Lovers' Maehem

Chapter 50

Griffin

January 3rd, 2181

2:34am

We said we'd come in from watch at 4am. It's a late night, but most Colton's have done worse. So now Lucas and I are starting to head to the car.

"You sure it's ok to leave for home 30 minutes early?" he asks. I shrug and hop into the driver's seat.

"We've been there long enough without seeing anything and it's a full hour drive," I tell him, "plus I'm in charge." I flash him a smile and he laughs.

"The next check in is at 3 right?" he asks. I nod, but I'm not too worried about someone getting caught on a preliminary watch. The Blakes don't even know we are here yet.

"Yeah, but let's not talk about work. How's Mack?" I tease. I see him roll his eyes through the dim lighting, but I keep going. "You guys have been going out for what? 2 months?" Lucas nods,

"Yeah about that," he says, "she's really great and god, I don't think I've met anyone prettier. Have you seen her eyes? They are like this greeny colour, but they are unlike any green I've ever seen!" I smile at the way Lucas describes her. They both deserve someone who will love them as much as... I love Mae. The roads are empty so we are whizzing by everywhere. We pass a total of 2 cars by 3am, and I almost forget about check in.

"How's everyone doing?" I ask waiting for a response.

"A bit tired, but seen nothing," Ivy responds.

"We are quite good over here, just bored," Paris answers.

"Same here!" Hayden echos.

"Mae and Mack?" I ask. Static sounds. "You guys there?" Panic runs through me, but I try to stay positive. They may have fallen asleep. Mae isn't used to staking out that long and may have drifted off, and same with Mack. "They may have fallen asleep, but can someone go check on them, Jameson and Friston. The rest of you head back to the hotel, good work tonight."
"They'll be okay," Lucas says to me. For both of us. "It's possible they turned in early for some reason. Or they fell asleep on watch. Ivy and Jayden are on their way to check on them, but now isn't the time to freak out. At least not yet." I nod and try to absorb his words, keeping my eyes on the road.

"But what if-" Lucas doesn't even let me finish my sentence which is annoying yet helpful.

"None of that," he tells me, "no what ifs. For now just think about the route back to the hotel so we don't get lost." The 3 years Lucas has on me somehow has made him much more wise and... hopeful. I don't say anything for the rest of the ride and wait for the call from Ivy and Jayden. By the time we get back to the hotel at about 3:15 there is still no call. Lucas comes back to my room with me and sits on the couch while I pace around. Mae has to be okay, it's just she went to sleep and didn't wake up with the headset voices. There is a knock at my hotel door and at first I look to Lucas.

"Who is it!" I call. I know very well it's someone from the team because who else would be here at 4 in the morning.

"Ivy." I hold my breath and Lucas goes to the door. I can't bring myself to look at them because their voices give enough away.

"Mack!" Lucas exclaims. I look at the door now, confused, hopeful. "What happened? Is she okay?" Hayden is holding Mack and helps lie her on the couch.

"We found her in their hiding spot, she was just waking up and was a bit disoriented. I think she was sedated and just waking up from it," Jayden explains.

"What about Mae?" I ask. I'm still hoping she's just in the car or behind them, about to walk in a surprise us. Ivy looks down at her feet. I can see the tears slipping from her eyes replacing the ones that stained her face from no doubt a few minutes ago.