Page 22 of The Truths We Find

“I got the orders three months ago.”

“Three months!” I yell. “You’ve known for three months and didn’t tell me?”

“Dani, I’m so sorry,” he pleads.

Every emotion is running through my head. Anger, sadness, fear. I can’t keep them straight. I know I need to get away from the situation. “I… I can’t talk about this right now. I’m going to bed.”

I quickly stand and run to the bedroom, slamming the door behind me.

“Three months! He’s known for three fucking months he was leaving and he didn’t say anything?” Alexa yells.

With the way she’s going off, you would think she’s more pissed about this than I am.

After a completely sleepless night, I dragged myself to the station to meet Alexa in the editing suite this morning like we planned.

When I left the apartment, I found Sam passed out on the couch. After storming into the bedroom, I refused to let him tell me any other details. I was too upset. How long would he be gone for? Where was he going? I know absolutely nothing, except for the fact that he is leaving next week. I know I can’t avoid him forever, but for now, I need to focus all my energy on this Tate special.

“Alexa, you know I love you, but let’s get started. I don’t even want to think about Sam right now.” A yawn escapes my lips.

Gavin walks in holding three large coffees. “Morning, ladies,” he exclaims.

“You are a literal angel right now,” Alexa cheers as she grabs the two cups with our names on them.

“I aim to please,” he chuckles.

His face quickly falls when he sees the look of exhaustion in my eyes. “Dani, you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just didn’t get much sleep. Too much brainstorming for the Tate thing. All good. I know you have a lot of work to do. We’re all good here. I’ll come get you when we have something to show you.”

“If you’re sure.” He’s skeptical, but leaves the editing suite anyway.

Alexa knows Gavin is the last person I’m going to unload my Sam problems on, so she rolls with the lie.

The next twelve hours are brutal. Between fact checking everything in Tate’s background, Alexa recording her voice-overs, and getting the rough cut done, our brains are fried. But all that’s left is to clean up the editing, and that can wait until tomorrow.

“I can’t believe we pulled this off,” Alexa cheers.

“It’s not done yet,” I remind her.

“Tell me again why we didn’t ask an editor to help us with this?” Alexa questions.

“Because this is our baby. Do you really want someone else touching it?”

“No, I guess not. I’m just so tired,” Alexa cries.

Just as we’re about to shut down the computer, Gavin pokes his head in. “How’s it going, ladies?”

“What are you still doing here?” I’m shocked to see him at the station so late.

“We’re all in this together. I don’t leave until you do. How much were you able to get done?”

“It’s all put together.” Alexa yawns. “Tomorrow we’ll clean up the editing and then it will be ready to submit.”

“Well, then get out of here and get some sleep. I’ll see you guys in the morning. And come in a little later. If all it needs is cleaning, I don’t want to see you guys here until eleven at the earliest.” Gavin smiles.

“Works for me!” Alexa giggles. “Thanks, boss!”

“But Gavin—” I start.