Chapter 8 #2
She shrugs, smiling softly. “You’re family, kid.
I’m not letting you drown. You deserve room to breathe.
And those girls deserve someone badass to show them what’s possible down at the school.
It was actually Mack’s idea. She wanted to take auto shop, but there are no females in there.
She mentioned it, and it got me thinking. ”
“Maggie,” I whisper. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“I did,” she says, squeezing my hand. “Because I love you. So shut up and take the win. You are going to do big things, Poppy. We want you to pave the way for other girls here. Plus, they have a welding program there, too. I know you’re also a fantastic welder, and they need you badly at the school.
Apparently, they’re hiring for several positions right now. But that one is perfect for you.”
I hug her. She’s always been good to Owen and me.
She pats my back. “Don’t make me all sappy. I’ve got a reputation to uphold.”
I laugh, wiping my eyes. And for the first time in a long time, something feels possible. And that scares me almost as much as it gives me hope.
She heads out, leaving me to think about Jim’s visit and what it could mean.
I pull out my phone and text Ollie. I know he’ll be so happy, too.
Poppy: Hey, are you busy?
Ollie: Nope. Just got to the station. Talking to the guys. What’s up?
Poppy: Can I come tell you something? It’s important.
Ollie: You know you never need an excuse to come see me, right?
Oh my God.
Poppy: Ollie!
Ollie: Joking. Get your butt down here and tell me.
Only I have a feeling that he’s not joking at all. But I’m too excited to unpack that right now.
I slap a be back in twenty sign on the door, slide on my coat, and make the five-minute walk down the street to the Bridger Falls Fire Station. The air’s cold and sharp, my boots crunching over gravel and frost as I go.
The station doors are lit up like a beacon, a safe place. The way the station has always felt.
When I step inside, warmth hits me immediately.
Not just heat, but the smell of coffee that’s been sitting too long on the burner, clean soap, and something faintly smoky that never quite leaves a place like this.
The floors are scuffed concrete, worn smooth by boots and years of pacing.
Gear racks line one wall, turnout coats hanging heavy and ready, helmets perched on top like they’re waiting for their owners.
The place hums with low noise. A TV murmuring somewhere in the background. Distant laughter. The clatter of dishes from the kitchen. I smell something cooking and can’t quite tell what it is, but it smells good.
I barely make it three steps in before I start scanning the room for him, my pulse picking up like I’m on a mission.
“Hey, Poppy!” Bucky calls from the kitchen area, leaning against the counter with a mug in his hand. He grins like he knows something I don’t.
I head over to him and give him a hug, waving at some of the other guys. “Thanks for all of your help with Owen.”
“Aww, he’s a great kid. You’re doing a great job.” Bucky says as he pulls a tray of lasagna out of the oven.
“It takes a village, Bucky. I’m thankful for all of you guys. Have you seen Ollie?”
His mouth goes into a line. “His mother just showed up. He’s out back talking to her.”
“Oh.” I grimace.
“Yeah, our thoughts, too.” Bucky leans against the counter. He shakes his head with disappointment.
“Should we go save him?” I ask, looking out the window and seeing Ollie stand with his hands on his hips, an expression on his face as if he’s trying to find patience.
His mom has an angry tone to her voice radiating through the window.
She’s talking animatedly, her hands flying, and her voice is getting louder as she goes on.
Ollie stands there, saying nothing. He looks cold, without a jacket.
That’s all I can think about is him being cold.
Theresa hasn’t been the best mom to Cami or Ollie.
She’s been coming around more often, but it’s hard.
They never know what version of her they’re going to get.
Is she going to be their mother figure or someone who is snarky and manipulative?
I’ve seen both sides, and I’m not a big fan.
Ollie used to keep going back to her and doing whatever she needed, and he’d always end up hurt and disappointed, no matter what.
In the past few years, he has stopped going around, and he seems happier without her drama.
“Probably a good idea to save him,” Bucky says and turns before calling to one of the guys. “Hey, go get Kendrick. Tell him we need him in here.”
The newbie cracks the back door and calls out, “Yo, Kendrick. Bucky needs you.”
Theresa turns and glares at the interruption. Ollie says something to her and strolls over to the door. She crosses her arms and watches him with narrowed eyes as he heads inside.
He comes in, and his face lights up when he sees me. “Hey, what’s up?”
I raise my eyebrows and look out the window at Theresa on her phone, who’s staring at the firehouse as she talks animatedly. “Are you good?”
He rolls his eyes and shakes his head. “Theresa just being Theresa.”
“You need help with anything?” Bucky asks.
Ollie shakes his head. “Nope. What do I need to do?”
Bucky shakes his head. “Just a rescue mission.”
“Appreciate it,” he says. “Come on, Poppy.”
I follow him into the garage where the trucks are. The doors are closed because it’s a cold Wyoming day. No snow today, but I heard it’s coming.
“What did you have to tell me?” he asks, leaning in and giving me all of his attention.
I grin and say, “What would you say if I told you that you were looking at the next auto shop teacher at the Bridger Falls High School?”
He picks me up and spins me around. “What? No way!”
I laugh as he sets me down. “Yes! Jim Fisher from the high school came in and offered me a job!”
“What? Whoa. You’d be perfect for that job. Dang, those kids would be so lucky to have you,” he says, just as excited as I am.
“I know, right? Solid paychecks and benefits!”
He smiles. “Amazing. Just amazing.”
“What are you going to do about the shop?” he asks, suddenly.
I bite my lip. “I don’t know. I can’t let it go, but I was thinking of finding a way to make both work. Like maybe run the shop part-time alongside the school. It would be a lot, but I could get caught up. I could definitely make it work until summer and maybe find some help by then.”
He nods. “Any chance you could save the house?”
I shake my head. “My dad was so far behind on payments. And it needs so much work. I think we’re better off finding a place in town to rent for a while.”
“You know you can move into the garage apartment.”
“That’s your place,” I tell him firmly. “We’re not taking your place.”
“My place is with you,” he tells me, eyes meeting mine.
“I don’t know what to say, Ollie. You know you’re literally my best friend in the whole world. I can’t imagine not having you in my life. And if we didn’t work out, so many bad things would happen. Like Owen...and...”
Ollie pulls me close to him. “Poppy.”
I sigh. “What?”
“Stop overthinking things.”
“I’m not. I’m being logical. I mean, look at us. Neither of us had an idyllic childhood. I don’t think I want kids. If I can get my brother raised happy and healthy, that’s enough for me,” I admit.
Ollie searches my eyes. “And that would be fine. But I love you, Poppy. Both of you.”
“I love you, too,” I say, looking back. “I love you too much to lose you.”
“Then I guess you’ll just have to find me,” he teases, lightening the mood.
Bucky opens the door. “Hey, you gonna eat?”
“Yeah,” Ollie calls back and turns to me, looking hopeful. “You staying?”
I shake my head. “I gotta get back and give Jim a call to tell him yes.”
“Make her a to-go container, please!” Ollie says to Bucky.
“You got it!” Bucky calls.
“You don’t have to feed me,” I say.
Ollie shakes his head. “If I don’t feed you, you won’t eat.”
“Owen’s a little snitch,” I say with a laugh.
“We need you to have energy and be a badass teacher.” He wraps me in a big hug again, and I relax into him, breathing him in.
And how can I argue with that?
"Thank you,” I murmur into his chest.
He squeezes me gently. I don’t give Ollie hugs often. We don’t touch like this in general, but it’s getting harder and harder not touch him.
Because Ollie is the one who will wreck me if I let him.