Chapter Nine
I shake Everleigh’s hand so long it’s obvious I’m thinking back to our “really good” kind of friendship. She grins, so I clear my throat and let go.
“Did you only tell your mom that I stole your virginity and stepped on your heart? Or did you mention your Peeping Tom episode and how much you enjoyed my fingering you at the kitchen table after you played your violin and danced for me? How when I had second thoughts about it, you grabbed my wrist and begged me to keep going?”
I have to hand it to Everleigh; she’s more controlled than she was when we met in California. She can easily channel Dr. Reichart and deliver her punches as needed.
When she smiles, I prepare for the impact.
“William, now that we’re friends again, you should let me stay in the shed. And if you leave the bathroom door unlocked, I might take a peek or two when the mood strikes. In return, when my mom’s not here, I’ll let you finger me at the breakfast table. Deal?”
Damn . . .
How is it possible that in less than six hours, I’ve gone from wanting to kill her, to realizing I was her victim of emotional abuse and manipulation, to being on the verge of apologizing for breaking her heart, to the recipient of a real apology from her, back to friends, and now I want to fuck her senseless? Perhaps I should hire a therapist.
“If you need to get off, I suggest you look into a good vibrator. Messing around with roommates is breaking the house rules. And I have better options,” I say.
“It’s your rule.”
I twist my lips for a few seconds before nodding. “Yeah. It’s a good one.”
“Fine.” She offers a one-shoulder shrug. “I’d rather drop my panties for a stranger in a bar restroom, anyway.”
“Attagirl,” I say because we’re friends, and friends cheer each other on.
What the fuck?
Did I really just agree to be friends with Everleigh Reichart?
“Let’s tell my mom the good news. Her body is on Eastern time, so she’ll go to bed soon, and we can game for a while.” Before I can reply, she marches toward the house like our evening plans are final.
“I’m sorry,” Fitz says as soon as I answer the phone the following morning on my way to the fire station.
“For what?”
“Everleigh. We didn’t know, man. I feel like such an asshole.”
“Oh, yeah. Actually, it’s—”
“Don’t tell Jamie I used this word. She hates it.
But Everleigh is a cunt. That’s all there is to it.
After everything Maren told me, I can’t imagine what you must have felt.
Scared to open your door for three years?
Will, that’s messed-up shit. And seriously, what if one of her parents had turned you in to the authorities? Can you imagine?”
“You know, I was in a bad place yesterday, stressed about my dad. And then the kitchen was a mess. I may have overreacted. After all, it’s been eleven years since that happened, and I didn’t get a knock on the door.
Had I just stuck around to talk to her, I would have found out that there was no way she or her parents were going to turn me in.
I’m just ready to put the past behind me and stop thinking about it.
Let bygones be bygones. You know?” I rub my temple while waiting at the stoplight.
Then I flip my visor down because the rising sun is in the worst spot.
“Listen, buddy, don’t do this. You know I buried shit from my past, and it didn’t stay buried. You have to deal with it if you really want to move forward. I’m going to make sure Maren gets Everleigh moved out today or I’ll do it myself. Okay?”
What’s happening? What have I done?
“Fitz, I told Maren I’d handle it. Everleigh’s mom is in town.
As much as I have harbored ill feelings toward Everleigh all these years, it’s not fair to take it out on her mom.
And I don’t want things to be weird between Everleigh and Jamie since they used to work together.
Also, Lola really likes her because she offered to help her with some VR stuff when she was struggling after her mom died.
So, as tempting as it is to just blow everything up—and believe me, I’m so grateful to have friends like you who would do that for me—I think it’s best to let things ride for now.
When her mom goes home, then we can sort out Everleigh’s living situation.
Besides, I spend most of my time at the station and doing other things.
But thanks, man. Really. I appreciate you. ”
He clicks his tongue. “Well, you’re a better man than I am. But okay. I’ll tell Jamie that you’re willing to slow things down to avoid World War III. She’ll be grateful. But if you change your mind, I’ve got your back.”
“I know you do. Thanks.”
“Later,” he says.
I end the call just as I pull into my parking spot along the street by the station. Then, my phone chimes with a text.
Everleigh: Bruh! I’m exhausted. The only thing getting me through today is the satisfaction of knowing I sniped u in less than 30 seconds. CU tonight!!!
I shake my head, but not without grinning at her “bruh” and not-so-humble bragging about beating me in Fortnite. We played until after two in the morning.
Will: You’ll only see me tonight if u start the house on fire. Please don’t. I work a 48 hr shift. While ur not starting the house on fire make sure u clean up after yourself
She sends a saluting emoji.
Again, I grin while hopping out of my Bronco.
“Welcome back,” Anderson says, sipping coffee while his squad sets up to run drills in the parking lot. “How’s your dad?”
“Old. It’s not pretty.”
“Sorry to hear that. But what can you do? It’s life, huh?” He squeezes my shoulder as I walk past him.
I field more questions about my dad as I pass people on the way to the chief’s office, stopping just outside to get an update from Bellamy, the previous shift’s engine lieutenant who always smells like he bathed in cheap cologne.
“Morning,” I say to Chief Killmer after Bellamy finishes his update and heads home.
“Landry, good to have you back. How’s your dad?”
I sit in the wooden armchair in front of his old mahogany desk littered with files, wrappers, and empty coffee cups. “He’s okay for now. Thanks for asking.”
Chief leans back in his squeaky chair, hands folded over his broad chest. The skin along the right side of his neck is mottled from burns he sustained after the floor collapsed in a fire. His wife begged him to retire. That was ten years ago.
He now has a new wife, a headful of gray hair, and a two-year-old son who everyone thinks is his grandson. My father has dealt with the same thing. I’ve lost count of how many times people have referred to him as my grandfather.
“I really appreciate your offering Dr. Reichart a place to stay,” he says with an approving nod.
“You know her?” I can’t hide my surprise.
He hums. It sounds like a growl coming from his burly chest. “This stays between us, but I’ve been seeing her for the past three years.
Lillian made it a condition of marrying me.
I was skeptical at first. Shrinks have never been my thing.
But it’s really helped. Anyway, Dr. Reichart is a good egg.
And losing everything in a fire is tragic.
We know this all too well. So your act of kindness hasn’t gone unnoticed by me. Thank you.”
“I, uh”—rubbing the back of my neck, I sit up straighter—“can’t take credit for it. Not really. Maren had a lot to do with it while I was visiting my dad. It’s only temporary. But yeah, glad to help.”
This situation is a fuckfest. I like a nice separation between my work and home life. Now Everleigh is a connection between the two, and it makes me uneasy. But since he wants this to stay between the two of us, maybe we never need to discuss it beyond today.
“Bellamy did a nice job filling in for you. There were a few minor hiccups, but that was to be expected as everyone acclimated to the new lieutenant. But we’re glad to have you back.”
“Thanks,” I say, giving him a tight smile. Am I back to stay? I don’t know. My dad is okay, but not great. It would pain me to leave this firehouse, but I’ll do it if the time comes when my mom needs constant help with Dad.
Before I can elaborate, the siren sounds, and a call comes in from dispatch. Chief and I stand and head toward the door.
I welcome anything that takes my mind off a certain doctor. Everything about this situation spells catastrophe.