Page 2 of This Kind of Forever
It takes me a second to register, but the way she’s looking at me makes me realize she didn’t come over here to talk about Abbie. My smile falls a fraction. I wasn’t trying to flirt with her or anything.
But maybe I should?
It wasn’t that long ago when Luke asked if I was seeing anyone. I’m sure it was just a way for him to get the attention off himself, back when he still had his head up his ass where Delilah was concerned, but maybe he had a point. I haven’t dated in…a while. Kip Island isn’t exactly brimming with eligible bachelorettes. Most of my former classmates left and haven’t come back, and those that stayed are already married and a couple kids deep.
Trina is definitely attractive. Her long, chestnut hair sits in uniform curls over her shoulders. She’s tall and willowy, and her clothing hints at slight curves. She’s pretty, and she’s nice. I remember her being kind to everyone, going out of her way to make friends.
“How’s the new school year treating you?” I ask.
Her smile widens as she fiddles with the ends of her hair. “Pretty good so far! Though it’s definitely that beginning-of-the-year rush. It usually wears off by the end of September.”
“I can imagine,” I say. “I don’t know how you do it. I feel like I’ve got my hands full with one, let alone a class of twenty-five.”
Trina laughs. “It’s not easy, but I do love it. Even if I want to tear my hair out from time to time.”
That sounds like something Hallie would say.
Instantly, I feel myself wanting to cringe. I hadn’t seen my sister’s best friend in ten years. Not until she showed up at my parents’ house the other night, fresh off the ferry fromTobermory. She barely even looked at me. I haven’t laid eyes on her in the week since, but after the way we left things before she moved off the island, she’s been on my mind more than I care to admit.
Trina. Focus on Trina.
“I’m sure you know all about that,” she goes on. “Being a firefighter can’t be the easiest job.”
It isn’t. Not by a long shot. Kip Island, as a general rule, isn’t very exciting. The mundanity is a lure to many, and it makes for slow days at the station, especially in the winter. But when we do get called, it’s almost always to help someone at least one member of the crew has a personal connection to. A neighbour, friend, loved one. I have a complicated relationship with my job, but at the end of the day, it gave me stability when I needed it.
I shrug. “It has its moments, but that’s the name of the game.”
She shifts closer, setting a hand on my arm. I fight the pull of awkwardness I feel. “That’s so noble. Andbrave. It’s amazing that there are such selfless people like you out there. We need more of that in this world.”
That awkwardness turns to slight discomfort. There isn’t anything blatantly wrong with what she said, but her words make me leery. I don’t want to be put on a pedestal. I don’t deserve that. I like helping people, yes, but I didn’t go into this career with selfless intentions. It’s just a job, like anybody else has.
I want to give Trina the benefit of the doubt, though. She seems a little nervous. Maybe she just doesn’t know what to talk about. Or maybe she thinks I want to hear flattery like that. That my ego needs to be pumped up.
I chuckle a bit. “You’re not wrong there.”
She takes her hand off my arm, but she shifts another couple centimetres closer. “Listen, Gabe, I was…” She trails off, andI wait patiently for her to get her words out. “You see, I was wondering if you’d maybe…”
A flash of blonde in my peripheral has my head jerking to the side.Hallie?It couldn’t be. Still, that hair…
Some part of me recognizes I’m being rude, but the bigger part of me doesn’t care. If Hallie is here, then I need to find her. I’ve had days to think about what her being back on Kip Island means, and I know we can’t avoid each other forever. I don’twantto avoid her.
Turning back to Trina, I say, “I’m sorry. I have to go.”
“Oh. Uh, okay.” Her cheeks are now flaming, and I feel guilty as hell. “Nice to see you again, Mr. Bowman. I hope Abbie has a good school year.”
Fuck. I feel like the biggest asshole alive. Iamthe biggest asshole alive.
But I nod and say, “Thanks. See you around.” And then I walk away.
Scanning the gym, I search for the woman that caught my attention. I find her amongst a group of older parents. But when I get close enough to see her face, I realize it’s not her. It’s not Hallie.
Of course it isn’t.
Not for the first time, I feel like a major idiot where Hallie is concerned. Something about her—everythingabout her—makes my thoughts scramble.
With a shake of my head, I turn in the opposite direction. I’m more than ready to go home now.
Luke intercepts me as I’m heading toward where Abbie and Sophia are playing. “You okay?” he asks, brow raised. “You look spooked.”
