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“You two ready? The burgers are just about done.”
We realize we’ve been lollygagging around for far too long. “Give us a few minutes,” I yell, pulling out the baked potatoes I’d put in the oven when we’d realized we’d be eating together. “You got the salad?” I throw over my shoulder. “Shit!” The tin foil covering the potatoes is fucking hot and slightly burns my skin.
“It’ll getcha.” Dad watches from the back sliding door, a look of amusement skittering across his face.
“I know, I know,” I grumble. “Shoulda been watching myself. If there’s one thing you’ve taught us, it’s to respect fire and heat.”
“Yet, you still don’t pay attention.”
There’s a part of me wanting to make some sort of smartass remark, but I just know it’ll give Danny and I away. “What can I say, dad? I’m still a work in progress.”
“We all are,” he winks. “C’mon, I’m starving.”
He shuts the door and Hailey turns to me. “When he finds out you’re dating his Rookie, he’s going to be so pissed.”
“Won’t be the first time.”
We look at each other, saying simultaneously, “Won’t be the last…”
* * *
“Why didn’tyou tell us about this before?” I giggle, taking a drink of my beer.
“Because it was embarrassing,” Hailey laughs along with me.
“Maybe I woulda come and helped you kick his ass.” Dad toasts his bottle to us.
“For what?” She snorts. “Being scared of a mouse?”
“Because he was scared of a mouse,” he argues.
“Hand to God, I’ve never seen someone jump off the floor so fast,” she giggles. “I thought a snake had gone across the ground but, when I looked, it was a baby mouse.”
“Not even full-grown?” Dad grumbles.
“Not even full grown,” she confirms. “That’s when I knew there wouldn’t be a second date. If a man wouldn’t be able to stand up to a baby mouse, there’s no way he’d be able to stand up to you.”
Which gets me thinking about Danny. He’s more than enough to stand up to his Chief, but I wonder if he’ll be able to. Not because he won’t physically be able to, but if he’ll be willing to possibly let his career go if it comes to that.
For the first time since we started seeing each other, I realize it’s not that easy of a choice to make. And I hope with everything I have we’re not forced to make it.
It would kill me to give up either one of them.
