Fighting For You

FOURTEEN

"HELLO?!"

"Runner, I swear on every snowflake in Antarctica if you're not home because you've hit a car I will take your keys for the rest of the year!"

"Um, I think you dialed the wrong number."

"Oh shit. Sorry about that. Um . . . sweet dreams. Bye."

Looking at the number still sleepily confused I tossed it aside when it began to vibrate again. Irritation on 10,000.

"My name isn't Runner, Mister." I heavily exhaled in the phone.

"I didn't think you would answer."

Sitting up I shifted my bonnet from the slanted left position to its proper place. Righting myself I pulled the bed sheets over my naked body as if his eyes were on me. Looking around I felt silly but didn't move to let the sheets fall instead sitting Indian style picking at the corner of my nails.

"Harlow, I'm . . . I'm sorry."

" . . . . "

"I know that I was suppose to call you back after three days but I just . . . I just needed more time. More space to get my feelings for you under control. More time to think. More time to figure out . . . if I can come see you so we can actually talk face to face."

" . . . . "

"Harlow."  He whispered sending chills through the phone. "I really miss our phone calls . . . . Say something Harlow - just please . . . don't hang up."

" . . . . "

" . . . . "

" . . . . "

"Harlo-"

"I was hurt."

"I'm so sor-"

"Wait Phoenix, let me finish . . . I was hurt at first but then I was mad. More at myself than you but then it was just you. I didn't understand why you didn't want to call me back but then again I asked for the space then once you gave it . . . I felt lost, lonely, and . . . I've miss our phone calls too."

"So you don't hate me?"

"I don't hate you Phoenix."

"Harlow?"

"Yes?"

"My deployment has been extended."

" . . . . "

" . . . . "

"Damn."

"That's exactly how I feel times ten."

"Have you told your aunt and Dylan?"

"Yeah, she started to sniff and probably snot but tried to play it off. Of course I asked Dylan to comfort her and make sure she would be okay."

"Dylan seems like a sweetie pie."

"He thinks pretty highly of you too. The words beautiful, pretty eyes, amazing smile, and some other things that has to stay between bros came up in a few of our conversations. Can't lie and say that I don't agree with him Harlow. You are beautiful as I have told you before."

"Well tell Dylan thank you and he is a handsome young man with beautiful hazel eyes as well."

"You know people say that him and I look a lot alike."

"Do they now?"

"They do. I mean, we both have the dark hair and same eye color. Pretty much everything you find handsome about him is a quality I have as well."

"Are you searching for a compliment Phoenix?"

"If you're handing them out I wouldn't be opposed to receiving one. I was just only informing you of what other people say about Dylan and I."

"I've told you how handsome you are plenty of times."

"It's been over a month since I've heard it so there's no harm in refreshing my memory."

"Your ego must be ready to explode. I don't know how Corey and the rest of Marines are going to last. The ship might sink."

"We have the Navy with us plus Prichett has escaped and made it off ship."

"What do you mean? Where did he go?"

"Home. He got a chance to leave early and took it. He's supposed to be buying a house soon and is looking for a roommate. You know anyone?"

"My friend is looking to get out of her parent's house."

"Has to be a male."

"What? Why?"

"His preference but I did get the pictures you sent me on Instagram."

" . . . . "

"Why are you so quiet? I thought they were . . . how would a friend say this? . . . I thought they were . . . nice. I like seeing your hair in different styles. It's really cool . . . It looked as if you were biting your lip in one of those pictures but why would you do that? You almost had me in a situation in front of Prichett and my Marines."

"Situation in front of  your Marines?"

"Yes, my Marines. I'm have enough rank on my collar to be in charge of Marines."

"Must be nice."

"It has it perks. So tell me what you were thinking when Dylan gave you the phone."

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