11. Luke
11
Luke
“ H ey, Cap,” Adam calls out, disrupting me from my daydream, “mind if we stop at Ground Up on the way to training?”
It’s been a long few days of work, and the only thing on my mind is Greer. When she came over the other night, it was a sweet surprise in more ways than one. It’s like every time I see her, a little bit more of her shines through the cracks in the shell encasing her. I can’t wait to be blinded by her.
“Luke? Did you hear me?”
“Sure thing, Adam. But it’s gotta be quick.” He nods and heads to the truck. We’re assisting with the live fire functionals at the academy and finally get to put our rookies through the paces.
Adam, my engineer, eases the truck along the curb of Ground Up. Typically, I avoid this place in the morning because it’s always busy, but today, I could use the extra dose of caffeine. We exchange greetings with a few townsfolk before reaching the door. I hold the door open for Adam, then follow him through.
“Hey, guys!” Navy shouts from behind the counter. “Sorry, we’re packed today.”
“It’s all good.” Adam jumps in line.
Hunter is texting me some shit about going out, something I definitely don’t want to do, when someone taps me on my back.
“Hey, you.” My stomach dips, recognizing Greer’s voice. She’s right behind me, looking gorgeous as ever, hair piled atop her head, loose-fitting concert tee, and legs for days.
“Hey, G.” I’ll never stop smiling when she’s around. “What are you doing?”
“Well, this is a coffee shop. So . . . you know, getting a coffee.”
“Makes sense.”
“How are you?” She rocks side to side in high-top hiking boots and purple striped socks.
“Are you going hiking?”
“Um,”—her brows furrow together—“yes, I am.”
“Alone?”
“No. Why?”
“Oh, just curious.” I’ve barely seen this woman leave her house, and now she’s going hiking with someone? I can't help that the protective side roars to life, wondering who she’s going with and where. Her cheeks flush as she tucks a few loose strands of hair behind her ears that have come loose of her bun.
“I’m actually going with my parents.” Her smile is subtle, innocent, as if maybe she knows I'm jealous.
“Thank god,” I blurt. “I mean, that’ll be fun.”
The line finally moves, and we shuffle forward.
“You’re working a lot this week.” Her gaze falls to the floor.
“Missing me already?”
I’d meant it as a joke, but she jerks, and I think maybe I’m spot on.
“Yes. I mean, well . . .” She sucks her lips between her teeth. “Shit,” she mumbles before looking me square in the eyes. “Yes, I have. Not all the noise you make at the asscrack of dawn. God, you are so noisy. Did you know that? Anyway—”
“Been missing you too, G,” I say.
Being a fireman is difficult in so many ways, but the time away from home is often the worst. I’ve lost count over the years just how many holidays, family events, and other life functions I’ve missed because of work.
“Shift work is hard,” I tell her. She reaches forward and slides her hand in mine. I've had a few long-term girlfriends over the years, but not once have I ever felt they missed me while I was away on shift. Not like I feel it now coming from Greer. My heart stutters in my chest. It’s a strange feeling, being missed by someone.
“Tell me your schedule again.” She drops my hand as the line inches forward.
“Well, I work for twenty-four hours, and then I’m off for forty-eight hours.” It's clear she’s trying to mentally calculate my schedule. “I’ll be home tomorrow and Friday and then I'm back to work on Saturday, but I've got that day off, so I'm home for a few days.”
“Okay, that's what I figured. It's nice you'll have Saturday off.” She gives me a shy smile and a goofy thumbs-up. She’s cute when she’s nervous.
Ground Up isn’t a large location by any means, so we’re cramped in here. Every table is occupied by patrons in various states of the daily grind. It’s hard to wonder why the owner hasn’t splurged for a larger location, considering they have the clientele for it.
“What’ll it be, guys?” Navy asks as we approach the counter. “Oh, hey, Greer.” She reaches across the counter to give her a light hug.
“My girls!” A voice that can only belong to my sister shouts from the entrance. Suddenly, I’m shoved aside as the three embrace.
“What’s going on with this?” Adam says under his breath, motioning to the girl huddle.
“I have no idea, but I’m beginning to feel left out.”
The girls break apart with giant smiles. “Don’t feel left out, big bro,” Sutton says. “You’ll get your chance.”
Greer’s eyes dart to mine, and she toys with the hem of her T-shirt. She’ll wear every article of clothing down to nothing if she keeps this up. I grasp her hand and pull it toward me. Her shoulders instantly soften.
“As much as I’m happy to see you guys,” Navy says, “you’re kinda holding the line up.” She motions to the desperate coffee addicts behind us.
Greer pulls her hands away from mine. We place our orders and pay before moving off to the side
“You guys are going out with us tomorrow night, right?” Sutton asks. Greer’s eyes grow to the size of saucers.
“They don’t want to,” Greer begins to say.
“To what?” I nudge her foot with my boot.
She shakes her head and glares at my sister. “Nothing really,” she begins. “Sutton has decided that we’re going dancing.”
“Dancing? And who’s this we you speak of?” I ask.
“Yes, big brother,” Sutton says. “Dancing. All of us.” Her grin tells me she’s up to something.
“But you girls never go out,” Adam deadpans.
Both Greer and Sutton shrug before saying, “And?”
“And now you’re going dancing?” Adam says.
“Like to a bar or what?” I ask.
“God, yes, Luke. Are you guys coming with us?” Sutton says, readjusting her bag on her shoulder.
“Hell, yes.” Adam grabs his coffee. “Grace has been asking me for forever to take her out.”
Reaching out, I take Greer’s hand again, stopping her before she can fuss with her shirt. “Do you want me to go with you?”
“Yes,” she whispers, making me smile. Her eyes flicker. What I wouldn’t give to know what’s going through her mind at this very second.
“Great!” Sutton declares as she grabs her order. “Well, I have to jet. Busy day!”
“You let Hunter know, Sut?” Adam asks.
Sutton screeches to a halt, and without looking at us, replies, “Not yet, but I’m sure Hunter will be there.” She embraces Greer again, telling her not so quietly, “Bye, babe. It can be a good thing, okay?”
Her blue eyes lock with mine over Sutton’s shoulder.
“Bye, Navy!” Sutton shouts before exiting the café.
“Tomorrow night, then?” I turn my attention back to Greer.
Her tongue slips out to wet her lips before that damn bottom one disappears between her teeth. She inhales deeply.
“Tomorrow night.”
“I’ll come by around seven?”
“G-great,” she stutters, then takes a small sip of her coffee. Her eyes don’t leave mine as she backs toward the door.
“Bye, G,” I say as the door closes between us. Her hand raises to give me another wave, and then she’s gone.
“You are so fucked, man.” Adam elbows my ribs before opening the door and motioning for me to go through.
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
And I’m not mad about it.
Hunter : So what’s this I hear about you being in love?
Me : Adam needs to shut his mouth.
Hunter : That’ll never happen and you know it. He talking about Greer?
Me : High probability.
Hunter : How’s it gonna work?
Me : Meaning?
Hunter : She’s a widow.
Me : Your point?
Hunter : Grief is brutal. Do you worry…
Hunter: you’ll be living in her husband's shadow?
It’s something I’ve thought about. Greer’s husband died less than a year ago, and the amount of grief she suffers through on a daily basis must be incredible. Not only because of the loss of her husband but also the loss of how she used to be—uninjured, no outward physical signs of what her body endured.
Greer is quiet and hesitant, and she’s definitely got walls built around her, but every moment I spend with her, she lets me see more and more of her, willingly opening a gate for me.
Yes, I missed you.
Those four words sent my heart soaring. She may not be ready to admit it yet, but I get the feeling she senses something between us too. Even though I don’t know a damn thing about losing my significant other, I’m no stranger to grief, so I understood it completely when she once told me she wasn’t ready for more. But the more time I spend with her and the more I get to know her, it’s becoming impossible to bury down how much I like her. I want nothing more than to grab her hands and run heart first into the unknown together. But with Greer, I know I have to be patient.
Hunter : Listen, just don’t do this if you’re trying to fix her.
Hunter : You’ve done that before, and it’s never worked out in your favor.
Me : I know, bro. It’s different with Greer.
Hunter : Just make sure you’re both on the same page, yeah? It would really suck if either of you got hurt.
Me : Look, I gotta go. See you tonight, right?
Hunter : I can’t believe Sutton set all this up. She’s never gone out with us. What gives?
Me : Greer and Navy. Shoulda seen the three of them at Ground Up yesterday. Had me and Adam feeling left out.
Hunter : Really? That’s good. Sutton deserves to have good friends in her life.
Me : She seemed off yesterday when Adam mentioned you. You guys good?
Hunter : Who knows, man. Your sister confuses the shit out of me.
Me : What did you do this time?
Hunter : Why do you always assume it was me?
Suncrest Valley sits exactly where its name suggests, in the middle of a valley. We’re surrounded by rolling prairies to the south and, in every other direction, by hills, mountains, and vast regions of forest. Our town isn’t as small as a small town could be, but neither is it big. We’ve always been more of a summer town with outdoor enthusiasts being attracted to nearby national parks, hiking trails, mountains, and lakes. Summer season is in full swing based on the traffic today.
For being the end of June, it’s actually a cool morning out. Fresh air whips through my open windows. It’d be the perfect day to get out of town. I can practically hear the forest calling my name, but I’ve got a pretty important date today. As I pull up to my house, a brown blur darts down the space between my and Greer’s house.
“What the hell?” After easing my truck into the driveway, I jump out, toss my gear into the garage, and jog toward the backyard.
A heavy bass beat thumps nearby, but I can’t place its location. Our neighborhood is normally pretty quiet, but it sounds like someone is having a rave. After I round the back corner, I see Greer’s wily old dog racing circles around my yard, that damn hot dog squeaking with each step. I don’t see Greer anywhere. Normally, he’s never outside without her, so my guess is he pulled a Houdini.
“Hey, Duke.” I pat my thigh to entice him toward me.
He sits where he’s at and looks right at me.
“Hey, old man. What are you doing out?” He remains calm as I approach. His tail continues wagging back and forth. I squat down and rub his ears. “Does your mama know you’re out here?”
As if he understands me, he stands and walks toward their house. I follow closely behind, telling myself over and over that I’m just making sure he gets home okay. It has nothing to do with the possibility of seeing Greer.
Duke walks onto their back patio. It looks like he must have weaseled his way out the sliding glass door before making it to my house. Now, he nudges the screen door open with his nose. I still don’t see Greer even though she’s normally awake by now. I look down, and Duke bumps me in the leg as he steps inside. He sits and stares at me. I’m not a dog expert, but this feels like an invitation to me.
“G?” I call out. The great room is tidy and quiet but no Greer. The heavy bass beat gets even louder.
“G?” I holler louder, making my way toward the source of the early morning house party. She’s added artwork to the walls, and a partially loaded bookshelf catches my eye. It’s warm and welcoming. Just like her.
Suddenly, the music ratchets higher. Above it, I hear a a female voice, “Eyes, knees, and nipples forward!” What the hell?
This first room I peek into is a softly lit bedroom—bed mussed and a nightgown thrown over the side of the reading chair. Duke’s lying at the foot of the bed without a care in the world. Lucky dog.
I’m tempted to enter, but at that exact moment, the music gets even louder. Her house has a similar floor plan as mine, so I head down the hallway with guest bedrooms. The floor and walls vibrate from the heavy bass as I approach the closed door at the end.
I knock at the same time a female voice says, “Get ready to run out of the saddle. Cadence between seventy-five and eighty-five! See you on the other side! Three! Two! One!” Another massive drop of bass hits me followed by complete musical chaos. Not bothering to knock, I swing open the door.
Jesus Christ.
I’m assaulted by music blaring from a home system—and Greer. On a spin bike. In nothing but a pink sports bra and spandex shorts. Her eyes are laserfocused on the bike’s display.
“That’s it!” the female instructor shouts. “Don’t half-ass this shit. You gotta use your whole ass! And while you’re at it, give that ass a smack cuz ain’t no one going to do it for you!”
Suddenly, Greer, my gorgeous, shy neighbor who occupies my every thought, grips the handlebar, then takes her right hand and . . . Smacks. Her. Own. Ass.
“Sweet Jesus.”
“Shit!” Greer yelps, and her eyes snap to mine. Her skin flames, eyes flare, and a massive smile spreads across her face.
“Five, four, three, two, one,” the instructor’s voice says. “Turn it down. Flat road.”
“You have to stop sneaking up on me,” she pants through a smile. “Everything okay?”
“I . . .” My brain has melted. Dragging my hand through my hair, I step into the room, drawn to her like a magnet. “You just smacked your ass.”
A full belly laugh erupts from her, and her entire face lights up. When she finally calms down and slows her pedaling speed, she catches my eye and shrugs. “I definitely did that. I’m good at doing what I’m told.” And then she winks at me. She fucking winks at me.
Sweat glistens on her shoulders, droplets running down her collarbone before disappearing between her breasts. I’ve never wanted to be a bead of sweat so much in my life. Her plump lips cover the opening of her water bottle. Then, taking a swig, she turns off the bike’s screen. Audible clicks punctuate the awkward silence as she removes her feet from the pedals and steps away from her bike.
She stands there, silently watching me as my eyes rove over her spandex-clad body. Strong shoulders and arms compliment her muscular thighs. Her stomach is bare, and all I want to do is run my hands over every exposed inch of her. A few damp strands of hair curl at the nape of her neck. Greer may think she’s broken, but this woman standing in front of me is the epitome of strength.
“Luke?” She pats her skin dry.
Somehow, I manage to mumble, “Yeah?”
“You alright over there?” She giggles. A sound I’ve come to love. Her eyes sparkle, a hint of something hidden within.
“Uh, yeah.” I clear my throat. With great force, I step away from her. If I don’t, I’m not liable for what I may do.
“Can I help you with something, or is walking into people’s houses and watching them workout something you enjoy?” Her sarcasm pulls me from my stupor.
“Actually, I was bringing Duke home. He snuck his way out the back door while you were”—I gesture to her body and bike—“doing this.”
“It’s called spin class.”
“And do most instructors ask you to do things like smack your own ass? If so, I might have to join you sometime.”
“Oh god.” She bends at the waist to take off her shoes and uses her other hand to hide her face. “Because of course that’s when you’d walk in.”
“What can I say?” I tease. “My timing is impeccable.”
“It sure is.” She brushes past me and heads to her kitchen.
Her ass sways from side to side. She’s different today, more sure of herself, more confident.
“Breakfast,” I blurt dumbly. Normally, she’s the one nervous around me; boy how the tables have turned.
“Breakfast?” She repeats, gulping down water. Her throat bobs up and down with each swallow. My fingers twitch to caress her skin. A giggle sneaks out of her again, breaking the spell she has me under.
Clearing my throat—again—I take a seat at her island, trying like hell to hide how she’s affecting me. Not necessarily the way I want to greet her after barging in on her workout.
“You like it, right?” What the fuck, Luke? Act like you’ve talked to the woman before.
“It depends.” She crosses her arms. I avoid focusing on where her breasts are now firmly pressed together.
“On?” I question.
“Are you making it?”
“Of course.” I fold my hands together atop the counter, the pressure grounding me. Anything to keep them from reaching for her.
“Then, yes, I like breakfast.”
“Ten?”
She nods and sets her cup in the sink.
“Cool.” Cool? Good god, man.
“I just need to get cleaned up and take a—”
“Stop,” I growl, running my hands over my face. “For the love of god. Please. My brain is clearly unable to function seeing you like this.” I gesture to her body. “I think it might self-destruct if you say that word.”
“Shower.” She extends the sh , her tongue swiping out to wet her lips.
“You little minx.”
“Minx?” Greer says.
Great, I obviously said that out loud.
“Maybe I am,” Greer says with a sly smile.
“Ten o’clock,” I command with a curt nod, my voice steady despite the growing storm inside. Never before has a woman turned me into a bumbling mess just by existing.
As I push in the chair, she rounds the kitchen island and walks across the room to the back door. She holds the curtains back and gestures for me to exit. Morning air surrounds me as I step through, instantly cooling my heated skin. One would think I was the one who just worked out.
I look over my shoulder one last time and catch her watching me. She startles and quickly drops the curtains.
“Good," I say out loud. "Looks like I’m not the only one who can’t stop staring.”