Page 22 of Burn It Down

Jacob 7:21pm

Besides, maybe socializing a little will remind you how to not be such a judgmental asshole. ;)

I see the three little bubbles and I hold my breath while I grit my teeth, waiting for his response. I hope he knows I’m teasing him about his own fucked-up joke and self-admission of not being good at making friends.

Admittedly, the wink might have been a little much, but considering he did it first, I figure it’s safe.

I don’t realize how tightly my brows are knitted until I hear Cora’s voice.

“Everything okay?” she asks, causing me to look up.

“Yeah, just making some plans with the guys for Saturday. Did my father behave himself?”

She lets out a bark of laughter. “As much as Steve Ellington ever behaves himself. Not obtaining the results he wants isn’t an option and I have no doubt we’ll go round and round until one of us figures out how to get those three extra tables in there. But, he actually just called to let me know he has a client who wants to discuss hiring me for an event and Steve needed to get back to him tonight.” I stay silent, the topic of my father obviously annoying me. Cora picks up on my souring mood and changes the subject. “So, has Knox gotten any less grumpy?” she laughs, picking up her fork, resuming her meal.

“Of course not. I doubt he ever will.” I smile thinking about my older, calloused, friend.

Cora has met the guys a couple of times. She comes by the fire station occasionally to drop food off. Phoenix and Hudson,both, have already proposed to her and they can’t understand why I haven’t.

“And the others?” she asks, genuinely interested while my attention floats between the bubbles that keep appearing and disappearing on the phone screen in my lap and the woman sitting across from me.

“All fine.” Wanting to be as transparent as I can with her, mostly to ease my own guilt, I divulge a few more of the details. “I actually invited the guy who backed into me a few weeks ago to come out with us.”

She looks up from her fettuccini and rests an elbow on the table more interested in my words now than she has been all night. “The mechanic?”

I smile because it feels like he’s becoming an actual part of my life. Not in the way I want him to of course, but I’ll take what I can get. It’s been so long since I let these feelings out of their restraints. I’ve forgotten how much fun it is to flirt with someone you’re actually attracted to.

How their presence, a glance, or their scent can totally change the course of your day.

It’s a heady feeling.

Finally, Dylan’s message comes through on the screen in my lap. It’s short, but it’s more than enough.

Dylan 7:24pm

Sure. Why not?

I want to stand on our table and do the fucking jig. Instead, I get myself under control and answer Cora.

“Yeah, the mechanic.” I tell her how during our check-out ride in the Maserati, Dylan talked about how much he works and how he doesn’t have many friends.

Cora reaches for my hand across the table.

“You’re a good man, Jacob Ellington.”

I used to think I was, but these days, I’m pretty sure that’s not the case.

Chapter 8

Dylan

Saturday morning starts with the sun shining brightly, promising another scorching August day in the southeast. I’m pacing around my room, looking for my favorite swim trunks while Cassie stretches out on my bed.

“Would you calm down? It’s going to be great. You need a bro-day.”

“Maybe. But abro-daywith astraightguy I find attractive, who also happens to be a client, feels more like a recipe for disaster than a relaxing day on the lake.”

She scoffs and throws my pillow at me. “I didn’t say confess that you want to get him naked, you weirdo. Just go hang out. Have a beer. Forget about the shop for a while. You’ve more than earned it.”

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