Page 6 of Her Filthy Grump
Oh, fuck.I cough. Gavin’s words are like an ice-cold bucket of water, drenched over my head. You don’t mind-fuck the cousin of the first person to make you feel welcome in a new town.
And that’s not the worst of it. She’s the boss’s sweet, innocent little girl. If he knew the thoughts that have been going through my head, he’d castrate me, and I’d be working the graveyard shift at a gas station in the next town over.
“She seems like a nice girl.”
“She is. One of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. She’s always helping someone. Her grandma, my great aunt, is recovering from hip surgery, so she’s spending a lot of time there helping her out. Then, there’s the nursing home. At least once a week, she stops by there to cheer up the residents.”
Is that even real? Who does that? Clearly, she’s hiding something by pretending she’s perfect. Probably doesn’t want daddy to know she likes to get down and dirty with the boys.
Fuck. What’s wrong with me?I want to prove she’s a filthy girl at heart because I can’t accept her being a good person. That’s sick. But there’s no pretending I’m anything but what I am. A man with a black heart and an empty soul.
“Thankfully, everything worked out. Gertrude got all her ducklings back, and everything’s back to normal.”
“That’s great.” He unlaces his arms and punches me on the shoulder. “Welcome to Meadow Bay. Where everything’s an adventure.”
“Very true. Just not the adventures I’m used to.” We turn and walk to the entrance of the fire station. The hot sun has the strong scent of asphalt filling the air.
“You’ll get used to it. It’s not boring all the time, but it is a slower pace. A great spot to settle down, get married, and raise a family.”
“Yeah.” I’ve got plenty to say about the topic, but I’m smart enough to keep my mouth shut. Gavin’s a happily married man–for now. I don’t want to ruin his vision of the future. My experience is filled with women who fold under pressure.
“Are you settled in?” Gavin opens the door and stands to the side, letting me go in first.
“Finished moving everything last night. Not that there was a lot. Roman left the place furnished, so I didn’t have to do much.”
“You’ve got to come over to the house sometime and meet Delaney. You’ll love her.”Delaney.Gavin talks about her all the time. She can’t be as perfect as he makes her out to be.
“Sure.” I pop my neck.Damn, I’m tight.When was the last time I worked out? “We’ll have to make plans sometime, but for now, I’m still trying to get the lay of the land.” I shake my head. “And get used to how quiet it is.”
“Dude, it’s great.” Gavin beams as we near the other firemen who’re sitting around playing cards.
The guys glance up, wave, and return to their game. All of them have been friendly and welcoming. Again, not something I’m used to.
“I don’t know how you handle all the noise.” Cole Thornburg frowns and lays down a nine of clubs. “I can’t stand all the sirens, smog, and the damn traffic. You’re going to learn to love the hum of air conditioners and streetlights. One day, you’re going to wake up and realize you don’t have tension in your muscles twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.”
I raise my eyebrows. What does that mean? Doesn’t everyone have a stiff neck and what feels like an icepick shoved between their shoulders? Apparently not at twenty-six years old.
The guys joke and throw down cards as the game progresses. Their movements are fluid as if they’ve done this dance a thousand times.
Cole shoves his hat on backward as he gives Vargas a dirty glare.
“What?” Vargas grins and leans back in his chair with his feet slung out in front of him.
Marco is slouched in his seat with his hands propped on his stomach and cards fanned in front of him. A slight grin pulls his lips upward.
Cole slaps a card down on the table as Gavin slips into the open seat. “Next round, I’m back in.”
Am I wound tight? I grab a chair, twist it around, and straddle it. I don’t know the first thing about small town living, but I feel that if I stick around here long, I’ll get to know it all by heart.
Several minutes later, the siren in the firehouse rings. The guys groan in unison, drop their cards to the table, leaving them scattered in piles, and shove out of their chairs.
My pulse jumps as every muscle in my body goes on high alert. What’s wrong with me? When was the last time I reacted to a fire alarm?
“We’re on boys.” Gavin slaps Marco on the back.
“Wonder what it is this time? Gertrude waddling into traffic, again?” Vargas snickers.
“I hope not. I’ve already done that scenario today.”