Page 25 of One More Time

I looked away, wanting to forget everything.

Jack was perfect for forgetting. The chemistry between us was its own bonfire, and he wouldn’t gossip. He didn’t know enough people in Fireweed Harbor to gossip.

“I have to say, this beer is excellent,” Jack said at my shoulder.

I didn’t even know how much time had passed since his last comment.

“Of course it is. It’s from Fireweed Winery.” I scrounged up my manners and a light, teasing tone.

“I’m serious,” he added.

“I know. When I lived in Seattle, I must’ve tried every competitor for beer, wine, and mead, and we definitely hold our own. You’ll have to try some of the wines and meads.”

“Do you all host a locals’ night every Wednesday?”

“We do.” I took a swallow from my bottle of mead. I’d barely managed three sips tonight. I was too unsettled with everyone talking about Jake. It’s not that he didn’t come up often. Frankly, he came up way too much. I kind of wished Wyatt and Griffin would move home so that whenever they were here, my mom wouldn’t get caught up in her wistful thinking about having everyone together and missing Jake all over again.

“Do you come every week?” Jack prompted, his voice puncturing my messy train of thought.

“Most of the time.”

“Most of the time?” Wyatt interjected. “If I’m taking over as the brewer, I expect you here every week,” he teased.

“Then you’d better take that job.”

“And what about you?” I caught Griffin’s eyes.

“What about me?” he returned.

I arched a brow. “Rumor has it you’re considering one of the firefighter positions here.” I gestured to Jack. “You guys could be on a crew together unless you want to go completely crazy and work for the family.”

Griffin chuckled. “I’m not opposed to working for the family. I just enjoy firefighting right now. To answer your question, I met with the superintendent for the new hotshot crew today. I’m thinking of coming down here this summer. It’ll be the start of the last few years of my life as a firefighter. Can’t do it forever.”

“I do wish you would take another job,” my mother interjected. “I love you both, but it’s a high-risk job. I’ve already lost one son.”

Griffin handled this guilt trip easily. “We know that, Mom. We all lost Jake. And we love you. No matter what, it’s looking like Wyatt and I will be in Fireweed Harbor this summer.”

With the shift in conversation, I took that moment to slip away. I reminded myself I loved my family. I just wished some things were different.

I popped into the kitchen to check on things. I knew I should go out front and say my goodbyes, but I didn’t feel like it. I went out the back, stepping into the crisp, cold night. For just a moment, the noise from the kitchen spilled out through the doorway before the sounds muffled when the door clicked shut.

My boots scuffed on the frozen gravel as I began walking.

Chapter Fifteen

Jack

I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket, but I ignored it. Until it vibrated again and yet again. Clearly, somebody wanted to talk to me.

When there was a break in the conversation at Fireweed Winery, I said my goodbyes. I wondered where McKenna went. I also needed to see who was calling me.

Stopping by the restroom, I checked my phone and immediately called my brother back. Except it wasn’t my brother who answered.

“Mom, why are you answering Derek’s phone?”

“I’m with him, and he didn’t want me to call you. He had a really bad patch today. I’m trying to persuade him to go to the hospital.” My mother sounded on the verge of tears, but she was holding it together.

“Can you put him on the phone?” My mother’s shaky breath came through the line in response. “Mom, I know how hard this is. I love you.”