by Joy Jenkins
"I'm just glad he's at a desk and not in the field."
Donovan softened with understanding. Carter started towards the car but he stopped her again.
"Thank you," he said.
"For what exactly?"
"Listening."
“Anytime." Carter cocked her head. "Is that why you were...off, yesterday?"
Donovan didn't say anything, hiding his thoughts. After all it had taken to get him to open up, Carter felt stung at his continued rejection. She took a step back, sliding her hands into her pockets.
"My brothers haven't ever met the people I've made friends with, doing what I do,” Donovan said. “I wasn't sure how I felt about them getting to know you.”
Carter relaxed. At least that explained some of the tension she’d seen.
"I get it,” she said. “It's hard to be taken seriously when your friends are high schoolers."
"Yes."
They stared at each other for a moment before she spoke again. "Well, if it would ever be fun to surprise them by having a high school girl beat them in a race, let me know."
Donovan smiled. "I'll keep that in mind."
He opened the driver’s side door as Carter slipped into the passenger’s seat. Her phone dinged but she ignored it.
"It's nice that you remembered me," Link said, putting his phone down.
Donovan started the car as Carter gave a half chuckle.
"Home?" he asked.
Her phone dinged for a second time. Retrieving it, she read over the text. A slight frown came in to play as she read over the words a second time.
"Everything alright?” Donovan asked.
"Captain is staying late for a meeting." She glanced between the two boys. "Either of you have space on your couch I could borrow for a couple of hours? I'm tired of a quiet apartment."
Before Link could even open his mouth, Donovan replied, "Yeah, I do.”
Chapter 45
Two days later, Carter stepped out of the girls' locker room into a chilly afternoon. A thin curtain of clouds swept across the sky and the air smelled of coming rain. Carter moved off to one side of the track and began to stretch. The volume of voices steadily rose as more students trickled out. As Donovan and Link approached Carter, she twisted and winced.
"What's wrong?" Donovan asked.
Carter started to deny her discomfort but stopped. Instead, she lifted up the edge of her shirt. Besides a toned stomach, she revealed a fist-size bruise on her left side, right below her ribs. "That's thanks to you," she said, dropping her shirt.
Donovan frowned in distaste.
"I thought she was the one hitting you?" Link said.
"She was,” Donovan said. “It was an accident. Carter also doesn't protect her left side.”
Carter jabbed a finger at him. "This is not my fault. My left side is perfectly protected."
Donovan pointedly flicked his eyes down to her side and up at her. "You left your left side wide open. How do you explain that bruise, if you were protected?"
Carter scowled. He had a point but that didn’t mean she had to admit it. Donovan raised a questioning eyebrow. She jutted out her chin, hands placed challengingly on her hips. "Fine, it's something to remember the next time I take you on."
"Remember it but I'll never fight you again. I don't want to leave any more bruises.”
"I'm more resilient than I look.”
"Don't worry, that's something I am very aware of.”
"So I'll just protect my left side."
Carter fought against a smile, noticing as Donovan did the same. Link regarded them with pure puzzlement. "I can't tell if you two are flirting or not."
The smile broke free of Carter's hold as Donovan’s hid away in his eyes.
"Anyone tell you that you have a mean right hook?" she asked.
"What about your elbow?" He absentmindedly ran a hand over his jaw. "Where did you learn that move from?"
A memory darted through her mind, widening her smile. "My dad,” she said. "I nearly took out his eye the first time I tried it."
Link chuckled while Donovan grinned. The amusement dropped away as a question appeared in his eyes. Carter felt her own smile fall, as she read the expression.
"How's it going?" Donovan asked. “With your dad?”
He pinned her down with his gaze as if he knew she would try to lie and he would need to get the real answer from her expression. He didn’t have to try so hard. She’d learned the lesson: nothing slipped past his notice.
"The same," she answered. Before he could say anything, she shot him a taunting look. "Are you ready to find out once and for all who’s faster?"
She knew he was aware of what she was doing but he accepted the change of topic all the same. Which she was grateful for. Right then she didn’t want to think about all the things her father wasn’t telling her.
"Now?" Donovan asked.
She raised a mocking eyebrow. "Why? Do you want a week to prepare?"
"No, I wasn't sure if you needed one."
"I don't need to prepare to beat you."
"We'll see about that.”
Mr. Danes eyed Carter and Donovan over his clipboard as they stopped before him, cautious.
"Can we borrow your two stopwatches?" Donovan asked.
Mr. Danes straightened, his curiosity piqued. "What for?"
"We're going to prove that I'm faster than Donovan," Carter said.
Mr. Danes reached into his pocket and pulled out two stopwatches. "Knock yourselves out," he said, handing them over. "I mean that in a figurative sense, Owens."
With a wink, she strode back to Link
"You sure this is a good idea?" he asked.
Carter and Donovan looked at each other then back at him.
"Why wouldn't it be?" she asked.
"I just have this feeling you'll never talk to each other after this."
"Don't worry," Donovan said. "I'm sure Carter won't be too broken up about losing."
She elbowed him and handed Link one of the stopwatches.
"What do you say? Keep it easy and do a mile?" she asked.
"Sounds good,” Donovan said.
They recruited a second student to work the other stopwatch and lined up at the starting mark. A few of their classmates watched with a mixture of intrigue and confusion. Mr. Danes took up a position beside Link, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Carter shook out her arms and rolled her shoulders. Donovan brought one knee up to his chest then switched. By the time their muscles were ready, the rest of the class had begun to wonder what was going on.
"Ready?" Link asked.
Donovan and Carter both sank down into a crouch, their fingertips barely resting in the red turf.
"Don't punch me if you lose," Donovan said.
"Don't pout if I win.”
Link raised the stopwatch and the second student followed suit. "Alright, on your mark."
Carter focused on the track, body humming with energy.
"Get set."
She took in a breath, every nerve rearing to go.
"Go!"
They shot off like bullets from a gun, rounding the first turn at a dead sprint. Carter found her rhythm and sank deeper into it. She knew this, knew the power in her body as she propelled herself forward. Knew the rush of the wind in her ears. Knew the pounding of her shoes on the track. Knew the beat of her heart.
As Donovan lengthened his strides, Carter followed, pushing every muscle to work harder. On the edge of the track, students watched as the two runners shifted back and forth, neither gaining any distance on the other. More and more students dropped their conversations to watch. Link clenched the stopwatch without knowing, his own breathing coming in shallow breaths, his gaze riveted on the speeding figures.
As Carter and Donovan started the final lap, Carter felt every inch of her burning with exhaustion. Fire seemed to engulf her body. Her heart rammed itself against the inside of her chest. Adrenaline coursed through her, fuelin
g every part of her that felt like stopping.
They rounded the last corner and Carter pushed herself, forcing her body to give everything she had. She surged forward but Donovan didn't let the lead last very long. He charged after her, with renewed determination.
A few students besides Link started yelling as Carter and Donovan pelted towards them. Carter's vision blurred into a single spot past the starting line. With a fierce growl, she threw herself forward, crossing the line a split second before Donovan.
Link shouted, throwing his hands in the air. Carter stumbled a few more feet and collapsed onto the field. Donovan crashed down next to her a moment later. They both laid on their backs, sucking in deep lungfuls of air. Carter closed her eyes, every muscle feeling as if it were simultaneously on fire and made of lead. Her heart still jackhammered against her ribs. Blood pounded in her ears, muffling the noise of the class.
She turned her head to Donovan. His chest was working like a bellows, gulping down as much air as possible. Sensing her gaze, he looked over. They exchanged weak smiles.
Mr. Danes blew his whistle and started everyone on their own miles. Link ran over to Carter and Donovan, skidded to a halt, and dropped to one knee. "Want to hear the results?"
Carter and Donovan locked eyes again as if they just remembered they had been racing to prove something. Carter waved a floppy hand. "Sure...what are...the results?" she asked, still working to get enough air back.
"Carter came in first with 4 minutes, 38.47 seconds. Donovan is second with 4 minutes and 38.9 seconds."
Donovan reached over, tapping Carter's arm with the back of his hand. “Congratulations."
She gave a breathless chuckle. "I think I'll celebrate...by passing out now."
"Really? I feel...fine."
She punched his arm but the blow had little force behind it.
"Evans!" Mr. Danes barked.
Link jerked his head up. Mr. Danes gestured for him to get running. Link returned the stopwatches before joining the slow progression of students. Carter didn't move, her muscles feeling as if they had melted. Slowly, her breathing eased. But still she didn't move, having no desire to leave her spot. Donovan rose into a sitting position and glanced over his shoulder at her.
"You still feel like passing out?" he asked.
Her heart had quieted down and she shook her head. He stood and held out a hand. She took it, their fingers gripping each other. Even after the taxing working out, he easily lifted her to her feet. Their hands dropped away. Donovan pulled up the edge of his shirt, showcasing an impressive set of abdominal muscles as he wiped the sweat on his forehead.
Despite herself, Carter betrayed her thoughts with raised eyebrows. Then she spotted the softball-sized, purple bruise above his left hip bone. A few girls, passing by, stumbled into each other as they tried to walk and gawk at the same time.
"Careful, Donovan," Carter said. "You might send the girls in this class to the nurse with fainting spells."
He dropped his shirt. "Do you number among that lot, Carter?"
Crossing her arms, she gave him a flat stare in response. His smile grew. She pointed to the spot where she had seen the bruise. "I see you have some nice coloring.“
"I have your knee to thank for that."
She smirked. At least he wouldn’t be so quick to underestimate her next time. If there ever were to be a next time. Which she hoped there would be.
"You want to jog to cool down?" Donovan asked.
"I feel like I want to throw up but sure, let's cool down."
They started jogging. The slow, rhythmic pace relaxed Carter and she found her muscles relishing the simple movement.
"Do you plan on hiding out with us again today?" Donovan asked.
"I think I've avoided my apartment enough this week."
"Well," he said, "if you ever need to hide out, my couch is available."
She looked at him, a teasing smile on her lips. "Is that an open invitation?"
There was no joke in Donovan’s eyes and his seriousness stole away her playful manner. "It is.”
She didn't smile or make a single mocking comment. “Thanks.” Not wanting to think about how much his offer meant, Carter lengthened her stride. “Come on, I’m sure Link is lonely.”
"Let's go keep him company then."
They quickened their pace, their strides perfectly in sync.
Chapter 46
Donovan pulled the Mercedes to a stop outside Carter's apartment. The windows were dark, letting Carter know her father wasn’t home. A mix of relief and disappointment swirled inside her.
"You really didn't have to give me a ride," she said.
Donovan shrugged carelessly like driving miles in the opposite direction wasn't a big deal. "We don't mind.”
When Link didn't confirm his statement, Donovan checked the rearview mirror while Carter twisted around. Link typed away on his phone, oblivious to his friends. Donovan and Carter shared a knowing look. She opened her door. "Don't take it too badly that I beat you.”
"How long do you plan on gloating?"
"Until I beat you at something else."
Grabbing her bag, she climbed out. When she closed the door, Donovan was watching her, struggling against a smile. She fought her own smile as she walked away. The apartment held the same silence as it had the last two weeks but Carter found it didn't bother her in light of her buoyant mood. Still fighting her smile, she kicked off her shoes and settled onto the couch.
The sun gradually lowered into the distance as papers and notebooks expanded from where she sat. Her mood hadn't dimmed by the time she heard her father's car. As he climbed the stairs, she raised her pencil in preparation.
But she lowered her hand as she took in her father’s serious countenance. Mechanically, he shut the door and left his keys in the bowl. When he faced Carter, her buoyant mood vanished.
“Hey, Captain. What's going on?” She cleared aside a spot on the couch. He didn't take it. Instead, he stood before her.
“Carter." At the sound of her name, she clenched her pencil. "I need to tell you something.”
"Is it something about why you have been distant the last two weeks?”
He nodded once and crossed his arms. Though Carter knew she should feel relieved she would know what was going on, she couldn’t ignore the tension she saw in her father. Something wasn’t right.
"I know this is going to be hard to hear," he said.
A part of Carter screamed in her mind for him not to say whatever it was. All the worst possibilities of why he shut her out beat inside her head.
"It's not going to be easy to understand either," he said, slowly.
"Captain, say it," she said, with forced calm. "I trust you."
Her father held her gaze for a long moment, too many emotions flashing through his eyes for her to read.
"I signed back on with the Secret Service for two more years."
Carter turned to stone, her heart freezing inside her chest. She couldn’t think. Couldn’t breathe.
“After the attempted assassination,” her father said. “Five agents on the President’s detail were fired. With that many senior agents laid off, President Douglas asked if I would be willing to stay on until the end of his term. And I accepted."
Carter stared at him, unmoving, unblinking. She had dropped out of the world and everything kept moving, except her. Even still, she could read her father’s resolve in his stance and expression. Now…now she could read him. Now when she didn't want to. Didn’t want to know that there was no changing his mind.
"Four more months," she said, the quiet words thawing her and cutting off her father. "Four more months and then you would be safe." She spoke as if the reality of his decision still lay beyond her grasp.
"I know this is difficult to understand, Sarge, but it's something I need to do. I needed to-"
"Captain, you had four more months to go. Four months."
Sighing heavily, her father took a seat on the coffee table
before her. He leaned over his knees, his hands clasped. "Sarge, this was not a decision I made lightly. With everything that happened, I realized I was still needed."
"You were shot," she said.
With the statement came a fresh rush of fear. The image of her father in the hospital bed. The sight of Curtis on her doorstep. The gray-haired woman working at the reception desk. The smell of antiseptic cleaner. The beeping of the heart monitor.
"Sarge, I know-"
Carter bolted upright, the pencil snapped in her grip. "You can’t do this to me! I’ve had to live with the reality that you could not come home every night for most of my life. You can’t put me through this again!”
She tried to take a deep breath but her lungs seemed to be collapsing. Her father rose, holding up his hands in a placating gesture. "Sarge, this is something I need to do."
"No, it’s not! You've already given enough to this President. You promised me this would be over soon. You were going to be safe." The words tumbled out with no filter.
“I know. But circumstances have changed, I’m needed…”
Carter gripped the two pieces of the pencil tighter. "We had a plan! You were going to be safe. You can’t leave me."
"Sarge-"
She ignored his sadness and plowed on "These last two weeks. That’s why...You were deciding whether you would..."
"Yes.”
The distance and stiff conversations made sense. Carter staggered back, shaking her head.
"Sarge, I need you to listen to me," he said, taking a step forward.
She shook her head more adamantly, her eyes glassy.
"You need to understand it wasn’t an easy decision but I made it for a reason.”
Carter focused on him, her eyes still wide with shock. "It makes no difference. You can’t stop a bullet with reasoning."
Before he could say anything, she raced towards the door.
"Carter!"
She clambered down the stairs, the pencil falling from her hand. When she hit the last step, she took off running. Where she was going she didn't know but she needed to run away. Her father's declaration chased after her, nipping at her heels.