Darkness Before Dawn

without you, baby," he whispers.
    I think about him going to work tomorrow and suddenly my chest begins to ache. The seriousness in his eyes makes me wish I never had to live without him, not even for a day, not even for an hour. And the more I think about it, the less I know if I can handle it. He pulls out of me slowly, slower when he sees me cringe, and lays beside me.
    He shifts my body to face him and tilts my face to him, looking at me with concerned eyes. "What's wrong?" he coos.
    "I don't think I can do it," I cry. "I don't think I can stay here without you."
    "Shhh," he soothes, pulling my face to his chest. "We're going to be okay, baby. Everything's going to be okay."

 

    The next morning, feather soft kisses all over my face wake me up. I stretch out my body and open my eyes and my smile falters when I see that Cole is already wearing a sharp charcoal business suit and tie. My stomach drops at the sight of him ready to go, despite my being the reason he's going back to work. I do want him to go, I just feel uneasy about being without him again so soon. I just got him back.
    "You're leaving?" I groan.
    He chuckles, shaking his head. "Yes, sleepyhead...and you're coming with me."
    "I am?" I ask wide-eyed.
    "You are," he replies with a crooked grin.
    "Are you sure?" I ask, fidgeting my fingers, which he stills with his hand so that I look at him.
    "I'm positive. Get up."
    I do as I'm told and get ready as fast as I can before hopping to the kitchen on one foot as I put on my other shoe. I smile at Cole's broad back and watch him as he washes the dishes and hums along to whatever tune is playing in his head.
    "Ready?" he asks, his back still facing me.
    "Yes, sir," I reply sweetly while fluttering my eyes even though he can't see me.
    He turns around with heated eyes that roam my body slowly. "I like that," he says before winking at me and walking toward me, handing me a brown paper bag and a cup of coffee. "Let's go, school girl," he adds with a laugh.
    "School girl?" I ask, smiling as I look into the bag. "Oh this smells so good. Thank you."
    "Bacon and egg wrap. I didn't have time to make you pancakes this morning."
    I smile at his thoughtfulness. It's cute that he would apologize for not making me my favorite breakfast, even though he made me something anyway. He kisses the top of my head and grabs his jacket from the couch before escorting me out. Bruce and Spencer meet us outside the door and Cole informs them that we're going to a building downtown. We sit in the backseat of my car and let Bruce drive us since Cole is already running late to catch his flight.
    "Did you get my ticket?" I ask, suddenly panicking.
    He looks at his watch and exhales. "Yup. Got it while you showered. I hope we make the damn flight. I hate running late-" His voice fades off as he continues to ramble about being late and I stop paying attention.
    "Who are you interviewing?" I ask as I wipe his eyebrow with my thumb. He gives me a crooked smile and I stop mid-wipe and scrunch my eyebrows in expectation.
    "A pitcher from the Mets," he replies, his eyes sparkling in amusement. "Number twenty-three." My hand and mouth drop simultaneously and I can only stare at him as he bites down on his lip to stifle a laugh.
    "No way! You're interviewing Jack Carter?" I squeal, fully turning in my seat to face him. "Like THE Jack Carter? Like Jack Effin' Carter?"
    He laughs, pulling me close to him in the seat, but I back away with my hand on his chest and look at him expectantly.
    "Yes, 'the' Jack Carter," he says, air quoting as he rolls his eyes. "Are you going to go all groupie on him and shit? You know, now that I think about it, the only sports item you have in your closet is his jersey. Maybe I'll make you wait outside while I interview him."
    I gasp, widening my eyes in disbelief. "You wouldn't! He's my favorite player ever! Besides, I have Gregory's jersey too!"
    "Babe, you have Greg's jersey because it's him and he sent it to you as a gift! You're sitting here fucking drooling over Carter and we're not even in New York yet."
    He shakes lint off the sleeve of his suit jacket and turns his head to face his window, looking away from me.
    "Aww you're jealous! How cute," I say playfully as I laugh and take my seat belt off to sit on his lap, gaining his full attention again. "But you know you're the only guy I would ever drool over, right?" I kiss him on both cheeks and then on the lips.
    "I better be," he growls as he bites down on my