“Thank you, thank you so much,” I whisper to my best friend as she pulls me into a tight hug.
“You look just as beautiful as you always do, but I am so happy that it’s finally on your own terms, bestie,” Kendra says. “And you are going to make Remington fuckingdroolwhenever he sees you next. There is no way he won’t be all over you.” She grins as she finishes organizing her station.
I narrow my eyes. “Well, it doesn’t matter because this hair and decision has nothing to do with him or any other man.”
“Damn straight!” Kendra cheers. She ate up every crumb I gave her when I spilled details about Remington. I told her all about the texting, the flowers, the date ... and the not kissing me. I was embarrassed about that part, but of course she helped me get out of my own head, calming my anxiety before I could spiral about it again. It was helpful to get her perspective because I hadn’t realized that she actually kind of knows Remington. Her nana was from Fox Grove, so Kendra spent a lot of time here in the summers off and on. Small-town life had her crossing paths with lots of people in this town long before she officially became a resident a few years ago when she moved into her nana’s place. Kendra is convinced that Remington is totally into me and trying to be a gentleman. I am sure she’s right,but damn it, I still really wanted him to not beso gentlemanlylast night.
“Alright, thank you for this wonderful metamorphosis. I’ve got to get going so I can grab a few groceries before I hop on my last afternoon meeting. I am really glad you could squeeze me in this morning and we could catch up.”
“Same! I need you to come to the studio next. New mugs are happening for my summer line, and I need to show you the samples. I know there is one you are going to want for your collection for sure. Thinkstrawberries.” Kendra beams with a flourish of her hands.
“Don’t I want all of them for my collection? I’m your number one fan!” I say back with a smile as I bounce back out into the warm spring day with a wave at my best friend.
A soft breeze blows through my freshly cut hair, and I know this really is a new beginning for me. But it didn’t start with a haircut ... It started the night Remington helped finish one fire and set a brand new one.
11
Remington
Ireally wanted to kiss Lainey last night. I almost kissed her. I felt like an idiot as I walked away after I heard the lock on her front door engage, knowing she was tucked safely inside. I wanted to be in therewithher. As much as I craved those things, and so much more with her, I also do not want to rush or push Lainey. I will not fuck this up.
When we were laying in the bed of my truck I made a promise to myself that I would take my time with her and not scare her off. I have feelings for her—big feelings. Feelings that if I expressed them to anyone else at this point in our fledgling relationship, people would probably think I was insane.
I am not insane. I am just in, all in.
But now I’m second-guessing walking away last night.
So that is why I am here at work, beating the shit out of our heavy bag in the gym, and taking out my pent-up frustration through punishing my body with Eli. He’s over in the corner working on some new jump rope move he is trying to master. It takes a hell of a lot of concentration, effort, and practice to make the skills and tricks he can do look effortless—and it pays off big time for him, too. He has gained a massivesocial media following posting exercise thirst trap videos and clips of him jumping rope. The last time I looked he had a quarter of a million followers. Absolutely nuts.
“Son-of-a-fuckin-nutcracker!” Eli yells as the neon-green rope he’s working with whips him across the chest. Yeah, that is going to leave a nasty mark. Sometimes he gets going so fast and intense there are a few injuries, but he will be okay. And it truly makes him that much more motivated to master the skill.
“You alright, man?” I call out.
“Yeah, that one just got me good. Damn. I need a break. I got sloppy.” Taking a gulp of water, he strides over to where I am pulling off my boxing gloves and hands me an extra bottle.
“Thanks,” I grumble, taking it and downing half of the bottle in one long guzzle.
“What’s got your panties in a twist today, dipshit? I thought you would have rainbows coming out your butt after your date last night.” Eli pokes at me. I have told him a lot more about Lainey. Eli Hargrove is the greatest friend I could ever ask for. He has been my best friend since kindergarten when Tommy Gentry pushed me down, and Eli came to my defense. He’s always had my back, has had the biggest personality on that and any other playground, in any other room for that matter, and is the most genuine human I know. He is also the best firefighter in this building. I know that once Chief is done someday, Eli would be a good man for the job. When it comes to this work, he knows how to flip the switch. That fun-loving side of himself is the balance he needs for all the hard shit we see and deal with, but there is nobody that I want next to me more when we are walking toward a fire. Eli is a natural leader, and all of the people in this station rely on him in more ways than one. We are all a family, but we often tease him and call him “daddy” when he gets on our asses about stuff. That discipline versus fun balance? Definite dad energy.
“I think I might have fucked up by trying really hard to not fuck up.” I wince.
“Dude, you are making my brain hurt. What did you do? It has only beenonedate, Rem.” He rubs his temples in a mocking fashion.
“The date was amazing, that’s not the issue. She is amazing, also not the issue. I don’t want to scare her off or rush things. So, at the end of the date, I didn’t kiss her, and I think that she wanted me to.” I look over to see Eli studying me, no longer joking.
“So that’s the problem?” he asks. “You are worried that you made her mad, offended her, or something?”
“Yeah, I have no idea what she thinks about the end of our date. I walked her up to her apartment, then ... I kissed her cheek.” I groan.
“For fuck’s sake, that is weak sauce, man. I know you don’t want to rush things with Lainey, and you want to be respectful and everything, but a kiss would not have been a bad thing. It is not like you banged her in the back of your truck and then sent her on her way.” He laughs.
I whip him with my sweat towel. “Fuck off! Of course I wouldn’t do that to her!”
“Well, have you talked to her today?” he asks pointedly.
“No, not yet. I came here to work out, get my thoughts together, and talk to you.”
“Awww you needed my sage advice, some best friend time. I knew you loved me more than you could ever love some chick.” Eli lives to push my buttons, and right now he’s pressing a little too hard.
