“Should we go save him?” I ask, looking out the window and seeing Ollie stand with his hands on his hips, an expression on his face as if he’s trying to find patience. His mom has an angry tone to her voice radiating through the window. She’s talking animatedly, her hands flying, and her voice is getting louder as she goes on. Ollie stands there, saying nothing. He looks cold, without a jacket. That’s all I can think about is him being cold.
Theresa hasn’t been the best mom to Cami or Ollie. She’s been coming around more often, but it’s hard. They never know what version of her they’re going to get. Is she going to be their mother figure or someone who is snarky and manipulative? I’ve seen both sides, and I’m not a big fan. Ollie used to keep going back to her and doing whatever she needed, and he’d always end up hurt and disappointed, no matter what. In the past few years, he has stopped going around, and he seems happier without her drama.
“Probably a good idea to save him,” Bucky says and turns before calling to one of the guys. “Hey, go get Kendrick. Tell him we need him in here.”
The newbie cracks the back door and calls out, “Yo, Kendrick. Bucky needs you.”
Theresa turns and glares at the interruption. Ollie says something to her and strolls over to the door. She crosses her arms and watches him with narrowed eyes as he heads inside.
He comes in, and his face lights up when he sees me. “Hey, what’s up?”
I raise my eyebrows and look out the window at Theresa onher phone, who’s staring at the firehouse as she talks animatedly. “Are you good?”
He rolls his eyes and shakes his head. “Theresa just being Theresa.”
“You need help with anything?” Bucky asks.
Ollie shakes his head. “Nope. What do I need to do?”
Bucky shakes his head. “Just a rescue mission.”
“Appreciate it,” he says. “Come on, Poppy.”
I follow him into the garage where the trucks are. The doors are closed because it’s a cold Wyoming day. No snow today, but I heard it’s coming.
“What did you have to tell me?” he asks, leaning in and giving me all of his attention.
I grin and say, “What would you say if I told you that you were looking at the next auto shop teacher at the Bridger Falls High School?”
He picks me up and spins me around. “What? No way!”
I laugh as he sets me down. “Yes! Jim Fisher from the high school came in and offered me a job!”
“What? Whoa. You’d be perfect for that job. Dang, those kids would be so lucky to have you,” he says, just as excited as I am.
“I know, right? Solid paychecks and benefits!”
He smiles. “Amazing. Just amazing.”
“What are you going to do about the shop?” he asks, suddenly.
I bite my lip. “I don’t know. I can’t let it go, but I was thinking of finding a way to make both work. Like maybe run the shop part-time alongside the school. It would be a lot, but I could get caught up. I could definitely make it work until summer and maybe find some help by then.”
He nods. “Any chance you could save the house?”
I shake my head. “My dad was so far behind on payments.And it needs so much work. I think we’re better off finding a place in town to rent for a while.”
“You know you can move into the garage apartment.”
“That’s your place,” I tell him firmly. “We’re not taking your place.”
“My place is with you,” he tells me, eyes meeting mine.
“I don’t know what to say, Ollie. You know you’re literally my best friend in the whole world. I can’t imagine not having you in my life. And if we didn’t work out, so many bad things would happen. Like Owen...and...”
Ollie pulls me close to him. “Poppy.”
I sigh. “What?”
