Page 24 of Broken Hero
Tom speaks affronted. “I will have you know that we have done all our work. Worked our arses off we have.”
The fireman, I think his name is Pete, shakes his head and grins at us. “Yeah, I believe you. Can one of you please get me four pints, please? If it's not too much trouble.”
I start to get the glasses. “Four?”
“Yeah, Dec is somewhere behind us.”
I smile at the thought of seeing Dec. He might not be a hero in the sense I'm looking for, but he certainly feels like my hero at the moment. He came around this afternoon as promised. I was all packed when he arrived. My clothes all fit into one suitcase, besides that, I only had a binbag full of shoes and one full of handbags - I'm a bag and shoe kind of girl – not much to show for my life. So I was moved into Dec’s place in one trip.
It was weird being back at his place. A lot had happened in the two years that I’d helped him home. At least this time I was invited. He showed me around; it's not a big house. There’s a kitchen with a dining area, a living room, and a downstairs bathroom. Upstairs, there are three bedrooms and a bathroom.
To think, last time I was here I hardly knew him, and now I'm living with him. My bedroom is small but perfect for my needs. There isn't much wardrobe space, so I need to find room for my shoes and bags somewhere. For now, my babies are going to have to live out of bin bags - I’ll make it up to them. He cleared a shelf out of the fridge for me and showed me where to put any food in the cupboard, but he was sweet and said I could help myself to anything of his anyway. Not that I would. I need to go food shopping and stock up. On the days I'm working at the pub, I will have to have a pot noodle for dinner or something equally unnutritious. On my nights off, I'm going to cook him a nice meal. If Dec is at work, he can have leftovers for his lunch at the station the next day or depending on his shift, he can eat it at home. I'm going to make myself useful so that he wants me to stay. It’s such a relief being there. I didn’t realise how much it was getting to me - being so behind on my rent and worried that I would get kicked out at any time. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
I'm going to look after him.
The man in question walks in. He takes my breath away - his handsome face with that beard and those kind eyes, the broad shoulders and the way he towers above everyone else - but his overall presence in a room. I shouldn't be moving in with someone that takes my breath away - especially someone so closed off. That is why it is safe though, nothing will happen between us because he doesn't look at me that way - in fact, I haven't seen him look at any woman that way. But there was that kiss at the racetrack, it was like something took over him...it was a passion-fueled kiss for sure.
He looks around the room until his eyes rest on mine and he smiles. His whole face warms up. It’s a sight to behold.
He strides over. “Hey, Blue.”
The other guys look at him with an expression on their faces that I can't fathom. He called me Blue this morning. I like it. It's cute, and it makes me feel like we're in on a little secret now that we’re roomies.
“Hi, Big Guy. This one is on me.” I grin at him.
“No way. Anyway, its Pete's round.” He says, nudging his friend's shoulder.
Pete shrugs. “Whatever. Have one for yourselves too.”
Aw, Pete is friendly and he has a nice smile. I have the best jobs - I can ogle superbike racers, mechanics and other manly job doers in the day, and when I fancy a change of scenery, I'm switching to firefighters at night. I'm a lucky girl, even if it is only to look.
Tom and I serve their drinks. I go to the jukebox. Tom and I can put music on any time we want - unless sport is on. The pub owns the jukebox, so we’re allowed to take money out of the till as it ends up back as pub proceeds at the end of the day.
I look over the song list and put my all-time favourite on - Bon Jovi - yes, I know, but he was my mum’s favourite, and every time I near Bon Jovi, I feel like she’s nearby. A bit of ‘livin’ on a prayer’ will raise anyone’s spirits.
I vaguely notice the door opening and someone coming in. I turn around and watch two men walk to the bar - they look like they don't belong here. One of them is handsome, dark hair and dressed in a suit. The other guy is wearing jeans and a leather jacket. They look around the pub as though searching for something or someone. I haven't worked here long, but long enough to know that these guys have never been in here before, and they're here for a reason. All eyes in the bar are on them.
I make my way back to behind the bar.
Tom asks. “Hey there, what can I get you?”
The leather jacket guy asks for water, and the suit guy asks for a Macallan whiskey.
Once they’ve placed their orders, both pairs of eyes fall on me. I give them a friendly - if a little wary - smile.
The good-looking one stares at me for a while and eventually speaks. “Hello. You must be Sophie.”
My stomach plummets. Now Iknowthis is not good. Why would these guys be looking for me?
I feel the four fire guys go on alert, and they're watching the exchange closely.
“I'm Sophie, yes - do I know you?”
The suit guy smirks. He’s like a hot bad guy in a movie, good to look at but at the same time gives you chills. “No, you don't know me.”. He slowly rakes his eyes up and down my body in a way that makes me feel uncomfortable. “Your father didn't tell me how beautiful you were.”
Oh shit, Dad - are you kidding me right now?
“You know my dad?”
