I could text him and ask him to come outside.
I pulled my phone from my back pocket but only stared at it before I began pacing again. It was pathetic. I should’ve been past the situation with my ex.
So what he’s engaged.
He cheated on me.
It was for the best.
I ran those three declarations repeatedly in my mind, hoping they would eventually bring me some solace.
The sound of laughter pulled my attention and I looked up to see a group of Rescue Four guys standing just inside the opened garage. Don, Corey’s best friend, stood at the center recounting some story to all the guys.
“You all should’ve been there. This baby was huge. Had to be at least two-thousand degrees in that bitch,” he said. His hands moved as much as his mouth did. “God, I love this job. We saved the woman, husband and their dog. Carried all three over my shoulder.”
“Bullshit,” one of the other guys declared. The rest of the group cracked up.
“Nah, it’s true,” Don insisted. “Ask your mother how I carried her out. She’ll tell you how much I can handle.”
A chorus ofohhssounded right before Don chortled at his own joke.
I found myself amused by the way he commanded the group’s attention. Don always had a natural draw to him. His charisma and sarcastic nature grabbed most people’s attention and rarely let go.
Suddenly, I realized, I probably should go. I turned and started for my car.
“Jocelyn?”
I peered up and nearly tripped as I caught sight of Don exiting the garage, leaving the rest of his group behind.
“Hey.” I waved, feeling even more pathetic for being caught.
“What are you doing out here?” He drew closer, and I let my gaze cascade down the length of his body, appreciating the way the black T-shirt shirt and blue jeans fit his muscular frame.
Don obviously worked hard to maintain his body. All firefighters did, I supposed.
“What?” I asked.
“What are you doing here?”
“Corey,” I replied once my brain got back on track. “I came to see Corey.”
A remorseful expression covered his face. “I’m sorry, but you just missed him. He left about thirty minutes ago when our shift ended. He had a date.”
I snorted. “Of course he did.” I’d known that but forgot in my rush to see him. “Thanks.” I waved and turned to head back to my car.
“Are you okay?”
His question stopped me in my tracks.
No.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”
He circled my body and stood in front of me.
I couldn’t meet his gaze.
An awkward silence hung in the air. It felt like he knew I’d lied. I could’ve pushed past him, but something kept me bolted in place.
