Page 90 of When We Burn

Now that school is out for the day, and all the kids have been picked up, I’m more than ready to go home and get comfortable. In the past couple of weeks, I’ve spent every night at Bridger’s house, and Pickles hasn’t been moved back to my rental.

I go back and forth to get clothes or things I need, but for all intents and purposes, I’m basically living with my boyfriend and his adorable daughter.

And I’m not sad about it.

In fact, it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. When Bridger’s working, I pick Birdie up from her sitter and take her home with me. We have an evening routine down pat already. If Bridger’s home, we cook dinner together and settle into a similar routine.

We make love every night.

I’ve never felt so cherished. Due to my hang-ups and trauma, I’ve never really been in a relationship before, certainly not one that feels soright.As if I was supposed to be here all along. I’ve never felt so comfortable in my own skin either, and I canattribute that to Bridger’s attentive and loving nature. I feel … safe.

There are a few other teachers leaving at the same time as me, and we smile and wave at each other, but it’s raining, coming down in sheets, so we run for our respective cars.

However, once inside of mine, it won’t start.

“Shoot.” I try again, but it doesn’t even try to turn over. With a deep sigh, I lean my head back on the headrest. I don’t want to walk home in this downpour.

Suddenly, someone knocks on my window, and I open the door to find Stephen, a second-grade teacher, frowning at me.

“Won’t start?” he asks.

“No. It’s dead.”

“Come on, I’ll give you a lift.”

“I have my snack tote with me today,” I tell him.

“I have room. I’ll get it for you.” He gestures for me to follow him, waiting with his umbrella as I gather my things and then rush over to his SUV with him. He holds the door open for me as I sit inside, and then he rushes back to my car for the tote and back to his own, stowing it in the back, then walks around to the driver’s side.

Stephen’s a really nice guy. He’s helped me out a lot since I came on staff, not to mention he’s handsome. But he’s never crossed the professional line with me, and I’ve always felt comfortable with him.

“Sorry about this,” I say when he starts his vehicle.

“Don’t be. I’m just sorry that your car is dead in the water.”

“Yeah. I’ll call Brooks when I get home to get a tow to his shop. I’m over on Pine Avenue.”

“Got it,” he says with a nod and pulls out of the parking space. “Did you go to the concert the other night?”

“I did. It was so great. How about you?”

“Yeah, I went with some friends. She puts on a great show. Were your kids a little grouchy today, or was it just mine?”

“No, it was definitely mine, too. They’re probably still tired from all the excitement. Hang a left here, and then I’m three houses down on the left.”

“Got it.” He follows my directions and pulls into my driveway. “You go on up to the porch. I’ll get your tote.”

“You’ll get soaked. I can do it.”

“My mother would kill me if I let that happen.” He offers me a lopsided smile, and I give in with a nod. “There. That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

“Thanks, Stephen.” With a chuckle, I climb out of his car and hurry over to the porch, watching as he opens the back of the car and grabs the tote, carrying it to me. “I appreciate it.”

“It’s my pleasure, really. If you need a ride to school tomorrow, just let me know. I’ll give you my number.”

“Oh, that would be great. Here, just let me…” I pull my phone out of my pocket, unlock it, and pass it to Stephen, who adds his number to my contacts.

I also hear Bridger’s door close and look over to see him walking toward us, his face not happy in the least.

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