5. Sawyer
SAWYER
It’s been three days since I left Raven’s house. She hasn’t called or texted, and it’s causing a panicky feeling in my chest. I’m about ready to have Tommy ask the pencil wizard to pass his mom a note for me, but it’s Labor Day, and I have to work.
Rudy grins at me as I walk down the hall. “There are some women in your office. Said they needed to talk to you?”
I don’t have any scheduled appointments, but I nod and walk into my office. Three heads turn in my direction, and a lead weight sinks in my gut. This can’t be good.
Hardy’s fiancée, Bella, speaks first. “We’re here for Raven.”
“I can’t help your friend,” I say calmly as I sink into my desk chair.
Summer’s face drops. “What? RJ said you could handle the job. And I love the bookshelves you helped him build for me.”
“It’s not the job that’s the problem. It’s your friend.”
“Hold my earrings,” Bella says as she pushes up from her chair.
Mike’s wife, Lucy, crosses her arms over her chest. “Care to elaborate?”
I scrub a hand down my face. Fucking hell, I really am terrible at talking to women.
Summer looks at her friends. “Ladies, I’m sure he has a reasonable explanation.” She turns to me. “Don’t you?” Her tone is sweet, but the look in her eye is anything but. I suddenly feel as though I’ve been called into the principal’s office.
I hold my palms up in defense. “This isn’t what I signed on for. RJ asked if I could help with another project. This is way more than a project, and Raven is…” I trail off, looking for the right word.
“There are a dozen ways you could finish that sentence. I suggest you choose your words wisely,” Lucy says.
“She’s distracting.”
All three women shift, looking between each other.
I can’t get a read on them, so I continue.
“This is gonna be a big project. I could probably knock out everything Jonah needs pretty quickly, but Raven is particular about the rest of the renovations and how she wants everything done. I was under the impression that this would be something I could accomplish in a few weekends, but I’ll need to spend most of my free time up there to get it done—”
“Can we circle back to the distracting comment?” Lucy asks.
A loud exhale escapes my mouth, and I scratch my jaw as I debate how much to share.
“Look, I’m not good with women. I say the wrong thing.
I either do too much or not enough. My ex-wife will tell you I was a terrible husband.
And your friend hates me. So I don’t think I’m the best person for this job.
And I’m not sure I’d be able to do what she needs done. ”
“And why is that?” Summer asks in a tone that implies she already knows the answer.
“Because she’s the most frustratingly beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and it’s hard to concentrate when she’s around.
I don’t know what to say, so I usually end up putting my foot in my mouth and pissing her off even more.
And I told her how I feel, told her to call me, and it’s been radio silence. ”
Lucy thrusts a palm out to her friends. “Pay up, ladies. Told ya he liked her.”
Summer and Bella grumble as they slap cash into her hand.
Bella looks closely at me and then gasps. “Oh my God, you don’t just think she’s pretty. You really like her.”
Is it stamped on my face? I cross my arms and try to look menacing. I’m the chief of a firehouse, for fuck’s sake. There is a whole crew of men and women who take orders from me. Three moms shouldn’t intimidate me like this.
Loud squeals erupt from the moms. For a second I worry they’ve seen a spider, but when I look up, they’re all standing with hearts in their eyes. Lucy’s clapping her hands, Bella’s doing some sort of dance with her shoulders, and Summer’s swinging her hips, causing her skirt to twirl.
“This is perfect!” Summer squeaks.
My brows knit in confusion. “Didn’t you hear my speech? She hates me. There’s no way she would go for me. And if I do this renovation, I’ll only drive her away more.”
Bella grins. “It’s okay to admit you need our help.”
“We know Raven. We can help you win her over,” Lucy adds.
“I’m not sure I can win her over.”
“Has she called you an idiot?” Summer asks.
“No, she prefers moron.”
More squeals. I glance at Summer. “None of this matters if she doesn’t return the sentiment. I laid everything out there, and she clearly isn’t interested.”
“Not true,” Lucy says.
Bella nods. “Yeah, I’m with Lucy on this one. Raven needs time to process things, especially big decisions. She’s also not a fan of people in general.”
“And she’s very private,” Summer adds.
“All I’m hearing is that she’s out of my league and I’m screwed.”
“That’s not what we’re saying at all,” Lucy says.
I lean back in my seat as I consider how much to share.
“Look, I caught her in a moment of weakness with the fire, and even then, she handled herself with grace and strength. I’m known to be a shit stirrer around the firehouse.
Most people can’t keep up with my ribbing, but she did.
And that did something to me. That’s what scares me.
She seems like someone who knows her worth and wouldn’t put up with a terrible partner. ”
“You’re absolutely right, she wouldn’t,” Bella agrees. “I had a terrible ex who made me question my worth. When his friend tried to ruin my reputation around town, Raven had my back.”
Lucy nods. “I had bad luck with men and didn’t feel like I deserved to be loved, and Raven supported me. She kept my secrets, even the ones I didn’t share with her, and she never gave me a hard time about it.”
Summer turns towards me. “Raven knew that RJ and I were meant to be together, and she helped us see that. We all have a role in our group, and Raven is the rock. She keeps us in line, and she doesn’t put up with BS.
But she also pushes us to be the best version of ourselves.
None of us are perfect, and she’s never demanded that of us.
But we’re worried about her. She’s been through a lot lately, and she deserves a partner that won’t give up on her even when she bares her claws. We want what’s best for our friend.”
She pauses as if waiting for my reply. “And you think that’s me?”
They all nod.
“Look, it’s not that I don’t believe you. But the woman ghosted me, and I’m not about to force my way into her life.”
Bella leans forward in her seat. “You need to be direct with her. Make your intentions known from the start. It may not sound romantic, but sometimes she needs time to come around to an idea.”
“That’s exactly what I did, and it’s been three days of waiting.”
“Did you call or text her?” Lucy asks.
“No, I put the ball in her court.”
They all give each other knowing glances.
“This is what I’m talking about. What am I missing? It’s like there are rules to a game I barely understand how to play.”
Summer walks around the desk and places a hand on my shoulder. “I think you’re exactly what she needs. And I have a plan for how we can help push her in the right direction.”
“We have a few tricks up our sleeves,” Bella adds.
“We’re gonna head out, but for now your homework is to text her,” Lucy says.
The women walk out of my office, and I sit there dumbfounded. If I have their help and support, maybe I do have a shot at this?
I pull up her contact on my phone and tap out a quick text.
Hey, it’s Sawyer. I know it’s been a few days but my offer still stands. I’d be happy to help you.
My phone lights up on my desk right as an alarm goes off in the station. Before I can make out the address for the call, RJ pops his head around the door. “Chief! It’s a medical call. At Raven’s address.”
My normally calm demeanor is hanging by a thread as I try not to spiral into worst-case scenarios. “You’re still on desk duty. You know you can’t answer that call.”
“No, but you can.” I stare at him incredulously. He’s not wrong. Having the hots for someone isn’t a conflict of interest. “Please. She’s not answering my texts.”
“Fucking hell.”