Chapter 33
THIRTY-THREE
SAVANNAH
“How are you feeling?”
I look over at Nix from where I’m holed up in bed, my sheets hacking my heart to pieces because they still smell like Brodie. “Numb. Shocked. Angry. Spin the wheel and you’ll get a winner each time.” My chin wobbles. “I’ve messed everything up, Nix.”
“Woah. Sav, you haven’t messed things up here. Your dad’s done that all by himself.”
“I’m not talking about things with Dad. I’m talking about Brodie. He spent his whole life being bullied by his own father and then my dad comes along. Kicks him while he’s down. Forces him to leave me. This whole time I’ve blamed Brodie for what happened when I should have been protecting him.”
“No, babe. How could you have protected him when you didn’t know about any of this?” She presses her lips into a line, every inch the teacher. “Look, you’re going to talk to Brodie and everything will work itself out. Promise.”
“But how? His phone’s going to voicemail. He hasn’t replied to any of my messages. He’s probably blocked me. I wouldn’t blame him. I have a psychopath for a father.”
She steps into the room. “What if I asked how quickly you can be ready to leave?”
“Leave to go where?”
“Brodie’s parents’ house in Burnaby. Springer’s picking us up in…” She glances at her phone. “Ten minutes.”
“What? Why?”
She leaves an annoyingly long pause. “Because Brodie’s hiding out there.”
An ember of something uncoils under my rib cage. A lone butterfly. Fighting to fly. “Oh my god. How do you know?”
“His mom messaged Springer and Springer messaged me.”
“How does Springer have your number?”
“Well, while you were single-handedly delivering a masterclass in bravery this morning, I continued to employ my detective skills. Sent Springer a DM. Had a hunch he might be useful.” She shares a satisfied smile like she’s super pleased with herself.
“Come on. Let’s get you up.” She flings back my covers.
I yank them back over myself. “Or maybe I can just stay here.”
“Sav, I’m telling you Brodie’s at his mom and dad’s. If you want the chance to talk to him, this is it.”
“But…” I cling to my comforter. “What if we get there and he tells me to leave? That he doesn’t want anything to do with me? Today’s already been too fucking hard. I don’t think I can survive that as well.” I squeeze the comforter tighter.
She coaxes the covers from my grip. “For the record, I believe it really is all going to be okay. But say it’s not.
Say the worst thing happens and he tells you he’s done.
You’ll survive, like you always do, because you’re Savannah-Jean Archer, hardcore badass firefighting hero.
” She squeezes my hand in hers. “Look at it this way—either you’re going to be back here in a few hours, buried in your bed again, or you’ll be with Brodie. Is he worth taking that risk for?”
The lone butterfly is joined by another, flapping wildly against my chest. I swallow.
“How long until Springer’s here?”
She checks her phone again. “Closer to around eight minutes now.”
“Eight minutes? I can’t be ready in eight minutes.”
“Yes, you can. I’m a witch when it comes to shit like this. We’ll do face, hair, and then clothes. I can handle it all, Sav. Just say the word.”
I close my eyes.
Brodie’s face instantly comes into view. His smirk and messy hair. His amber eyes mainlining straight into my heart.
“Seven minutes if you want to see Brodie.”
Shit. Of course I want to see Brodie. I’d sell my soul to see Brodie right now.
All it takes is a nod and Nix is pulling me from the bed, seizing control of the situation like a whirlwind.
I’m corralled into the bathroom with a strict order to wash my face and then she’s back, armed with the kind of beauty products I don’t even know how to pronounce.
Twisting me to face the mirror, she fusses behind me like my own personal stylist. Freeing my hair from its twist, she combs it through before spritzing some fancy-looking serum which smells divine and makes my waves shine.
Then she’s attacking my face, squeezing drops into my bloodshot eyes, adding a little color to my cheeks and a swipe of uber-expensive-looking rosy gloss to my lips.
Before I can take a breath, I’m propelled back into my bedroom, where she proceeds to pluck just about every item of clothing from my wardrobe.
“Got it.” She thrusts my favorite low-slung jeans and a fitted white cropped T-shirt into my hands. “This is perfect. Pure Savannah. Exactly who he fell in love with.”
My pulse hits like a jet engine.
It’s the same outfit I wore when I met Brodie for our coffee in Frank’s.
In a flash, I’m right back there. The visceral impact of seeing him again after all these years.
Trying to be all feisty when on the inside I wanted to grab him and find out if he still tasted the same.
But before I can go all-out sentimental with my memories, reality crashes the party.
For all I know, Dad had someone tailing me even then.
A spy in the coffee shop. Listening in to mine and Brodie’s conversation.
Another wave of sickness twists through me.
“Hold up.” She launches at my underwear drawer, panties and bras scattering in her wake. “Here you go.” She thrusts out a skimpy black lace thong and matching bra.
“Why?”
“Trust me. Who knows what’s about to happen, but if you end up sharing Brodie’s childhood bed tonight, we want you dressed for the occasion.”
I get another jolt, this time heat creeping across my collarbones. “There’s something kinda hot about that.”
She grins. “Atta girl.”
Sixty seconds later and I’m dressed.
She gives me a once over, smooths my hair a final time, mists me with a squirt of sultry perfume, and then takes hold of my arms. “You look beautiful. Ready?”
“Guess so.”
“You’ve got this, Sav. Let’s see that smile.”
I manage to lift the corners of my mouth.
She beams back at me. “And all with a minute to spare. Told you I’m a witch.”
We run out the front door and our timing is perfect as Springer pulls up in his all-black Ram pickup. And he’s not alone.
Brad hops out onto the sidewalk. “Ladies. I hear we’re on a mission to rescue my little brother.” He scoops me into a hug like I’m his long-lost sister. “Hey, Savannah. I know we only met a couple of times, but a friend of Brodie’s is a friend of mine. It’s great to see you again.”
He turns to Nix.
She just stands there, toying with a lock of shiny hair, brown eyes shamelessly gawking. Yeah, Nix is having a moment. And I don’t blame her. Brad’s seriously hot.
“Brad meet Nix, my best friend. Nix, this is Brad, Brodie’s middle brother. And the dude behind the wheel is Springer, the person you’ve been messaging. Also known as Brock.”
Nix ducks to say hi to Springer and nearly falls over, her jaw hitting the floor. Oh boy. I give her a nudge in the form of my elbow between her ribs.
She transforms, coming to life with a cheeky smile. “Holy shit, the Holt family really lucked out with all the good-looking genes.”
That’s my Nix. Always saying exactly what she’s thinking.
Brad chuckles and holds open the passenger door. “Nix, why don’t you grab the front next to Brock? I’ll take the back with Savannah. It’ll be great to catch up.”
She wastes no time jumping into the truck, and as I climb in, I hear the tail end of what she’s saying.
“… Brodie, Brad, Brock. You’re like a boy band. Only way hotter.”
I reach through from the back and pat Springer’s shoulder. “Consider this payback for all the short sticks, boss. My friend here doesn’t have much of a filter, but she’s been my rock today so she has free rein to be as inappropriately flirtatious as she wants.” I glance at his reflection.
He’s looking a little distracted to be honest. As if he’s trying not to watch Nix settle into her seat, all crimson lipstick and curves for days.
I allow a small chuckle as I fasten my seatbelt, grateful for the distraction.
Springer gives his head a shake. “Right. Everyone set?”
The drive to Burnaby can take close to an hour depending on traffic, but Springer doesn’t hang around and we quickly navigate out of Downtown. It’s as we settle onto the highway—and Nix takes a break from her flirting—that he catches my eye in the rearview mirror.
His eyes narrow. “So, East. Any more secret relatives? Surprise personal tragedies? Anything else I should factor in that may or may not impact you on the job? Or maybe just… how you’re actually doing so I don’t have to play detective?”
I flinch, guilt flooding through me. Nix clearly told him everything.
Brad shakes his head. “A little sensitivity wouldn’t go amiss right now, bro. Savannah’s already dealing with a lot. Maybe save this for another time, yeah?”
“I could level the same questions to you. How did you know all this and not share?”
Brad shrugs. “Not my story to tell, man. Which is why I’m always on at you and Brodie to just talk to each other.”
I clear my throat, quietening them both. “You’re right, boss. I should have told you. About Dad. And my mom. All of it. I’m sorry. I just didn’t want to be treated differently to the rest of the crew. I mean, I’m already different. I didn’t need anything else.”
He meets my gaze in the rearview mirror again. “Savannah, you’re never gonna be the kind of crew member who blends in, but not for the reasons you might think. You’re too good a firefighter. You’ll have the captain’s insignia and be bossing us all around in no time.”
A flush warms me from the inside out.
Nix lets out a little squeal. “Aww, Sav. So damn proud of you.” She reaches back to squeeze my leg, and as she lets go, she brushes past Springer’s bicep. Her eyes pop. “So, Brock, guessing you work out?”
I swallow a welcome chuckle. Yeah. Springer’s met his match.
Brad leans over, gaze steady and safe. “How are you doing?”
I pause, reflecting. Uncertain where to even begin. “I honestly don’t know. This morning feels like it happened three years ago.”
“You haven’t heard anything from Brodie?”
“No. I left messages for him earlier, but I have no idea if he’s picked them up.
” I feel a rough stab in my gut. “My messages were all over the place. I didn’t know he was already with my dad.
When I tried him later, his phone was off.
He’s probably blocked me anyway. I have a dad who behaves like a gangster, picking up my boyfriend and threatening him.
I won’t blame Brodie if he wants nothing more to—”
Brad gives my shoulder a nudge. “Hey. You’re overthinking because your head’s all over the place. Key is that the two of you are going to talk, in person. And take it from me, he’s so into you this isn’t going to change anything for him.”
“I hope so. I really fucking hope so.” I whisper the words like a prayer, allowing my eyes to close.
And what only feels like seconds later, the pickup comes to an abrupt stop.
I come to with a surge of adrenaline.
“We’re here. Home sweet home.” Brad swings open his door and then helps Nix out.
Springer does the same for me.
I shake the sleep from my head, looking him up and down. “When did you become such a gentleman?”
He rolls his eyes. “Enough with the digs. I’ve driven you all the way out here and done it next to some kind of Olympic-level flirt. You owe me. Big time.”
I squeeze his arm. “I do. And thank you. Although I think deep down you maybe enjoyed the flirting.”
He blushes ever so slightly, shuffling between his feet. “Let’s go fix your shit.”
Nix hangs back as Springer and Brad head for the cute, detached house, a motion sensor light switching on in the sunset dusk as they reach the porch. She grabs my arm. Pretty sure she’s ogling their butts. To be fair, they’re amazing butts. Staring is mandatory.
The brothers walk straight in. Springer calls for his mom as Brad continues on a path straight ahead, and then a pint-sized woman with pretty auburn hair appears.
She squeals when she sees Brad, tugging him into her arms. And then squeals even louder when she catches sight of Springer, Nix, and me.
“Honestly, you boys today. A little heads-up would be nice before bringing your girlfriends for dinner.” She pushes past Brad and over to me, her eyes narrowing like she has some magic Mom intuition that’s able to piece together all the world’s mysteries.
After the longest pause, she looks back at Brad. He gives a small nod.
“You must be Savannah. You’re even more gorgeous in person.” She shares the biggest grin before turning to Nix. “And who’s this you’ve brought with you?”
I clutch at Nix’s arm. “This is Nix. We were wondering if Brodie’s here?” I’ve literally turned into teenaged me, unable to string an adult sentence together.
Mrs. Holt winks at Nix and then shares another smile. This time it’s all-knowing. I have no idea what she knows, or thinks she knows, but it makes me squirm.
“He’s downstairs, Savannah, watching the hockey with his dad.
I think they’re on their third game of the night.
And whatever’s brought him here, I’m not complaining.
It’s a miracle to see the two of them sitting in the same room.
” She nudges me in the direction of the stairs. “Go on, you can head down there.”
I stay motionless, frozen to the spot, all of a sudden finding it very difficult to breathe with the broad shoulders of Springer and Brad filling the small hallway. It’s a lot. Too much.
Nix’s arm links with mine. “Come on, Sav. This is the last bit. You’ve done so amazing today. Just one more teeny-tiny hurdle.”
I turn to her, using all my telepathic powers to beg her to go and speak to Brodie for me.
She chuckles. “I can’t. Not with this. It has to be you, Savannah-Jean.”
I force out a sigh. Fine. It’s all on me. Once again.
“East. Stop fucking around and get down there.” Springer’s voice is all fire hall bossy.
Nix whimpers.
Mrs. Holt tuts.
I nod and walk to the stairs.