but I have to. I also have to inform my dad of my deployment.
The drive to the office doesn't take long, and I'm sitting at my desk before even realizing I walked up here. My mind is in an entirely different world. I better get this shit over with. I pick up the phone and dial my father's secretary.
“Mr. Daniels office, June speaking.” My father’s secretary answers.
“Hey June, it's Chase. Is my father in?”
“Yeah, but he has a meeting in ten.”
“I won't be long,” I tell her simply and hang up. I want to get this over with. I approach his office on the other end of the building. June is sitting at the open desk before his. “He's right inside.”
“Thanks, June.” I open the door, my father seated behind his desk looking over papers pauses to look up. “Chase,” he says in greeting and continues moving papers. “I have a meeting, let's make this quick, yeah?”
“Yeah, no problem. I'm being deployed,” I tell him, bluntly.
This news actually makes him still, his blue eyes meeting mine. “You just returned.”
“Yeah,” I shrug, “I'm needed elsewhere.”
“What about the company? You're needed here!”
“Unfortunately, they own me. I have to go.”
“I still don’t understand why you joined the Army when you have a promising future here. I'm going to have to fill your position until you return.”
“Yeah, I figured that.” I ignore his first comment.
“You don't seem to be saddened by that.”
“I understand. You have to do what you have to do.”
“Alright then. When do you leave?”
“Wednesday.”
“Wednesday? That's in five days!”
“Yeah, I'm aware.”
“They don't give you much notice, do they?”
“Apparently not.”
He curses under his breath. “I'll figure something out.” And with that, it seems I'm dismissed. I leave his office, close the door behind me, and make my way back to my own. I sit behind my desk. Telling my father wasn't as bad as I thought, but I'm dreading having to tell Veronica. This isn't what I envisioned. I knew I might’ve been called again, but I didn't think it would be this soon. I wonder if anyone else from my unit got called out, too. I ponder on it for a minute before snapping myself out of my thoughts. I need to get this work day over with.
I immerse myself with paperwork until it’s time to call it quits. I leave the office and try to stay positive. I want to enjoy this night. I've decided to hold off on telling Veronica until tomorrow, or maybe even Monday. Tonight is the last race weekend for the year. The weather is dropping week by week and we're lucky winter held off this long into October. It could also be my last Friday with Veronica, and I don't want to sullen the night with my impending departure.
Ideas of how to tell her run through my mind on the drive home, which is depressing. I decide to stop thinking of it altogether and embrace the night. I quickly change out of my clothing, and get into something more comfortable than my pressed shirt and slacks. I jump into the Z. I shoot a text to Vance, who informs me he’s not home yet. He thinks the rest of the guys should be, though. I smile and select Veronica's name. She answers immediately.
“Hey!” she answers enthusiastically.
“Hey, you.” I put the phone on speaker and start the car.
“What are you doing?” she asks, “You driving?”
“Yes ma'am. I'm on my way to you.”
“The best thing I’ve heard all day.”
That makes me smile. “I'll do you one better when I get there.”
“Can't wait.”
“Me either. I'll see you soon.”
“Kay.”
The call ends, and I press on the gas to get to her faster. My heart is beating wildly, and there's a tickle in my stomach. I'm turning into a goddamn lovesick puppy. I laugh at myself. I haven't been this happy since...well, since ever. The thought that I have to leave her slams into my happiness like a fucking meteor. Damn it all.
Minutes later, I'm parked next to Veronica's RSX. The front door opens as I step out of my car. V comes running toward me, and I brace myself for her enthusiastic greeting. She doesn't disappoint as she lunges herself at me, her long legs wrapping around my waist. “Well, that was quite the greeting.”
“I missed you,” she mumbles. I kiss her forehead and move us towards the house.
“I missed you, too.”
I climb the few steps to the front door and pause as she releases her legs from around my torso. She stands on the top step, which ends up making her level with me. I scan her beautiful face, committing it to memory--every single feature. “What?” she whispers.
My hand moves to her cheek, feeling her soft skin. “I am the luckiest guy in the world,” I breathe, and her lips break into a smile before moving to capture my mouth into a hungry kiss. This only confirms what I just told her; I am most definitely the luckiest guy in the world. Her hand moves to the back of my neck and her touch causes my body to quiver.
“Get a room!” someone shouts from inside the house, causing our kiss to falter. We break apart.
“Sorry.” She smiles.
“That's nothing to be sorry about,” I tell her. She only sniffles and grabs my hand, pulling me inside behind her.
“That looked painful,” Vaughn says from the couch. Veronica smacks him in the back of the head while passing behind him.
“Ow!” he shouts, his hand instantly moving to rub at the spot. Veronica continues to pull us past the living room and into the kitchen. She pauses and turns to me, pressing a quick kiss to my mouth. “Last one.” I smile, knowing what she means. Vance will be here soon, and we have to keep our cool. That was something else I momentarily forgot about, but I know I need to talk to Veronica first, then tackle the Vance issue.
Within the next twenty minutes, everyone arrives and we're lounging in the living room talking about Wes' bets while Vance changes.
“Easy money,” Wes dismisses a rumor Vin heard. My eyes move to Veronica, watching her sexy lips as she speaks with Taylor. I love those lips. Heavy footsteps descend from the stairs as Vance moves down them. “Alright, let's roll,” he announces. We all move to stand and make our way out the door. “V, you driving?” Vance asks as she slips on her jacket.