Page 71 of Living with Fire

“He was tagged in it,” Connor tells me, and I can hear the hard edge in his words. My heart sinks, and I expel a breath. Before I can say a word, I hear Connor say to someone else, “It’s Savanna.”

I expect to hear my other brother, Devin, when the phone is fumbled, but I’m shocked to my core when it’s Maddie instead. “Sav? Oh my god, I have so many questions, the first being what was it like to be manhandled by a fireman?”

Oh, if she only knew.

I ran Nate’s phone right out of battery. As it turned out, Maddie, my brothers, and my dad were all getting together to devise a plan to come find me. Devin showed up ten minutes into my conversation with Maddie and demanded to talk to me, during which time he proceeded to first ream me out, and then tell me how much he’d missed me.

Neither of my brothers had listened to my letter. Both of them had gone straight to Vincent to demand what he’d done to make me leave. When that hadn’t yielded results, they’d gone to the police, but with my letters there wasn’t much they could do. Or would do.

Maddie had done her job as my best friend perfectly. She’d led my brothers to the east coast where they’d contacted police agency after police agency, spreading my picture around. When Devin had finally packed his bags to go looking up and down the coast over the summer, Maddie had finally confessed the truth. My brothers had been furious with her. I never did find out how that got patched up, but I’m sure one of my subsequent phone calls with her will tell me.

The phone was constantly passed around, each of them taking the time to chastise me about not calling. I was mildly surprised none of them were upset I had left, just that I hadn’t called to keep them updated on my wellbeing. Even my dad seemed okay I had taken off to spread my wings and fly, something I’d said in my letter to each of them.

When I talked to Connor the second time, I asked if he’d told our dad, or Devin, what he knew about Vincent. He informed me he hadn’t said a word, but that they both speculated I left because of Vincent. I’m not surprised he kept my secret; Connor and I were always close, and he’s kept more than a couple of my secrets over the years.

Each of them asked when I was coming home, but I told them it wasn’t happening. For starters, I’m still scared of running into Vincent, not that I told my brothers or dad that. I did tell Maddie, though, swearing her to secrecy. I have this feeling she’ll tell Connor, but given he knows certain details, I’m okay with that. I got the impression something more was going on there, but I decided not to ask just yet. I promised her I would call again, and we’d have a longer best friend chat where we could divulge the things we didn’t want to say with my family there.

I may have mentioned a certain firefighter, though.

Nate was right to push me to do this, and I’m grateful he did. I don’t think anything would have made me feel as good as calling home and speaking to all my family. Even though I’m exhausted, I feel refreshed and rejuvenated after talking to them. It feels like a piece of my soul was restored, and I plan on showing Nate my gratitude as soon as we get to his place.

He’s sitting in the grass, legs outstretched, arms propping him up, watching the ball game. I’m nearly to him when he looks up and sees me, a smile spreading across that handsome face.

“They’re still playing,” I nod towards the ball diamond.

Nate’s eyes remain fixed on me. “Double header.”

My eyes are bright as I step one leg over his, dropping down to straddle him. My arms wrap around his neck, and I curl myself into his warm body, pressing my face into his neck. The essence of him wraps around me like a cloak, and I inhale deeply, the scent of woods and whiskey filling me. It’s as though the bar has penetrated his skin and become a part of him. It’s not foul like alcohol, but spicy, with a hint of sweetness.

He pushes himself up a bit to slide his arms around me, squeezing me to him. A hand rubs at my back and his head turns, his lips pressing a kiss to my hair. He says nothing, waiting until I’m ready, knowing I’ll tell him in my own time. I don’t know how he’s figured it out already. To wait patiently, even though questions must run rampant in his mind. Perhaps years on the job have taught him that wisdom and he’s just extended it to me. In any case, I’m grateful for it.

“Thank you,” I finally murmur into his ear.

I can feel his smile grow, hear it in his response. “I take it that went well?”

Nodding, I let out a content sigh before easing back. Running my fingers along the back of his neck, my mouth curves up. “My whole family was there. They were making plans to come out here and find me after they saw the video. You were right to make me call them.”

Nate shakes his head. “I didn’t make you do anything. You had a choice whether to do it or not, and you chose to do it. That’s all on you, babe.”

My heart swells for this man. A choice. I hadn’t thought of it like that, but looking back, he’s right. It’s been like that since the day we met on the elevator. Always the choice. The elevator, the hospital, the ride. Staying with him, working for him. Even the other night with his friends at the bar, when I could see so clearly how much he wanted me to come. Everything had always been a choice, right down to calling home.

I’m reminded of the feeling of freedom he evokes in me, how he wants me to fly, and he’s just there to support me. In this moment, I know that despite not knowing each other for long, I’m falling for him. Hard and fast.

The thought is scary. But also…exhilarating. Fear lingers there, too, Vincent dancing in the background of my mind, but I push it away, not wanting to sully this moment with Nate.

“You’re right. But I wouldn’t have done anything more than dream about it if not for you,” I tell him with a shy smile.

“Dreams are meant to come true,” he responds.

Tilting his head, his lips brush mine in a gentle kiss. My eyes close and I savor the feel of his soft lips and the way they sweep across mine with a featherlike touch.

“Tell me one of yours,” I murmur quietly into the kiss.

Nate stills, but doesn’t back away. After a moment, I open my eyes, inching back a fraction. Enough to break the kiss, but still close enough I can feel his breath against my skin. His eyelids flutter open, and his gaze meets mine. As he does to me so often, I wait for him to find the words, not pushing or pressing, giving him the time to figure it out.

Finally, he responds, releasing a deep breath that comes from deep inside of him. “I dream of the bar being okay. Not for me, but for everyone around me. For my Uncle Pete and his memory. For Jordan. For everyone who works there and earns a living. And for…”

He pauses and I wonder if his arms weren’t around me if he’d run a hand through his hair right now. Not born of the same nerves as asking me out, but because he’s not used to voicing his own desires. His own dreams.