Page 43 of Burning Skies
“We contained it quickly, thanks to Honey calling it in.” I point to the scorched area behind the back parking lot.
“That’s so close to her house.”
That worried me too, but I don’t want to say anything that might get misconstrued again, so I keep my mouth shut.
Leo wants his mom, so I hand him over and settle in to enjoy the game. For Maverick’s first year coaching, he’s killing it. So far, we’ve won all but one game.
The Wolves are up by one touchdown at halftime. That’s when Paige’s cheer team steps out onto the field. We all clap for the squad. They form into a pyramid and start flinging girls off the top. The crowd goes crazy.
Before the third quarter starts, I take drink orders and head down to the concessions. When I come around the corner, I run into the little princess herself. Honey’s eyes widen when she sees me.
We stop and stare at each other. I’m pissed about her date, but at the same time, I don’t want her thinking I told the sheriff she was somehow responsible for the shed fire.
“Excuse me,” she says curtly and starts to walk around me.
This is bullshit. “We need to talk.” I grab her hand and pull her behind the bleachers where it’s dark.
“What the hell, Beau?” she hisses.
“Calm down, princess. I’m not abducting you. Just like I didn’t accuse you of arson earlier.”
Honey yanks her hand out of mine. “Duly noted.”
She looks beautiful tonight in a little western button-up that’s tucked into jeans that hug her body to perfection and those damn cowboy boots. Why did she have to wear those boots when we fucked? Now they’ll always remind me of her.
This woman makes me insane. I hang my hands on my hips as I debate what to say and decide to go with the truth. “I was worried about you. That fire was feet away from your house, and I wanted to make sure you weren’t some kind of target. That’s why I spoke to the chief.” I explain how my concern got miscommunicated after I discussed it with my boss.
She nods, but still looks annoyed.
Kids yell at the other end of the stands, and we both instinctively walk deeper into the shadows.
When she doesn’t say anything, I sigh. “Let’s get one thing straight. I would never do anything to hurt you or make you look bad.”
She bites her bottom lip. “Why do you think the sheriff suspected me?”
“I’m guessing he doesn’t have any suspects and was grasping at straws. If it means anything, I think you convinced him you weren’t involved. When I left this afternoon, he was planning to interview the janitors.”
With a sigh, she nods. “I’m—I’m sorry for assuming the worst. And while we’re discussing assuming the worst, you should know I didn’t sic my brothers on you.”
Instinctively, I reach up to touch my eye that’s almost healed.It’s now a faint yellow. Based on her no-nonsense expression, I believe her.
I really hate fighting with this woman. “Listen, I was going to check on you again after the shed fire, but we got another call and had to go. Our entire shift was like that. Three days solid.”
“It’s okay. I was fine.”
I scrub my face. “It’s not okay. I was going to call you, but I didn’t have your number.”
She gives me a sad smile. “I’m not your responsibility, Beau. But thank you. I appreciate the sentiment. But it’s better if we don’t…”
“Interact?”
She nods. “This is too complicated already.”
“Because of that guy you’re dating.”
She stills.
“I saw you with him last night.”
