Page 52 of Firecracker

Chapter Fifteen

“Rube, we need to have a talk,” Izzy says quietly from across her room.

Jesus, another one. Feeling drained from my chat with Quick this morning, I don’t know if I can handle another “talk,” but she’s my best friend, so I turn to her with a smile and say, “Sure, what’s up?”

She looks perplexed which puts me on edge. We have been at her place for an hour getting ready for tonight.

“Don’t get mad but I turned your phone on this morning and listened to all your voicemails,” she says sheepishly.

“Oh-kay, why would that make me mad? We always used to do that, why would it be any different now. I have nothing to hide. I’m sure they’re all Brody flipping out. You can just delete them.”

I knew nothing was wrong with Bella and that she was okay since I had spoken with her earlier today. She was with my aunt having a great time shopping. So, I don’t understand Izzy’s facial expression.

“Yeah, they’re mostly him flipping out which we’ll get to but um…” She pauses. “Sam left a few too.”

“Holy shit. What did he say? Where’s my phone?” I look around her room where we’re getting ready.

Izzy just keeps staring at me. “He wants to be with you. He said a lot, and you probably should listen to it, but I’m nervous.”

I move to stand up from off the ground, where I’ve been straightening my hair and sit on the bed where Izzy has sat down, giving her my full attention. “Why would you be nervous?”

“I don’t want you to be with Sam. I want you to move here with me. You can live here with Bella, or we can get a suite at the building Luc owns. I haven’t pushed, and I’m trying to be supportive this weekend, but after Quick laid into me, I feel I need to speak up.”

When I don’t say anything, she keeps going. “These past few days I feel whole again with you here. I feel we both are better together when we’re in each other’s lives. You give me strength as much as I do you. I want you to move here and do what you want to do, not what some guy wants you to do. That includes Quick. I love him to death and would be over the moon if you dated him, but I want you to do what you want. I want you to do it here with me though.”

I have tears in my eyes as I lean over giving her a big hug. “I love you too and feel the same way. I’m going to do what’s best for Bella and me. I promise. I pray it works out that I can move here, but I need to go home and deal with my life. No matter what Sam or Quick or even Brody says will keep me from doing right by my baby girl. I needed this weekend to remind me I do have a life without Brody.”

She releases me, wiping the tears away. “I just don’t want you to get sucked back into those boys again. Sam is a great guy, and after you hear his messages you will agree, but I’m being selfish. Plus, I think Quick is better than any of them. I am a little biased. He might not have all that Sam has, but he would never hurt or harm you or Bella.”

I grab her hands to reassure her. “I really like Quick. If we keep talking and it works out cool, but once I get on that plane my focus is going to be my divorce and my Bella Bug. And, to put your mind at ease, I will never be with Sam. No matter how sexy he may be.”

We both laugh.

“Plus, I love this life you have made for yourself, and I’m kind of wanting my sister back too. If this job works out, I don't see why I can’t move back. This weekend being around all you women, seeing how independent you all are has pulled me from my despair and I’m ready to fight for my happiness.”

“I want to come back with you for a while,” Izzy blurts out.

“I’ll be fine. You need to keep DJing and what would Gus do without you?” I tease.

Izzy’s face gets serious. “I’m just worried for you with Brody. The things he was saying on your voicemail. I told Gus I want someone to go back with you.”

I laugh. “It’s Brody. He talks a big talk.”

“Rube, it’s either me or one of the guys that goes back with you,” Izzy states and before I can reply, she stops me. “Just for the first two days. I don’t DJ until Thursday this week. I can come see Bella, your aunt, and make sure Brody is going to behave.”

I know I can’t change her mind, so I nod in agreement. Izzy squeals. “Good, I already booked my flight with yours.”

We both laugh. And just like that, everything is okay. I do feel my chest get lighter knowing Izzy will be there just in case my newly found strength doesn’t hold up to Brody’s bullshit. Every time I think of Brody now, Quick replaces that thought with something good.

After spending the day with the girls again, all my mind has been doing is thinking about what ifs and us moving here. I went over all the stuff Eva gave me yesterday, and I even listened to some of the demos while Izzy was in the shower. That way when I speak with Luc tonight, I’ll know what the hell I’m talking about and maybe even have some feedback on a few of these demos.

An hour later, Izzy and I are ready, and we’re taking a shot in the kitchen when the doorbell rings with Gus and Quick strolling through it. Gus is the first to walk into the kitchen wearing what looks like swat gear, but when Quick moves from behind him, my mouth drops open. Looking nothing like Gus, Quick is wearing a pair of dark grey slacks with a light grey button-down shirt. He looks more like a model off the GQ magazine than someone on the swat team.

“Fuck me,” I say breathily.

I can’t take my eyes off Quick who’s stalking toward me with the same carnal look on his face that I’m sure is plastered across mine. My body explodes with desire which gives me all the feelings of a cat in heat. I want to claw, nip, and bite him before I mount that fine ass of his.

With a sexy little smirk, he laughs. “Easy, Firecracker.” As he engulfs me into a hug, my pussy spasms just from the smell of him. I take another deep breath inhaling more of him. Quick whispers into my ear, “If I fuck you now, we won’t be leaving anytime soon.”

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