“What did she mean when she said,‘the shit that went down’?” I feel like I’m standing on the outside and only getting half the story.
“That’s not for me to share.” He’s standing with his feet slightly apart and now crosses his arms too, letting me know he’s not a pushover. “Next question.”
The gentle man I just saw inside is gone, and the seasoned firefighter is now here.
“What really happened in that fire? Because I don’t buy that last part.” I don’t want to outright accuse him, but I feel like something is being covered up, not necessarily by him, but Idon’t trust Dean. I don’t know much about him, just what Poppy told me at Christmas. But in the five-minute encounter I had with him yesterday, I didn’t like what I saw, or the vibe I got.
“You know as much as I do right now. There is an open investigation, and if anything more comes to light,Poppywill be the first to know.” He’s trying to put me in my place, but I’m not having it.
Poppy might not be my girlfriend, but she’s mine, and I protect what’s mine.
“Love your loyalty to her, but she’s in no mental state to deal with anything heavy. So, until she is, youwillbe calling me first,” I answer.
“Look, Landon, I can see how much she means to you, but until yesterday, I didn’t even know you existed. I’ve been looking out for Poppy for the last seven years, and I will continue to do so going forward. So, unless you have any further questions, I think we’re done here.”
I have many but not anything he’s going to answer today, so I just shake my head.
“Take care of her but stay in your lane, Landon. And just to clarify, my firehouse and crew arenotin your fucking lane,” Rosco states bluntly and then walks away from me toward the exit.
Once he turns the corner, I lean back against the wall and just take a minute.
I respect that he’s her boss, but that’s not going to stop me from doing what’s best for Poppy, which right now is protecting her from anyone or anything that is going to hurt her.
Trying to bring the rage that’s racing through my body right now down to a calmer level until I walk back into the room, I pull my phone from my pocket.
I pull up Adrian’s number. I know he’s staying with the boys tonight to give Felix a break because he has looked after them all day.
The video call connects, and I can hear the music from Mario Kart in the background and the boys excitedly yelling while they’re racing each other. I turn the volume down on my phone so I’m not disturbing anyone.
“Hey,” Adrian says, and I can tell he’s checking out what I look like. “Do I need to move to another room to chat?”
“No. And you don’t need to say it, I know I look like shit. It’s been a long day—well, two, really.”
“Okay, I won’t say it. How is she?” Adrian walks a little farther away from the boys, probably so he can hear me.
“She’s doing okay. Still sleeping a lot, but when she’s awake, she’s still the old stubborn Poppy I know. Which is good and bad. She’ll need that bit of determination to get back on her feet. The operation went well, and tomorrow we’ll talk to the doctors to make a plan to get her out of here. What that plan is I have no idea, so I’m sorry. I know I’ve left you juggling the bar and the boys, which is a lot.” I feel terrible saying it.
“Pfft, these two are a piece of cake. I don’t know what you’ve been complaining about all these years,” Adrian says sarcastically.
“Yeah, right. By the way, Mrs. B knows now. I’ve managed to get her to stay in Boston until at least tomorrow until we know more. But if you see that woman walking to her car with a suitcase, call me.” We both laugh a little because Poppy is just like her mother in the stubbornness department, so I wouldn’t put it past her to just decide she’s driving here anyway.
“Bet that conversation went well,” Adrian replies.
“Not really, but as a parent, I understand how hurt she must feel. Anyway, I just called to speak to the boys. I want to tell themwhere I am and about Poppy, so stay close in case there are any tears.” He nods and then calls the boys to the phone.
I can’t help laughing when I hear the boys groaning that he’s making them pause the game.
“Dad!” Kade yells into the phone way too loudly. Luckily I have the volume down.
“Hey, buddy, not so loud, okay,” I tell him as the phone wobbles a little, and then it’s turned sideways and I see Nash’s face beside his brother.
“Hi, Dad.” He’s more reserved than his brother.
“Hi, Nash. Hope you boys are being good for Adrian?” I start off gently.
Both of them begin talking over the top of each other. I try to follow both conversations at once, but I’m too tired and just give up.
“Okay, just hush for a minute, I need to talk to you about something.”
