Page 11 of When It Burns

One thing I was damn sure of was I needed to get my shit together. Something about Caroline makes me feel like I can have a chance at a normal life, but I continue to remind myself that no one wants to put up with my mood swings and nightmares. If yesterday didn’t prove that fact, I don’t know what would.

I grab the tongs and take the steaks off the grill, placing them on the platter that Caroline brought me while working to convince myself that the attraction I felt to the beautiful brunette inside will burn out as quickly as it started.

As I walk inside, I see Bear curled up on top of Caroline’s lap as she sits on the couch. He is usually considered pretty unsocial for a Labrador and prefers to hide out from company in the comfort of my bedroom. It’s no surprise to me though that the eighty-pound pup has fallen in love with Caroline. She scratches his head and his tail wags as she talks to Margaret.

I can hear Hannah and Will arguing, but I don’t stop to listen closely enough to try to determine what the argument is about. Caroline was right about them being oil and water.

“Steaks are ready,” I say loudly as I sit them on the granite countertops. I’d been surprised when we toured this house and found that it was full of relatively modern amenities to have been a farmhouse owned by an elderly man.

“I’m coming,” Margaret hollers back as she rushes from the couch to pull all of the dishes she had prepared earlier today. She walks over to the oven, and I can smell the scent of fresh rolls she’d made from scratch permeating the air. She also pulls out a large dish with at least ten of the biggest potatoes I’ve ever seen from the warmer and grabs bowls of two different pasta salads out of the fridge. She notices me watching her and announces, “There was a produce truck set up beside the grocery store this morning selling the most beautiful vegetables I had ever seen. Said he grew ‘em local. I stocked up.”

“And you thought the five of us would eat ten of the world’s biggest potatoes?” I ask her with a smile on my face.

“Well, I didn’t want to run out,” she says defensively. “I want to make a good impression, unlike some people.”

“Wow, low blow,” I say, becoming more serious. “But you’re right. I just want you to be happy here.”

“I know you do,” she replies, smiling at me now. We work together grabbing toppings for the potatoes from the fridge and making sure that everything is set up to her standards.

“Let’s eat,” Margaret declares to our guests, and after watching her smile and laugh with the girls, I decide no matter how rocky the start may have been, moving to Springside was the right decision for both of us.

* * *

Dinner is a success,and we are sitting at the table talking when Will brings the evening to a grinding halt. “So Theo, we haven’t had an opportunity to talk much. You said you’re Jake Johnson’s brother. If you have half the talent he did, I am sure you had every college scout in the country after you. Did you play college ball anywhere?”

I tense and I can feel the three women looking at me. “Nope,” I reply lightly, hoping that will be enough to change the subject. This isn’t the first time this has happened, and I know Will isn’t asking to make me upset. “I wanted to be close to my sister so I went straight to the fire academy and went back later for online classes at the community college.”

Reading the confusion on the women’s faces, Margaret smiles at them. “Yep. It didn’t matter what our foster parents said, and Lord knows I tried, he wouldn’t leave. I guess he does love me somewhere way, way, way deep down,” she says with a wink.

I don’t miss the look that Caroline and Hannah exchange when Margaret says the words, foster parents. There’s no judgment in it, but it's clear they didn’t know about the accident. I feel my chest growing tight as it does every time I think of that night. I manage to keep my voice level as I say quickly, “I trusted Bobby and Heather but after the accident, Margaret was the only family I had left. I still don’t think there is anything wrong with that.”

“Of course, there isn’t,” Caroline says with a sad smile. “I am so sorry to hear that happened.”

“Thanks,” Margaret and I say at the same time, used to this awkward silence whenever the topic of the accident comes up. I can tell from the way Caroline is looking at Hannah that she is willing her to not ask any other questions. Thankfully, she seems to understand since I can still feel my chest tightening and throat closing with each moment that this conversation continues. Will looks sheepish that he walked himself into such a touchy subject.

Ever the hostess, Margaret quickly perks up, diffusing the tension, and asks, “So who wants dessert? I tried a new cookie recipe today. I want to have a signature cookie when I open the bakery, but I haven’t found the perfect one yet. Maybe you all can help me.”

After a chorus of agreement, we make quick work of cleaning the table and Margaret returns quickly with a silver platter full of cookies. These aren’t normal cookies though—they are at least five inches wide and look incredible.

“I want y’all’s honest opinion,” Margaret says sheepishly. “I’ve tried at least eight other recipes so it’s okay if you don’t love them. These are brown butter snickerdoodles with milk, dark, and white chocolate chips tucked in.”

“Oh my God!” Hannah screams in what I am learning is her usual fashion after taking a bite. “I think I just had an orgasm.”

“Damn, you must be really desperate then. Don’t those porn books you and Caroline love teach you that’s not how it works,” Will says with a laugh. “If you weren’t such a bitch I’d take pity on you and offer to help you out.”

“Right, like you and your sad little micro penis know anything about how to make a woman orgasm,” Hannah fires back.

I am a little afraid to see how this argument is going to progress until Caroline interjects, “I wish y’all would just screw and get it over with.” I laugh at her, surprised by her outburst. Hannah and Will object, but Caroline ignores them. She doesn’t seem embarrassed, and continues breaking apart the humongous cookie in front of her and popping it in her mouth. It’s been a long time since a girl made me laugh out loud, and Margaret looks at me quickly letting me know that fact didn’t go unnoticed by my nosy sister.

“Anyway,” Hannah continues as if the argument with Will had never happened. “I know you two are new to town,” she says pointing at Margaret and I, “but we are thinking about going down to the beach for the day on Saturday. You know it’s less than an hour from here and the crowds should have died down with school being back in. If you boys can promise to keep your micropenises and asshole behaviors to yourselves, you can come with us. Margaret, you're invited no matter what.”

Margaret squeals, and I can see the first bit of genuine excitement on her face since that dickface ex-boyfriend of hers broke her heart. “We’re in!” I don’t miss the fact that Will is still glaring at me like he isn’t particularly happy that I am being welcomed into the group as easily as I am after what happened at the school yesterday. I don’t blame him, but I am tired of letting life pass me by because of the shitty hand that my sister and I have been dealt. I nod in affirmation along with Margaret. Besides, I may have decided that I don’t deserve Caroline Tyler, but I would damn sure enjoy spending the day with her in a bikini. My time in Springside may have gotten off to a shitty start, but even I have to admit, things are looking up.

CHAPTER TEN

THEO

Around eight the next morning, I make my way into my office at the station. Given Springside’s size, it isn’t particularly surprising that we are a smaller station with eight firefighters in addition to me. At first, I had wondered why none of them had applied for the Chief position, but after working with them for a couple of days, it seems that everyone is simply comfortable in their position. They definitely are a lot closer than I’d expected, but I don’t mind the family vibe the station gives off, even though I am definitely still seen as the outsider.

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