Page 23 of Stay With Me

The hope fades from his face at my words. But it’s all I can offer him.

He gives me a sad smile.

“Thanks. I appreciate that.”

I simply nod, then turn and walk away.

CHAPTER10

FOUR YEARS LATER

CHARLIE

A sharp rapping on my door startles me out of my stupor seconds before Trina lets herself into my home. I don’t want to go to this tonight, and thinking about that led me down an Emily Flynn sized “what if” rabbit hole.

I’d rather stay home and wallow.

“Wow,” Trina says as she spins in a slow circle, taking in the main living area of my house. I watch her as she peruses the new cedar I’ve installed on the vaulted ceilings. “Between this and you finishing that wraparound porch, I’m thinking maybe you should have been a carpenter instead of a firefighter.”

“Nah, doing it as a job would take the fun out of it,” I tell her.

“Seriously, though. You’re making this place look stunning. I hope you took some photos of what you started with when you bought it.”

I chuckle, remembering what a dump the main house was when I purchased it. But it’s nestled on ten gorgeous acres in the woods, with a small, stocked lake a short walk from the house. Once I saw the property, the house could have been a lean-to and I would have still wanted it. There aren’t many properties within Elladine city limits that have this much land attached.

“You know, now that I’ve finished the porch, we could stay here tonight and listen to music and have some drinks out on the rockers instead of going to the bar…”

“Sorry, but that’s why I came to pick you up. There’s no way you’re ditching me tonight. I know it doesn’t thrill either of us that Emily gave Teddy another chance, but she’s been back with him for three years now. And, as much as I hate to defend him after he broke her heart four years ago, he has been the doting boyfriend since they got back together. He invited me tocelebratewith them and, as my best friend, you’re obligated to go with me.”

“What are we even celebrating? It’s not her birthday. She’s at the same job.”

Trina shrugs. “I assume we’re celebrating her nomination for teacher of the year. I guess I should have asked him, but I didn’t bother. I’m always gonna show up when it involves my little sister and I know you will, too. Now let’s go before you make us late.”

Twenty-five minutes later, when Trina and I step over the threshold into O’Riley’s bar, I groan when the off-key singing that assaults my ears makes it glaringly obvious it’s karaoke night. An odd choice for a celebration for Emily, if you ask me. She hates karaoke because she doesn’t like to be the center of attention—something we have in common. It being karaoke night coupled with people being packed in here like sardines causes it to be uncomfortably warm, making me wish I had refused to come.

My eyes immediately find Emily. She’s sitting at a table with Teddy, his arm slung casually over the back of her chair. Her best friend Shayna and Jack Donley, a firefighter at Station One and Shayna’s older brother, are at the table with her.

I don’t know Jack well since I’ve been at Station Three my entire tenure with the Elladine Fire Department. But Trina worked with him since she started out at Station One and just transferred to Station Three in December to take a captain position on A shift. She says Jack is good people, and I know he has a reputation for being a great firefighter.

I watch their group as Trina and I weave through the crowd making our way over to their table. Teddy is talking animatedly and, just as we approach the table, they all bust out in laughter at whatever he said.

“Trina! Charlie!” Emily says, noticing us. “What are you guys doing here?”

Trina shoots Teddy a questioning look, but he gives her a subtle shake of his head and she seems to get the hint that he didn’t tell her we were coming.

“Excuse me for a minute, everyone. I need to use the restroom,” Teddy says. His voice shakes and I get a little kick out of it.

I swear that since Trina became his shift captain last month, he’s even more afraid of her than he always had been because of her being Emily’s protective older sister. I know Trina wouldn’t harm a fly, but if a little bit of healthy fear keeps him from hurting Emily again, I’m not going to let him in on that secret.

Before anyone can say anything, he’s up and gone from the table in a flash.

I give Emily and Shayna hugs, and Trina formally introduces me to Jack. I shake his hand before heading up to the bar to get Trina and me drinks.

A few minutes later, just as I turn away from the bar to return to the table, Teddy’s voice echoes from the microphone. I follow the sound to see him standing on the stage. As I walk back toward the table, I keep my eyes on Teddy, and weird warning bells are going off in my head.

“Hi everyone. Tonight, I’ve chosen a special song to sing, and I’d like to dedicate it to my girl, Emily Flynn.” Teddy points over to our table and Emily’s cheeks flush a rosy red at all the heads turning to look at her. “If you know the chorus, please sing along with me.”

I hand Trina her beer and lift the cool amber bottle toward my mouth to take a sip but, when the music starts, my hand freezes midway to my mouth. Time stands still. Emily’s eyes widen and Trina’s mouth gapes open.

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