Page 65 of Wildfire
I could front my own band. This tour gained us a lot of fans, and I got to play some of my music in almost every show. I love performing.
I also miss sleeping in a comfortable bed with sheets I know have been washed recently. I miss home-cooked meals, swimming in the lake, and waking up next to a man I love.
I miss Cole. I miss his soft kisses when I wake up in the morning. I miss washing dishes while he dries them. I miss how he always knows what I need before I do, and he takes care of it. He takes care of me.
"Listen, Renée." Trevor breaks me out of my reverie. "You can be a touring musician and still maintain a solid relationship. It doesn't mean you and the Chief won't work out."
"How did you—"
"I can tell by the look on your face."
"My mom was a musician. She gave it up when she married my dad and had us kids."
He thrums his fingers on the table. "You don't have to follow in her footsteps. It's hard. I'm not going to lie. But it can be done. This is my sixth tour as a musician, and my relationship has lasted through all six. If you want to meet my wife to get her perspective, I'm sure she'd be happy to talk to you."
"Thanks. I just might take you up on that offer."
"If it's your deciding factor, I hope you do."
We finish our food and go back to the motel to start the long drive to the next gig.
Seven more nights until I'm back in Owl Creek.
Chapter Thirty-Three: Cole
It's four in the morning, and I can't sleep anymore, so I get up for a chilly early swim. Renée is coming back today. We haven't discussed the 'love you forever' bomb she dropped, and I haven't told her how I feel either.
I did my best to give her the space she needed to decide whether to stay or leave, and I will try my best to be supportive no matter what. However, I did dream up a little surprise for her if she decides to stay.
The morning drags on, and it's all I can do to keep my shit together as I give a report to the town council. I can't wait until the next election cycle to encourage some young people to run for office.
"So the firestarter has been caught, huh?"
"Yes, Mr. Price. She's going to get the help she needs."
"Help? They should put her behind bars and throw away the key."
"That's not going to help anyone. It's important to remember we had a community member who was struggling with some mental health issues."
Serena pipes up. "Why don't we think about doing some awareness campaigns?"
"Awareness? I'm aware that my neighbor isn't putting his wine bottles in his recycling container because he's trying to hide his drinking from me."
"I'm sure that's not the case, Mr. Price."
I check the clock for the twelfth time since I sat down. "Listen, I'm going to leave you folks to the business of running this town. I need to get back to the firehouse."
"Thanks, Chief."
I wave over my shoulder as I bound out the door. Renée is due back any minute, and I want to run another errand before she arrives. I walk around the corner to where I parked, and that's when I see her.
She's wearing the same shorts she wore the first day we met. Her sunny blond hair is up in a bun on top of her head, and she's leaning against the back of my truck. I feel a punch in my gut when I see her big, golden-brown eyes.
When I reach her, she throws her arms around my neck, and I lift her until she's straddling my waist. I press her against the tailgate and bury my face in her neck.
"I missed you so much. I'm glad you're home, Wildfire."
"Home," she whispers.
