The phone rang Monday. Aaron. Part of Teagan felt relieved, but a bigger part of her felt angry.

“Hey,” she said.

“Hey.” He sounded the same as last time they’d talked. “I’m packing up now. I’m flying standby, but should get home by seven or so.”

“Good. I’ll be here.” She wouldn’t say anything now. She wouldn’t blow up at him. She would stay calm and talk to him later, after he got home and explained himself. “How’d the evaluation go?”

“It went good,” he said, sounding a bit relieved.

She couldn’t help but smile. “That’s great!”

“I’ve got to get to a quick meeting and then head to the airport, but I’ll see you tonight.”

“Sounds good.”

Teagan worked that day, her anger mostly fading and replaced by anticipation. Aaron would be home soon. After a month! She would get to see him, to hug and kiss him. He would reassure her and would apologize for his lapse, and even do something to make it up to her. Then she remembered Aaron telling her about his ex accusing him of being lousy at expressing his feelings. Maybe this was what she meant, that he shut down during times of stress and stopped communicating. Whatever it was, it would be over soon.

Later, Aaron texted her. His standby flight was full and he’d have to take a later one. Teagan shook her head. He couldn’t call her to tell her that? She tossed her phone aside.

Just after ten, a car pulled up outside. Patton’s ears perked up and his eyes watched the door. Aaron was home.

Teagan stood up to unlock the door and Patton jumped up, zig-zagging back and forth as his tail whipped with abandon. Aaron strolled up the walkway in his uniform, his bag slung over his shoulder. Even with a worn-out face and a wrinkle between his brows, he looked so handsome that Teagan’s stomach did a flip-flop. Patton raced out to welcome him and Aaron kneeled down to greet his little buddy. Finally, Aaron stood up and looked at her. She smiled.

“Go inside,” he said to Patton. He gazed at Teagan again, his blue eyes conveying happiness at the sight of her, but also something else. “Hey.” He leaned over and gave her a hug and a quick kiss before they went inside. Aaron set down his things and sat down.

“You look tired,” she said.

“I am tired. And I’m on East Coast time.”

“Have you eaten?”

“I have. You?”

She nodded.

Aaron briefed her on the last part of his training. He’d received high marks and things looked good for his next steps.

“Congratulations.” Teagan felt chagrined that she’d gotten upset about his missed calls and distant behavior. She’d never been in the military. She couldn’t understand what he dealt with, especially at his level. “Are you glad to be home?”

He nodded. “But I could really use some sleep.”

“Go to bed. I already fed Patton…”

Aaron did so. Teagan read in the living room until late, when she finally got tired and went to bed. It took a while for her to fall asleep. Something still didn’t feel right.

When she awoke the next morning, Aaron was already up. She went out to check on him, and found him sitting at his kitchen table, head resting in his hands. He still looked exhausted… and like something was wrong.

“Aaron.” He turned to face her. “What the hell is wrong?”

After a long silence, he finally spoke. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

Teagan went to sit down at the table with him, bracing herself for bad news. She was relieved to know her instincts had been correct, but dread came over her at the prospect of the “something.”

Aaron paused for a moment, strain in his face as he gathered his words. “During training, I ran into my ex-wife. She wants to get back together.”

Teagan said nothing for a moment, Aaron’s words registering. “Your ex-wife wants you back?”

He nodded, his expression grave.

“And?” she demanded. When Aaron’s frown deepened, a chill ran through Teagan. “Wait… are you actually considering going back to her?”

Aaron looked away.

Teagan just sat there, feeling like someone had punched her. Whatever she’d feared, whatever crazy ideas had run through her mind the last several days, this was far worse. “You are, aren’t you? You’re going back.”

“I have to,” he said gravely.

“Are you kidding me?” she cried. “I mean… who does that? Who goes through the divorce process, all that pain and dividing of assets and finalizing everything, just to get back together?”

“It isn’t finalized. Not yet—”

Teagan’s jaw dropped. “You said it was as good as done! Months ago!”

“It was—”

“Obviously not! You lied to me!”

Aaron’s faced flushed with emotion. “Teagan—”

She stood up. “You can’t be fucking serious! So what now? You had me watch your house and your dog for a month… and miss Christmas and my friends… so you could go reconnect with the ex-wife you should’ve divorced by now? And let me guess: you want your mistress to leave so you can bring your wife back home? The woman you pretended all these months you didn’t care about?”

Aaron looked stricken by her words. Suddenly, all of it hit Teagan at once. His weird behavior. His not calling. His lackluster greeting. Her anger turned to rage, so much so that she could no longer see clearly. She stormed out of the room.

In Aaron’s bedroom, she searched for any clothing she’d left lying around and began stuffing it into her duffle bag. She gathered her toiletries in the bathroom, tossing her shampoo, conditioner, and razor into her kit without care before smashing it all into her duffle. Suddenly, she realized she only wore a t-shirt and underwear. She rifled through her bag for her sweats and hoodie, not worrying about a bra. She paused, looking around, her mind all over the place. What had she forgotten? Her computer!

“Teagan,” came Aaron’s voice.

She ignored him, picking up her bags and dropping them near the door, avoiding Aaron’s stare. She gathered her computer and notes and added them to the pile.

“Teagan.” He used the Major’s voice this time. “Look at me.”

“Don’t talk to me,” she said, putting up her hand. She scanned the living room area again. She was forgetting something. Then she remembered. Her telescope. She muttered a curse, suddenly wishing she’d never brought so much stuff. Couldn’t she just leave it and get another one?

No. It was hers, and she couldn’t stand the idea of leaving any trace of herself there, where his wife would soon come and she and Aaron could mock her together.

His wife. He was getting back together with his wife.

She picked up her bags and opened the door. Patton scurried over and Aaron ordered him to stay. She hauled her bags and computer to her truck in one heavy, awkward trip, her computer sliding off her duffle and almost tumbling to the concrete. After stowing it all away, she returned for her telescope.

Aaron stood waiting for her. “Don’t leave like this—”

Teagan stopped and looked at him. “Are you getting back together with your wife?”

He sighed. “Look—”

Teagan shook her head and resumed heading toward her telescope.

Aaron followed her. “Let me help you with the telescope—”

“I don’t need your help!” she snarled. She picked up the awkward assembly and carried it outside, the focus lens pinching her arm as the tripod legs banged her shins. She lay it down in its foam bedding, covering it with a blanket.

Her purse. Damn it!

She walked in one last time, ignoring Aaron and zeroing in on her purse near the door. She grabbed it and left.

In her truck, she started her engine. And for reasons she couldn’t explain, she let herself look. Aaron stood on his sidewalk, pain in his eyes. But her attention was pulled to something else. Patton. He stood next to Aaron, his big brown eyes filled with fear and sadness. Her throat tightened and she looked away, unable to take it anymore. She backed out of Aaron’s driveway and drove off.

As fast as she could.