Page 51 of Wildfire
He plates the toast, and I add the strawberries and dollops of butter. He walks the plates to the table and then looks at me squarely. "I choose it, too."
"Being here has been amazing. It has been… enlightening. And even though that is true, I want to go to Los Angeles. I have to try, at least."
"Well, we better get your car after we eat."
I nodded.So that's it. That's what a mature conversation is like.
While cleaning up brunch, I get a text from Jordy, the band's drummer. He asks if I can meet him at the burger place this afternoon.
"Wonder what he wants to meet about?"
"I didn't tell you. The fire this morning was at Georgia's house. She was taken to the hospital with third-degree burns."
"Oh my God, is she going to be okay?"
"She should be, but I'm guessing their tour is canceled."
"That sucks, but it's probably for the best. Hopefully, she heals quickly. They're too good to get sidelined."
"Yeah, they're one of my favorites. Listen, I need to talk to someone at Sam’s Grill about something. Would you mind if I tagged along?"
"Be my guest. I don't know his plans, so if it's just a quick meet-up to give me the bad news, maybe you and I can get burgers? I hate to say it, but that double with cheese is my new favorite."
"It's addicting and all part of my secret plan to bring you back here someday." He winks at me playfully.
We spend the rest of the early afternoon puttering around doing domestic stuff. I wash my clothes and play guitar while Cole changes the bed sheets and reads a book. It's as if no horde of tourists has descended on his mother's for the rowboat race happening right outside our backdoor on the lake.
My phone chirps, startling me out of a daydream. I see a text from Caleb letting me know my car is ready. My stomach lurches into my chest. I run up to the apartment to pull out my stash of cash and stuff it in my purse, then find Cole repotting a plant on his back patio.
"It's ready."
He nods solemnly, rinses his hands under an outside faucet, and grabs his keys. We drive to the garage slowly and silently. It takes twenty minutes to drive two miles because so many people are on the streets.
We park in the shop's lot next to my car. It shines in the sunlight, still looking like it was on the showroom floor. I love my car, especially the freedom it gives me. And now I have her back.
Caleb discusses the repairs again and informs me that his work has a ten-year warranty. If I were sticking around Owl Creek, that would be worth something. Right now, I have to take him at his word that the car is in like-new condition. I give him the money, he gives me the keys, and I start her up. She thunders to life, and it shoots a thrill into my heart.
No matter how I feel about Cole or what feelings I am suppressing so Idon'tfeel them for Cole, getting back behind the wheel is freedom. It is life. I drive her to Sam’s Grill and grab the only table available while Cole follows in his truck and chats with one of the busboys. I order a shake as I wait for Jordy.
He comes in looking disheveled and tired. He slides into the booth across from me and gets right down to business.
"I'm sure you heard about Georgia since you're staying with the Chief. I visited her in the hospital, and there is no way we can go on tour with her being injured. But she had a suggestion I want to run past you. I already spoke with Trevor, who agrees with Georgia and me."
"Agreement about what?"
"Oh!" He runs his hand through his thick hair, making it messier than when he walked in. This poor guy looks like he's been through the wringer. "Sorry, things are happening so quickly, and I've been up since this morning after we had… well, you know the night we had. We want to know if you want to go on tour with us. To take over for Georgia while she heals."
I could catch flies in my mouth it is hanging so wide open.
"You…you want me to tour with you guys? As the lead singer?"
"And rhythm guitarist. You'd have to learn all the songs really fucking quick because our first gig is in a week. Trevor waited to cancel the tour dates—"
"Yes! Oh my God, yes!"
"Okay." He blew out a deep sigh. "I'll let everyone know."
"What, um, what's next?"
