Rex, Michael, and Amber make their way through the doors to join us, and I’m instantly thankful more people will now be around to break up the tension that has formed on the patio.
“I guess this is where the party’s at,” Rex shouts, stumbling awkwardly towards me. “Change that boring music. What the hell are you listening to, woman?” he slurs. Making his way towards my phone, he grabs it with such force, I’m surprised it doesn’t fall out of his hands. It wouldn’t be the first time Rex has broken one of my phones while he’s been drinking.
Closing one eye to focus on the object in his palm, he selects a classic rock station and starts dancing around like an idiot, doing his best air guitar impression as the patio slowly begins to fill with laughter. The tension starts to lift and my heart slowly returns to its regular beat. Although when I look back at Noah, he’s still looking straight ahead at Trevor, deep in thought.
Chapter Nine
Noah
Rex is in rare form as he dances around the patio, doing his best Peter Frampton impersonation to “Show Me the Way.” Everyone laughs as he can barely stand yet somehow manages perfect air guitar moves and electronic voices to compliment Frampton’s iconic tune. Everyone joins in on singing the words during the chorus because Rex’s enthusiasm for the song is just too damn contagious.
As the song comes to an end, I keep my eye on Trevor and wonder what kind of history he and Eva must have had. I’m slightly worried their past might be a threat to what I hope is my present, or dare I dream, my future.
I never disliked Trevor before. In fact, we’ve always gotten along well. Although, in the short time I’ve observed him and Eva together, I’ve instinctively started to feel threatened. The thoughts of his hands on her or his lips anywhere near the places I long to kiss and touch make me want to punch his fucking lights out.
Returning my gaze to Eva, I’m overcome again with how amazing she looks in the firelight. She laughs and jokes with everyone sitting around us. The ease at which she enjoys herself makes her that much more appealing, and I find myself changing my mind about not wanting to get involved with anyone. I’m still planning on moving, but that move is two months away. Two months is a good amount of time to at least see where things can go and have some fun while doing it.
I don’t know what came over me when I grabbed her hand. I haven’t felt this way about anyone in a long time. The feelings of desire, lust, even jealousy, are emotions I long ago tried to forget.
The music slows and someone must have changed the station because “Let Me Down Easy” by Billy Currington begins to play low in the background. Consumed, I watch Eva, mesmerized by how easily she holds everyone’s attention captive as she talks.
If not trying to feel anything for her feels this good, how much better would it feel if I gave in? And what if, just by some crazy chance, her feelings were the same, too? Could she possibly feel anywhere close to the way I do when I look in her eyes?
These are all great questions I need to know the answer to before we go any further. I might have been moments away from getting those answers before Trevor showed up.
He might have won for the moment, but there is no way I’m letting Eva get away again tonight.
“How’s work, Trev?” Eva asks. “I’d expect things to be more hectic with the holidays approaching. Any crazy stories to thrill us with tonight?”
Jealousy burns through my veins. I tighten my grip on her hand and see the recognition of its tight grip flash across her pretty face as she tenses. She doesn’t turn to look at me, but I know the message is delivered.
You can talk to him, Darlin. But you belong to me.
“Not too crazy,” Trevor says. “We do live in such a quiet town. My shift changes next week, and I will be back to working nights. Maybe I will have some stories for you then.”
Trevor’s a police officer, and it suits him. The man never breaks the law and even looks down on his family members for minor offenses like speeding tickets. He’s annoyingly perfect and so uptight it’s hard to make him smile most of the time. How anything ever happened between Eva and Trevor blows my mind.
“Noah here has some stories,” Rex butts in, slurring and laughing at the same time. “Tell them about the fire we fought up Highway 50 and how you found the culprit running naked through the forest shortly after.”
Not one for bragging about the work I do, or even retelling too many stories from my time spent volunteering with Rex fighting wildfires, I shake my head at his comment. “No one wants to hear that kind of stuff, Rex.”
“You’re a firefighter, too?” Eva asks, surprised. “Do you ever rest? Work, school, firefighting. You’re like a crazy one-man show.”
“I like to keep busy,” I shrug. “I love being outside. I’m not one for being cooped up inside an office all day.”
She has a point though; I am extremely busy. It’s a strategic plan I developed a few years back to keep me away from relationships. It’s a plan that has succeeded so far, but might be crumbling as we speak.
“This guy right here saved an old woman from a burning building,” Rex slurs emotionally.
“What?” Eva looks shocked as she turns toward me and searches my face for the truth.
“Saw it with my own two eyes,” Rex continues. “He’s rescued cats from trees, saves babies, helps grandmas cross the street, and risks his life for those less fortunate. He’s a hero. He’s my hero.” Rex fakes tears as his voice breaks, and he puts one hand over his heart. Eva finally catches on to the joke.
“Shut up,” she giggles playfully, slapping him on the arm. “You’re so stupid, Rex.”
I start to grow uncomfortable. I don’t volunteer to look like any kind of hero. Rex likes to tease me because I take being a volunteer firefighter more seriously than he does. I also shy away from talking about myself under any and all circumstances, unlike Rex, who is always eager to use it to his advantage—mostly with members of the opposite sex.
“Come on now,” Rex continues, “don’t hold out on the lady, or I will be forced to tell her the truth about you since you seem so keen on holding her hand but not saying a word.”
