Warnings and Wildfires

Celia executes a neat U-turn in the middle of the street and heads home. “That’s because you want her to like you.”

“True. Meeting her made it seem so…real.”

“Uh, that’s because she’s real.” She glances over. “Are you having second thoughts? It’s a big responsibility to get involved with someone who has a kid.”

I consider her question before answering. Sully already showed me this afternoon how much he wants to consider both of our feelings. “Honestly, no.”

“You’re not insulted he didn’t want to introduce you as his girlfriend?”

“Not at all. We’ve been together barely a week. It made me respect him more, honestly.”

“Oh, boy. That sounds like your ovaries talking.”

“What? Why?”

“He’s a good dad.” She wags a finger in the air like she’s reading from a script. “Ergo, he’d be a good dad to your kids.”

“Duh, of course he would.”

She laughs and slaps the steering wheel. “Wow. One week my ass. You’re already making babies in your head.”

“Shut up. I am not.” Well, now that she said it, I kind of am.

All the fun gets sucked out of our night as soon as we get home. Celia flips through the mail and stops at one long, white envelope.

“Aubrey,” she says and my skin prickles at the serious tone she uses.

“What is it?”

“I don’t know. It’s from the parole board.”

“You’re kidding. He can’t be…” My voice trails off as I do the math in my head. Yeah, I guess it’s possible. “Shit.”

“Do you want me to open it?” she asks.

Too upset to speak, I just nod.

She opens the letter and scans it quickly. “That motherfucker,” she grumbles.

“What?”

“They’re asking if you want to come testify on his behalf.”

“What! That’s insane. There’s supposed to be a restraining order even after he’s released.” At the time, I’d been furious my parents insisted on that part. Now, I’m grateful. At least they did one thing useful.

She hands over the letter without any further comment. It’s exactly what she said. An invitation to come testify.

“I can’t go there, Celia. Not even to argue against his release. I can’t. I don’t want to—”

“Okay. Calm down. Write a letter.” She nods to the envelope in my hand. “All the info is there. They’ll have to take it into consideration.”

“I hope you’re right.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

As usual, yesterday went by way too fast. After dropping Maddy off at my mother’s, I arrive early at Strike Back to prep for the morning self-defense class.

Aubrey’s withdrawn and quiet when she arrives. We talked briefly last night after Maddy went to bed and she seemed okay. Did she rethink our situation? Was meeting my daughter too much for her?

I’d hate it if that was the case, but it’d be better to know now rather than later. Especially if I approach Lauren about more visitation with Maddy.

The thought puts me in a foul mood. Something I don’t have time to indulge in when I need to focus on the class.

A talk with Aubrey doesn’t seem possible since I need to leave early for family dinner at my mother’s before taking Madison to the airport.

“Bree’s not coming this week?” I ask Aubrey, trying to coax a smile or something out of her.

Her mouth quirks. “No. She has a big paper or something due.”

We’re stopped from any more conversation by other students arriving.

It’s another scorcher today. Maybe that’s why class is small. I wrap up early and pull Aubrey aside.

“Everything okay?”

Her big eyes meet mine and I finally get a genuine smile out of her.

“Yeah, class was good.” She pokes a finger in my side. “I let some of your students know you’re finally on Instagram. Hopefully word will spread.”

I pull her in closer. “Missed you yesterday.”

Her eyes go soft and she melts into me. “I missed you too.”

“What’d you do?”

“Nothing exciting. Caught up on my laundry.” She fluffs her ponytail. “Talked Celia into trimming my hair.”

“Sorry, I didn’t notice with it up.”

She tilts her head as if she’s confused. Shit, now that she’s called attention to it, I can almost feel my hand twisting around her ponytail while I take her from behind.

I cough and glance away. “It’s slow. Want me to show you that maneuver I mentioned in class?”

“How to get out of the ponytail grab? Sure.”

We’re alone in the gym, so I take my time walking her through the steps.

Damn, she smells good. The fundamental urge to get as close as possible makes me skim my hands over her sides. My fingers tease under her shirt, barely brushing over her ribs and back down to grasp her hips.

She rests her hand on my chest. Right over my heart that I’m sure she can feel thudding against her palm.

In my hands, she feels light and delicate. My muscles tighten as I pull her closer.

“Sully?” she whispers. A warning that we’re not exactly alone.

She blinks up at me and her lips part. I’m a centimeter away from pressing my lips against hers when the back door opens, and voices reach us. Aubrey stumbles backward and rights herself about a second before Maddy and my mother pop into the workout room.

“Daddy!” Madison flies into my arms. I squeeze her tight, never knowing when she’ll decide she’s too old to call me daddy or let me hug her in public.

“You’re like a little freight train, you know that?”

Maddy just laughs and hugs me tighter.

Aubrey slowly backs away and I reach out to stop her.

I lift my chin. “Everything okay, Mom?”

My mother’s shrewd gaze sweeps over the scene in front of her before answering. “We stopped for ice cream and she wanted to see you.” My mother glances at Aubrey, a faint smile curving her mouth. “I hope it’s okay.”

“Yeah. It’s great.” I motion Aubrey closer. “Mom, this is Aubrey. I hired her to help out at the front desk.”

Maddy finally relaxes her python impression and turns to face Aubrey. “Hey again.”

“Aubrey,” my mother says. “I’ve heard a lot of nice things about you. Sullivan says you’ve been a big help.”

“Oh.” Aubrey’s hands flutter in the air for a moment. “That’s good to hear. It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Wallace.”

My mother can be good at recognizing when people are nervous and she lets Aubrey off the hook. “Where’s Jake?”

“He’s here somewhere.”

“Do I hear my favorite ladies in here?” Jake asks, poking his head out of the locker room. “Give me a second.”

Madison strolls away to inspect some of the new equipment I’ve added since the last time she was here. “Be careful,” I can’t help calling out.

She throws me an eye-rolling head shake. “I know.”

Aubrey hides her laughter behind her hand and I shrug.

“I should go back to work,” she says. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Wallace.”

Before my mother has a chance to open her mouth and stop her, Aubrey scurries to the front desk.

Mom curls her hand around my bicep. “Am I that terrifying?” she whispers.

“I don’t think she expected to meet you today, that’s all.” I glance at Aubrey, who’s busy cleaning the counter.

“I didn’t want to make her nervous. Maddy really did want to come see you.”

I give her hand what I hope is a reassuring pat. “I love when you stop by. Wish you did it more often.”

“Don’t start with me, Sullivan. I’m up to thirty minutes a day on that treadmill you forced into my house.”

I can’t help laughing and holding up my hands in defense of the accusation. “That’s not what I meant. And I didn’t force anything.” I nod at Jake, who’s coming our way. “He was in on that too.”

“What’d I do now?” Jake asks, kissing Mom’s cheek.

“Nothing,” she says, beaming at him. “I wasn’t sure you’d be working here this afternoon.”

Jake suffers under the misguided delusion that I’m the favorite son, so I keep my working-is-a-stretch comment to myself.

“I’m here.”

My attention is drawn to Maddy approaching Aubrey. Noticing the tension in my posture, my mother follows my line of sight.

“Does she like kids?” she asks in a low voice.

Jake chuckles and I glare at him.

“I think so. She wanted to be a teacher.” It’s not like we’ve been together long enough to discuss Aubrey’s feelings on kids. She’s such a sweet person, I can’t imagine her not liking them. Besides, as Madison is fond of reminding me, she’s almost an adult.

I tried to give Sully and his mother some space. At least appear like I’m doing my job. I feel ridiculous standing here in front of the woman while I’m wearing my workout clothes. A sweaty mess. About five seconds from making out with Sully when she and Madison showed up. Something I’m sure anyone can tell by my bright pink cheeks.