The Soldier's Roommate

Chapter 31: I miss you every day.

Elijah

God, I miss her.

I knew I'd miss her, but I didn't think it'd be this bad, to be honest. We haven't even spent the night apart, and I already feel like I'm missing half my sanity when she's not with me.

"So, how are things with Alice?" Mason asks before he takes a sip of his beer, once again smirking at my grumpy self. He finds my suffering funny, for some reason. "Is she still living with you?"

That question makes me raise my brow. "Why wouldn't she?"

"Well, I mean, the six months will be over soon, right?"

I haven't even thought of that, to be honest. I never considered that she might want to move out after six months since she doesn't even work for my father anymore. "I don't think that'll be an issue anymore," I answer, knowing it's the truth. We might still have to talk about that, but I'm pretty sure Alice doesn't care about that deal anymore.

"How long has she been living with you now? Three, four months?"

"Four." I nod my head.

Wow. For months. Time really has flown by... I mean, we haven't been together the entire four months, but it sure feels like it.

And it's almost like she knows we talk about her, because I suddenly feel my phone vibrate in my pocket, seeing Alice's name on the screen with a new text message below. "Quick reminder: We might be cute, but Jake is the epitome of cuteness with Finn next to him. Love you. Xx"

I can't help the grin that crosses my face, knowing that she thinks of me makes me happy as hell, mostly because I can't stop thinking about her either. It's good to know the feeling is mutual.

"That's because we're too sexy, love. And honestly, I'd rather be sexy than cute ;) Love you too x"

"Man, you're so whipped," Mason laughs when I put my phone back in my pocket after typing a quick reply. I can't help but laugh right with him, knowing he's probably right about that assumption.

I don't really mind though, and that should mean something...

"Oh, fucking hell..." Mason mutters, his eyes set on the entrance of Rusty's bar.

I follow his glance and instantly feel the frown on my lips when I realize Mona, his ex girlfriend, just stepped inside.

They've been together for a few years, a very long time ago. She couldn't handle that he was overseas so often, and he couldn't, or rather didn't want to, quit the army. He was always proud of being a part of our defense team, just as I was. It's not easy to understand for those outside of the army, and I get that. It must be tough to know that your boyfriend thinks your country is more important than you are.

"Man, she doesn't look good..." Mason says with a sigh, and I instantly see the pain running across his features, see just how much it still hurts to see her, even so many years ago.

And he's right, too. Mona doesn't look good at all. It's unusual for her, she was always very bright, extremely kind and good-hearted, and she always carried a smile on her face. It's something I always envied, but also found just a tad creepy, to be honest.

Looking at Mason again, I realize he must still care for her. I can't imagine what that's like, having to choose between your girlfriend and your country... I know I had a similar experience, but for me it was different. I didn't love Lisa. It didn't really hurt when we went our separate ways.

Alice, on the other hand... God, I don't even want to think about the possibility that she might leave me one day. The sole thought of that makes me anxious as hell. I can't live without her, I just can't. I've chosen my country over everything else for over a decade, but if I had to make that decision today... It's pretty simple, really.