Chapter 34
Kace
Gabe's bachelor party involves all the crew from the station, a few city officials, members of the Blackwater Saints MC, and lots of other friends, including the Blackwell brothers.
The Pelican is loud, packed wall to wall with well-wishers, and all I can think about is Lindsey, the girls and how every decision lately seems to have come with a cost I didn't see coming soon enough.
A heavy hand lands on my shoulder, and I turn to see Sully squeezing into the space between my stool and the one next to me, where Pierce sits talking to another EMT. She tried to engage me at first but gave up when all I did was grunt or shrug or not respond at all.
"What's up, Grumpy Gus?"
"Hey, Sully."
"Dude, you know this is a party, right? What's got you looking like a lost puppy?"
I glance up and see he's not even looking at me but at Violet, one of the Beach Babe Burger owners, who also works weekends at the bar for extra cash. "Did you come over to talk to me or get closer to Vi?"
Sully's low chuckle fills my ears, and the moment Pierce gets up to join her friend on a trip to the bathroom down the hallway behind me, Sully plops himself down next to me.
"Seriously, McCallum. What's going on? You get bad news at rehab?"
Before Sully finishes the question, Gabe walks up to join us, and I want to groan at the timing. Like Sully said, this is a party, and I don't want to be the downer. "I'm good. PT's going okay. Doc says I'm on track." But on track for what?
Gabe leans a forearm on my good shoulder and dips his head to better hear the conversation. "So you've made a decision."
I've never been able to get much by my best friend.
"Nah, really?" Sully says, his tone holding more than a little surprise. "Never thought I'd see the day you'd hang up your boots."
"You haven't seen it yet," I say, sounding very much like the Grumpy Gus he'd mentioned.
"But you're thinking about it?" Sully asks.
"Because of what the attorney said," Gabe murmurs knowingly.
I stare into the drink I've barely touched and nod.
"I see his point. Madi's only got a year left with her mom.
Why would a judge remove her from home when my job endangers me?
Bad enough I risk leaving Dani without a father, but to force this whole custody issue and then…
It is definitely something to consider. And if I'm honest, it's a fact I've been thinking about for a while now since Dani's mom is constantly MIA. "
I glance at Sully and find him solemn.
"Hey, you do what you need to do," he says, holding up his palms. "I get it. You know you'll always be family."
"It doesn't mean leaving the firehouse entirely, either," Gabe adds. "You can always apply for deputy chief."
I turn to face Gabe, intrigued. "That's a thing?"
"It is now. Carolina Cove is growing by leaps and bounds, and we got budget approval earlier today," Gabe says, one thick eyebrow hiking high. "You interested? You're the first person who came to mind when I got the news, and I can put in a good word for you. You've got the years and the training."
"Ah, man, you've gotta do it," Sully says. "I can't handle someone else coming in who doesn't have a clue, trying to tell us how to do our jobs."
"Think about it," Gabe says. "It'll take you out of burning buildings and be a positive move with Madi's guardianship."
I want to say yes right now. Sign me up.
But it's a monumental decision that can't be made lightly.
It's just as many hours and a different type of stress.
But he's right. I wouldn't be going into the flames anymore.
Or shouldn't be, since I'd be carrying out orders on the scene outside rather than inside it.
Can I give up fighting fires, though?
"Come on. You don't have to decide tonight," Gabe says.
"That's right," Sully says. "Time to toast the groom. Vi, can we get some drinks?"
I'm looking at Sully as he calls out to Violet, which is why I see him go red with fury.
"What's wrong?" I glance to Violet and see her ducking out from behind the bar away from us rather than toward us. "Sully?"
"Be right back," he growls before disappearing into the crowd.
"What's that about?" I ask Gabe.
He looks concerned but shakes his head. "I'm not sure. Sully will sort it out, though."
"Should we go after him?"
Gabe plants himself on the stool Sully vacated and leans against the bar.
"He probably saw someone flirting with Violet."
I chuckle and shake my head. "Think he'll ever pull his head out of his ass when it comes to her?"
"I don't know. Think you will when it comes to Lindsey?"
I glance at Gabe and find him watching me like a bug under a microscope. "You got something to say?"
Gabe inhales and rubs his hand over his mouth and chin.
"Do you remember the guy that told me certain things—people—are worth risking everything for?"
I grab the drink in front of me and take a sip. "She's vulnerable. Hormonal. She's dealing with her pregnancy and a job and settling in and…"
"And what?"
I stare at the label on the bottle. "I'd only be adding to her stress. My kid plus a teenager plus a baby… Come on, you really think that's a good idea?"
"Have you asked what she is or isn't willing to take on? Or did you just assume the answer's going to be no because, in your head, you're comparing her to your sister and your ex?"
I flinch. "Low blow, man."
"It's the truth. You told me not every woman cheats and lies and does what Deborah did to me.
The same holds true for you and Lindsey.
She's the one who was lied to by the baby's father.
You're the one abandoned by Dani's mom and then had a teenager dropped on you without warning.
I get why you're wary, Kace. Believe me, I do.
When you've walked through hell, you never want to go there again.
But you can't punish Lindsey for something she didn't do.
And wasn't it you that ordered me to flirt with Bronwyn, or you would? "
"I wouldn't advise flirting with your fiancée's sister if you know what's good for you."
Gabe grinned. "I don't plan to. But if you're not going to see Lindsey as the loving and beautiful woman she is, it won't be long before some other guy does."
"Is this a pep talk or a warning?"
Gabe chuckled. "Guess you'll have to decide."
A warning, then, I muse. And maybe the first honest one I've gotten about what it's going to cost me if I let my past dictate my future.