by Cathryn Fox
I slowly drag my gaze from Gemma. “My fault,” I say. “I’ve been keeping her pretty occupied.” Brad glares at me, but I’m not afraid of the motherfucker. If he wants to pick on someone his own size, bring that shit on.
The door opens and a girl with similar features to Gemma comes out. “I thought I heard voices,” she says, and pulls Gemma in for a hug. I watch the exchange as Brad watches me, but I don’t pay him much attention.
“Amanda, do you remember Callan?”
“Callan Ward, of course.” She turns to me and brings me in for a hug. “So nice to see you again, and I’m sorry, we’re all huggers,” she says with a laugh, but I instantly like her. She steps back and her gaze goes from her sister to me back to her sister. “Wait, are you two…”
I pull Gemma back in. “Yeah, we are,” I say.
She gives us a big grin. “You two make the cutest couple. I always knew you would.”
“What are you talking about, Amanda?”
“Oh, come on, Gemma. Don’t pretend you didn’t have a crush on him in high school. He had the nicest body.” She gives me a once over. “From the looks of things, he still does.”
“Yeah, he does,” Gemma says, dreamily.
I grin. “Thanks, babe.”
She frowns as she turns to her sister. “But seriously, why do you say stuff like that? Just to embarrass us?”
“I’m your big sister, it’s what big sisters do, and you, my little sister, have some explaining to do. Clearly there are some things you forgot to tell me the last time we talked.” She puts her arm around Gemma and drags her from me.
“I’m sure David wouldn’t like you commenting on another man’s ass,” Gemma says.
“David knows what he got himself into when he asked me to marry him, Gemma.” Amanda leads her sister into the house, completely ignoring Brad. Seems to me Gemma isn’t the only one who isn’t a fan of her ex. I like her sister even more. I take the steps, and Brad stands in front of me, blocking my path.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he asks.
I lift the bag in my hand. “To Gemma’s room. Drop our things off and then to hang out. If you wouldn’t mind moving.” I keep my temper in check. Man, I’ve come across assholes like this in my career before. Guys that can’t take no for an answer, thrive on power and control. Worry for Gemma trickles through me at all the red flags I see in his behavior.
“I do mind.”
“Then we’re going to have a problem,” I say.
He crosses his arms and sticks his chest out. “What I have a problem with is you and Gemma.”
“Not much I can do about that.” I say.
“We were going to work things out this weekend, try to get back together.”
“News to me.”
“What the fuck is really going on here? Gemma never told me she was seeing someone.”
“What Gemma does is none of your business, maybe that’s why she never told you. The only one she has to answer to is herself. Not even to me.”
He fists his hands, the veins on his neck bulging.
“We’re a couple now, pal,” I say. “You’ll have to get used to it. Or not. Either way, I don’t care.”
“I’m not your pal. In fact, I don’t much like you,” he says.
“Not a problem for me. I already have a best friend.” My phone buzzes in my pocket. “That’s him messaging me right now.” Taking off with Gemma happened so fast, I never had time to text Mason. He’s probably wondering where the fuck I am. What would he think if he knew what I was doing? He’s been after me to move on, but I’m not sure this is what he would have had in mind. I make a mental note to shoot him a text.
Brad’s nostrils flare as we stand there, a pissing contest if I ever saw one. Gemma’s mother comes outside, and Brad’s demeanor instantly changes. She tucks a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. “Callan,” she says. “Gemma told me you were here. So nice to see you again.”
Brad smiles at her. “We were just getting to know each other, Janice.”
“Well, come on out back, and have a beer. We’d love to hear what you’ve been up to, Callan.”
“Yeah we’d love to hear,” Brad says.
We step inside and Gemma’s eyes are filled with anxiety when they meet mine.
“Hey babe, want to show me which room is ours?”
“Sure,” she says, and I hold my hand out for her. She slides hers into mine and we head upstairs. Once in her room, she shuts the door. “Sorry about leaving you outside like that.”
“Not a problem. I can handle that asshole.”
“I know you can,” she says and steps up to me. She puts her arms around me and rests her head on my chest. “You know what. I really am glad you’re here. It was so much easier facing him with you by my side.”
I run my hand down her hair and kiss the top of her head. “He’s not going to hurt you, Gemma. Not ever again,” I say, as a sinking feeling settles in the pit of my stomach. I wasn’t able to protect my wife and unborn son. I never got to them in time. What if Gemma found herself in trouble and I wasn’t there to protect her? I swallow down the pain rising in me. “We better get out there. I’m going to need a cold one.”
She uncoils her hands from around my back. “Amanda was happy we were together.”
“I like her.”
“She likes you too.”
“Let’s go work on the rest of them.”
We head back down the stairs, and she gives me a quick tour of the place, and we walk out back, the Atlantic Ocean on their doorsteps. “Such a great home,” I say, and Gemma’s father stands.
“Callan, son, it’s so good to see you. How have you been?”
“Things are good, Jim. Good to see you again,” I say and smile as he shakes my hand.
“Let me get you a beer and then introduce you to everyone.” There are a good twenty people on the wide expanse of deck. Children are running about playing and adults are chatting and putting back drinks. Jim hands me a can of beer, and I crack it as he does the introduction of friends and family, and I work hard to remember all the names.
Brad comes back out onto the deck. I have no idea where he’s been. Probably running my name through his database.
I take a seat and Gemma drops down into the chair next to me. “So, what do you do, son?” Jim asks.
“Firefighter,” I say.
Janice sets a platter of fresh fruit on the table and I pick up a strawberry and dip it into the Cool Whip. I hand it to Gemma and grab one for myself.
“If my memory serves me correctly,” he says, and winks. “Usually it doesn’t,” he adds and everyone laughs. “But I do remember you saying in high school that you wanted to be a firefighter.”
“It’s the only thing I ever wanted to do,” I say. “And that’s a great memory you have.”
Someone, and I believe it’s Gemma’s aunt, pipes in, “Just like Brad. He always wanted to be a police officer.”
“That’s right, Donna,” Brad says. “I’m working my way up to lieutenant.”
Donna beams up at him, and I take Gemma’s hand into mine. I bring it to my mouth for a kiss as Brad continues to talk about his accomplishments.
I lean into her. “Do you swim down there?” I ask as I take in the long dock and the wharf in the water. I also note the speed boat.
“I haven’t for a while,” Gemma says. “It’s the Atlantic Ocean. It’s always freezing. I prefer the pool.”
I glance around, and spot the pool off to the side of the house. I hadn’t noticed it earlier. “Did you want to go swimming?” Gemma asks.
“I forgot to pack a suit.”
“We can head into town and get you one,” Gemma says. “They have some great shops.”
“Maybe we can have a game of pool volleyball later,” Jim says.
“Great idea,” Brad says, and I lift my head to see him perched on the deck railing. “Station champion three years running.”
“Sounds like fun,” I say.
“Do you drive a firetruck?” a small voice asks, and I turn to find a boy about four standing beside me, a toy truck in his hand. “I don’t drive it, but I ride in the cab.”
“I like firetrucks,” the boy says.
Gemma’s sister Nicole drops into one of the empty chairs near me. “Caleb loves any vehicle that makes a noise,” she says and ruffles his hair. “Don’t you, bud?”
Caleb’s eyes are big and wide when he says, “Uncle Brad lets me use the sirens in his car.”
Uncle Brad?
He’s definitely not the boy’s uncle, but no one corrects him. He’s seriously inserted himself into this family if the kids are calling him uncle. No wonder it was hard for Gemma to get out of the relationship. It might have been easier if she told her parents what was going on, but I get not wanting to cause tension between families.
“I can bring the cruiser by tomorrow, Caleb,” Brad says.
“Yay,” Caleb hollers and starts making a whirring sound.
“I want to ride in it too,” Caleb’s cousin, I think her name was Jenna, says.
“Of course.” Brad takes a drink from his can. “We can all go for a ride.”
“This summer, I’m arranging a tour of the fire station,” Gemma says to her nephew as Janice and a few of the women head inside to refresh their drinks and people break off into conversations. Brad, however, still seems very interested in ours. “Maybe you could come?”
“Can I, Mommy? Can I ride in the firetruck?”
“I bet we can arrange that,” Nicole answers.
Amanda comes over. “My kidlets will want in on that,” she says, a small child on her hip, while the other, around two years old, hugs her legs. She gives me a wink. “Rumor has it firefighters give the best rides?”
“Ohmigod,” Gemma says under her breath as I nearly choke on my beer.
“Uh, yeah,” I say, and glance around the table, but the only ones listening in are Brad and Nicole.
Amanda pops a strawberry into her mouth. “I heard another rumor too. Something about firefighters having the biggest hoses.” My jaw drops, and I have no idea how to respond. She gives a dismissive wave. “Wait, that’s not a rumor, Gemma already confirmed that.” She leans into me, her words for my ears only. “Sometimes you gotta fight fire with fire.”
8
Gemma
“I can’t believe Amanda said that,” I say and shake my head as we stroll down Main Street, taking in all the quaint shops, the buildings all painted in bright colors. Off in the distance water beats against the shore and the smell of salt is thick in the air. I’d forgotten how much I love it here.
“She obviously doesn’t like Brad.”
“I never knew that. She never went out of her way for him, but I guess she wanted to support me, no matter what.”
“We don’t want to provoke a guy like him, Gemma. But we also can’t let him think he has any sort of control over you. I think it’s just best if you spend the rest of the weekend close to my side.”
I nudge him. “Not a hardship. I like being with you.”
“I like being with you, too. I like your whole family, actually.” He glances around. “I don’t think Brad will fuck with you, as long as he knows you’re with me.” He frowns. “He sure knows how to fool your family, though. Most of them, anyway.”
“Like I said, he wears a different face behind closed doors, and his parents, Misty and John, have been friends with my folks forever. I don’t want any trouble, Callan. It’s over between us, and I think we drove that point home.”
“Good. I’m not much into pissing contests, to be honest.” He takes a deep breath, and glances into one of my favorite bookstores, his mood mellowing. “Kaitlyn would love it here.”
“We could bring her here sometime,” I say, and he nods, like he knows that’s never going to happen. Once this weekend is over, we’ll go back to being friends, and soon enough, school will start up and we’ll rarely cross paths again. I ignore the odd little ache in my stomach at that reminder. “Over there,” I say. “They have some great jewelry. Let’s get her something.”
“Yeah?”
“Of course.”
He scratches his face as we cross the street. “I have a confession.” I eye him. “I have no idea how to pick out jewelry for a six-year-old.”
“Good thing you’ve got me, then.”
“Yeah, good thing,” he says and tugs me to him. I collide against his big warm body, and for a brief minute, a miniscule second actually, my mind goes off in a strange direction, one where Callan and I really are a couple, and happily ever after does exist.
“Callan?”
The voice comes from behind me, and Callen stiffens and lets go of my hand. I lift my gaze and turn to the guy staring at Callan like he has two heads. “What’s up, Jack?” Callan says.
Jack gestures with a nod, and we follow it to see a woman and a small girl window shopping. “My wife’s family has a place here. We’re here for the weekend.”
Callan nods and Jack turns my way. “Jack, this is Gemma, an old friend from high school,” he says, and my stomach squeezes tight, even though I have no reason to be upset. Really, we had sex, but all I am to him is an old friend from high school.
“Nice to meet you, Jack. How do you two know each other?”
“We work together,” they both say in unison and I laugh.
“It’s nice to see you…out,” he says in a gentle way, a caring way, and I like that Callan has so many great people in his life.
“It’s not—”
“Oh, I have to go, the wife is waving me over.” He waves to his family. “You guys have a great weekend.”
He leaves and Callan mumbles curses under his breath.
“Everything okay?”
“I just don’t want him to get the wrong idea, you know. We’re colleagues, and the guys at the station, well, they’re all after me to get out, date more.”
“I understand,” I say, and continue to the store. “Maybe it’s not a bad idea to let them think you are. They clearly worry about you. Maybe with us pretending, it could help you as much as it’s helping me.”
He nods. “You know what. You’re right. You’re kind of smart, Gemma.”
“One of us has to be.”
“Hey, I take offense to that.”
I slide my arm around his back and put my palm on his chest. “Kidding, you’re one of the smartest guys I know. Bravest too.” As soon as those words leave my mouth, his demeanor changes, a darkness about him as a frown hijacks his face. Oh, God, what have I done? “Hey, look at this,” I say, and pick up a pretty seashell necklace. “I bet Kaitlyn would love this.”
He’s quiet for a second, and a small smile reaches the corners of his mouth. “You think?”
“Totally, and just so you know, the piano lessons are free.”
“No, they’re not.”
“After what you’re doing for me.”
He slides his arms around me, and it settles on the small of my back. His mouth is near my ear when he says, “I like doing for you.”
I grin. “Doesn’t matter.”
“It matters, and—” I open my mouth to argue, even though I don’t think it will do any good and he presses his finger to my lips. “If you want to give her free lessons, we’ll figure something out. This isn’t it.”
“Okay, fine,” I say and wonder what he has in mind. “Oh, and look at these earrings.”
He frowns. “She’s always wanted to get her ears pierced, but I can’t seem to take her. I think if she felt any sort of pain, I’d lose my mind.”
“It’s not so bad and if you want, I’ll take her.” I search his face as he goes quiet for a moment.
“You don’t have to do that.”
I squeeze his arm. “And you didn’t have to come here with me this weekend .”
“I’m glad I did, though.” He snorts. “Maybe I am a little bit into pissing contests. I liked letting Brad know you were taken, and the onl
y one you had to answer to was yourself.”
“Did you see his face when Amanda said something about your big hose.”
“Priceless,” he says with a laugh. “I’m not an asshole, Gemma.”
“I know that.”
“Brad, though. He’s an asshole. He basically told me you two were going to spend the weekend working things out.”
“It’s a lie.”
“I know, but it speaks of his character, and that he’s pretty possessive of you.” His frown sends worry zinging through me.
I glance down. “I don’t think he’d hurt me, though. Not physically.”
“Okay, and I have to say, I probably shouldn’t have taken pleasure in Amanda one upping him.” He casts me a fast glance. “I’m going to Hell, aren’t I?”
“Yeah, but don’t worry,” I say. “I’ll be riding shotgun.”
He laughs out loud, and it wraps around me in a comforting way. “I love that you’re a ride or die kind of girlfriend,” he says.
My heart jumps. Girlfriend. I like the sound of that…a little too much. I quickly remind myself we’re each doing a favor for the other. But Callan, I don’t know, it’s easy to forget it’s pretend at times like this.
“Okay, let’s get these for Kaitlyn,” he says, “And then I need to get a bathing suit and I am not stuffing myself into a ridiculous pair of speedos. I want board shorts.”
“Well, of course. You need the extra room for that big hose.”
He shakes his head and gives my ass a slap to get me moving. The sun is low on the horizon after we pay and step back outside. We walk a little farther until we come to a pretzel shop.
“Let’s get one,” he says.
I rub my stomach. “I’m still full from the barbecue earlier.”
We head inside and he looks at the menus. “Will Brad be gone when we get back?”
“He’ll likely be at his parents’ place. I hope you’re into board games. I’m sure we’ll get roped into that.”
He orders two pretzels, and hands me one when we step outside. I take a bite and moan. “This is good.”