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You know in those books you read how you sometimes like the grumpy one? (And before you ask, yes, I read your blog over the years and in my spare time, I would read some of the books you mentioned. Don’t make a big deal out of it.) Well, that’s me. Most people get on my damn nerves, and I have the patience of an ant. You’re the exception. You’ve always been the exception. My circle is small, and you’re the center of it. If anyone tried to take you from me, I’d burn down the whole damn world to get to you. I called myself Blaze for a reason, after all.
Your tattoo is perfection and my favorite one. Of course I’ll be the music in your heart, you’re already mine. I need you to do a bigger one for me too. I need your ink on me, Peach. I have the spot saved for you. I never forgot our promise either.
Love you to the moon, the stars, and the whole damn universe.
My heart beats a rhythm only you can hear.
Our love song has always been written in the stars.
Yours forever
Fortunately,our clothes were ready for us before my father and S&S arrived. Simon called Zane and asked us to meet them back at the shop. It was lunchtime by then, so we stopped and grabbed burgers on our walk over. I was grateful we were close enough to walk, but the pang of losing my beautiful Sunny still stung. I hadn't even checked after the fire. I was scared to find out the fate of my girl.
We rounded the corner, almost back to the shop, when I realized that despite the events of the day, I found myself laughing at something Zane said. It reminded me I hadn't checked with him on his name, either. As much as I didn't think I could call him Thane at the moment, I didn't want to steal his identity either.
“You're okay with me calling you Zane, right? I kind of realized I stole your choice. That wasn't my intention. I just don't think I can call you that name for a while, but I can make a cutesy nickname for the in-between time if you like. Oh, what about, hot doc? Or even better, hot diggity dog? Or even Zany Thane instead of Psycho?” I giggled, wiggling my eyebrows.
We were walking hand in hand again. Apparently, it was our thing, and I was A-o-kay with it. We'd been swinging them between us, the bag of burgers clutched in his other hand. My question had us stopping, though, as he looked at me.
“I loveyoucalling me Zane, or whatever you want, Noxy girl. It makes me feel special to have my own Lennox-made nickname. Though, hot doc wouldn’t be bad.”
Laughing, I grinned, leaning up on my tiptoes to kiss him briefly. “I might still call you hot doc in the bedroom then.”
Winking, I caught him off guard as I pulled him to keep walking. When we were within a few stores of the place, a hush fell over us. There was still a fire truck and police cruiser. The rest of the emergency personnel had left, though. People gawked and stared along the street, and I saw a news crew interviewing a few of the other shop owners a few feet away.
The air smelled of burnt plastic and chemicals, and as we came upon the destruction, a heaviness punctured my chest. Seeing the charred remains of my home and workplace felt like I'd been punched in the gut. I was so caught up in looking at it, I didn't expect the sudden hug from behind. Arms wrapped around me tightly before twisting me and swinging me up into their arms. Slade nuzzled my neck, his arms banded tight around me, and I held him back, knowing he needed this. I felt a warm body pressed into my back. I managed to move my head enough to spot Simon.
Zane nodded, and I assumed he meant he'd give us a minute, and I watched him walk over to the cop car, introducing himself to my dad. Eddie James looked up at me briefly, and I waited for the disgust to flash across his face. Thankfully, I only saw love and relief at seeing me. He smiled when he caught my eyes before turning back to Zane.
“I don't think I can ever leave you again.”
“I'm okay, Slade.”
“Just barely, oh shit.” Instantly he dropped me, and if Simon hadn't been behind me, I would've fallen on my butt. Shrieking a little at the instant change, I glared up at him as Simon steadied me.
“Sorry, Peach.” He grimaced, his hands hovering in the air. The unsure nature of him had me softening, not used to seeing him out of sorts.
“I'm fine, but why did you drop me?” I didn't want to ask what I was really thinking, afraid he'd hurt my feelings if it was true.
“I remembered you had injuries and worried I was hurting you, so I instantly dropped you, but shit, that wasn't smart either. I'm sorry, Lennox. I'm such a mess.”
Simon had pulled me back into his embrace, his head practically in my hair, and I was grateful I’d been able to shower. At Slade's words, he chuckled into it, making the pieces flutter with each word.
“He really is. I had to drive because he kept wanting to pull over to call you every five minutes. It's like when the Grinch’s heart grew three times its size, and now he doesn't know what to do about it,” he said, laughing.
Slade pouted across from us, but it was too cute, and I reached out, pulling him back into our hug. “None of that now. I'm fine. See? Come on, let's go talk to my dad and save your brother from the third degree.”
Slade sniffed me, giving me an odd look when he pulled back. “You slept with him, didn't you?”
I stopped, mouth opened, staring at him. Sputtering, “What? How?” He gave me a knowing look, and I slapped his chest playfully once I regained my composure. Planting my hands on my hips, I gave him one of his very own cocksure smiles. “Yeah, I did, and it was great. What are you going to do about it? Hmm?”
It took him a few seconds to recover and I used it to my advantage, walking off toward my dad before my composure fell. Simon had bent over, laughing his head off at the exchange, but I paid no attention to him either, and hugged my dad when I got close.
“Hey, Dad.”
“Hey, pumpkin.”
He pulled me close, and I relaxed in his hold. My dad was the best, and no matter what, he always made me feel okay when he was near. When we pulled back, I noticed his eyes were a little misty, and I ignored them so he wouldn't get embarrassed. He kissed my temple before letting me go, his composure back in place.
