Covered in Coal

by Silla Webb

  “Bad day?” I hear from behind me. I turn my head around to see Luke Ashton standing behind me, hands pushed into his pockets.

  I sigh, “Yeah, guess you could say that.” Luke sits down at the table, and just looks at me. His stare is intense, and I feel almost naked and vulnerable.

  "I want to apologize for the other day.” I arch my eye brow at him, curious as to what he needs to apologize for.

  “What for Luke?” He takes a deep breath, before he speaks.

  “I was rude. You were kind enough to give me a lift home when it was rainin’. You made a comment that kinda hit close to home, and I just didn’t know how to respond. So, for my silence, and rudeness, I need to apologize.” Luke reaches across the table, and places his hand on mine, rubbing circles with his thumb. His touch is electrifying, and it terrifies me.

  “Luke, if I said something that made you uncomfortable, don’t you think I should be the one apologizing? I’m sorry, and I appreciate your apology, but it obviously completely unnecessary.” I say, pulling my hand away from his contact. Luke smiles lightly, but his smile doesn’t touch his eyes. I look at his eyes, and can see the same heartache that I am sure he can see in mine. It’s haunting. I wonder what broke Luke.

  “Carly, I know we ain’t really ever been close, but I’m here if you need to talk.” I smile at him, but am at a loss for words. I have never been one to share my emotions or pain with anyone, but just having his company right now would be nice.

  “Thanks Luke, I appreciate that. I’m okay. Just life, ya know. So, let’s just catch up, would that be ok?” Any distraction from the devastating news I just received is welcome. Luke nods, and we begin to make small talk. Within minutes my stomach has settled, the tension has eased so I start to nibble on my peanut butter fudge cheesecake while we chat. What? I’m not about to let something that delectable go to waste.

  We exchange stories of our lives over the last seven years, well, what we both feel like sharing I guess. Luke is somewhat of a chatter box once he gets started, so I just let him talk. He tells me that he moved to Lexington after we graduated high school, and became a fire fighter with the Lexington Fire Department. He explains the thrill of entering a burning building, to save victims from the flames. His face lights up with pride as he talks about the memories of his life as a firefighter, Then suddenly, he falls silent. Reaching across the table, I place my hand on his, and he looks up at me, his eyes filled with anguish.

  “Ya okay?” I ask, but I know the answer. Luke smiles, and nods.

  “I quit the fire department about a year ago. You can only crawl into a burnin’ house so many times, and come out empty handed, not able to save everyone, before it starts to screw with your mind, ya know. It’s a hauntin’ sound, to hear screams and cries from children, not bein’ able to save them.” Luke clinches his eyes shut, shaking his head.

  “It’s okay, Luke, you don’t have to talk about it.” He pulls away from me, and pinches the bridge of his nose. He takes a deep breath, as he opens his eyes, looking away, distantly.

  “Well, I think I’d better get goin’. We should get together again. I like talkin’ with ya.”

  I scratch my number on a piece of paper from my purse, and slide it across the table, then ask Luke for his. Usually, I wouldn’t do this, but other than Colton and Savannah, I have no friends here in Williamstown, any longer, and Luke seems like he could use a friend. Hell, I think he’s as broken as I am.

  Luke stands from the table, and shoves the slip of paper into his pocket. With a small smile, he says goodbye and turns to leave. I grab my purse, and follow behind him.

  When I get inside of the Camaro, I hear my phone beeping from deep inside of my purse. Digging it out, I see there are several text messages from Savannah and Colton. I read through the messages quickly to make sure there is nothing urgent. Savannah messages me to say that she and the kids are stopping by for a visit, so I reply back that I’ll be home around six p.m.

  Colton has sent several messages, telling me that he misses me, wondering where the hell I am, and several lewd sexual comments. Damn, we are just mending whatever this is between us, and he’s already obsessive and devious. I smile at my phone, remembering every second from yesterday, the way he makes me feel embraced in his arms.

  I reply quickly: Had a meeting, then lunch, on my way back to the office.

  Before I start the car, my phone beeps again, another message comes through from Colton. Damn, shouldn’t he be supervising miners or some shit, not sitting on his ass texting me all damn day. Although, it is kinda sweet.

  His text is short and sweet,- thinkin’ of you darlin’.

  I put the Camaro in reverse and make my way back to Simon Energy. It’s nearly three p.m., so I have a little work left in my day, unfortunately. Walking into the office, Shelly hands me a stack of mail, and several post it notes of the calls I missed while I was out.

  “Colton Weston has been looking for you all day, Ms. Simon.” Shelly says, with a concerned look on her face. Shelly has been with Simon Energy for years, so I’m sure she is aware of our history.

  Heading towards my office, I call back, “Ah, Shelly, I am sure he will find me soon enough,” with a smile on my face. Shelly smiles in return and shakes her head. She may be old, but she ain’t stupid. She’s on to our little game of cat and mouse.

  Closing the office door, I drop my purse to the floor, and flop down in the leather chair. I kick my legs up on the desk as I begin to look through the mail and post-its Shelly handed me on my way in. I hear a light tap on the door, and before I have the chance to invite the visitor in, the door opens slowly. Colton. He’s smiling from ear to ear as he enters. He pushes the door closed behind him, and takes a seat on the other side of my desk.

  “Holy hell, darlin’. You really shouldn’t sit at your desk like that. I mean, damn. I appreciate the sexiness you’re illuminatin’, but another one of these jackasses sees you like this, heads will spin. And I’d hate to beat the brakes off one of these jackasses over oglin’ my girl.” My face turns read, and my sex clinches. Just one simple smile, and he has me in over drive. Okay, his words affect me too. He is so protective, over protective in fact. It’s such a turn on.

  “Hey.” I reply, looking up from my mail, trying to hide my blushed cheeks.

  “You okay, you seem tense. Where have ya been all mornin’?” he asks, arching his eye brows in interest.

  “Had a meeting, then grabbed lunch. Not a good day. ”

  “Well you should have called, I’d have met ya for a long lunch, baby.” Colton replies with a wink.

  “To be honest, I really just needed to be alone. I figured you had plenty of work ‘round here to do, and I don’t pay you to fraternize with the CEO.” I say, with a wiggle of my eye brows. Colton throws his head back and laughs, then replies with a smart ass remark.

  “Darlin’, I don’t agree with prostitution, but I’m pretty sure I could be considered your whore by now, since I do work for you by day, and was screwin’ ya last night.”

  I roll my eyes, and retort, “Well, if being a whore is against your morals, I could fire your ass, and make you my slutty sex slave. It’s entirely up to you, though.” I shrug, as I pull my legs from the desk, and get up to pour a cup of coffee. Colton pounces to his feet, wrapping his hands around my hips, and thrust me towards him. He rubs his nose up the crook of my neck, as he inhales my scent.

  “We can’t do this here, not now. Please,” I pant, trying to calm my racing my heart. His touch sends my heart soaring to an unhealthy pace.

  “Mmmm, I can’t control myself with you. You keep me all tore up. If you give into me, I can erase that worry from your beautiful face.” I pull away from his embrace, placing a cup of coffee in his hands.

  “Here, calm yourself down, and get your ass back to work. I have paperwork to go through, and I don’t need you distracting me.” Walking back around the desk, I sit down and power on the laptop, trying hard to fight temptation. Biting down
on my lip I keep my eyes trained on the screen as Colton sits down across from me, huffing a deep breath.

  “Well, Boss, I came in here to give ya bad news, just figured I’d butter ya up first. But since fraternizin’ with my boss is frowned upon, I’ll just give ya the news, and pray my balls stay in tack. The miner is down for the day. Bit’s broke, so production stopped. My crew is workin’ on the repair right now, and I’m going to stay back through second shift to make sure the repair goes smoothly. We should be back up and runnin’ by the start of first shift tomorrow mornin’.” Colton says as he cracks his knuckles. Shit. Can this day get any worse? I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to soothe the tension headache that is creeping up on me.

  “But we should be running full swing tomorrow morning?” I ask.

  “As long as everything goes as planned, yeah. That’s why I’m workin’ over, to make sure of it.”

  “Good, I appreciate that.” I release a big puff of air, and smile.

  “Alright, well I gotta get back to it. You got plans for the evenin’?”

  “Savannah and the twins are coming by for a visit.”

  Colton stands to leave, but leans across the desk to place a swift kiss on my cheek. “Well, I’ll call ya later tonight if it ain’t too late when I get in. Otherwise, I’ll see ya here sometime tomorrow.” Colton leaves my office, and I return to my work until the clock strikes five-thirty p.m., then I bolt from my office like I’m on fire. I’m just ready for this day to be done.

  Chapter 20

  I hurry home and pull on some comfy sweats. I put some chocolate chip cookies in the oven, and make some hot chocolate for Brailee and Braden’s visit. What kind of aunt would I be if I didn’t jack ‘em up on chocolate before I sent them home? A shitty one!

  The oven timer and the doorbell ding in sync. I quickly take the cookies from the oven, then rush over to open the front door. I swoop Brailee and Braden both up into my arms, and pepper kisses all over their faces. Braden pushes off of me, telling me my kisses are gross so I set Brailee on the floor and start a tickle war with Braden. Gross kisses? Never! I tickle his ribs until he can’t breathe from laughing and tears are falling from his face. Savannah and Brailee are both laughing as he tries to make his escape. I pull Braden up from the floor and give him a big sloppy kiss on the cheek before saying, “It’s either gross kisses, or tickled ribs. Your choice little man.” I wink before turning towards the kitchen.

  “Come on in, y’all. I made some fresh chocolate chip cookies and hot chocolate.”

  “Carly, they ain’t even had dinner yet!” Savannah yells with a look of shock on her face.

  “Oh shut it, Savannah, let ‘em live a little!” I snicker, placing three, giant chocolate chip cookies on each of their plates, next to a big mug of creamy hot chocolate topped with cool whip and chocolate drizzle. Brailee and Braden’s eyes are as big as fifty-cent pieces as they ooh and ahh over their treats.

  “Thanks, Auntie Carly, this looks so yummy,” Brailee says as she brings a cookie to her mouth. I set a plate of cookies between Savannah and I, then make us both a cup of hot chocolate too.

  “So what are your plans for Thanksgiving?” Savannah asks, taking a bite from a cookie.

  “I have no plans.”

  “You do now. You’re helpin’ me cook this year. We haven’t spent Thanksgiving together in years, and we need to begin our traditions. And I ain’t takin’ no for an answer,” She replies with that damn mom voice. I laugh at her. She wants me to help her cook. That’s hilarious. I don’t cook. Well, cookies maybe. I burn boiling water. I do take out and TV dinners. She should know this.

  “What’s so funny, Carly?”

  “You thinkin’ I can cook. I hope you have Food City on speed dial, because if I’m in the kitchen, dinner will be an absolute disaster.”

  “Surely you can follow a recipe. Heavens Carly, have some faith in yourself.”

  “Savannah, I’ll spend Thanksgiving with y’all, as long as you promise to leave no heavy responsibilities on me. I promise you, I cannot cook.”

  “Deal.” She says, reaching across the counter, shaking my hand, like we made a pact.

  “Oh, Momma is coming home for Thanksgiving too. Ain’t that great? She’s so excited to see you.” Savannah adds quickly.

  Shit. Shit. Shit.

  My mouth drops, and I have to refrain from spewing a long line of cuss words in the presence of my niece and nephew. I just smile, and bottle up the anxiety of seeing my momma after almost eight years. Savannah doesn’t even pick up on my distress as she jumps right into planning the Thanksgiving menu. She pulls her tablet from her purse, opens the Pinterest app, and begins to pin recipes for appetizers, side dishes and desserts. After we have planned the menu, Savannah and the kids say their goodbyes and head home.

  The silence of the house is deafening. I hate being here all alone. My mind wanders, allowing stress to creep its way in. I clean up the kitchen and start a load of laundry to distract myself from the loneliness. My cell phone dings, so I check my messages.

  Colton: Just came up to my office for a break. Miner’s still down. Thinkin’ of you.

  Damn, things just keep getting better.

  I shoot him a quick reply: Miss ya ;)

  Then back to cleaning. Thirty minutes later, the downstairs is clean, so I grab a snack and take a break. Just as I prop my feet up, my cell phone dings again. It’s a message from a number that I don’t recognize.

  Are ya home? Thought I’d stop by?

  Who the hell? DING. Another message.

  This is Luke, just in case you haven’t added my number to your contacts.

  Hey, come on over.

  I reply, then add Luke’s number to my contact list. Ten minutes later the doorbell rings and my heart leaps to my chest. I take a deep breath, then open the door. Luke is standing with his back to the door, with a black leather jacket sprawled tightly across his shoulders, loose, ripped Levi Red Tabs, and a backwards ball hat. He turns around slowly, and when our eyes meet, his panty melting smile creeps across his cheeks. My knees shake, threatening to defy my weight.

  Luke walks inside, carrying a pizza from Gianni’s.

  “I thought you may need to indulge in some greasy comfort food after the day you had,” he says, handing me the pizza box.

  “Thanks, I haven’t had dinner yet, just some cookies with my niece and nephew. Have a seat, I’ll grab some plates. Water or Pepsi?”

  “Pepsi will be good,” Luke replies, removing his jacket before sitting on the couch.

  I return to the living room with two plates, two cans of Pepsi and a bottle of ranch dressing. I flop down beside of Luke on the couch, crossing my legs under my butt, as Luke puts pizza on both of the plates. I wave the ranch dressing in his face and he scowls at me like I have a third eye. I shrug my shoulders and add, “Suit yourself,” then pour some onto my plate. We eat quietly for a few minutes before Luke strikes up a conversation.

  “I bet you miss Myrtle Beach, don’t you?” I swallow my pizza, then take a swig of Pepsi before answering.

  “Like something crazy. Have you ever been?”

  “Once, when I was younger. I can remember a big Ferris wheel at an old amusement park that sat across from the ocean. It’s a gorgeous city.”

  “Ah, you’re thinking of the Pavilion.”

  “Yeah, the Pavilion. There were a ton of rides there, games, and they had the best funnel cakes. I’m sure you’ve been, right?”

  “Oh yeah, when I was younger, we went every year. They tore it down years ago, though. A few of the rides were moved to Broadway at the Beach to the new Nostalgia of the Pavilion Park.”

  “Do you miss your friends there, or are you able to still stay in touch?” Luke asks with a mouth full of pizza.

  “I never really made many friends. I always kept to myself. Work kept me busy.” I shrug.

  Luke chokes, then sits up coughing, pounding on his chest.

  “Oh my god, Luke, are you ok?” I ask, j
umping to my feet ready to perform the Heimlich maneuver. He takes a swig of Pepsi, then releases a light chuckle.

  “What the hell is so funny, you scared the shit out of me!” I yell.

  Luke pats the couch cushion beside of him saying, “I’m good Carly. You just took me by surprise when you said you didn’t make any friends in Myrtle Beach.”

  “And why is that a surprise?”

  “Because you were the most popular girl in high school, head of the cheerleadin’ squad, you dated that dick quarterback for-frickin-ever, what was his name? Ah yeah, Connor Weston? Your daddy was the richest man in Williamstown. You always had it all. It just shocks me that things changed when you moved away, is all.”

  Heat crawls up my back, and around my neck, covering my face a bright red. I can feel tension building in my shoulders and my heart rate thuds my chest walls, ready to leap out.

  “You don’t know a damned thing about me. Don’t act as if you do. And it’s Colton Weston, not Connor.”

  I spit at him as I sling my plate on the coffee table and jump to my feet. I stalk off to the kitchen, trying to calm myself down. How dare he come into my house, pretend to be my friend, then judge me? Luke follows me into the kitchen, but never looks right at me.

  “Carly, I-I didn’t mean to upset you. I didn’t mean anything by it, I promise.” He says quietly, shoving his hands down into his pockets.

  I look up into his gentle blue eyes, and my tension resolves.

  “It’s okay. Look, just because I had all of those things here, doesn’t mean I had it all in Myrtle Beach. I left for my own reasons, to start over. I didn’t let anyone in, because I wanted to be alone. Things change.” I say, walking back into the living room. I sit down on the couch, and flick the TV on before placing my plate of pizza back in my lap. “Sit down, let’s order a movie. I’ve had a long ass stressful day, and could really use the company.” I browse through the guide, and wait for Luke to return to the couch.