Caught in the Flames

by Kacey Shea

  “So . . . your thing first. What happened?” I glance over to make sure Tiff’s exactly where I left her. She sure is. Her head hangs limply and her blonde locks cover her face. I’m worried for two short seconds until she throws her head back and screams.

  “What was that? You okay, Callie?”

  “I’m fine, it’s just a bitch stuck in a window. So, you were saying . . .”

  “Ugh! Just pisses me off. Cam wasn’t even there. I rolled in on time and went in the station and no one had any clue I was coming. The captain on duty said I must’ve had my facts wrong ’cause there was no way in hell Cameron McClain would call a meeting at his station. Fucking pricks. All of them.”

  “Wait? But what about his text?”

  “I have no clue. Unless he was just fucking with me, but that’s a dick move.”

  Tiff screams again. I cringe and carefully inch toward the window so I can observe her without returning the favor. “So, I have something that’s sure to put a smile on your face.” I’m already holding in my own laughter.

  “Thank God. Tell me.”

  “You know those windows, the ones in the basement where there’s like a big gap between the wall and the ground.”

  His soft chuckle accompanies his reply. “The egress windows, yeah, what about them?”

  “Well, Tiffany McClain is stuck in one of the chutes as we speak.” Tiff must have killer radar because she looks up at that exact moment and meets my grin with twisted, angry curse words. I just wave and smile.

  Ash begins to laugh. “No way. You’re fucking with me.”

  “Yes, way. She’s full on stuck. I have no clue what she was doing here but she can’t get out. I’m guessing she didn’t know they were there because of the snow.”

  “Holy shit. That’s crazy!” He laughs and then ends, “Damn it.”

  “What?”

  “Nothing, I probably won’t get back before Rescue pulls her out. You gotta snap a few pics for me.”

  “What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t? But I should probably let you go. I haven’t called emergency yet and she’s looking a little purple.”

  “Callie!” Ash laughs.

  “I know, I know. I was going to but then you called and I’m getting way too much enjoyment from watching her squirm.” I turn and walk away from the window.

  “Take pictures. Lots. Now go call the station.”

  “Bye, Ashley.” I tease and end the call to make the other. I talk with the dispatcher and she assures me that Station Ten is on its way, along with police. I almost argue against sending the cops but then it dawns on me that there’s a reason for Tiffany’s appearance in my yard today, and it’s most certainly not neighborly. Slipping on a pair of boots and my thick coat I step outside to meet the truck as it pulls up to the curb. When Chase gets out first my heart doesn’t even stutter. I’ve come a long way.

  “What seems to be the trouble, Callie?” Chase raises his brow and purses his lips.

  “Your sister is stuck in my backyard.”

  “What?” He almost laughs as if I’m joking. His reaction makes it all the more entertaining and I have to fight back my own smile.

  “Come on, let me show you.”

  Chase and the rest of the guys follow me around to the back. There are several footprints that’ve messed the fresh snow along the perimeter of my house. A chill works its way up my spine and I clench my jaw so my teeth don’t chatter. When we round the building Tiff’s sobs greet us.

  “Tiffany?” Chase’s brow furrows and he goes to her, careful not to fall and catch a leg himself.

  “Chase!” Tiff sobs between her teeth’s chatter. Her lips outline with a shade of purplish-blue and I feel a little bad that I made her suffer longer than I should have until she opens her mouth. “That bitch watched me fall in here!” She waves a finger in my direction and a glower covers her face.

  “Tiffany, what happened? Why are you here?”

  “She needed to pay! I warned her. She can’t fucking take what belongs to me. No one messes with me. She doesn’t deserve this place. She never deserved you!” She’s gone full psycho and I’m thankful when the two patrolmen come around the corner just in time to witness her meltdown.

  “We’ll get you out. Don’t move, okay?” Chase turns to leave but not before her nails grip his leg and dig into his pants.

  “No. Don’t leave me. I’m scared, Chase. I never thought I was your sister. You have to believe me. I never dreamed that could be a possibility!”

  Chase is visibly uncomfortable and tries to move out of her reach, but at the same time reprimanding her. “Not here, okay? We’ll talk about that later.”

  “Later! Later? When, Chase? When’s later? We were good together, baby. Don’t you see that? Before Callie came around and fucked everything up.” She turns her glare on me. “You! I should’ve burned you alive the first time! I would’ve today! And I won’t let you get away with what you’ve done to my family. If I hadn’t fallen I would’ve laughed and watched while this place burned down, you conniving whore!”

  “That’s enough,” Chase shouts, but it’s too late. Three other firemen and two police officers have just witnessed Tiff’s confession.

  “You boys get ’er out of there before we have to dig ’er out ourselves,” one of the officers says in a deep southern drawl. The next minutes blur in a flurry of action as the department pulls a screaming Tiff from the ground, more cops are called to the scene, and Tiff is arrested and placed in the back of a car while we’re all interviewed. By the time Ash pulls his car to the curb, I realize I’m never going to live it down.

  I forgot to take the damn pictures!

  Oh, well, her arrest for my attempted murder should give me a pass for forgetting such details. Ash gets out of his car and steps toward me just as the crew is released from talking with detectives. Chase passes Ash on the driveway and they bump shoulders.

  “What the fuck, man?” Chase says with a glare.

  “Watch where you’re going, Matthews. And tell your brother the next time he wants to fuck with me, do it to my face and not over text messaging like the pansy ass he is.” Ash cuts back.

  “What are you talking about?” Chase shakes his head.

  “Cam. Texted me yesterday and told me to meet him at Eighty-two. Fucking waste of my day.”

  “I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about. Cam lost his phone after the meeting at the lawyers.”

  “He lost his phone?” Ash repeats. “Then who the fuck would do that?”

  I clear my throat and interrupt their conversation. “Someone who wanted to make sure I was alone today.” I raise a brow and Chase has the decency to look apologetic. He saunters away and joins his crew in the truck.

  “So, those pictures?” Ash’s lips quirk up at the sides.

  One of the detectives walks up and clears his throat. “Miss Gordon? We’ll be out of your hair now, but you have my card if you think of anything else. We’ll be in touch.”

  “Thank you.” I exhale all the stress of the day and inhale the relief I now feel knowing Tiffany is behind bars. I never worried she’d retaliate, though it hits me in this moment that I probably should have. “You might check to see if she has Cameron McClain’s cell phone. It was stolen yesterday and used it to cause a diversion which took my friend here away from the house for a minimum of two hours.”

  “We will check it out. Thanks for your cooperation.” The officer walks down to his car.

  Ash’s quizzical stare and wide eyes beg for my attention. “What the fuck happened?” He’s light with his tone, almost teasing, but there’s a seriousness to his eyes that betrays his worries.

  “Come inside. It’s cold and I need a gallon of coffee to explain the crazy that just went down.” Despite the freezing temps, my skin heats when he slings his arm around my shoulder and walks us toward the door. Today could have played out disastrously, but instead brought me humor, answers, and peace. I know she was against haunting, but I g
lance around and wonder if Kiki’s doing her best to watch over me. The thought is surprisingly reassuring.

  I love spending the holidays with my dad.

  I always have. As a teenager, some of my friends got so pissed when their parents asked them to stay home on New Year’s Eve for quality family time. Maybe it’s because it was always just the two of us. Maybe it’s because our relationship is closer than an average father and daughter. Either way, I’m glad to be ringing in the New Year with a movie marathon with my pops.

  My trip home to see Dad for these past two weeks could not have come at a better time. Work is slow but still flexible enough to allow me the travel without shirking my responsibilities on the team. Ash happily agreed to check in on Kiki’s—no, my—place to keep an eye on Silas. I know he’s probably working on the remodel too, even though I told him he didn’t need to. It’s funny how we’ve moved our efforts from outside in the garden to playing fixer upper inside the house.

  Dad Time is precisely what I need. Two weeks of celebrating the holidays and working side by side on some sweet rides in the shop has resulted in daddy-daughter bonding at its finest.

  “You sure you don’t want to go out? Maybe meet up with some of your old friends?” Dad walks into the living room and sets a bowl of popcorn on the folding tray between us. He lets loose a deep sigh when his body hits the soft leather recliner.

  “Nah, Dad. I’m right where I want to be.” I’m comfy as fuck, too. There’s no way I’d ditch my sweats and my matching recliner for a night out in heels, a dress, and makeup amongst the colder than ice Minnesota winter weather. Movies, junk food, and time with my Dad are one-hundred times better than listening to everyone from high school recount their glory days. To be completely honest, ever since Kiki passed away I’ve been more cognizant of how precious life is, how fragile, and my time—it should be spent with the ones I love.

  My dad presses play on our next film. We’re having a marathon of all the Pink Panther movies and this one should take us into the New Year. I settle back into my chair with a bag of chocolate covered candies and drape the thick quilt up and over my legs.

  My phone buzzes silently on my lap and I smile when I see it’s a text from Ash. There’s a picture, too. Somehow he’s managed to get Silas in a selfie and he’s laying one puckered smooch on the top of the tabby’s head. Silas looks pissed. I can’t help but giggle aloud.

  Me: Hot date you have.

  Ash: Not sure if you realize I used to be quite the ladies’ man.

  Me: This is where I’d insert a joke about pussy but I feel that’s been played out.

  Ash: Totes.

  Laughter fills my lungs and I snort.

  Me: Oh, God no. You can’t say totes.

  Ash: Why not? Alicia said it the last time we all hung out. Is it not cool anymore?

  Me: Alicia can get away with totes. You, not so much.

  Ash: You don’t think I’m cool enough?

  Me: Your coolness deteriorated the day you bought the Prius.

  Ash: Fuck, that’s why I can’t say totes? Damn you, Prius!

  Ash: If I promise to think about buying a new car can I say it.

  Me: You can use totes the day you buy a manly car.

  Me: FYI the guys at the station will give you shit if you say totes.

  Ash: Girl? You think I’m a booter? I’ll only use totes with you.

  Me: You’re such a dork.

  And I’m a bigger one because my face hurts with the way my lips pull and plant a giant smile across my face. His reply comes right away.

  Ash: But you love it. Hey I have a surprise for you.

  Me: I don’t really like surprises. I like plans.

  Ash: Lol. I know, but trust me Callie, this surprise is one you’ll love.

  Me: Can’t wait.

  Ash: You’re back Thursday?

  Me: Yep.

  Ash: Sounds good. Happy NYE. Don’t kiss anyone with cold sores.

  Me: I won’t. It’s just me and my dad tonight. See you next year!

  Ash: Haha see you in a few days. Goodnight, Sweet Cheeks.

  “One of the girls?” My dad interrupts and I drop the phone into my lap. I’ve missed the opening scene but I’ve seen this film so many times it doesn’t matter.

  “Hmm?” I answer him.

  “Your phone. Was that Alicia or Jill?”

  “Oh. Neither. That was Ash.” Grabbing a candy from the bag, I open the foil wrapper, careful not to rip it, and pop the chocolate in my mouth. So good. My fingers fold the tiny paper into squares, each smaller than the last until I’m left with a tiny version of the original. I add it to the growing line next to the popcorn.

  “Ash? I don’t remember you mentioning her. She someone you work with?”

  My laughter bubbles from my gut and I almost choke on the candy.

  “No, Dad. Ash isn’t a girl.”

  “Shit. Sorry, I just assumed it was short for Ashley.”

  I giggle. This time my mouth is free to let the sound escape without hazard. “It actually is short for Ashley. A family name.”

  “So, tell me about this Ashley and why he’s leaving grins on my daughter’s face when she should be laughing at Steve Martin.”

  “Sorry. I’m being rude. Let’s watch the movie.” My dad just chuckles.

  “Nice try.” He presses pause on the remote and props up his recliner. “I need to know about him so I won’t worry when you go back in a few days.” My father, ever my protector, even from a thousand miles away.

  “Well, he’s a firefighter—”

  “Strike one. I don’t like where this is heading.”

  “Dad, not all firemen are self-absorbed assholes.” I then blurt out the next thing that comes to mind. “He drives a Prius.”

  “What the hell, Callie? I raised you better!” He shouts and tosses his hands in the air. Oh, shit. Shouldn’t have led with that. Though cars are an important detail to our family so it was bound to come out at some point.

  “I know, I know, but hear me out. He’s been really good to me. The best, really. He spent all of his free time this fall helping me garden so I could finish Kiki’s yard.” I exhale a slow breath and meet his concerned gaze. “And he was one of the first responders to the fire—he risked his life for her.”

  “Okay, keep talking.” He sits back into his chair.

  “He’s my best friend and I think I love him.” I admit this aloud because I know it’s true and weighing on my mind. I just don’t know exactly what to do about it.

  Dad raises his brows and tilts his head. “You think you do or you do?”

  My eyes fall to the candy and I steal another piece to unwrap. “I do love him. But I guess I’m just scared to make the first move. We’ve been through so much. I know he had feelings for me at one point, but what if he doesn’t feel that way anymore?”

  “Then he doesn’t deserve you.”

  I exhale and pop the chocolate between my lips so it melts inside the heat of my mouth. The taste—it’s Ash’s mouth pressed to mine—and I stretch out my legs under the blanket as the desire to be fucked by Ash pulses at my center. It’s extremely uncomfortable since my Dad’s staring at me from only three feet away.

  “So, I’m going to get a drink. Want something?” I pop off the chair and almost drop the bag of chocolates all over the floor. I set down the offending candy with a growl.

  “I’ll take a beer.” Dad chuckles and shakes his head.

  I’ve nearly made it to the kitchen when he calls out.

  “Oh, and Callie?”

  I grip the molding of the doorframe and look over my shoulder to meet his eyes. “Yeah, Dad?”

  “Don’t wait around too long, yeah? You wait to put an offer on a classic model and someone’s bound to come in and snatch it up first. Know what I’m sayin’?”

  “I think I do.” I grin. Leave it to Dad to give relationship advice using a car analogy.

  “Time isn’t guaranteed, but I don’t have to tell you that.” He
lifts his brows and I nod because emotion clogs my ability to respond with words. “But if you’re gonna date him, I have one condition.”

  “What, Dad?” I purse my lips and tilt my head.

  “Buy that man a decent vehicle!” he shouts. I shake my head and laugh as I walk to the fridge. “God damn it, Callie, I’m not joking. There’s no way in hell my daughter falls in love with a Prius man. You know how much shit I’ll hear in the shop if they get word of that?” He continues to gripe as I walk back with our beers. I plop back into my seat and just smile.

  “I’m working on it, Dad. Trust me. Let me get the guy first and then I’ll address the car dilemma.” I pop the tab on my can and take a sip while Dad resumes the movie. We settle back into our comfortable silence but his words play in the back of my mind. Dad’s right. Ash is a classic, a rare and coveted model amongst single men. If I don’t step up and make an offer soon someone else will. The thought of him with anyone but me is enough to make me wish it’s already Thursday.

  I love my house.

  Ash volunteered to pick me up from the airport and I can’t wait to get home. Cars line up at the terminal as families, couples, and friends reunite. My foot taps to an anxious beat and I alternate between checking my phone and the road. The Prius pulls to the curb and my heart rate picks up with excitement. I can barely make out his face from behind the glass and my steps hurry as I drag my suitcase behind me. Ash climbs out of the car and meets me at the trunk.

  “Welcome back, Callie.” He says with a grin, pops the trunk open, and takes my bag. Our hands meet in the exchange and send goosebumps all over my flesh. We slide into our seats and I stretch my hands out toward the vents, warming the skin while Ash steers us out of traffic.

  “Good flight?” he asks.

  “Yeah, it went quick.” I glance over but his focus is on the road. Removing my hands from the vent I pick at the polish of my nails.

  “You have a good visit with your dad?”

  “The best.”

  “Glad to be back or do you wish you stayed longer?” His tone doesn’t betray a thing. Is he happy I’m back or did he enjoy the time I was away a little too much? My insecurities bang around inside my mind and I hate it.