24. Kick the Tires and Light the Fires
TWENTY-FOUR
KICK THE TIRES AND LIGHT THE FIRES
Holt
“Hot, hot!” I shake my hand out, cooling off my fingers. My kitchen may have all the cookie sheets I need, but I can’t for the life of me find a spatula.
Carefully this time, I transfer the last of the cookies to the cooling rack and slide the sheet into the sink to wash later.
“Cookies done.” With a NASA pen I found while going through the laundry room, I cross the item off my list.
Over the past two days, I’ve gotten a lot of stuff done. Such as promoting Tucker to senior foreman. With that one task completed, my life became open to a lot of other possibilities.
But first up is Jules.
I tried calling her yesterday, but she didn’t pick up. That’s okay. I expected that. I’m planning on going to her anyway—hence the cookies. Some women might want flowers, but Jules is the kind that will appreciate baked goods.
Hopefully.
I need her to appreciate them enough for her to talk to me. For me to tell her I’m sorry. To tell her that I love her. Just as she is. And hopefully , if she can see herself feeling the same, she’ll open up to me about whatever it is that she’s hiding.
’Cause she’s definitely hiding something.
And if it is another guy, then I’ll just have to convince her that I’m the better choice.
Unable to stand the mess in my new kitchen a second more, I begin clearing the island of ingredients and dirty measuring cups. I’m just about to tackle the cookie pans when my phone rings.
I know it’s Rose by the personalized ringtone she installed. Wiping my hands off, I pick up on the second verse of the Eurythmics’ “Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves.”
“Hey.”
“Holt? I, uh…” Her voice is shakier than I’ve heard it in a long time.
“Rose? What’s wrong?”
She blows out a deep breath, static sounding over the line. “I didn’t want to tell you on the phone, but I didn’t think you’d appreciate waiting an hour for me?—”
“Tell me what?”
“There’s been an accident at NASA.”
“Who?” But I know. I know what she’s about to say.
“Jules.”
My hold on the edge of the countertop slips and I stumble back.
“It was during underwater training at the Neutral Buoyancy Lab.”
“Is she… is she…?” I can’t even finish the sentence.
“Yes. God, yes. She’s fine,” Rose says in a rush. “Jesus, I should’ve started with that.”
“Ya think?” But relief washes over me. Followed quickly by worry. “What happened?” Before Rose can answer, I change questions. “What hospital?” Phone tucked to my shoulder, I make my way to the front door and my boots.
“She was sent to the on-site medical building at NASA.”
No hospital. That’s good, right? If it was really bad they’d send her to the emergency room. Or does NASA have an emergency room? I stomp my feet into the boots. “Okay, I’m on my way.” I pull the phone away from me but hear Rose’s panicked yell.
“Wait!”
“What?”
“You can’t just go see her there.”
“What do you mean? Of course I can go.”
“It’s NASA . They don’t let just anyone on site.”
“I’m not just anyone. I’m… I’m…” Just what am I?
“You’re nothing that the United States government recognizes unless you have a badge.
I’m not there either. I’m holding down the fort with Flynn at his house.
Trish is with me. Flynn is getting updates from Jackie, and when she’s released, Jules is coming here.
” There’s some murmuring in the background.
“Yes, call the security team I used before. They know their stuff.”
That gets my attention. “Why are you calling for security?”
Rose doesn’t answer, still talking to someone else. “Just tell them that Rose West is ordering the service. I?—”
“What the hell is going on, Rose?”
Everything is silent for a moment. “Sorry, Holt. There’s just a lot going on.” Her sigh blows through the line. “It’s too much to say over the phone.”
Gritting my teeth, I try not to take my frustration and fear out on my sister. I take and release my own deep breath. “Okay then.” I grab my keys off the hook. “I’ll be there soon.”
JULES
“Jules?” Jackie’s head peeks around the door of my room at the medical center.
“Hey, hooker.”
Her ponytail hangs loose and one of her Converse is untied. That’s all I notice before she throws herself on my bed and wraps her arms around me. “I was so worried.”
After the divers got me out of the water, it only took a second to get my helmet off and an oxygen mask to my face.
I came to almost immediately, but NASA whisked me over to the medical facility anyway.
And for the past two hours I’ve had a million tests run and a million questions asked and I’m about to lose my shit.
Turns out old Chip Whipple is pretty smart. In a diabolical way. He simply walked in through the NBL’s parking lot exit, having parked at the Boeing building down the street, and snuck into the lab.
It was smart in that the NBL isn’t as secured as Johnson Space Center. It doesn’t have national security secrets or achieves of data. It’s just a pool with equipment.
All he had to do was lie in wait, turn some valves, then hightail his cowardly ass out of there.
So yeah. I almost died at the hands of the deranged Tastykake motherfucker.
“I’m all right.”
Jackie squeezes tighter.
“You know, if you wanted to cop a feel you didn’t have to wait until I almost drowned.”
“That’s not funny.” But she’s laughing, so mission accomplished.
“The cops wanted to let you know that they picked up Susan.” Jackie and I lift our eyes to see Dr. Sato entering the room, closing the door behind her. “They were already en route with a warrant when Whipple entered the NBL.”
“One down.” Sigh. “I’m sure they’ll pick up Whipple soon enough.”
Part of me is pissed that I don’t get to dick punch Whipple myself for everything he’s done.
But this is real life. The US Government isn’t going to sit back and wait for me to cowboy up.
Someone trespassed on federal property and fucked with their national treasure (me).
Now that there’s been a positive ID by the security cameras at the NBL, Whipple’s days are numbered.
“And all your test results are normal.” The doctor smiles as she cradles her baby bump.
“You’re free to go. But take it easy for a few days.
Each time the stalker texted you or emailed you, it was like a separate attack, affecting your adrenaline and sending you into fight or flight.
Your body’s still dealing with a lot of stress fallout. ”
Jackie pulls back, swiping under her glasses. “Let’s get you home.”
“Home?”
“You guys are going overboard.” I squint against the light coming through Jackie and Flynn’s guest room window as Trish fluffs the pillow behind me.
Jackie rushes over to close the blinds. “You almost died!”
I roll my eyes. “I did not almost die.” Well, I could’ve, if the dive specialists weren’t amazing and got me out within seconds of my distress signal. But they are amazing and so I didn’t.
“Someone cut your air supply and you passed out!” Everything Jackie directs at me is shouted. It’s like she’s lost her volume control.
“For like a few seconds,” I say dismissively, trying to calm her down, but I lean toward Trish for protection in case Jackie goes scary-eyes again. “A few seconds is not something to get your titties in a twist over.”
Trish cough-laughs, squeezing my shoulder in warning.
Jackie sucks in a large breath, but it comes out staggered as she stutters… “Titties... I... I just can’t.” Her volume level has regulated, but I think I might have broken her brain.
Rose saunters into the room. “I think the phrase you’re looking for is ‘ I can’t even .
’” She’s playing her normal, everyday self, for which I’m grateful, but she isn’t fooling anyone with those swollen eyes.
“But,” Rose continues, as nonchalantly as possible, “I have twisted my titties, so I can, and that shit is uncomfortable.”
“I…” Jackie glances at Flynn for help. “What is happening ?”
Flynn steps in, curling an arm around Jackie’s shoulders. “You know my sister and Jules are both nutcases.” He gestures between the two of us. “All this means is that everything’s back to normal.” He leads his lost-looking fiancée out of the room. “Why don’t we fix Jules some dinner?”
“Please God, order out!” I call. “You know neither of you can cook!”
Flynn shoots me a look over his shoulder. Trish sighs. Rose and I just snicker.
“I’ll go make sure they don’t try and cook.” Rose punches me lightly on my bicep. “Boondoggles’ pizza?”
The last time I ate my favorite pizza was with Holt. Just the memory of plucking an artichoke off his boxers has me rubbing that spot on my sternum. “Ah, how about Meat Market pulled-pork baked potatoes instead?”
“Really?” She looks as shocked as I feel to realize her stupid cowboy brother may have ruined Florentini pizza for me.
I force a smile. “Yep.”
“All right then.” Rose moves to the door. “I’ll go look up the Meat Market’s menu and put in an order.” She looks at Trish. “You want anything?”
“I’ll have the lean pulled pork salad, please.”
“Of course you will.” Rose rolls her eyes and heads out of the room.
Leaving me with Trish, aka Miss Patty.
“So,” I draw out, patting the spot on the bed next to me. “You going to tell me why I had to chase a PI from Georgia away from your trailer with your shotgun the other night?”
Open-mouthed, Trish drops to the bed, probably the most un-ladylike thing I’ve ever seen her do.
“What …?”
I lean my head back, relishing a bed I can actually stretch out on. It’s the only reason I gave in to Jackie’s insistence that I ‘rest.’ After the last few days in the Airstream, simply spreading out starfish-style feels luxurious. “Or the fact that you are wanted by the law in the Peach State?”
“I am not!” She pauses. “I think?”
“Oh, Miss Patty, you sure have some ’splaining to do.”
“I… uh…”
“As fun as it is to finally see you lose that polished exterior you wear so well, I can’t let it slide this time.”
Trish’s nostrils flare, and I get a sick sense of satisfaction from pissing her off. Maybe that lack of oxygen made me mean. Ha. Who am I kidding, I was always this evil.
I lean back, folding my arms behind my head. “I haven’t questioned you about a lot of things, thinking I was being a good friend—the shotgun, the moving around all the time, and don’t get me started with those notebooks you keep in a basket on the floor.”
Trish straightens. “I never should’ve let you stay at the trailer.”
“Yeah, but you did. And now, after seeing what happens when you don’t tell people your problems” — I gesture to myself lying in the bed — “I think it’s time you spill the beans, short stack.”
Twisting her lips one way and then the other, Trish shifts on the bed. I know she’s giving in when she sighs and drops her head forward. “I?—”
“Potatoes will be ready in twenty!” Rose shouts.
Trish jumps off the bed. “I’ll go get them!”
I narrow my eyes at her. “You little …”
Trish shrugs, her ladylike demeanor back in place, before mincing out of the room in her heels.
I should follow her, demand answers, but as much as I hate to admit it, I’m fucking exhausted. I guess that’s what a lack of oxygen will do to a girl.
“What was that about?” Rose glances to the open doorway, then back to me.
“I need your phone.”
Rose crosses her arms over her ample chest and cocks an eyebrow at me. “Why?”
“Ugh, so untrusting.” I make the gimme motion with my hand.
Still giving me the eye, Rose slips the phone out of her back pocket.
“I need some privacy.”
“Are you freaking kidding me? Who do you need to call?”
“Ian.”
“What?” Rose blinks. “Wasn’t expecting that. You really done with Holt?”
“Jesus, no. What the hell?”
She shrugs. “Then why are you calling Ian?”
Thinking fast, I smile. “Just making sure he and Bodie are okay, since they had to stay behind at the NBL and talk to the police.”
“Then why do you need privacy?”
Time for the big guns. Speaking loudly, I project my voice out the opened door. “Why are you being so mean, Rose? I just need my rest!”
“Rose Callista West,” Jackie yells from down the hall. “Don’t you dare upset Jules. Get out here right this instant!”
Rose pales, her blue eyes wide. “You’re evil.”
I drop my arm, my lips kicking up on one side. “Do you even know me? Since when am I not evil?”
“Rose!” Jackie’s voice sounds closer.
Shaking her head but moving her ass toward the door, Rose mutters, “Touché, Starr. Touché.”
When the door closes, I plug in Ian’s number. He answers on the second ring.
“Rose? Everything okay? How’s Jules?”
“Aw, Ian, I didn’t know you cared so much. Trish will be jealous.”
“Jules?”
“Yeah, sorry about the confusion. Cops still have my phone.”
“Is that why you’re calling? I can ask when you can have it back.”
“No. I mean yes, that would be cool, but I’m calling for something else.”
“What?”
There’s a shuffle at the door and I’m pretty sure Rose’s ear is butted up against it.
“Listen, I need you to stick close to Trish.”
Ian coughs. “Uh, Trish? What do you me?—”
“You’re not fooling anyone, Casanova. We all know you’ve got a thing for her.”
Silence.
“So if you do me this solid, and get over here and make sure Trish doesn’t go anywhere by herself until I sort some shit out, I’ll help you out.”
“Help me out how?”
“Who do you think is in charge of the seating arrangement for Jackie’s wedding? Do you or do you not wanna sit next to the sexiest Southern belle this side of the Mississippi for two hours while surrounded by all that wedding-love-happily-ever-after mojo?”
“Uh… the mojo choice?”
“Smart man. Now get your ass over here and lock that Southern midget down.”
I hear the front door open and close, and pray it’s Trish, back with dinner. One, I didn’t like her going off on her own, and two, I may have lost oxygen for a few minutes, but I’ve apparently gained a large appetite.
“Already on my way.”
Bang . I start as the door flies open, Rose tumbles to the floor and Holt steps over her, striding into the room, a food container in his hands.
“Uh… cool, see you in a few.” I disconnect from Ian just as I’m engulfed in Holt’s arms, the smell of baked goods in the air.
“Jules.” He squeezes tight, his soft flannel shirt tickling my nose. “I’m so glad you’re okay, babe.”
The warmth of his embrace settles the ache I’ve gotten used to in my chest. My eyes close as I let the warm feeling sink in.
Every one of my friends has stepped up and shown me in their own way how much they care. But I didn’t realize until this moment what was missing. How much I really needed Holt at my side.
I appreciate him being here. I do. Really.
But as my stomach growls, I can’t help but hone in on something else entirely.
“Are those cookies?”