Caught in the Flames (32 page)

My attention is piqued. “Wait a hot second! Cam’s been upgraded to boyfriend? When did this happen?”

Ash’s eyes widen and twinkle with amusement. “You’re with Cam from Station Twenty-two? Your plan might not work so well. Cam did my new hire orientation a few weeks ago so he knows my full name. Besides, his brother is my supervisor,” Ash explains and Jill pouts.

“But back to the juicy stuff. Cam? Boyfriend? When? How?” I splutter.

Jill blows out a breath and rolls her eyes. “Fuck, I don’t know . . . We were fucking, as we do, and he said, ‘You better fucking be my girl,’ and then I said yes, though really it was because he was hitting it hard and I was gonna come . . . then he said yes and we both orgasmed. So, now we’re exclusive.” She shrugs.

Alicia fans her face with a napkin and Ash looks shocked, and maybe a little embarrassed. Oh, Jilly. Once she’s comfortable she doesn’t have much filter, even more so after a drink or two.

I grin. “That’s a sweet story. Maybe one day you can tell it to your children.”

“No! No children!” Now Jill fans her face. Alicia and I break into a fit of giggles.

“Better keep the peel on the banana,” I tease.

“Better yet, put the sausage in the bun.” Alicia laughs.

“For the love of God, use a condom!” Ash shouts over the noise of the bar and draws attention from nearby tables. It only causes us to laugh harder. I glance down at my phone and realize we’ve already been here three hours. I have an early client meeting downtown with Jim and the team tomorrow.

“You ready to go?” I ask Ash.

“Wait? You two came together?” Alicia grins and mouths “Nice” from behind her hand so only I can see. I roll my eyes.

“Yeah, but I drove because I couldn’t be seen in his bitch ass car again. Not near my old stomping grounds.”

“You’re not gonna let it go.” Ash’s lips pull up at the corners.

“Oh, I’m sure it’s not that bad,” Jill says. “She’s a car girl, and a total snob about any vehicle. Don’t let her make you feel bad.” She pats Ash’s arm with a grin and asks, “So, what do you drive?”

“A Prius.” He states this with no embarrassment or shame. Though I don’t know how he can say the words with a straight face. Jill chokes to hide her laughter and Alicia spews water across the table, almost hitting us all. I smile my best I-told-you-so smile.

“Why?” Jill frowns and then groans. “Wait. Are you gay?”

“No.” Ash glances between the three of us with his brows scrunched all adorable beneath the brim of his hat. Like he’s confused or doesn’t understand her conclusion.

“But you want to get laid? Like some day?” Jill wonders aloud.

“A fucking Prius. I didn’t see that coming,” Alicia adds with a shake of her head. “Now I see why you had to drive.” She nods to me.

“It’s just a car, ladies. I’m secure enough in my manhood to drive a Prius.”

We just stare at him.

“It gets great gas mileage. It’s good for the environment.” Now he’s grasping at straws.

“Come on,” I hop off the high top barstool. I give my girls a quick hug before I reach for Ash’s arm to pull him away. “Everything you say here on out is discredited.” I wave to Alicia and Jill. “’Night ladies!”

“Nice meeting you both,” Ash calls as I drag him away from the table.

“’Night bitches!” Jill shouts after us.

We step outside into the crisp night air. I shrug my jacket on and retrieve my keys as we walk the two blocks to where I’m parked.

“Keys,” he says and puts his hand out when we reach the Jeep.

“I can drive.”

“You had a few drinks.”

“I had two. I’m fine, really.”

“I’m sure you are. But it’s sort of my thing. Let me drive?” He tilts his head and moves his open hand closer to mine. I try to discern the meaning of his words as I surrender the keys. He helps me up and into the passenger seat and I study his form as he comes around the vehicle.

“What thing?”

“Huh?”

“You said it’s your thing. What did you mean by that?”

He slides the key in the ignition and turns it so the engine roars to life. I concentrate on Ash and attempt not to be distracted by the beautiful rumble my vehicle makes. He taps the steering wheel once and twists to meet my gaze.

“My mom died when I was ten. She was killed by a drunk driver. Her car caught fire after impact. It’s the reason I became infatuated with firefighting. It’s also the reason I won’t let anyone I know get behind the wheel, even after only a few drinks. So, yeah. That’s why it’s my thing.” His words are direct, to the point, and said with little emotion, though his Adam’s apple bobs pointedly beneath the skin of his throat.

I place my hand over his where it rests on the gear shift. “I’m sorry about your mom, Ash.”

“It was a long time ago,” he says and I squeeze his hand. He checks the mirrors and shifts the Jeep into gear. When we pull away from the curb I drop my hand back to my lap.

It’s quiet inside the Jeep except for the soft rumble of the engine as he pulls onto the highway.

“Well, of course it was. That’s because you’re an old man,” I sass in an attempt to lighten the mood. Shit. I immediately regret my words. Maybe he won’t find that funny. We’ve only known each other a short time. He might think I’m insensitive.

Ash turns his chin and pins me with one of his dazzling smirks. We don’t speak. Just stare, and my lips pull into a grin. His gaze goes back to the road and when he lays on the accelerator it throws my shoulders back into the seat.

“Whoa! Slow down, Ashley. Keep this up and you might want to buy a real car.”

Ash’s laugh is deep, throaty, and the sound goes straight to my gut. My lips pull into a smile that hurts my face. Yeah, Ash is wearing on me, but in a good way. He’s been the friend I didn’t know I needed, and even better is how well he got along tonight with Alicia and Jill. My heart is full and my mind at peace. The jostles of the Jeep soothe all my worries, if only for the brief ride.

I hate surprises.

“Wait, what?” I speak into the phone, frustrated when I only catch a few key words—fire, house, report—over the bustle of the crowded restaurant. I stand from the table, point to my phone, and hold up one finger to excuse myself from where Jim, Ellie, Rose, and I celebrate another signed client over a late lunch.

I press my cell against my ear and step outside to better hear what the fire investigator says.

“—which is why we are ruling the fire as arson. You’ll need to come down to request an official copy of the report.”

“Wha— How— Arson?” I stutter.

“Arson. Yes. We believe someone intentionally set fire to your home. Though none of your neighbors reported anything unusual that morning. It’s rare, in your type of close knit neighborhood, that someone doesn’t see or notice something or someone out of place. An unfamiliar car. A stranger. But due to the nature of the fire we are ruling arson with mysterious cause.”

“But who would set my house on fire?” I wonder aloud. I’m confused and a little shocked. I presumed the reason I hadn’t heard back from the investigation had more to do with the fire occurring right before the weekend, or that my house wasn’t a priority. Maybe it was those little pyros who made my trip to Target a living hell. Though I don’t know how they’d know where I live or who I am in the first place.

“I wish you or one of your neighbors had more insight into that question.” His frustration is evident as he exhales a loud breath through the line. “Usually we dig deeper into any recent relationship changes, exes or jilted lovers, that sort of thing, but I spoke with Matthews. He said you both split on amicable terms last month. Besides, he’s with the department. This was started by someone who didn’t know how to cover his or her tracks.”

I roll my eyes, thankful the investigator can’t see me. So that’s what Chase is telling everyone about our breakup. Nice story.
Asshole
. “Yep. So, am I allowed back into my home? I need to get repairs started before winter.”

“Yes, you’ll need to request a copy of the official report for your insurance company. Standard protocol. They shouldn’t hold up coverage due to the ruling because we have no suspects.”

“Okay, I guess I’ll stop by after work. Thank you.”

“Miss Gordon, there’s one other thing.”

“What’s that?”

“If you notice anything suspicious going forward, please don’t hesitate to call. While we expect this was random, and you weren’t targeted personally, we can’t know for sure. Speaking off the record—keep your eyes open, be safe. That’s my two cents.”

“Oh, okay.” I don’t know anyone who would want to hurt me, let alone burn me alive, but it’s a comfort that even the county fire investigator is looking out for my safety.

“’Bye, Miss Gordon.”

“’Bye, and thank you.”

I pocket my cell and realize I’ve wandered to the back parking lot during the call. I turn to go back inside but Jim stands a few feet away, hands in his pockets. He tilts his head to the side. “Everything okay, Callie?”

“Oh, yeah, fine. Well, not really, but I’ll live.” I walk toward him and he reverses to fall into step at my side on our walk back to the restaurant.

“I couldn’t help but overhear. Will you be able to fix your home soon?”

“I hope so. I have everything to move forward with the insurance claim. Next I’ll need to start interviewing contractors. This entire thing is such a mess.”

Jim holds open the door. “I know a great contractor. Did our kitchen remodel last year. I can give you his number if you’d like?”

“That’d be great. Thank you.” We reach the table and Rose and Ellie stare with concern as I drop into my seat.

“You okay, Callie?” Ellie questions.

“I’m fine. I swear. Everyone keeps asking me that!” I laugh, pick up my fork and stab at my salad. “I’m gonna need to get a sign. Do I really look that bad?” I jest, but the notion actually has me curious. Maybe I should check my face in the bathroom? Sure, I keep getting bad news, but honestly I don’t know what to think about the arson thing. It’s not as if I’m worried—and fuck, I’ve had some bad luck as of late—but life is beginning to feel good again. I’m healing, happy, and I want to keep moving in that direction.

“Everything working out with your temporary housing?” Rose asks, concern written on her face.

“If you need a place to stay, our basement is always available,” Jim adds. It’s nice of him to offer but that’d be sort of strange, staying with my boss and his family. Besides, I like it at Kiki’s.

“No. I’m staying with a neighbor. It’s working out perfect.”

“Super duper.” Rose smiles.

My phone buzzes from where it’s still clenched in my hand and I glance down at the screen.

Ash: Arson! I just heard. You ok?

Me: Yeah, I love arson, it’s great.

Ash: Callie + Arson = best day ever

Ash: I’m rolling my eyes in case you don’t know.

Me: I can picture it now.

Me: Hey is Chase working?

Ash: Why?

Me: Just tell me.

Ash: No. There. Answered. Now why?

Me: Good. I have to come by and request a report. Didn’t want to see his face.

Ash: Gotcha. You get my face instead.

Me: Yippee

Ash: Ouch

Me: Lol, see you soon.

Ash: K. I’ll also come over tomorrow after my shift.

Me: I’m fine Ash. I promise.

Ash: I know. I’m coming by anyway. Stay away from matches until then!

Me: Not funny. Bye Ashley.

Ash: Later Callie.

“Did you want me to box this up?” The server pulls my attention from my phone. Between the phone call and the texting I’m the only one not finished with my meal.

“Yeah, thank you.” I slip my phone inside my bag. I keep my focus on my co-workers and when there’s a break in conversation I apologize. “I’m sorry for being so distracted. That was rude of me.”

“No problem, Callie. As long as you continue to produce the quality of work you’ve been doing. It’s one of the perks to owning our company. Take time when you need it.” Jim grins and stands from the table. Our server hands me my food and we all shuffle our way out of the restaurant.

Rose steps close and bumps my shoulder with hers. “New guy, huh?” She waggles her brows.

“What?” I frown. Jim holds the door and we all step outside.

“The way you were smiling at your phone before. I know that look. I’m excited for you. A new man. You deserve it, girl.” She giggles.

“Oh. No. Just a friend,” I explain and walk toward the parking lot. I catch an unusual expression pass over Jim’s face as he studies his cell but when he notices me looking he smiles.

“Okay, have a good day everyone.” Jim waves and clicks the remote of his keys. “I’ve got a soccer game to watch but I’ll be on my cell if you need me. Let’s have a productive week and we’ll conference on Thursday.”

I hop in my Jeep and steer it toward the station. I thank the universe I don’t have to deal with stupid ex boyfriends while requesting arson reports. I’m learning to appreciate the little things.