Chapter 8 #2
The accusation stings because I've had the same worry. Late at night when I can't sleep, wondering if I'm moving too fast, if I'm being selfish, if Emma's getting attached to someone who might not stay.
But hearing it from Sarah—who blew up our family, who had the affair, who only sees Emma when it's convenient—makes my blood boil.
"Emma likes June," I say, fighting to keep my tone even. "They're friends. And June's been nothing but good for her."
"I'm sure she has." Her voice turns cold, sharp. "But Emma's been through enough upheaval. We both agreed to focus on stability for her. Remember? That's why I agreed to the custody arrangement."
The hypocrisy is breathtaking. She makes it sound like she did me a favor—like she didn't abandon Emma because motherhood interfered with her career and her new boyfriend.
"I am focused on stability," I manage through gritted teeth. "And June is stable. Unlike—" I stop myself just in time.
"Unlike what, Adam?" Dangerous now. "Say it."
I won't engage. Won't give her the satisfaction. "If you have legitimate concerns about Emma's wellbeing, we can discuss them through our lawyers."
"Don't be dramatic." She sighs like I'm being unreasonable.
"I'm just saying, be careful. Moving too fast, getting Emma attached to someone you barely know—it could be seen as creating an unstable environment.
I could petition for an emergency custody review if I felt Emma's living situation was problematic. "
There it is. The threat underneath all the fake concern.
My hand tightens around the phone. "Are you seriously threatening me because I'm dating someone?"
"I'm not threatening anything. I'm looking out for our daughter."
"By trying to control my life?" The words come out harsh, louder than I intended. "I have sole custody, Sarah. You agreed to it. You only see Emma when it fits your schedule—"
"Because you fought for full custody!" Her composure cracks, voice rising. "You made it impossible for me to—"
"You had an affair!" I'm shouting now, past caring who hears. "You chose your career and your boyfriend over Emma. You gave up custody because being a full-time mother was too much responsibility. Those were your words, Sarah. Yours."
Silence on the other end. Heavy and cold.
When she speaks again, her voice is knife-sharp. "Just be careful, Adam. You wouldn't want to give me a reason to revisit our arrangement."
She hangs up before I can respond.
I stand there with the phone pressed to my ear, listening to dead air, trying to remember how to breathe. My hands are shaking. Rage and fear battle in my chest—rage at Sarah's manipulation, at Tyler's interference, and fear that she could actually make good on her threat.
She has no grounds for a custody challenge. Emma's happy, healthy, thriving. But Sarah has money, connections, a lawyer on retainer. She could make things messy even if she can't win.
And June doesn't deserve to be dragged into that mess.
I'm distracted for the rest of the shift. Snapping at Jenkins for leaving equipment out of place, taking too long on routine checks, staring at nothing while my mind spirals through worst-case scenarios. Sarah filing for custody. Dragging June into court. Emma caught in the middle again.
"Lane."
Captain Torres's voice cuts through the spiral. He's standing in the doorway to his office, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
"My office. Now."
Shit. I've been too obvious.
I follow him in and he closes the door behind us—never a good sign. His office is small, cluttered with paperwork and commendations, photos of his kids on the desk. He gestures to the chair across from him.
"Sit."
I sit.
Torres leans against his desk, studying me with the kind of look that says he's already figured out most of the story. "You've been off since that phone call. Want to talk about it, or should I guess?"
I respect Torres. He welcomed me when I transferred, gave me space to find my footing, hasn’t made me feel like the new guy who has to prove himself. He's fair, direct, and genuinely gives a damn about his crew.
Which is why I find myself talking.
"My ex-wife called." The words come out rough, reluctant. "She knows about June. Somehow Tyler—June's ex—connected with Sarah. College friends, apparently. He told her I'm seeing someone."
Torres's expression darkens. "And she has a problem with that?"
"Says it's too soon. That Emma's been through enough upheaval." I run a hand through my hair. "She threatened to petition for an emergency custody review if she thinks Emma's environment is unstable."
"Does she have grounds?"
"No." Flat, certain. "Emma's happy. Doing great in school. Adjusted to the move better than I expected. But Sarah has money and lawyers—she could make things messy even if she can't win."
Torres is quiet for a moment. "Your ex sounds like a piece of work."
"You have no idea."
"Does June know? About Sarah's threat?"
I shake my head. "Not yet."
"Adam." The captain voice. "Tell her. All of it. If you're serious about this woman—and from the way you've been walking around here like a lovesick puppy, I'm guessing you are—she needs to know what she's walking into. She deserves to make that choice with open eyes."
"What if it scares her off?" The fear tastes bitter. "What if she decides this is too much drama, too complicated?"
"Then she wasn't the right one." He says it simply, like it's that easy. "But I don't think that's going to happen. June doesn't strike me as someone who runs from complications."
I want to believe that. Want to believe June's strong enough, committed enough, to weather whatever Sarah throws at us.
But I know how messy custody battles can get. How ugly people become when they feel threatened.
"Tell her," Torres says, more gently now. "Don't let her be blindsided. She'll find out eventually—better it comes from you." He pauses. "And document everything. Every text from Sarah, every call, every threat. If she does try to challenge custody, you need a paper trail."
I nod, the weight in my chest easing slightly. He's right. I need to tell June. Give her the full picture before she gets more invested in Emma and me.
Before this gets even more complicated.
"Thanks, Cap."
"That's what I'm here for." He claps my shoulder. "Now get your head back in the game. Training drills this afternoon, and I need you focused."
"Yes, sir."
Back in the bay, I pull out my phone and stare at June's name in my messages. I need to tell her about Sarah's call. The custody threat. What dating me actually means.
I'll tell her soon. Find a private moment, lay it all out. Give her the truth before this goes any further.
And hope like hell she doesn't run.
***
Sunday morning arrives bright and cold, the kind of day that makes everything feel sharper, more alive. I'm at the station early, helping set up for the Firehouse Heroes event—hanging banners, arranging safety demonstration stations, making sure the trucks are polished to perfection.
Last night plays on repeat in my head. June cooking dinner at my place, Emma "helping" and somehow getting ingredients on every surface including the ceiling.
The three of us laughing around my kitchen table.
The easy way June tucked Emma into bed, reading her a story while I cleaned up.
The goodnight kiss at her door that lasted way longer than it should have, considering Emma was tucked in right next door.
It was perfect. Domestic and warm.
"Lane, you're smiling again." Kowalski tosses me a roll of streamers. "Twice in one week. It's unnatural."
"Shut up."
But Sarah's threat hangs over all of it like a storm cloud I can't shake. I haven’t found the right time to tell June yet. I’m a coward. Too scared to ruin what we’re starting.
"Is the bakery goddess gracing us with her presence today?"
"Her name is June. And yes, she'll be here at nine."
"Can't wait to meet the woman who's got you acting like—"
He's cut off by Emma's shriek from the bay entrance. "Daddy! June's here! And she brought SO MANY treats!"
My heart does that stupid kick-flip as I turn.
June's walking through the open bay doors, arms loaded with white bakery boxes, her blonde hair catching the morning sun. She's wearing jeans and a soft pink sweater, looking effortlessly beautiful and completely out of place among the trucks and gear—in the best possible way.
Emma's already attached herself to June's side, bouncing with excitement. "June! You came! Did you bring the fire truck cookies? You said you'd bring fire truck cookies!"
June laughs, setting the boxes on the table we've set up. "Of course I did, sweetheart. Plus chocolate donuts, vanilla cupcakes, and some surprise treats for the firefighters."
She opens a box, and I catch a glimpse of cookies decorated like fire trucks—red frosting, white ladder details, tiny edible flames. She must have spent hours on them.
"These are so cool!" Emma's already reaching for one.
"A little later, Em." I move closer. "Hey."
June's smile shifts when she sees me—softer, more intimate, like we're sharing a secret. "Hey handsome."
I want to kiss her. Want to pull her close and forget about everything except how good she feels. But we're surrounded by my entire crew, a dozen families already arriving, and Emma watching us with way too much interest.
"You didn't have to go to all this trouble," I say, nodding at the boxes.
"I wanted to." She steps closer, voice dropping. "Plus, I figured I should make a good impression on your work family."
The fact that she cares this much—that she put thought and effort into fitting into this part of my life—makes my chest warm.
"LANE!" Kowalski descends on the table like a starving man. "Is this what heaven looks like?"
Within seconds, the entire crew swarms the baked goods. The praise is immediate and unanimous.
"Oh my God, these are incredible."
"Lane, if you don't marry this woman, I will."
June blushes, and I shoot Kowalski a warning look he completely ignores.