Page 51 of Embers of You
The entire time we’re working on getting Fluffy out from behind the tall water heater, I feel Margaret’s eyes on me. There’s even a time she runs her hand up my back, and I flinch, but she doesn’t seem to care.
Jo ends up being the one to grab the cat, who’s aptly named, and hands her back to her owner.
“Thank you so much, Jameson. You saved her life.”
“Nah, my team did all the work. Glad we could help.” I nod in her direction, and we all move to leave.
Margaret stays close by, offering coffee or snacks, which I decline for everyone and manage to make it out mostly unscathed.
Back in the truck I let a whole body shiver run through me, with a dramatic noise that has everyone cackling. “Why am I the one that has to be objectified?”
“Because you’re the town favorite, pretty boy.” Dave slaps my shoulder.
I groan, driving us away and thinking about the only woman who I want the attention of. When we get back I still don’t see her Jeep next door. I check my phone, there’s nothing from her either. Even though I don’t want it to affect my mood, I can’t seem to help it. While everyone else busies themselves, I separate myself to distract my mind by working out, vowing not to think about Sutton. I’ll give her the space she wants, and she’ll reach out when she’s ready.
I know she will.
CHAPTER 25
Sutton
I wakeup to the loud sound of an engine revving outside. I groan, burying my face into my pillow, I don’t know what time it is, but I’m sure it’s too early for whatever idiot decided to wake up the entire street.
I’m about to get up and see what’s going on when it happens again, but someone clearly beats me to it when I hear a feminine voice yelling outside. I should mind my business, but that’s never been my strong suit, so I get up and go to the front window to see what’s going on.
The entire commotion is across the street, and I’m straining to see because my eyes are still waking up and attempting to focus. I’m pretty sure I see Bailey standing next to the driver’s side of her neighbor’s dark sports car while she’s yelling at him.
I can’t see or hear him because the car is still rumbling loud enough to muffle most of their conversation. It’s hardly a conversation since it doesn’t look like Bailey is letting him say anything. She’s standing tall next to the low car which only makes her seem taller, and finally she throws her arms up in the air. Wes revs the engine again before peeling out of his driveway.I watch as Bailey flips him off while he leaves before storming back to her own house.
I step back from the window, really wondering what the deal is with them because it feels like a little more than just Wes driving an obnoxiously loud car. When I look at the clock I see it’s seven in the morning, which is way before I’m usually awake, but I don’t think I can go back to sleep.
Bennet is still asleep on his back with his legs in the air as I go back to my bedroom. I’m jealous that he’s able to sleep through that, but since I’m awake now, I’m going to make it his problem too.
“Get up, Benny boy. We’re going for a walk,” I tell him as I get changed. I swear he ignores me on purpose, not moving as I pull on some leggings and a loose T-shirt.
“Come on,” I try again, nudging him with my foot. He turns his head and his floppy snout makes it look like he’s grimacing. “It’s good for us, and maybe we can get a treat.”
That last five letter word is what gets him up like I knew it would.Sucker.
On our walk, I make a mental list of all the things I should get done today, other than wait for my couch to be delivered since it’s my day off. I really should go grocery shopping, and maybe even brave a home good store to get some decorations. Maybe I should reach out to Jameson….
I shake my head at the last thought. I haven’t talked to him since we went to dinner, and I’m worried about how much I’ve been thinking about him. Every time I’m close to him it’s like another piece of my wall breaks down. I’m worried that when it’s gone, I’ll fall hard and that can only lead to heartbreak.
“Sutton,” a voice calls out, pulling me from my thoughts, and I’m thankful for it because they were headed into dangerous territory.
I look up to see it’s Bailey walking toward me. Somehow, I’ve managed to make it back onto our street without even noticing.
“Hey,” I greet with a smile, not daring to bring up what happened earlier.
“Who’s this?” she asks, referring to my dog.
“Oh, this is Bennet. He’s friendly.”
She gives him a closed lip smile, and reaches her hand out tentatively. He sniffs her, and nudges her fingers slightly, which leads her to pet him softly. “Sorry if you heard that this morning.”
“Oh.” I wave my hand, acting like it’s not a big deal. “I was already awake.”
She gives me a look like she knows I’m lying. “Well, still. He’s a fucking obnoxious asshole and doesn’t care about anyone other than himself.”
