Chasing forever, p.15
Chasing Forever, page 15
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Luca
Leaving her keeps getting more difficult. I know it needs to happen, at least until I finish school. My need to be close to her only gets stronger. I set a goal of finishing this paper on community policing with a focus on school resource officers tonight. It’s only the last three sections and the conclusion.
After four hours of work, I finish this draft and collapse onto my bed until morning.
“You look like hell. Late night?” Davis asks as I step into the squad room.
“I didn’t sleep much.”
“Way to go, Cappelli!”
I shake my head. “No, not that, you fool. I was finishing my paper.” Davis knows about school, but not the job. Even though I have been with Willa, I won’t share it with this imbecile. When Davis realizes he’s found the one for him, he won’t share either. Come to think if it, he hasn’t shared anything about Tabi recently. I’m sure her potentially having to move has something to do with it too.
“Fair enough. Does it mean I can drive today?” Davis’s voice sounds hopeful.
“Sure, but we aren’t riding together today. You have desk duty, and I have a road crew shift.”
“Damn! I forgot. Catch you later.” Davis rushes off to the front desk, which is likely abandoned at this point. I grab the keys to the SUV and head to my assignment for the day. Luckily for me, it’s only two blocks from the hospital. If I’m able, I’ll swing by during Willa’s lunch break. I text her, knowing she isn’t at work yet. Maybe she can respond.
Me: Hi, sweetheart.
Willa: Hi. How did it go last night?
Me: I finished the draft. It needs some polish before turning it in.
Willa: Awesome.
Me: Can you have lunch with me?
Willa: Definitely. My break is at noon today. I’ll meet you at the bench.
Me: Great. I need to feel you in my arms.
Willa: Oh, Luca. xoxo
Me: xoxo
I smile and pocket my phone. The next few hours pass by painfully slowly. It’s a drawback of road jobs, but it also means I know when my shift will start and end without fail. Near noon, I pull away from the site and drive over to the hospital. I grab some food from the taco truck in the parking lot and take a seat on the bench. Halfway through my tacos, my woman slips through the automatic doors. I set my food down and barely resist the urge to run over to her.
Without a word, I draw her into my arms. Unfortunately my vest takes away some of the bliss of holding Willa. This will tide me over for a few more hours. “Hi. I missed waking up with you.” My words are soft and near her ear.
“Hi. I missed you too.” She kisses me lightly and takes a seat on the bench. “Sorry I’m late. My patient was agitated when she woke from the anesthesia.”
“No problem. I’ll take any minutes I can get during the day.”
A smile materializes on her face while she unwraps her food. All too soon, I head back to the construction site to finish out my shift. At a minimum, I can polish my paper after dinner with Willa.
The rest of the week flies by. For the next two days, we have dinner. Then I bury my nose in polishing my paper and studying for my exam. Not being able to stay with her puts me on edge. I miss spending as much time with her as possible. Texting her isn’t enough anymore. I want to be with her every day. Would asking her to move in with me scare her? At this point, we spend the night before our days off at each other’s places. I’m not overly attached to my house, except for the master bathroom. Leaving her asleep in my bed is a glimpse into a future I absolutely want to make a reality.
I need to get through this double shift before the dinner for my training officer tomorrow night. I plan to leave York after a good night’s sleep in enough time to visit his grave before checking in at the hotel. Then I’m meeting with some guys from my graduating class at the academy before the dinner.
Thankfully this double shift is full of calls and the time passes quickly. Even though I’m sure she’s asleep, I text Willa right before I fall into my bed.
Me: Good night, gorgeous. I miss you already. Call me tomorrow. xoxo
I’m on the road after eleven. It’s hit or miss driving into Boston on a Friday. You could be stuck in traffic for hours or sail straight through. Today it’s smooth sailing.
My first stop is the cemetery. A bit morbid, perhaps, but I don’t get down to Boston regularly anymore. The last time I was here was about two years ago. Before then was at the tail end of the graveside service. I never got to share my condolences with his family. I ended up assisting with traffic in front of the church. Lt. Vincent Novello was my training officer and, more importantly, a great mentor. He was a decorated officer and an even nicer person. Losing him in such a senseless way rocked me to my core. For a brief time, I considered stepping away from the force. If something so random could happen to a man as honorable as Lt. Novello, what about the rest of us? We had no chance. Realizing a rash decision would be exactly the opposite of what he would want, I stayed on the force and work each day with his teachings and mentorship in mind.
I grab the flowers on the passenger seat and meander through the other headstones along the south edge of the cemetery. Before I set the mixed flowers on the stone, I clear it with my hand. The words inscribed don’t do the man justice: beloved son, husband, father, and brother in blue. There are times I talk to Lt. Novello when I’m considering huge life decisions in my mind. I thought about him a lot before applying for my new job, even more so when I fell for Willa. Most of the advice he shared was work related. Occasionally he would impart wisdom about life.
One piece of advice stuck with me about love. He said something to the effect of, “When you find the one to share your life with, hold onto her with everything you have and make sure she knows how you truly feel. You never know how long you’ll have.”
I never pressed about his family life. He didn’t share with me or anyone else. He was a private person. Standing here, I know what I need to do. I’m choosing Willa.
I hurry to my car, pull out my phone, and check my messages before calling Davis.
Willa: Good morning. I’ll call you later this afternoon before the dinner.
I could ask Willa, but it would ruin the surprise. “Hey! Will you give me Tabi’s number?”
“Moving in on my girl?” There is no levity in his tone. Interesting.
“No, I need to ask her something about Willa.”
He gives me the number before adding, “Tabi won’t answer while she’s driving to Boston.”
Tabi is Willa’s plus-one for tonight. She was before we started dating, although I’m sure she would have begged off if I were available tonight. Then I process his words—Willa’s scholarship dinner is in Boston.
“Do you know which hotel?”
Davis rattles off the name of a hotel.
“Thanks, man.”
“Don’t do anything crazy like propose.”
Proposing to Willa doesn’t feel crazy at all. “I have something else in mind first. I’ll see you on Monday.” I hang up, input the address to the hotel, and point my car in her direction. Is it possible there are two events, or is Willa’s event and mine one in the same? I need to be by her side, even if I miss celebrating my training officer.
At the reception desk, a cute blonde offers to assist me. I check into my room and then ask about Willa. Skylar, the clerk, indicates the hotel doesn’t have a room registered to her name or Tabi’s. Stumped, I thank her and grab my bag.
“Yo, Cappelli!” I whip my head around in time for Jones to yank me into a bro hug. Jones was one of my classmates at the academy. He’s a member of the Boston PD.
“Hey, Jones! Good to see you! Damn, man, you spend all of your free time in the gym?”
“I could ask you the same thing. How’s the shoulder?”
“All good. Anyone else here yet?” I ask.
“Nah, but Kiely and Greene will be here soon.”
“Cool. I’ll catch you later at the bar before the dinner. I have a few things to take care of.”
We bro hug again. “Later, dude.”
I hurry to my room and devise a plan to connect with Tabi before the ceremony tonight to surprise Willa.
Chapter Thirty
Willa
As predicted, this is harder than I thought it was going to be. I had a strong suspicion staying away from Boston was protecting my heart and mind. I slept in as long as possible. Now I have less than an hour before Tabi arrives. Scurrying around the house, I finish packing, leave a note for Austin about Newman’s food, and grab my notes for my speech tonight.
“Hey, hey! I’m here!”
Thank goodness for Tabi. I wouldn’t have said yes to this without her agreeing to be my plus-one. Now I would prefer Luca.
“Hi, Tabi. I’ll be right down.” I survey my room once more and run through the contents of my bag: dress, shoes, underwear, sleepwear, clothes for tomorrow, and toiletries. Before joining Tabi, I text Luca. I feel awful I missed his text last night.
Me: Good morning. I’ll call you later this afternoon before the dinner.
Sighing, I grab my bag and purse to join Tabi downstairs.
She hands me a scone and a hot tea from the Perk. “Let’s go, lady. We have a tight schedule.”
“You’re a goddess.” I gratefully accept the breakfast and follow her out my front door. After putting my bags in her trunk, I take the first sip of tea. “Thank you for this, Tabi. You’re the bestest bestie a girl could ask for.”
“You would do the same for me if the situation were reversed. How are you doing? I was sure you would’ve dumped me for Luca in a heartbeat.”
“I invited him, but he has a dinner for his training officer tonight. I would’ve brought you both.”
“I’m sorry he couldn’t wiggle out of it.”
“Me too. No offense.” I exhale slowly. I don’t intend to make Tabi feel bad. Having Luca beside me is different. Tabi knows about almost everything. She lived through it with me. Luca is beside me because he wants to be; Tabi too. It’s different when it’s out of care and concern rather than friendship.
“None taken.”
With this amount of traffic, we’ll be in Boston in a blink. Over an hour later, Tabi pulls through the gates of the cemetery. I may not have been here since his burial, but I know exactly where to go.
“Are you sure you want to go alone?” Tabi sets her hand on my forearm before I can step out of the car.
“Yes, at least for a few minutes. If you want to join me after, you can.”
She nods. I take a deep breath and step out of the car. Zigzagging along the path, I approach my dad’s final resting place. There’s a fresh bouquet of flowers perched on top of his headstone. Someone was here very recently.
“Hi, Daddy.” I add a single rose on the lower part of the stone. “This is harder than I ever imagined. I know you’re gone and this is very real, but standing here even almost five years later is… difficult. I spent days trying to come up with a reasonable excuse to avoid presenting this scholarship tonight. Then I realized being here is exactly what you would expect of me. Sierra is like me, though a little younger. Her mom was a single parent, and she gave her life in the line of duty. I owe it to you, myself, Officer Ward, and Sierra to present her with the grant.”
I lower myself to the ground. “I met someone. He’s a lot like you. His protective streak is at least as wide and deep as yours. I’m making progress with the fact he’s a cop like you. Nonna helped a lot. Well, her and Luca worming his way into her good graces in less than ten minutes. I’ll try not to take so long before I visit again. I miss you so much.”
Tabi has made her way halfway to me when I rise from the ground. “You good?”
“Yes. You coming over?”
“No, only checking on you.”
I set my hand on the marker. “Bye, Daddy.” I walk toward Tabi and hug her tight. “Thanks.”
“Of course. What’s next?” She shifts into drive and exits the cemetery.
“Let’s check in and relax until I need to get ready to meet Sully and give my speech.”
“That works. What is the chance J.P. Licks is open?”
My heart squeezes at the mention of the ice cream shop. Luca was right. Dunne’s is better. I wish he were here.
“Pretty high.” I change the address on the GPS and sit back in my seat. Luckily, we’re able to park right in front of the shop. We devour our flavors before we pull away from the curb. Every single bite reminds me of settling our friendly disagreement in Luca’s bed. If all our disagreements end with mind-blowing sex, I’m in without question.
Our little field trip shortens our relaxing time a bit. My room is provided by the police association hosting the event. The two-bedroom suite is insanely gorgeous and much bigger than Tabi and I need. I hurry through a blazing hot shower and start to dress for the event. I won’t have time to meet Sully and then get dressed.
“It’s too bad Luca won’t see you in that dress. You look smoking hot! The blue is perfect on you.”
“Thanks, Tabi. Kelly is a rockstar. I’m going to meet Sully at the pub across the street; then I’m meeting Celeste, the scholarship coordinator, in the anteroom right before the ceremony starts. I’m not sure if it’s good or bad, but I’m second on the program. I’ll join you at the table right after.”
“Perfect. Since I won’t talk to you again, I’m so proud of you, Wil. I know how hard this is for you. Love you.”
“Thanks, Tabi. He would expect me to be here. It’s the sole reason I’ll handle this no matter how much it still hurts. Love you.” I slide on a trench coat, then check my purse for my remarks and key card.”
I exit through the lobby and cross the street. Shannon’s is a local cop bar I recall from when I lived here—at least local legend would indicate anyway. I grab a stool at the far end of the bar and order a glass of merlot. I’ll drink it slower than if I order a white wine.
“Here you go, honey. You aren’t from around here, are you?” the hot bartender asks.
“Not anymore.” I’m a private person, so I’m purposefully vague with my response.
“What brings you back?”
I remind myself he’s doing his job. “I’m here for an event.”
“Not the sharing type?”
“Not really. Thanks for the drink.”
He nods and walks away. Thankfully Sully walks into the bar soon thereafter. The bartender pulls a draft from the tap and follows Sully until he sits beside me.
“Sully, good to see you.” He sets the drink in front of him.
“You too, Jimmy. Jimmy MacMillan, this is my former partner’s daughter.”
“Pleasure to make the connection, miss. Have a nice evening.” Either he knows who my father was, accepts I’m not interested in small talk, or both.
“You haven’t changed at all, Sully.” I throw my arms around his neck. Sully is a large, hulking man complete with a round belly from too many donuts. At least for him, the stereotype is accurate. My dad, not so much.
“You’re more beautiful than the last time I saw you, Willa.”
“Thanks, Sully. How are the boys?”
A smile laced with pride graces his face. “The twins are working at the same construction company in Maryland, and Joey is working in New York City as a day trader.”
“Good for them.” Sully and his wife, Sally, had three boys. She died a few months before my dad.
“I’m surprised you’re here.”
“Dad would expect me to be here. Sierra should know she isn’t alone.”
“You’re remarkable. He was immensely proud of you.”
“It was all Dad. We may not have had as many years as we should have, but he made me who I am.”
“No, you didn’t.” Sully hands me a handled brown paper bag. “This was mixed in with Sally’s things. Your dad asked her to take care of it.”
“Thanks. Do you know what’s in it?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Did you go to his grave today?”
“No, why?” Sully asks with genuine concern.
“Someone left flowers recently.” Now, I’m even more curious who it might be.
“Your father was genuinely loved by many people, whether brothers in blue, friend, or family. It could be anyone,” Sully offers as an explanation.
“Thanks. I should get going. I need to meet the coordinator to go over a few things.” I get Jimmy’s attention and pay my tab before sliding off the stool.
Sully stands too. “I’m proud of you, Willa. I’ll be cheering you on from the center table. Let me know if you need anything at all.”
“Thanks, Sully. I will.” Scooping up the bag, I make my way back to my room to drop it off. Tabi is already gone. I peer inside and see a nondescript box. Resisting the urge to open the box is supremely difficult. There’s no way for me to have any idea what could be inside or my potential reaction to it either. Whatever it is, it needs to wait a bit longer. I steel my nerves and head to the meeting room for presenters.
Chapter Thirty-One
Luca
After falling short at the front desk, I find my room and then message Tabi.
Me: Tabi, it’s Luca. I got your number from Davis. Where is the event? I need to be there for Willa.
Tabi: It’s at the Boston Harbor Hotel at 6 pm in the grand ballroom.
Tabi: I’m glad she gave you a chance, Luca.
Me: Me too.
Me: Is she with you now?
Tabi: Yes, but she needs to meet her dad’s partner. Are you already in Boston?
Me: Yes, my event is apparently the same as hers. I’ll see you later.
Content I’m in the right place, I throw on my suit and fancy shoes before joining the guys at the bar. All three were my classmates. We even served in the same precinct for a little while right out of the academy.
As I approach the bar, I hear my name loudly from the corner.
