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There’d also be all kinds of sides to go with the meat. We didn’t do fancy in Burntwood. We were just down-home people who liked to gather, eat and drink. Simple folk—my kind of people.
From my vantage point, I could see white tents scattered about on the lawn in front of the house and dozens of tables and chairs set up underneath. This might be the largest party they’d held on their property. Debra, Shelby’s mom, had said she wanted to stay close to home for Miles. He tired easily and if he needed to find a quiet spot, he could go up to their bedroom during the party.
Speaking of the party. It would get under way in a couple of hours, and I dreaded seeingher.
I wished Ella, Rocky, and the boys were with me, but they’d stayed at my place. Brody had just gone down for a nap, so they’d be over later.
I pulled onto the property and made my way to the three-car garage where my parents’ SUV was parked.Dammit!Holden’s pickup wasn’t here. He could’ve been the buffer between me and Shelby’s beau.
Stop sounding like a pussy and man up. You don’t need anyone.
Right.
I killed the engine and pushed the kickstand out. Truth be told, Shelby and I needed to get used to seeing each other. Iwasn’t leaving Burntwood and her family was staying put, too. I’d play nice… for her.
Travis and Madden exited the garage, each carrying a box.
“Hey, Cap. Good to see you.” I threw my leg back and got off my hog.
Marcus Madden, the fire captain, rarely attended events that weren’t work-related. Gotta say I was surprised to see him on his day off. Normally, he spent every second of his free time with his two kids. His wife had passed away a few years ago during childbirth with their second child. The loss had naturally devastated him, and he hadn’t fully recovered. He poured himself into work and his kids, and left no time for anyone else.
Marcus was thirty-seven and had followed in the footsteps of his old man, Jed Madden. Jed had been a firefighter for over thirty years in Chicago. He’d lost his life during a call and Marcus had gone off the rails. He’d been a troubled teen, into gangs, drugs, and auto theft. Being biracial had been like a curse to Marcus when he was a kid. He’d felt like he was never enough, not black or white enough, not smart or rich enough. He’d gotten into the wrong crowd to hide his pain and went to jail for four years after his dad’s death.
After serving his time, Marcus moved his mom and sister out of Illinois, and wound up in Burntwood, where Marcus had been accepted as a volunteer firefighter. He’d busted his ass doing everything right, defeated his demons, and made it up the chain to captain as the youngest in South Dakota. He was an exceptional man, and one of my closest friends.
“He’s filling in until Diesel gets here,” Travis replied and shot me a quick wink. Sounded like Travis was up to his tricks to get Madden out of the house.
“Good deal.” I peered to the right and saw my parents in the outdoor kitchen. The scent of smoked meats wafted in the air and made my mouth water.
“So I heard Shelby’s in town,” Madden said. “With her bossy boyfriend.”
I whipped my head toward him. “Who said he was bossy?” Arrogant and pathetic, sure. But nobody controlled Shelby.
“I do.” Travis stopped with his jaw tight. “They were in my bar last night. The guy rubs me the wrong way.”
“Did something happen?” I rolled my hands into fists, ready to find the son of a bitch and beat him to a pulp.
“Not sure. I thought he grabbed her arm, but I couldn’t tell if he hurt her. She didn’t act like he had, but I don’t know, man. I don’t like him.”
I grunted and stared at the house.
“Don’t overreact,” Madden told me. “Play your hand wisely.”
I flicked my gaze at him. “Play what hand?”
“The one to get her back.”
“Never said I wanted her back.”
“That’s a load of bullshit.” Travis snorted and proceeded toward the tents where the bar was at. Madden followed him, and so did I.
“She’s taken and apparently happy.”
“I don’t think so. She seemed annoyed with him,” Travis said.
“Really?” A flicker of hope sparked in my soul.
“Yep. I say, fight for her.” He clucked his tongue.
