Page 44 of Burning Skies
“Wh-what?”
“Your date. With that guy in the suit.” I cross my arms. “Last night, I stopped by your place when I finally got off my three-day shift. I wanted to check in on you. Only you weren’t home. Because you were on a date. With the same guy who sent you roses, I assume.”
“I wouldn’t say we’re dating. We’re just getting to know each other.” Her eyes narrow. “Besides, aren’t you having a thing with your co-worker? That girl Melissa?”
I frown. “How do you know…”
“Because I have two damn eyes in my head, Beau. I see how she looks at you. Like she’s hoping to get laid later.”
Honey’s pissed. I smile because I can work with that. Leaning closer, I tug a strand of her silky hair. “You jealous, princess?”
“Go away, Beau.” She pushes me, but I don’t budge. Shaking her head, she closes her eyes. “We’re so bad at this.”
“Bad at what?”
Her hands fist at her side as she growls. “This. Whatever this is.”
I can’t handle seeing her angry. I cradle her face and tilt her head so she has to look at me. “Mel and I are over. Besides, I’d never two-time a woman.” I graze her bottom lip with my thumb. “Don’t want you thinking I’m that kind of man.”
Swallowing, she pulls away. “I’m not who you want, remember? One and done. Your words, not mine.”
I cringe, hating that I said something so crass. “But what if?—”
“No what-ifs, Beau. At the end of the day, you still hate my family, and they still hate yours. What would we do about that?”
Bracing my arm on the pillar next to me, I look down. “Not sure, princess. I don’t have all the answers.”
“That’s because there aren’t any.”
17
BEAU
When my phone buzzes again,I can’t contain the grin that spreads across my lips when I see the photo of my niece covered in jam.
Coop smacks me on the back. “That a woman? ’Cause you’re finally smiling.”
Just then, Melissa walks by, looking annoyed. “Please don’t tell me you’re messing around with that McAllister girl.”
Concerned, I tuck my phone in my pocket. I’ve told absolutely no one about what happened with me and Honey, not even my brothers. “Why would you think that?”
“Because she looked like a hurt little puppy when I showed up on her doorstep after that shed fire instead of you.”
No wonder Honey went out with the rich guy. Because she thought I was blowing her off. Well, hell.
If I’m being honest with myself, I wish I’d kissed her last weekend under the bleachers. But I don’t have the answers to how we solve the shit between our families. I just know I’m drawn to her like a moth to a really big fucking flame.
Mel’s still staring at me like she caught me cheating, which is bullshit.
I turn to my locker and get my stuff so I can head out. “Pretty sure Honey was pissed her house could’ve burned down.”
“Whatever.” Mel walks away, and I count my blessings I called that off.
Coop chuckles. “This is why you don’t get involved with anyone from work.”
“Truer words were never spoken.” I don’t feel the need to explain what went down with Mel. It’s no one’s business. I get out my keys. “See you tonight at the high school?”
He sticks his thumbs in his suspenders. “I’ll be the one dressed as a firefighter.”
