Chapter Fourteen
Jo
I wouldn’t consider this evening a win, but it wasn’t a complete failure either.
I secured donations and relationships with several people interested in helping the rehabilitation efforts of the bears and the parolees.
I felt confident and in my element advocating for these men who have become my friends.
Well, coworkers.
Lochlan has been kinder to me, but I won’t overstep.
He looked to be in genuine pain the entire event.
By the time I found them at their table, he looked like he was being tortured.
As far as I know, nobody had even spoken to him.
“Hey, boss. I need nicotine. Can you stop at the carryout?” Arizona asks on our way back from the function.
We’re close enough now, there is only one possible place left to stop before we head up the mountain to the sanctuary.
It’s a mediocre gas station with a lackluster food counter that’s treasured like the royal palace because it’s the only one for miles.
“I’m not a fucking taxi driver. It’s late, we’re not stopping.”
Arizona and Jordy both groan.
Seiver chuckles.
We continue driving in relative silence, other than the radio, while I inventory the snacks I have in the guesthouse.
I was so busy getting ready for the event tonight that I hadn’t gone to the store to stock up.
“You want something?” He asks me suddenly.
“Oh, it’s okay. We don’t have to stop.”
He pulls into the gas station anyway.
“Go on, I’ll fill up while we’re here.”
Jordy and I enter a silent race and rush the doors, barely managing to squeeze through at the same time, giggling like kids.
I like him a lot.
He’s always positive and ready to laugh.
He’s easy to talk to, unlike most men.
We both head toward the candy aisle, but while I’m deciding what I might want, I watch his head follow Arizona across the other aisle.
“I think I might want some chips,” he announces unnecessarily.
“Then go get your chips.” I smile at him, and he nods, walking over to where Arizona is filling his hands with snacks.
He offloads some of what he’s holding, and they walk over to check out together.
I try not to be jealous.
One day, I’d like the simple friendship and innocent flirting.
The butterflies before a first date.
The anticipation of that first hug, first kiss.
I want roses strewn across the bed.
A white knight and glass slippers.
I want someone who wants me for everything I am, and nothing that I’m not.
Someone who doesn’t mind my ice cream obsession.
I’ve wandered over to the freezer section, but can’t decide if I want my usual favorite or a new seasonal flavor.
The door chimes as someone exits, and I assume that means my time is up.
Jordy and Arizona are probably already back in the truck and Lochlan’s going to be pissed that he has to wait on me.
The freezer door swings closed, and I take a step to my right, but there are two guys standing at the end of the aisle.
They’re not paying attention to me, but they’re blocking my lane to the checkout.
I pivot to the left to go up the other aisle, but when I go toward the checkout again, they’re standing there, looking at me.
“Excuse me, I just need to get by.” I motion to the front counter as if they don’t already know.
“We don’t see much like you around here,” the older guy says, widening his stance.
He doesn’t look like he has any interest in letting me by, but unfortunately, it’s so ingrained in my DNA to be polite to people, I have a hard time telling anyone they’re making me uncomfortable.
Luckily, it doesn’t matter.
Lochlan comes through the door before I have a chance to deter them.
He doesn’t glance around and notice the confrontation; he was locked in on it the moment his feet hit the welcome mat.
His icy glare gets closer to the two men until he’s standing right at their backs.
“Do we have a problem?” The eerie timber of his voice raises the baby hairs at the nape of my neck.
The two men part like the Red Sea, dispersing to separate aisles without a word, or daring to look at Lochlan.
I don’t blame them.
If I were them, I’d be scared, too .
He jerks his head in a “come on” motion and I jet past him with my two silly pints of ice cream.
“Do you want me to stick around until they leave?” Lochlan asks the cashier over my head.
She’s an older woman who should definitely be retired; her thin gray hair is pulled back in a low ponytail, and she has sparkly blue fingernails that match her eye shadow.
“Don’t you worry about them. They’re pests, but they don’t have enough balls between the both of them to actually bother a woman.” She laughs, rasping from her lungs like a long-time smoker.
“I’d kick their asses anyways.”
“I know you would,” Lochlan says, with a small smirk on his face.
It’s a comfortable interaction, he’s familiar with her.
He throws a twenty on the counter before she tells me the total.
“Let’s go,” he mumbles to me without waiting for change.
It isn’t until I’m back in the truck that I can feel the tension rolling off his shoulders in waves.
No one dares to speak as if the tiniest spark and the cab will combust.
The silence follows us until we’re through the gates of the sanctuary, and Lochlan drives down to the bunkhouse to drop the guys off.
Seiver, Arizona, and Jordy get out of the backseat, and Lochlan follows.
“Sit tight.”
I watch him through the window as he grabs Arizona and Jordy both by the collar, reprimanding them harshly, but it’s too muffled inside the truck to tell what he’s saying.
He tosses them away roughly and climbs back into the driver’s seat as if nothing happened.
“What was that about?”
“Nothing.”
“Oh, we’re keeping secrets, then? ”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Yes, you do. You talk in riddles. Big man use little words.” I mock like a caveman as he parks the truck.
“Are you done?”
I get out and slam my door dramatically in response.
Why does he have to make everything so difficult?
Every time I feel like I crack his shell a hairline, he comes along with super glue and seals any evidence of its existence.
“I told them that the next time they leave you alone in a fucking gas station, I’d bash their fucking skulls in.”
His confession stops me just before I get to the guesthouse.
“Why would you tell them that? It’s not their job to watch out for me? It was those other weirdos’ fault.”
“Their job is to do what I tell them to. And, if they’re too dumb to realize that there could have been a worse outcome to what they did, then they need to be reminded not to be dumb asses.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“No, you’re naive.” His condescending words roll over me painfully.
He probably doesn’t realize how close to home his comment hits.
How being sheltered by my parents has set me back in life significantly.
That’s why I’ve worked so hard in school.
I can control my knowledge, and no one can take it from me.
“Maybe I am naive, but they shouldn’t be blamed for it. I’ll apologize to Arizona and Jordy in the morning.”
“You better fucking not.”
“If you think I’m going to listen to you about this, then you’re naive.”
“You’re the only person who gets away with this shit, Jo.” He curses under his breath and stomps up the porch steps.
“Lochlan!” I call after him.
“What?” He yells back, fully annoyed with me.
“Can you take my ice cream inside? They won’t fit in my mini fridge.”
He stomps back down the steps and over to me before I can take a step in his direction.
“Give me the fucking ice cream.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he grumbles.
* * *
Jo: The guys are having another fire on Friday
Lochlan: No
Jo: I didn’t even ask a question
Lochlan: Answer is no
Jo: Can I go?
Lochlan: No
Jo: URGGG!
!
Jo: What else am I supposed to do all summer?
Jo: Are you ignoring me?
Jo: I’m going to the fire