Out of the Storm

by Jillian Elizabeth

  “We've missed seeing your sassy self around the department. I hope things are well.” I don't quite know what to say, I don't want to ruin her night.

  “It's okay, Carter. You don't have to dance on the eggshells everyone else seems to be dancing on tonight. Jesus, I wanted to come out because I needed a night with all of you. Please don't treat me like we would a family on a case,” she pleads with tears shining in her eyes as she grabs my forearm.

  I nod and let her order her drink. When she's done, I order mine and Andrea's.

  “Wine, huh detective? Getting soft are you,” she says goading me.

  I like that she's more like herself now. I laugh quickly and louder than I expected it to come out. I'm no pussy, but I do love myself some wine now and again with a good dinner.

  “Ahhh busting my balls, glad to see she's back to being herself,” I say, elbowing her slightly. “The wine is for Andrea and the vodka tonic for me.”

  “Oh, I love that she’s here with you and you're still going strong. Good for you, Carter. I haven't seen her...well it's been a few years since the accident and I was there. I don't want to come bring that up to her tonight, Carter,” she says with a wave of her hand.

  “Holly, she would love to see you. I think the two of you bonding may be good for the both of you, come to think of it.”

  She gives me a side eye, skeptical look like she thinks I'm throwing shit to the wind.

  “She's good, she's in a really good place now that his sorry ass is behind bars. I had to pull her out from herself, but she's so strong Holly. I can't even believe how tragic that was.

  Her loss grabs her at times, as I'm sure yours always will. Please come and say hi, sit with us,” I plead with a hand on her shoulder, softening my eyes and looking down to her. I want to relay to her that I understand. She could probably use a friend right now. She's tough as hell, that Holly. But everyone needs someone to fall to or talk to.

  Getting back to the table, I notice Andrea seems very uncomfortable. She keeps looking around and over her shoulder. This isn't typical behavior for her, so my detective side comes out. But I’m also her man and the one person to always make sure she's safe.

  I pull my chair out and sit down next to her. She jumps as I touch her. “Sweetheart, what's wrong? What's got you freaking out?” I ask her, touching her face and shoulders and looking for anything out of the ordinary.

  She pulls me to stand and as she's pulling me away, I excuse us. Pulling me to the hallway away from the party, she looks me in the eyes. She looks like she's seen a ghost.

  “I feel like I'm being watched. I know I sound paranoid, Carter, but it hasn't gone away. I don't like this feeling and I don't like sounding crazy,” she says, burying her face into my chest.

  Tipping her chin up to look at me, I lean down to kiss her fears away. “Always trust your gut and your senses, Starfish, you can't go wrong.”

  Nodding, she takes a deep breath. I pull her in for a reassuring hug. I won't let anything ever happen to my girl again...ever.

  Chapter 3

  Andrea

  Carter starts walking us back to the table where we left our drinks. He's very attentive to me, always doting, but never hovering. I love that he lets me fly on my own, but will always make sure I'm safe. This man has never left my side, and for that I am truly thankful. A weaker man would have never stayed to watch as I shattered his heart more and more. Carter did. He loves me and never stopped. He wasn't with me, but love never stopped him from protecting me, even when I didn't want him to.

  “I ran into Holly while in line getting drinks at the bar. I invited her to sit with us,” he tells me.

  I do remember a mention of her in passing...I think. It will be nice to have another girl in my world here. I shiver as that feeling comes over me again the closer I get to the table. I don't like it at all.

  Approaching the table, I see a gorgeous blonde sitting in the vacant seat next to mine, her sparkling blue eyes crinkled in laughter listening to Nick animatedly talk about something. That man is all arms and faces when telling a story. I don't think he could ever talk while sitting on his hands. He's a great guy and an even better friend to Carter.

  I sit down next to her, as Carter takes the seat to the left of me.

  I quickly take another glance around, wondering if I can pinpoint this creepy feeling. Looking across the table I notice another couple has joined us. He looks to be about late forties, early fifties. The girl on his arm looks about as old as fifteen. He keeps his hands on her, like she may disappear if he lets go. But it's the unsettling smile he has aimed at me that makes my hackles rise.

  I make eye contact with him, before quickly looking away. His sandy light brown hair, porn star mustache, and glasses leave him looking like your classic creeper driving a windowless van trying to lure kids with candy.

  “Ed, nice to see you've joined our group,” Carter says standing up and reaching across to shake his colleague’s hand.

  “We wouldn't miss it, would we darlin’,” he asks the young girl with him. She looks at him shyly but shakes her head no. Isn't she allowed to talk?

  “Sorry we are a little late. This latest case I'm working is really chapping my ass,” he says while looking toward me.

  Scooting closer to Carter, I make it clear who I am here with. My superman, my hero.

  He sits back and wipes his mouth while he gives me a creepy smile full of large teeth and a wink.

  I may throw up. This guy works with Carter and Nick? What a creeper!

  Leaning closer to Holly, I say hello. She gives my hand a squeeze and immediately ropes me into conversation. The feeling of being watched diminishes a tiny bit, but not fully. I can’t help but keep looking up and toward Ed. He's always looking at me when I do. I find him staring at my chest, other times my hands. If I didn't know any better, I would think the look on his face tells me he's getting off over there. Ewww. This guy is something else. Holly sees me looking at Ed.

  “Don't pay any attention to Rowenski,” Holly says suddenly closer to my ear while looking the other way. “He's a little weird, but he's a damn good detective to be on our team.”

  Maybe I need to do a better job of hiding my obvious distaste for this man. He's just gross and creepy. Like the feeling of spiders crawling up my arms as I look at him creepy.

  Deciding I need to see what's on the auction tables, I pull Holly along since Carter is deep in conversation. I feel Carter’s eyes on me as we walk. The feeling of him watching me is warming, comforting. I blow him a kiss as we saunter away arm in arm.

  **********

  Along the side wall, there are tables lined up fifty deep or more displayed with auction items.

  These items will help raise money for the Children's Hospital. I'm not sure what the goal is to be raised, but looking around tonight I think they may just be close to reaching a high number. There are so many people here now, it's really a great event to be at. And who doesn't like a good reason to celebrate something on New Year's Eve?

  Walking up to a table displayed with guns, I see Holly’s smile from the side of her face. This is her element right here. Unhooking her arm with mine, she begins to touch and peruse the different weapons. They are all sizes from short and compact, to a little longer. They vary in color as well. I've never shot a gun, but would really love to learn. When I mentioned it to Carter, he promised he would take me and show me how.

  Picking one up, she turns to look at me. “This beautiful piece of machinery here is a Springfield Subcompact XD. It's going to be mine tonight,” she says running her fingers along the top and sides of the black sleek metal, caressing it like you would a lover. “Isn't she gorgeous?” she asks me with a sly smile as she turns it over and over. Bringing it to her face, she gives it a kiss like it will turn into a prince.

  “I..I don't know much about guns, aside from seeing Carter's,” I tell her a little nervously. It's not that I'm uncomfortable around guns and weapons, it's just lack of knowledge I gu
ess.

  “Oh baby girl, you stick with me and I'll make these babies your cut above diamonds too. Whoever said diamonds are a girl's best friend never felt the wetness between their legs after experiencing the power of the recoil of a semi-auto 9mm or .45ACP," she says as she expertly removes the magazine, eyes it, then slams it back into the gun as she arches an eyebrow and bites her lip. The look on her face tells me that this gun turns her on. Wow.

  My jaw drops at her words. I don't even know what to say to that. I truly don't know how that feels.

  “Well, I’d like to find out,” I deadpan to her.

  A big smile that could be akin to that of a proud mama splits her face. Flinging her arm around my waist, she pulls me along with her to show me more.

  “You make sure that sexy man of yours shows you more than just his own power in your hands. Let him show you how to use these. An armed girl is the sexiest there is.”

  As I am making my way along the table to look at the rest of the pieces, I hear some women behind me walk by talking. “OMG, did you see Detective Avery? That man is sex on a stick and can deliver those big Os better than any man I've ever fucked.”

  Another chimes in. “That man is packing heat, he blew my mind. I don't even mind I got thrown out after. It was well worth the time spent. What an incredible ride.”

  I turn slowly to see the one fanning herself as she walks away.

  “Don't even think about those slutty bitches, baby girl. Carter has always had the heart and soul for one. Unfortunately, he showed the goods to others,” Holly says beside me as she must have heard them too.

  “I know how he was when we were apart. We've talked about it and have been very open with each other. But I would have to say I may have been worse with having feelings for another man. Carter made it clear there were no feelings with all these other women. I actually thought I was in love with someone else, Holly. I was carrying his child,” I say giving her my story just a little so she knows I get it.

  “These women can remember that about my Carter, but that's all they ever got. They don't know what it's like to be loved and cared for by him. To be treated like a queen, pampered, and truly loved. I know now what I felt for Trent was nothing close to my love for Carter, not by a lifetime,” I tell her while downing the rest of my Moscato.

  “That right there is exactly why you're stronger than ever. You've weathered a hell of a storm together and came out the other side no worse for wear on the outside. But your inside is connected stronger than ever,” Holly tells me with a tight squeeze.

  “You know you can too, right Holly? Your storm can be weathered and your house built again,” I tell her.

  “I hope so, baby girl. Damn, do I hope so,” she says linking her arm with mine and walking along the table.

  Chapter 4

  Carter

  Making small talk with everyone at the table, I still make sure I have my eyes on Andrea. She's in great hands with Holly, and I love that the two are bonding. I think the two of them are good for each other. They share a common bond, the loss of a child.

  Holly has been dubbed by Andrea as her own personal savior for a few years now. Holly was the one who found Andrea in the passenger seat of the car, crushed to a tree….alone and in and out of consciousness. The thought of almost losing her that night still makes me angry and devastated.

  Nick, Chantal and I all excuse ourselves from the table to go mingle and see what the girls are up to. They are checking out the auction items up for bid.

  Walking up, I slip my arms around my girl. She smiles at me over her shoulder, giving me those gorgeous baby blues...fuck...I'm so gone for her.

  “Whatcha up to, Starfish?” I ask her as she palms the sexy 9mm black forged steel polymer handgun. Fuck, it looks sexy as hell in her little palms.

  I see Holly looking on like a mother duck watching her duckling take its first stride in the pond.

  Turning around to show me, she looks up at me and smiles that sweet smile, the sly one that tells me she wants something. “I want to bid on this. Holly wants to teach me to shoot. I want to see what the fuss is about,” she says, shrugging.

  Holding her hands as she cradles the gun in her palms, I rub my thumb along her knuckles.

  “Anything you want my love,” I tell her kissing her sweetly on the forehead.

  Looking over to Holly, I throw my arm around her shoulders. “You over here corrupting my sweetness with your sinful ways?” I laugh, eyeing her sideways.

  “Please, this girl is sex on a stick and if she sticks with me I'll show her just how to use it,” she says to me with a playful shove while winking at Andrea.

  “Well then, please carry on,” I tell her stepping back with a slight bow.

  “Avery, you may be big and badass around here, but I'm keeping her.”

  Oh the dirty, sinful thoughts that run through my mind. Yes, I'm a man...I have an imagination.

  But I only share my Starfish’s sweet moans with the symphony of my own. Period. It still doesn't stop me from reaching for my wallet and putting down $400 in raffle tickets so my girl can win this sexy piece of machinery.

  “You keep her and show her the ropes, but she gets this on one condition. I show her how to use it first,” I say to Holly looking her square in the eyes. On this, I will not back down. Once she can use it, she is free to shoot with Holly and I'll get her a permit to carry. But damn if I'm not gonna be the first to get hard over my sweet Starfish angel shooting her first semi.

  Perusing the tables set up with all the items displayed for auction, we look at everything we may want to come back and bid on. There are vacations, gift certificates to spas, and the like. It would be nice to win some vacation time away with my girl, especially after what I have planned later tonight.

  New Years are for new starts, and that's what I've been making the past few years with my girl.

  I wouldn't ever lose her again, her happiness was my utmost priority. I need her to know always that she has been and always will be it for me. The time we lost is in a proverbial bottle on the shelf stowed away that I'll never be able to uncap and take back. So new time in our own bottle that overflows is what we will make.

  Checking my phone, I see the time is 10:00 p.m. Two hours until the new year awaits us and tonight is all about making lasting memories to take with us into 2017.

  I see I have a text from my friend and confidant, Miguel, telling me all is ready whenever I am. Unable to erase the smile splitting my face, I wrap my hand around my girl's waist as we steer closer to the bar for another drink. Looking around, I see the buffet has been set up and everyone can eat when they are ready for their dinner.

  “Let's get another drink, shall we,” I say to my group. “Dinner is being set out and we can grab a bite if you'd like,” I say looking down into the clear sky blue eyes of my beautiful woman.

  “That sounds like a great idea, I'm pretty hungry,” she agrees with a small giggle.

  Maybe that drink is getting to her a little with no food in her. She keeps looking around apprehensively like she's looking for something. I catch my eyes doing the same as I notice the thunder clouds roll in her eyes. She has the worried look I've seen countless times, it's one I don't like. She's come so far to slide back now.

  “You okay, Starfish?” I ask looking down to her face.

  She catches my eyes and gives me her small smile to keep me at bay. “Of course, babe. I'm having a great time,” she says squeezing my hand with hers that's holding her hip.

  **********

  Grabbing our drinks and dinner, we head to the table. I notice Nick is carrying quite a few plates up his arm. The doting father-to-be is making sure his wife gets everything she craves from the buffet.

  I like seeing this in my rough and tough partner.

  Still remembering how he and Chantal started out, and the sassy little minx she was, has me holding back a chuckle as I watch her waddle to her seat with her hand placed protectively over her stomach. That girl gave h
im a run for his money, grabbed him by the proverbial balls and ran with them.

  And let's not forget, I had my own rough start with this one-man army when he started. We didn't exactly get the greatest time to start together, but it brought us closer and I'm forever grateful for that. Being in the line of work we're in, seeing the shit we do every goddamn day, makes it better to be able to lock it down as much as possible at the end of the day for some normalcy. I have that now that I have Andrea again, and my guy has his girl. In the end we win big with these two.