by Kacey Shea
Jill scrunches her nose. “It goes without saying that we all must hang out.”
“Yes, and he must bring at least two single fire friends.” Alicia claps.
“That shouldn’t be too hard to arrange. What else?”
“Hmm . . . Tell us about him. Is there anything he does or says that worries you? Anything that strange or unusual?”
Ugh. I don’t really want to go there, but there is something that’s had me slightly unsettled. “Well . . .”
“What?” Jill leans forward.
“Just tell us.” Alicia rolls her eyes.
“It’s probably nothing. It’s just that we’ve been dating for almost a month now and—” I glance down at my glass and pick at the newsprint coaster.
“Spit it out, Callie. We won’t judge you. We already know you obsess over small stuff.” Alicia laughs and I stick my tongue out at her. She’s right, though.
“Do you think it’s strange he hasn’t asked me over to his place yet?” At their blank stares I amend, “Never mind. That’s stupid. Forget I said that.”
“No. That’s weird.” Jill’s eyes narrow into a scowl. “Do you even know where he lives?”
Alicia just chews on her lip between sips of sangria and studies my face.
“Sure, I know where he lives.” I cough to clear my throat. “In an apartment complex in Fairmount.”
“Do you know which one?” Alicia pats my hand to offer comfort and sympathy but it riles me up. I shouldn’t have to defend Chase to them. He’s not a bad guy.
“I can’t remember. I’m sure he told me. And it’s completely acceptable that we haven’t been to his place. He has a roommate and it’s not even close.”
Jill nods reassuringly. “Yeah. I’m sure that’s it. Besides, you’ve only had like what, six dates now?”
“Nine.”
“Nine. That’s not that many. I’m sure it’s more convenient to go to your place since it’s so close to his work,” Jill adds.
“And he’s taken me out to dinner,” I add to validate his boyfriend worthiness.
“Yeah,” Alicia joins in. “Jill’s right. You’re right. Besides, you just started sleeping together. I’m sure now you’ll see him even more and he’ll beg you to stop by his apartment.”
“I’m sure,” Jill agrees, but it’s the way she says it that leaves me with a seed of doubt. Why hasn’t he invited me to his place? All this time I hadn’t analyzed it but now it seems strange. That, and I’ve never met his roommate. What if Chase is hiding something? What if he’s a complete slob or someone who doesn’t organize his flatware?
“Wait,” Jill deadpans. “You’re not worried about how unorganized he is? Or if he doesn’t follow proper laundry protocol?”
“No!” I exclaim too loudly. God, I hadn’t even considered he might not separate his whites from his colors. “Okay, yes, maybe. God, I’m fucked up. I should’ve checked these things before we did the nasty.”
We all burst into a fit of giggles and Alicia orders another round.
“He put his face in your cooch with gusto and you’re more concerned about the possibility he leaves dirty dishes overnight in his sink. That is a little fucked up.”
The rest of my night I combat jabs to my OCD tendencies and laugh harder than I have in weeks. Though I wouldn’t have picked a night out with Jill and Alicia over one in bed with Chase, I’m glad the decision was pushed upon me. Time with my girls is a need I don’t realize until it’s already met. God, I love these two.
I love Chase.
I do. And I know it’s too soon to say the words but they almost slip from my mouth when he jogs outside the station to meet me at my Jeep. By some miracle I don’t let the phrase tumble from my mouth and instead offer him a smile that hurts my face.
On the way over I stopped at the corner deli and picked up an assortment of sandwiches. We’ve shared so much together, yet I don’t even know his favorite things. And that changes today. I’m prepared to go all Barbara Walters if need be during this lunch date.
“Sorry I’m running late! I lost track of time at Kiki’s this morning.” I pull the bag from the cab and he steals a kiss that’s over too soon.
“The old lady on Bentley Street?” he asks, and we walk toward the building. He turns us and we detour to a picnic blanket that’s already laid out in the side lawn. Oh, smooth move. He’s romantic, this boyfriend of mine.
“Yeah. She’s amazing. The things she’s done and seen. She tells the best stories. Like seriously, when I grow old I want to be just like her. Did you know she had tea with the Dalai Lama? And almost ran over Michael Jordan with her car in the late 90’s? Can you believe that?”
“Hmm.” He shrugs and starts unwrapping the food. “I don’t know. I wouldn’t believe everything she says.”
“I wasn’t sure what you liked so I got a little of everything.” He smiles and bites into the roast beef. I take the ham and cheese. “Why do you say that about Kiki?”
He peers at me over fistfuls of bread and meat. “She’s kind of eccentric. Maybe she makes things up.”
I shrug. “Just because she’s a little unique doesn’t exactly make her a liar. Do you know much about her? She said she’s lived in that house thirty-nine years. And I know she was married, but she doesn’t have children. I feel there’s more to that story but I don’t want to pry and she hasn’t offered.”
“I was on call the day her husband collapsed,” he offers between bites, his jaw hard and eyes focused over my shoulder. I glance behind me but find nothing other than the mostly empty parking lot.
“What? When was this?” I put my food down, my appetite fades at the news.
“Had to be at least six years ago, if not more. It was before I had my medic certification.”
“What happened to him?”
Chase pops the last bite of sandwich in his mouth and chews, his eyes closed for a moment. I wait, but I already know what he says next won’t be good.
“Heart attack. Made it to the hospital but he died the next day.”
“Oh, God, that’s horrible. Poor Kiki.”
“I guess. She was pretty torn up. Inconsolable if I remember correctly.”
“Of course she would be. I would be, too! The love of her life, gone in an instant. That’s so sad.”
“It wasn’t just that, though.” Chase’s voice is rough and I meet his gaze. He blinks a few times. “I can’t remember exactly, but there was some big blowup between her and one of the neighbors. Shit. Maybe that was someone else. I’m sorry, Callie, I can’t remember.”
“That’s okay. I’m sure you can’t remember every call you’ve been on.”
“No, but there’re some I’ll never forget.”
“Oh, like what?” I ask, and his gaze softens as he brushes one of my stray curls from my face.
“Well, there was this time I found a gorgeous brunette at the Target checkout line . . .”
“Oh? She sounds lovely.” I grin and Chase scoots closer on the blanket. He pushes the uneaten food out of his way. I do him one better and crawl into his lap. I leave a trail of kisses from his neck to the stubble of his jaw line, and land at his ear. I lay my head on his shoulder and he wraps his strong arms around my waist. I love the way the rough callouses of his fingertips feel as he smooths them up and down my arms.
“I don’t know. She sort of has a thing for spending time with old ladies, which most people would find weird. But I think that’s just her kind heart.”
“I love you.” Fuck. I didn’t mean to say that out loud. His hands still for a heartbeat. I wish I could take the words back, suck them inside and pretend he never heard them. Shit. What do I do? I won’t take them back because they’re true. His fingers resume their path up and down my arms and he hugs me to him a little tighter, leaving a kiss at my temple.
“Callie.” His voice is rough, and though I can’t see his eyes I wonder if they’re full of the emotion I feel for him. “I have to get back to work. Thanks for bringing l
unch.”
I blow out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Okay. So we’re ignoring my declaration. I can deal with that. For now. I scoot out of his embrace and gather the extra sandwiches back into the bag. He collects the trash and jogs over to a waste basket to dispose of it.
Chase walks back with a lazy grin on his handsome face. “Let me walk you to your car.” He holds his hand out and I lace my fingers through his with a smile. God, I love him even more for not making this uncomfortable or awkward. He holds my hand until I’m in my seat and buckled up to leave, but doesn’t let me shut my door. Instead, he crowds the opening and leans in close.
“Kiss me, Callie.” And I do.
We make out for a solid five minutes before he finally pulls his hands off my body. I regrettably loosen my fingers from their hold at his shirt. He laughs, noticing the marks they’ve left from gripping the fabric.
“Come over tomorrow?” I lick and pout my lips.
“I’ll text you. Depends on how crazy the rest of the day goes.”
It’s then I notice the deep circles under his eyes. “You had a long night.”
“Yeah, but worth it to see your beautiful face.” He grins and shuts my door.
As I pull out of the lot and maneuver the short drive to my house Chase’s words stay with me, wrap around me, and cause the smile on my face to never waiver the rest of the day. Yes, I love that man. And I should have waited to say it, but I’m sort of happy I didn’t. And that it didn’t seem to freak him out, well, that makes me wonder if he feels the same way.
I love parties.
From the small informal get together to the frat house kegger, I love a good night out with friends. Maybe it’s because I love to laugh, and a party—a good one anyway—guarantees laughter aplenty.
So, when I stop by the firehouse the next week to meet Chase for an early dinner and Lopez asks me, “Hey Callie, you coming to the party at Troy’s tomorrow night?” and I’ve heard nothing of said party—and I catch Chase’s eyes glaring down Lopez as if he asked me to light myself on fire—well, I get a little miffed at my boyfriend. Okay, more than miffed.
“So, that’s why we’re not hanging out tomorrow?” I try, I really do, to keep the hurt from my voice but I’m unsuccessful. Lopez slinks from the break room, excusing himself to perform a bogus equipment check.
“Look. I didn’t tell you about the party because I didn’t think you’d want to go. It’s just a bunch of guys from the stations getting together to watch the fights and drink beer. Nothing to get upset about. Relax.”
“Relax!” Okay, so not relaxed right now. “Who all will be there?”
Chase chants a list of names. Some I know, some I don’t. When he gets to over a dozen I stop him, holding out my hand and closing my eyes. Exhale. Deep breath.
“Let me rephrase that. Will any women be there?” The words leave a bitter taste in my mouth and I feel tears gather in my eyes.
“I don’t know. Probably. Jeez, Callie, calm down. You’re acting as if I did something wrong. I honestly didn’t think you’d have any fun. That’s why I didn’t say anything. It’s just a casual get together. If you want to come, come.”
“You don’t have to invite me because you feel bad about not.” I want you to invite me because you want me by your side.
“It’s not a pity invite, Callie. I wouldn’t say come if I didn’t want you there. Why don’t you bring your friends, too? That’ll make my single friends happy and then we can all hang out like we’ve been trying to.”
I study his face and detect sincerity. He’s right, even though I’m still a little hurt he didn’t think to invite me first. I’ve been trying to organize a time for him to meet my friends, preferably with other single firemen in attendance, but it’s been almost impossible with everyone’s schedules. This will be perfect.
“Okay. I’m sorry. Thanks. I’ll text the girls now.”
He scoots his chair close to steal a kiss. “Good. Don’t jump down my throat without asking next time. I’m a good guy, Callie. Let me speak for my own thoughts.”
“I’m sorry. You’re right. I didn’t even give you a chance to explain. Forgive me?”
“Always. Now let’s eat before this gets cold. And maybe we can sneak into the bunk room for a quickie because I’ve been dreaming of your pussy since I clocked in yesterday.”
“So romantic.” I roll my eyes but can’t help but grin. I’ve been thinking about him and his dick non-stop, too. Between our work schedules, we’ve only been intimate two nights and it’s not even close to quenching the nonstop thirst I have for this man. “Sorry, big guy,” I say between bites of food. “I already told you I’m not fooling around in this place. I’ve seen how the guys barge into rooms without knocking.”
“Aw, you’re no fun, babe.” He grins before shoveling a bite of food in his mouth. We eat in companionable silence but I don’t like the words that just came out of his mouth. I am fun. I’m a very fun person. I’ll show him tonight at the party just how much fun I can be.
“Drink up, bitches!” Alicia hands us shots as Jill and I make our way inside her posh downtown apartment. Alicia’s parents are loaded, like Kardashian sort of loaded, and this place is amazing—a high-rise looking out over the twinkling lights of the city. Jill volunteered to drive but we all decided to meet up at Alicia’s place first since it was closer to the party.
I hold the glass to my nose and smell. Cherry. Vodka most likely, but before we throw them back Jill halts us. “Wait! A toast!”
I raise my glass. “What are we toasting?”
“To best friends—” Jill says.
“And hot as hell men!” Alicia adds with a grin.
“And to having fun!” I smile. We clink our glasses together and drink, the liquor a slow burn that steals my breath and heats my skin.
“One more before we go!” Alicia fills the glasses but Jill shakes her head.
“One’s good for me. I’m DD tonight. Remember?”
“What? Only one? You’ll be fine with two.” Alicia pushes one shot in front of Jill.
I leave mine on the counter topping the hand-carved bar. “I’m good, too.” I walk into Alicia’s bathroom so I can check my appearance. My curls are untamable with today’s humidity so they dance around my face and head, much like my nervous excitement for tonight. My blue sleeveless blouse is cute and sexy and exposes a tad bit of cleavage. White shorts and nude flats complete my look. Jill wanders over, smoothes her board straight blonde locks and then her short striped cotton dress. Alicia peeks her head in, a strand of newly dyed green in her otherwise jet black hair matches her retro patterned short skirt.
“Let’s go! I don’t want to be too late to this party.” I’m anxious to see Chase and hang out with his friends. I want them to like me, and I think they do, but I’ve only spent time with them at the station. Tonight I’ll meet more than those he works with and that’s important to me. Besides, I want Jill and Alicia to give Chase their stamp of approval. I know it doesn’t matter what they think because I’m the one dating him, but I can’t help but care.
“Okay, fine. Y’all better not be party poopers when we get there. We can always Uber home.” Alicia smooths gloss across her pink painted lips and smacks them with a pop. “Let’s roll.” She turns and stumbles a little, making me wonder if she drank all three of the refilled shots. It could just be the fuck me heels she insists on wearing.
Jill rolls her eyes and grabs Alicia by the elbow. “Come on, lush. Let’s go. And slow down, would you? I want to meet a man, not babysit you all night.”
We make our way out of the apartment and down to the garage where Jill’s Civic awaits. Blasting the air conditioning and Britney Spears puts me in the mood to have a great time. Singing, albeit poorly, at the top of my lungs with my girls sets the tone for the night.
We’re still singing along to the non-existent music after we park and stumble through the dimly lit and horribly paved apartment complex, searching for the address
Chase texted me. We stomp down a path and turn left, which brings the party into view. Music pulses from an open doorway on the second story and a dozen or more people mingle outside for a smoke.
I don’t recognize anyone, and my steps falter, but thank God for Alicia and Jill who stand at my sides and give me a little nudge toward the steps. “Come on, let’s go find your man,” Jill says, and it grants me the boost of confidence I need to lead the way up the stairs. I smile and nod at the partygoers I pass.
Inside the door, I find Chase immediately, as if my eyes don’t know how to search for anyone else. He leans against the wall, beer bottle in hand, chatting with a few guys from the station. His gaze snaps up and that lazy, knowing smile fills his face as he pushes off and strides toward us.
“You made it!” He wraps me in a hug.
“Chase, you know Alicia and Jill.”
He pulls back to stand behind me. His arms slide around my waist and pull my back to his front. He dips his head to leave a kiss at the spot where my neck meets my shoulder and I shiver. “Yes, nice to see you both again. Do you want me to introduce you to my friends?”
“Nah.” Alicia’s already walking away, honing in on the makeshift bar that’s been assembled in the kitchen nook.
“I better supervise.” Jill rolls her eyes and walks to catch up.
Chase eyes them as they leave. “They okay on their own?”
I twist out of his arms to gaze up into those chocolate eyes I love. “Alicia and Jill can take care of themselves. You should be more worried about your friends.” I shake my head and we both look over to find Alicia and Jill already flirting shamelessly. A small crowd of testosterone is circling. Alicia’s twinkling laughter sounds over the blaring music and conversations.
I glance around the room and take in the surroundings. Typical dude apartment adorned in white walls and cheap beige carpet. No wall décor other than the big screen television which most of the party congregates around. There’s an open kitchen where a few heavily made up women gather with red Solo cups, teetering on strappy heels and simultaneously send judgmental glances around the room. A few casually dressed women sit on the couch near the TV and talk to each other with friendly smiles. The rest of the room is crowded with men. Some I recognize from visiting the station, others I don’t.