Page 14 of Finding Home
“I’m not sure where Beau is,” I say, and Mom waves me off.
“That boy will be in town at some point, just keep them in your car. You’ll see him.”
I shake my head. She’s right, if he ventures into town, I’m bound to see him. You can’t do much here and not be seen.
I grab the tins and kiss Mom on the cheek before scratching Mickey on the head and calling out bye to Dad then heading to the station. I roll the windows down and turn up the music as I make my way back into town. As I turn the corner into the fire station, “I Had Some Help” by Post Malone and Morgan Wallen comes on and I start jamming to it. Ryder steps out and leans against the open bay door, crossing his legs at the ankles and his arms over his chest as he grins at me.
Turning the car off, but leaving the battery on, I turn the music up and get out, pointing at him. He pushes off the wall and makeshis way towards me, offering his hand, and I take it as he pulls me into him, and we start dancing as we sing the song loudly and off key.
Ryder’s a friend I’ve known for years because of my brother. He’s a playboy and has made his way through most of the local women and lot of the tourists that come through. We’ll never be more than friends, but he’s fun, indulging me when I want to let loose.
When the song finishes, we laugh, and I reach across the passenger seat to turn off the car and grab the containers of cookies. When I turn around, Everett is at the bay doors, feet shoulder-width apart and arms crossed over his chest in some broody stance. My mouth opens slightly as he stares at me. The way his shirt pulls across his chest and those pants fit him should be illegal. And while it may not be illegal, these thoughts I’m having about him are not okay. I’m his daughter’s teacher. We need to keep this relationship strictly professional.
Nope, I shouldn’t even use the word relationship.
Friendship.
Nope, not that, because I’m not sure I could just be friends with him. I’d go digging, trying to get to know him more, and that’s not good.
Acquaintanceship.
That’s it. Nothing more.
I smile at the rest of the guys and hold the tins up in front of me. “I come baring goodies!”
“Hell yeah,” I hear Ryder say, and the guys rub their hands together as they make their ways towards me. I shake my head, and they all stop.
“I know you all were raised better than that,” I say, and they give me sheepish looks.
“Come in, Chlo,” Ryder says, and his hand finds my lower back as I thank him and he leads me inside. I feel Everett’s gaze intensify the second Ryder’s hand finds my back. I offer him what I intend to be a soft smile, but I have a feeling is a little more on the flirtatious side. I feel his eyes track our movements as Ryder leads me into the common area and I place the tins on the table,opening both of them. I quickly nab two cookies before the guys descend.
I extract myself from the group of men hoarded around the cookies and make my way towards Everett, who’s lingering at the edge of the room. I hold out one of the two cookies to him, and he raises a brow at it. I flick my wrist towards him. “Take it. My mom and I made them. She often bakes things for the guys. If you don’t get one early, you won’t get one at all.”
He takes it and grunts his thanks, taking a small bite. I swear I see his eyes widen slightly before he schools his expression again.
“How are you liking being chief?”
“Fine,” he grunts, and I roll my eyes.
“You’re gonna make me sound like a broken record. You know you can engage in conversation.”
“I’m good,” he says, and I huff a laugh.
Ryder comes over with a cookie in hand and passes it to me. “I managed to snag you an extra for the trip home.”
I smile at him. “Thanks, Ry.”
“I saw Beau yesterday,” he says.
I nod. “Yeah. I saw him, too.” I point at him. “Don’t you dare say a fuckin’ word to Aspen, but he was at Incahoots, he walked in and left and I followed him out.”
Ryder inhales. “Same time?” he asks.
I nod. “Like down on one knee and he walked in the door.”
“Damn.”
“Yup.”
