Page 95 of Fight

“You’re not coming back, because you’re not leaving.”

“Callahan—”

“Prescott.” I give a headshake. “I’m sorry, but no.”

Her gaze falls to her mug. “Don’t worry, it’s not like I’m packing up my bags tonight. I’ll have a couple weeks to deal with my job and apartment stuff. I still have to give notice?—”

“Please. Just give me a week to figure something out. Don’t turn in your resignation yet.”

Scottie lifts her chin, and the weak smile breaks my heart. The whites of her eyes are red; I had let it pass as windburn earlier, but now I know it’s because she’s been crying.

“It’s less than a year.” Her voice sounds so small.

She doesn't know that. Any place that entertains conversion therapy probably isn’t too keen on women’s rights either. She’s risking her own safety by going back, and that’s not happening.

“I told you when things got hard, I wouldn’t cut and run. I need you to uphold the same promise,” I tell her.

She sweeps fingers across her wet cheeks. “But this is different. I’m not choosing to leave, I have to go back. It’s going to be okay. God never closes a door without opening a window.”

Bullshit.

I scoff. “So you have something to jump out of?” I shake my head. “No. We’re going to open the fucking door again. That’s how doors work, Prescott.”

Her shoulders sag. “He needs me.”

I brush my thumb over her knuckles. She’s blind to how dangerous this situation is—for both of them. “Listen to me, you can't save everyone. Sometimes, you can only save one person, and it’s okay if that person is yourself.”

Scottie gapes at me, like she’s been waiting for someone to give her permission to choose herself all her life. The hope in her eyes will have me backing up every single one of my words. I will not let her down.

“Let me deal with this,” I state just before the server clunks heavy plates in front of us, and I let go of her hand to makeroom. I should have insisted on taking Scottie back to my house and had dinner delivered so we could avoid any interruptions.

She’s still staring at me. I lift my chin, gesturing to her plate. “Eat your food, baby.”

She nods. The steaming meal has my mouth watering, but my appetite is dwindling. She unrolls her silverware, places the paper napkin in her lap, and picks up the cheeseburger with both hands before sinking her teeth into it.

“Ohmuhgud,” she whispers around a mouthful of food. She hovers a palm over her lips, chewing. I follow her lead, taking a bite, and it’s pretty damn good. This place makes a mean burger.

We sacrifice conversation for food until I catch Scottie staring across the room at the parents with three young kids being seated. It’s chaotic as the family gets settled. They find a high chair for the youngest, arranging it at the end of their booth. By the time that’s done, the server at their table is passing out menus and crayons. The older two children are already asking their parents if they can order chocolate milk instead of white before the crayons get unwrapped.

I set down my burger, swallowing. “Do you want kids someday?”

She sighs. “Honestly? Not really. I like kids, but I never had the desire to have my own—not after growing up in The Fold. Even now that I’m out, being a parent isn’t something I need to feel fulfilled.”

It was a long time ago that I gave up the idea of having children, but I love being an uncle. After a couple french fries, my appetite is back.

“What about you?”

I shake my head. “I have the winters off, but during the fire season, I’m gone for weeks at a time. It doesn’t exactly lend itself to convenient parenting. I’m not saying we couldn’t make it work, but it would be more challenging.”

“We?” She smiles around a bite.

Shit, did I saywe?

“I mean… whoever my partner is.” I clear my throat and add on, “Teddy and her husband, Logan, have two kids, Penny and Dalton. I love being an uncle. It’s the best of both worlds.”

“That’s really sweet. If you didn't have the job you do, would you want a family?”

“Maybe?” I shrug. “Hard to say.” I’m not sure if I would or not. It’s not something that I’ve been dreaming about my whole life or anything. “I’m happy with the direction my life is going right now.” Which includes a future with Scottie.

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