“The Old Duncan Farm caught fire.”
“Oh, that sucks. Hope they’re okay.”
“We’ll have to talk later.”
Part of me is relieved we don’t have to have this conversation now, but another part of me just wants to get it over with.
“Maybe we should clear the air now.”
“I can’t, I gotta grab Garrett and head over to the blaze.”
“What, are you like some creep that enjoys watching tragedies now?”
He cuts me a glare. “No, I need to go put it out.”
“Put it out?”
“Yeah, I volunteer with Garrett at the firehouse. We’ll talk later.”
?
Ali Kat
It’s 3 a.m., and I’m still by the window, waiting for my brother and one-time lover to return.
It’s obvious Jake knows something, but how much is hard to say. I hope I haven’t affected his friendship with Garrett, but Jake seemed to have his emotions under control. We’re so estranged, he probably just doesn’t care.
I try to keep my mind from the terrible places it insists on going, burning buildings and hospital beds.
And worse.
Please, oh please, let them be okay.
I exhale a ragged breath, fogging the window. On a whim, I take a finger and write: T.C. + G.F = 4E, as I used to do in my notebooks when I was daydreaming in class.
It makes me smile, but only for a moment.
It’s just a stupid thing you used to write. It means nothing now. He made it clear that what you had was just a fling.
And that’s what hurts, because as many options as I have, Alistair Whent being one of them, nothing feels as good as the thought of being in Garrett Flint’s arms.
But…he doesn’t want me.
Soon, I’ll be on my way back to LA, ready to shoot again. I’ll have to sit through a few awkward interviews, pander to the fans, and let them see that I’m making good choices. If I do this right, I can use this all to my advantage.
But is that what you want?It’s a crazy question. Of course, going back to LA is ABSOLUTELY what I want. I would get on a plane right now if Ted would let me.
But a feeling in my gut tells me otherwise. How is it possible that my feelings are so tangled? And it’s not just with Garrett. Tonight, I saw a brief glimpse of the family I left behind ten years ago, and I don’t think I can go another ten years without them, adrift in the world.
A glow shines in the distance, twin light coming from the road. I breathe a heavy sigh of relief at the sight of my brother’s truck.
Thank you, sweet Lord Jesus!
As Jake’s truck coasts to a stop, the door to my parents’ house flies open, and Prim darts out, rushing toward the vehicle.
As soon as Garrett exits, she has him wrapped in her arms.
My heart sinks as it fills with guilt and shame. I remember how strong young love felt, how it could consume you. Clearly, however inappropriate the match is, Prim is smitten with Garrett and does little to hide it. If she knew what had happened between him and me, well, I’m not quite sure our relationship would ever recover.
I climb into bed, hoping to get a little shut-eye before getting up at the butt-crack of dawn to break up some hay when my phone buzzes. I look down to see a text from Eva.
Eva:I have a big surprise coming your way…
