War Torn

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.