“You did?” I asked, perking up instantly. Beau’s lips turned down at the corners. “I need to hear that story, stat.”
“Not much to say.” She looked him up and down slowly. “We were boyfriend and girlfriend, in a committed relationship, I thought. Only we didn’t have the same idea about what the meant, did we, Beau?”
“That’s all in the past, Charlie,” he growled.
“You want it to be,” she replied, her grin widening. “Perhaps because I laid you out with one punch.” A wink my way and she continued. “Knocked out by a girl.”
“You didn’t—” he ground out.
Charlie’s focus transferred to me.
“Because Beau here thought it was perfectly reasonable to slap me.” My mouth fell open and it was then I put two and two together. Her reluctance for me to date Beau, as well as Troy’s. “I made clear what a mistake that was and when Troy saw the mark on my face…”
I knew exactly what her brother would’ve done. That growly protective streak would’ve gone into overdrive, which made me wonder how the hell Beau still had all his teeth.
“There’s nothing weaker than a man who lays hands on a woman.” My lips curled as I looked him up and down. “I wouldn’t date you if you paid me for my time.”
“That was years ago,” he spluttered.
“And even if you’d changed.” Inspecting the perfectly polished boots, the well pressed clothes, I couldn’t help but compare the way he looked to everyone else. “People are out fighting fires, helping animals, coming together as a community and you…” My lips curled. “You’re just swanning about town, trying to pick up women as the world burns around you. Let me make this simple for you.” I leaned in closer. “You and me? Never gonna happen.”
Leaving him to stare after us, Charlie and I got back into the car, but as we made our way back to the forest, there was something I needed to say.
“I’m sorry Nugget got out.”
“It’s fine.” She flicked on the indicator. “He’s an idiot, but if a cat has nine lives, he has twenty.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t stay in the rescue. Seems like I get into a lot of trouble when I’m around that wombat,” I continued.
“Would’ve been out there the minute we had the all clear anyway,” she replied, the smiled at me. “You just brought the schedule forward.”
“And I’m sorry…” My throat was still dry and scratchy, so this was harder to get out. “I’m sorry I went out with Beau. If I had any idea?—?”
“He was a dick to me, but I set him straight.” She popped her arm so I could see the muscles flexing. “I was pretty sure he wouldn’t pull the same shit with you, but I couldn’t help but be concerned.” Her lips twisted into a smile. “We couldn’t help but be concerned.”
“Thank you.” Charlie held my gaze for a second, then turned back to the car. “I kinda needed someone in my corner after what happened at home.”
“Don’t thank me.” She pulled over by the side of the forest, then opened her door. “Troy was the one that went after you, made sure Beau behaved himself.”
He was looking after me, protecting me, even when he thought I was seriously annoying. That was something I had to consider as we walked out into the ash.
Hours later, we arrived back at the farm to the smell of toasted bread and a line of boots by the front door.
“Toasted sandwiches,” Charlie said with a shrug. “At least I don’t have to cook.”
The door swung open and when we walked in, every eye turned our way. I smiled at the sight of a freshly washed Troy, because I was ready. To say thanks for looking out for me. For being a protective presence on my Australian journey. For multiple orgasms and?—
“Where the hell have you two been?” he growled, getting to his feet.
Chapter 24
Troy
I bloody hated bushfires.
Earlier that day, me and my brothers jumped out of the car the minute we reached the Country Fire Service station. Striding towards the shed, we joined the cluster of local volunteers clustered around Jamie Kennedy, the incident controller for the day.
“Where’s the fire?” I asked, not bothering with niceties.
