Page 21 of Attraction & Repulsion

“I can remember when the fire truck rolled up to our house. I watched all the firefighters doing their job. They let me and my three brothers sit in the engine and honk the horn. I thought it was so cool.” Then a slight darkness shadowed Jax’s face. “They kept us entertained while my ma talked with some other people who showed up. I later learned that it was Child Protective Services investigating the incident.

“I guess those firefighters made an impression on me, because I dedicated my life to become like them. I took the test on my nineteenth birthday.”

Carson’s hand, only a few inches from his on the grass, twitched in its direction. She wanted to comfort young Jax and his brothers, even his mother. It was difficult to imagine what it would be like to discover your house on fire from your own father’s carelessness. A parent was supposed to protect their child from danger, not be the danger.

A hypocritical pain sliced through her chest.A parent was supposed to protect their child.Shewas supposed to protect her child.

“I can’t believe your dad did that,” she said.I can’t believeIdid that.

Jax rolled it off his shoulders. “Accidents happened a lot in that house.”

“Oh.” He didn’t need to explain any further.

A whistle from Raegan alerted them that dessert was ready.

“Well, Mr. Hoover, would you like some cake?” Jax rose before her, offering his hand. He pulled Carson up, and for a second she thought he would keep holding her hand, but he dropped it, causing a minor twinge in her gut.

Everyone crowded around the extensive, concrete patio table for the celebratory birthday ritual. Raegan had placed the red velvet cake full of lit candles in the center. One of the meaty men from earlier squeezed in front of Carson, pressing her right into Jax. Jax’s musky scent enveloped her, making her dizzy. It reminded her of being in his truck. Then she felt his hand on the small of her back. Apparently, Jax didn’t feel the need to move as they stood crammed together. Every part of Carson that was pressed up against him pulsated with electricity.

She tried very hard to focus on singing happy birthday, but Jax’s breath was hot on the top of her head, sending goosebumps down her arms.

The song ended, Hunter blew out the candles, and Raegan plastered a very happy birthday kiss on him. The table whistled and cheered. Carson glanced up at Jax and pretended to gag at her best friend’s display of affection. He suppressed a laugh.

With her slice of sugar, Carson sat at the table, listening to the banter bouncing back and forth between the leftover party guests.

Tim, whom she’d learned was the captain at Station 71, had just finished telling a story about a kid who was almost beheaded by an invisible wire while riding his quad. Thankfully, the wire had snagged on the kid’s helmet and ripped it, instead of his head, off his neck.

“Where did this happen?” Carson asked, stressed as she thought about all the trails she used to explore on her dirt bike.

It was Hunter who answered. “Somewhere off Senator Highway. I don’t think they ever figured out who put up the wire.”

“That’s right,” Raegan chimed in, her small face pinching with concern. “That was one of your favorite spots to go riding.”

“Oh, this was like six months ago,” Tim reassured them, wiping cake crumbles from his comically stereotypical mustache. “The police searched the whole area and only found that one wire. There haven’t been any reports of another wire.”

“Do you ride quads?” Jax asked Carson.

“I had—have a dirt bike, but I don’t ride as much anymore.” In fact, it had been years since Carson had mounted her bike. It currently sat in the shed, collecting dust and spider webs.

Jax’s face lit up, impressed. “So do I. We should go riding sometime.”

“Not down Senator Highway,” Raegan quickly interjected.

“I haven’t been out in forever. I’ll probably crash,” Carson speculated.

“Great news, Jax is a certified emergency paramedic,” Hunter said slyly. “He can treat your injuries.”

“Seriously, though, we should go ride,” said Jax. “All of my lame Arizona friends don’t own a dirt bike.”

Raegan huffed. “My husband is not allowed to own or ride one of those death machines. The only reason Carson can is because I am not married to her and therefore cannot tell her what to do.”

“Hey,” Hunter contended.

Raegan gave a devilish smile. “You like it when I tell you what to do.”

He wrapped his arms around her, giving her a squeeze. “Yeah I do.”

“Gross,” someone muttered.

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