Page 50 of Dear Mr. Firefighter
Ihad learned to lock my desires in a cage—a cage in my mind that never truly closed all the way, no matter how hard I tried. It was the only way to avoid giving in to lust. Chloe had just stopped trying. I never imagined that I would be the one pushing a woman I wanted away as she tried to take things to next level. Mentally, I had given in a million times. Physically, I was hanging on for dear life. It had become a matter of principle rather than reality at that point. The rule might have seemed silly at times, but I had come to appreciate the purpose behind it. I felt closer to Chloe than I had been with anyone. It was a bond that couldn’t be broken—because I would fight for it.
“I’m home!” Abby announced her arrival like she was royalty as she pushed open the front door.
“Hey, welcome home.” I looked over at her as she walked into the living room.
“Are you making dinner again?” She sat down on the couch.
“I don’t know. I haven’t heard anything yet.” I shrugged.
“I don’t like Mom’s new job. She used to pick me up from school or at least be here when I got home if I had to ride the bus.” Abby folded her arms across her chest and pouted.
“I know, but this job is a lot better than the one she had before.” I nodded and leaned forward. “You certainly didn’t complain when she got you a new computer to play Minecraft on.”
I knew there wasn’t much chance of reasoning with Abby. I kind of wished Chloe was there, because she normally had much better luck getting through to her—despite being relatively new in Abby’s life. Abby didn’t seem to mind it as much most of the time if I was there, even if Bridget had to work late. The days that I worked, she had to stay with the lady next door until Bridget got home, which was normally when she complained the loudest. It was an adjustment, but it was necessary. Bridget was making good money and while Abby didn’t know it yet, she was already looking for a new place to live that was much nicer.
“Do you think Chloe could come over and fix dinner?” Abby tilted her head to the side.
“Wow, is my cooking that bad? We can just order pizza, jeez.” I pretended to be offended, even though I knew my meals were crap compared to what Bridget normally made. “Chloe has never cooked for you anyway—it might be worse than what I make.”
“I doubt it.” She certainly didn’t have much tact, but what girl her age did? “Aren’t you supposed to make sure she can cook before you marry her?”
“Um, no I don’t think that’s a deal breaker.” I chuckled and shook my head back and forth.
“You’re going to ask her on Valentine’s Day, right? It’s two weeks away.” She threw a casual glance towards the calendar on the wall next to us.
“It’s too early to be talking about a wedding.” I shifted uncomfortably.
“That’s what you said last month!” She glared at me.
“You’ll—understand a little better when you’re older.” I swallowed hard.
I hope.
Bridget came home before I had to order pizza and she had plenty of time to start making dinner. Abby was noticeably grouchy throughout the entire evening, even when I helped her do her homework. She finally confessed that her latest boyfriend—and I was losing track at that point—had decided to break up with her because he didn’t want to have to get her a Valentine’s present. Another broken heart to add to the pile that she had started to build in her young chest. I hoped she would realize at some point that relationships at her age weren’t going to lead to anythingbutthat. I also hoped that she took a little longer before she checkedyeson the next note, she got from a boy asking if she would be his girlfriend.
I guess I should check in with Chloe. I haven’t heard from her since this morning.
Cain: Are we still on for tonight?
Chloe: Yeah. Would you mind coming to my place? I need to talk to you about something.
Cain: Is everything okay?
Chloe: It’s probably easier to say it in person. I’m sorry, I know that sounds ominous, but I really need to talk to you.
Cain: Okay. I’m on my way.
* * *
Iwas definitely nervous when I got to Chloe’s apartment building. We had been together for over a month and I still hadn’t even been inside it. I think part of that was my hesitation. Chloe’s roommate was rarely home since she started dating the guy, she met through the matchmaking service. It was easier to resist my desires when we were in public—or at my place with Bridget and Abby in the house with us. Being alone was going to make the temptation strong—except I wasn’t sure temptation was what I needed to have on my mind after the text message Chloe sent me.
Most of the time when someone says they need to talk, it isn’t good…
I walked to the elevator and took it to Chloe’s floor. She quickly opened the door before I finished my second knock and the look on her face made a chill sweep through my body. There was no joy—no excitement to see me—it was just a look of concern. She looked down and turned away from me before I even got a chance to look into her eyes, but I could have sworn I saw redness in them—like she had been crying.
“What’s wrong?” I tried to put my hand on her shoulder, but she pulled away.
“Please—let’s just talk.” She quickly walked over to the couch and took a seat.
