23. Tanner
Chapter Twenty-Three
Tanner
This town knows everything
When I stopped to pick up pizza, I was minding my own damn business, waiting at the counter, when I heard my name. I glanced back to see Nate, Beck, and Griffin walking in.
“Oh hey, guys,” I said, thinking nothing of it.
Willow Brook wasn’t exactly a booming metropolis, and this was easily the most popular pizza spot in town.
“Hey, hey,” Beck said as he stopped beside me, nudging me lightly with his shoulder.
Griffin chuckled. “Beck likes the body-check greeting.”
Beck rolled his eyes, just as the kid behind the counter called my name and handed over two pizzas. That earned me a collective side-eye.
Griffin narrowed his gaze. Nate tilted his head in quiet question but didn’t say anything. Beck, of course, immediately asked, “Why are you getting two pizzas?”
“Because I like pizza.”
“Nah,” Beck said, just as Nate added, “It’s for Ava.”
I blinked. “How the hell do you know?”
Nate shrugged. “Holly told me. She said Josie dropped off the foster cat, and she saw her at the gas station.”
“Josie delivered the cat?”
“Yeah. Said Ava fessed up you were bringing pizza over. I’m sure she appreciates it because she’s kinda stuck there. Holly said a break like that’s a major pain in the ass,” Nate said.
“You gotta be really careful,” Beck added. “Mess it up, and you’ll never walk the same. On another note, though, it seems like you like Ava.”
I looked between my friends—fellow firefighters and relentless meddlers—and shook my head. “I’m just taking her some pizza.”
Griffin raised his brows. “You rescued her and all, so might as well make it official.”
“Make what official?”
“Dude,” Beck said. “It is time for you to move on.”
“Move on? What are you even talking about?” I glanced among my friends, who, right about now, were starting to annoy me.
Joey, the high schooler working behind the counter, chimed in. “He’s not wrong.”
“Joey,” I muttered, turning to pay for the pizzas, “I’m not taking life advice from you.”
Joey just rolled his eyes. “You should. You’ve been single since Laney left town. What were you, like, twenty?”
My gaze rotated between my friends, all curiously eyeing me. “I’m taking Ava pizza. That’s all.”
Griffin lifted a shoulder in a slow shrug. “You could be nice, in more ways than one.”
Beck waggled his brows. “Exactly.”
“Are you fucking serious?” I pinched the bridge of my nose.
“I can’t with you guys. I’m just gonna go have some pizza.
Lecture them,” I added, pointing at Joey.
“They’re all married or close to it.” I dropped a tip into the jar, narrowing my eyes.
“Speaking of, I won’t keep tipping you so well if you’re gonna lecture me about my love life. ”
Joey rolled his eyes. “Yeah, you will. You’re not an asshole.”
“Oh my God,” I muttered under my breath as I turned to leave.
Griffin clapped me on the shoulder. “Catch you at the station.”
“Uh-huh.”
In short order, I was back in my truck, two pizzas on the passenger seat, and one long string of commentary about Ava still echoing in my head.
They weren’t wrong. I hadn’t dated anyone seriously at all since Laney left.
Ava was the first person I’d met who made me even contemplate wanting something more.
The chemistry with her burned hotter than anything I’d ever experienced.
It eclipsed what I’d had with Laney. We’d been young. High school sweethearts fumbling our way into adulthood. Ava wasn’t from here. She wasn’t staying. Or so I told myself. And I skirted away from how much I wanted to hope that, somehow, she would.
A few minutes later, I pulled up in front of her little rental house. My gaze flicked to the side—Josie’s and Tate’s trucks were parked in front of their house. Of course they’d know I was coming.
Not that it mattered, but damn. The gossip was flying fast. I took a breath. The anticipation alone lit my nerves up. With pizzas propped on my forearm, I walked to the door and knocked.
Ava called, “Come in!”
Carefully, I cracked the door. “Is the coast clear?”
She smiled at me from the couch, and my pulse started to hum. She gestured to the cat snuggled against her hip.
“I don’t think he’s going anywhere. But maybe move quick.”
“Got it.” I stepped inside rapidly, nudging the door firmly shut behind me. “Pizza’s here.”
The cat still hadn’t moved. I paused to toe off my boots. “How’s the cat? He looks like he likes you,” I said as I moved toward her.
She grinned. “I think so. I’ve never had a cat.”
“What’s his name?”
“Well, he came with the name Growly. Honestly, his purr does sound a little growly.” She blinked, looking down at him. Her fingers stroked under his chin. “I’ve never had a cat,” she said again. She shifted like she wanted to get up, then leaned back with a sigh. “I hate this.”
“The cat?”
“I always want to just do something, you know? Be helpful. Then I remember…” She gestured toward her boot. “It’s fine.”
“You don’t need to get up. I’ll bring the pizza to you.”
“I know, but should I get up and move around some?”
“I can’t answer that for you.” I chuckled. “But knowing you? I’m guessing you’ve gotten up and down plenty today.”
She rolled her eyes. “You don’t know me that well, Tanner.”
Heat surged in my chest. “Are you sure about that, Ava?” I teased.
Her cheeks went pink, and I grinned. “Sit tight,” I added. “Let me get some plates. Want something to drink?”
Just then, Growly decided to come inspect me. He gingerly leaped off the couch and padded over. As I crouched, he rubbed against my legs. “Hey, dude.” I scratched behind his ear. “Wow. That is a growly purr.”
He looked a little beat up with his chunky face and battered ears. But man, he was perfect for Ava. “How’s he doing?”
“I think he’s okay,” Ava said. “He’s used the litter box a few times and eaten some food. Josie got me all set up.” She looked down at him fondly, stroking his head. “I want to keep him forever. I’m so in love.”
“Well,” I said, keeping my tone casual, “then keep him.”
Her head snapped up. “Really? You think I should just keep him?”
“Why not? If you like him and he needs a home, seems like a win-win.”
“You’re right,” she said quickly. “I should just keep him.”
“What would you like to drink?”
“Just water.”
“Well, do you want a glass of wine or something else?”
“I don’t have any.” She shrugged.
“All right,” I said with a small smile. “I’ll make a note.”
She narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean, you’ll make a note?”
“Next time I come out, I’ll bring you wine or whatever, if you want.”
Her smile turned brighter. “All right. You’ve heard of Fireweed Winery, right?” At my nod, she continued. “Nationally renowned—excellent wine, beer, and mead. Personally, I’m team mead. When I came on my first trip, we ate there several times. Amazing food and drinks.”
“Tell me your favorite flavor, and I’ll get it.”
She tapped her fingertips on her chin. “Mmm, it’s a toss-up between raspberry and blueberry.”
“I’ll get them both.” When Ava beamed, I added, “You look so surprised.”
“You’re just a nice guy.”
I shrugged. “Beige,” I quipped.
Ava narrowed her eyes and wagged her finger at me. “Don’t you even go there. What was your ex’s name again?”
“Laney.”
“Well, Laney was wrong.” She raised a brow. “Now bring me some water and some of that pizza. I’m starving.”
“Coming right up. Do we need to protect the pizza from him?” I asked, nodding at Growly.
“We’ll just close the box between slices.”
The ottoman by the couch was massive, big enough for Ava’s leg to stretch across and still hold both pizzas.
“I love options,” she enthused.
“I figured veggie was a good choice and pepperoni times three.”
“Can’t go wrong with that.” Ava rubbed her palms together.
The TV was still rolling in the background. She glanced over. “Do you want me to turn that off?”
“We should pick something to watch.”
“I’m bingeing Grey’s Anatomy, and I’m alternating it with Schitt’s Creek, cooking shows, real estate shows, and, since I’m here, I started watching some of the Alaska reality shows.”
I raised a brow. “Oh?”
“Yeah. I’ve been watching the ones where they’re all on their own. I like it here, but I don’t want to do that middle-of-nowhere shit.”
I chuckled. “That can be kind of stressful.”
“And then there’s that one where they have to hunt and survive.”
I nodded. “Not easy to do, especially not when winter’s coming and you have to rely on your own protein intake.”
“I’ve never fished or hunted. I can’t even imagine.”
“I could teach you.”
“You could?” She reached for a slice of pizza.
“Sure. When the season’s right, and after your ankle heals up.”
She took a bite of pizza, followed by a small moan of satisfaction. Fuck me.
“This is so good,” she said after she finished chewing.
My cock twitched. Dammit.
“What?” she asked, circling her hand.
I forced myself to stay focused on anything other than what I wanted to do with Ava.
“I was just thinking I don’t need to do anything like the middle-of-nowhere life.
I’ve camped and hunted. But when we’re out in the field for firefighting, it’s different.
We’ve got other priorities, like fighting fires. ”
“Those shows are more for people who need to prove something.” She tilted her head. “You have nothing to prove.”
“Are you sure about that?” I teased.
She finished her first slice and reached for another. “Definitely not. You’re like one of those all-man kind of men.”
“What does that mean?”
“You’re a hotshot firefighter,” she said matter-of-factly. “You rescue people. You rescued me.” She gestured at herself. “You’re muscly and strong and tough.”
I snorted as I reached for my second slice.
“And you grew up here. Born and bred in the wild. We need to pick what to watch,” she said, tapping her fingers against her thigh.
She was wearing an open shirt over a fitted tank top. I tried not to notice that it stretched perfectly across her curves.
“Let’s do a baking show,” she said. “I figure that’s something I can try while I’m stuck here.”
“Okay. Whatever you want.”
She quickly selected a show before glancing back over at me. “Do you like sports?” she asked next.
“Sometimes. Not a diehard fan. I enjoy hockey.”
“Ah, hockey guy. Of course.”
“It’s Alaska,” I deadpanned. “There’s ice.”
She laughed. “Fair. It’s more of a thing in cold areas.”
Growly started his purr-growl again. Ava glanced down at him, her expression soft.
“He seems pretty happy,” I noted.
She nodded. “I’m officially his foster mom, and I take that responsibility very seriously. Honestly, I’m glad he’s older. I can’t move fast.” She pointed at her foot, wiggling her finger in mock warning.
“He seems content to chill,” I said.
“I have a question.”
“For me?”
“No, for Growly.” She rolled her eyes. “Of course for you.”
I laughed. “All right, what’s that?”
“Josie offered me a job.”
“Oh?”
“You think I should take it?”
I couldn’t deny the jolt of hope inside. Instantly, the cynical voice in my head barked, What the fuck are you thinking, Beige?
“I don’t know,” she said before I could answer.
“Obviously, if I hadn’t broken my ankle, I’d already be home.
This trip would’ve just been a memory. I’d never have met you.
” She leaned back. “Anyway,” she murmured.
“I don’t know. I have to think about it.
Technically, I could push it and fly back now, but I don’t want to.
I feel like that tells me something.” She let out a sigh.
Her lips twisted as she wrinkled her nose.
“It’s… everything that happened with my ex.
The cheating. The lying.” She brushed her hand through the air, like she was wiping it all away. “It just sucks.”
“Yeah,” I agreed.
She wiggled her shoulders. “I don’t want to dwell on that. What do you think? Should I take the job?”
I leaned back, studying her. “I’m not sure I can answer for you.”
She groaned, grabbing another slice of pizza and dramatically biting into it. Growly stretched beside her. She took a piece of cheese and held it out to him. “You want some?”
Growly sniffed, then accepted it delicately. I waited until she leaned back again.
“Honestly,” I began. “That’s a big choice. One of those life-altering, you-should-trust-your-gut kinds of choices. I can’t make it for you.”
“Fine,” she said, her tone exasperated. “Let’s talk about something else.”
“Okay. What else do you want to talk about?”
She chewed for a second, tilted her head, and then asked the most unexpected question. “Do you miss your ex?”