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I cringed at being caught again listening to our old tapes when "Driver’s Seat” by Sniff ‘n’ the Tears came through the speakers.
She tapped her foot to the beat. She’d always loved that song.Wonder if she’ll rewind it like she used to?
A wander down memory lane was a dangerous path . . . one I’d been taking far too often lately.
But resisting Beau in any capacity was impossible.
Having her in the flesh was better than the deluded fantasies I’d spent the past eleven years with.
I cruised the streets at an easy pace, in no hurry with no destination in mind. I was twenty-seven again, had the girl of my dreams beside me.
Except now she didn’t want me. Was stronger than me.
And there wasn’t a kernel of hope that someday we’d figure out a way to be together. That maybe her father would accept me, and Teague would realize I was the right guy for his sister. And Beau would be happy, even if I couldn’t afford all the things she was used to.
I could love her enough.
The rain fell harder, and I turned up the windshield wipers.
I’d done the right thing letting her go. Look at the woman she’d become. She’d conquered the world. I’d have only held her back.
But I wasn’t all that sorry she didn’t have a husband and kids.
Watching her move on would’ve sent me to an early grave.
“Did your dad push you to be a firefighter?”
I rubbed my face to clear my head.Dangerous, dangerous thoughts.
“Nah. I never wanted to be anything else. Not even when I was a kid.”
Maybe he’d expected it of all of us, but if he had, he’d never said anything. It was in our blood.
If I wasn’t a fireman, who would I be?
She fiddled with her gold chain. “My father didn’t push me into real estate either.”
There was a hint of surprise in her voice, like she was only just now realizing that.
She looked down. “I guess he didn’t have to. I always do what he wants without him telling me to.”
I hated she felt that way, as if she was a prisoner.
“Would you choose something different?”
She sniffed bitterly. “No. I love it. Love working with my brother.”
I didn’t bother to point out they lived on two different continents. I had no idea the dynamics of their business. Obviously, they were close, so maybe the distance wasn’t a factor.
God knew it hadn’t mattered to me. I couldn’t stop thinking about her whether we were in the same room or a world apart.
“Why have I always been able to talk to you? It’s like I can’t control my mouth.” She stared at me, aggravation in her posture.
“Sometimes we just need somebody to hear us.”
“You don’t deserve to know my thoughts.”
Stab.
