Saved by the Cross (Cross 3)

26 - Butterfly

A/N It happened again. Wattpad didn't send notice of yesterday's chapter. If you missed it go back one chapter. Remember I always stick to my posted schedule.

Doyle hadn't heard from Gray since first thing in the morning. When he was traveling, she wanted to know he was okay. Visions of flat tires on the highway left her uneasy. She texted him, are you still on the road?

Her phone rang. "Hey. Did you get to your next stop?"

"A few minutes ago. Got an early check in."

"That's good right?"

"Yeah. I guess."

"You sound tired."

He sighed. "I didn't sleep well."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No. I have to watch the time, I'm going to a meeting."

A business meeting? She knew what he meant. "Are you okay? Did you? Did you have a drink?"

"No, no. I made a plan in case, and intend to keep it. I, um, stopped to visit with people from my past."

"Another Marine?" In her mind, she blamed the war for his drinking. It was probably more complex, but she blamed Afghanistan.

"No. The family of one who didn't come home."

"Oh. That must have been really difficult. You were close."

There was a long pause. She could hear his breathing and a few sighs. When he spoke his voice trembled. "Close? Yes. Her name was Beth, and I was going to marry her."

She listened as he told her about a part of him he had kept hidden. She felt his pain. All his non-committal dating when he had committed at a young age made perfect sense. She struggled to know where she fit in. Knowing about Beth confused her more. Although they didn't see each other enough, it was not one-sided. He texted and called her as much as she did him. They were well past the one to two-week limit he had told her about when they met.

She could hear sobs in his voice as he finished his story. Not knowing what to say, she blurted. "She's your butterfly."

"Yeah. I got it right after I met Monty and stopped drinking."

"I'm sorry. I wish I could hug you."

"I miss you too. I really do, but that's another problem."

"Problem? Thanks a lot." She laughed but his words felt uneasy in her chest.

"It's because I miss you too much. I care too much and we can't. You'll find a guy in a tux and I'll be alone with only a tattoo to show for it."

"You don't have a tattoo for me, and I don't want to meet anyone else."

"Your family will insist, and you love them."

"But what about how I feel for you?" I love you!

"It's like Romeo and Juliette, but neither of us has to die."

She wanted to laugh, but her heart was crying. "I want to see you. I'm not letting you go."

"It's just a matter of time before Monty tells your brother."

"I'll tell Kasper, but he's in LA making a fool of himself cooking."

"I doubt he's the one you need to worry about."

"If my parents were different, what would you want?"

"To see you every day until you grow tired of me and break my heart."