Warnings and Wildfires

“Sully?”

“Huh?” Only this girl could kiss me stupid.

She closes her door and clicks her seatbelt into place. “Why didn’t you honk to let me know you were waiting?”

I scowl at the question and steer away from the curb. “You were talking to your friends. It’s not a big deal.”

“I know you have a million things to do. I really can take the bus.”

“No.”

She sighs.

“Not with that asshole still on the loose. No way.”

“All right.” She pulls her hair into a ponytail and slides the window down.

“How was your day?”

“Good. Great, actually. My professor’s really enthusiastic about my progress with the project. Impressed, actually.”

I reach over and squeeze her leg. “That’s great. Proud of you.”

She runs her fingers over the back of my hand. “I feel bad you’re driving me all over the place, but I like spending the extra time with you.”

My hand’s still resting on her leg, and I twist my wrist, inviting her to twine her fingers with mine. “I like it too.”

Her words almost stab a blade of guilt in my chest for the gift I’m about to give her.

As I pull around the building into the parking lot, Aubrey leans forward, peering out the windshield. “Wow, who do all the trucks and motorcycles belong to?”

“Jake has a few of his friends helping out.”

“That’s sweet.” She points toward the back of the parking lot. “Why is there a car with a bow on it in your parking lot?”

I crack a smile, guessing Jake’s the one who slapped the big silver bow on the front of the shiny red Jeep Renegade.

“I don’t know.” I fake confusion. “Let’s check it out.”

I park a few feet away from it and we climb out. She glances back and forth between the two vehicles. “It’s cute. Kinda looks like your Jeep had a baby.”

“You think so?” I rub my hand over my chin like I’m deep in thought.

She narrows her eyes at me. “Why are you being weird?”

“Am I?”

“Don’t you want to figure out who it belongs to?” she asks, walking over to the vehicle.

I jog over, catching her around her middle and lifting her in the air. I kiss her cheek, shoulder, and finally, her neck. “I already know who it belongs to,” I whisper against her ear.

“You do? Who?”

I set her down and pull the keys out of my pocket. “You.”

She blinks at stares. First at the keys, then at me. “I don’t…wait, what?”

“You need a car. You’re adding more classes to your schedule next year.” My lips quirk. “Your social media manager job requires travel.”

“Sully, I can’t accept such a huge gift from you.”

“It’s not a gift. It’s a perk of your job.” I dangle the keys in front of her.

She laughs. “My job can be done from a computer.”

“Yeah, but your boss is a real prick who makes you run all these other errands.”

Finally she snatches the keys out of my hands. “That’s not true.” She tilts her head. “You really bought this for me?”

“Yup.” I point toward the road, in the direction of the car dealership a few blocks away. “Brought mine over for an oil change and this little beauty had just been turned in at the end of its lease. It reminded me of you.”

“Because it’s tiny?” she jokes.

“Because it’s your favorite color,” I correct. “I’ve been buying cars from Henry since I was a teenager. He worked out a deal for me.”

She bites her lip and looks at the car again.

“Come on.” I place my hand on the small of her back. “Let’s check it out.”

She’s hesitant at first. Her voice trembles as she reaches up to kiss me. “This is the sweetest…thank you so much.”

I cup her cheek and hold her for a longer kiss. “You’re welcome. Go on, get in.”

She opens the door and slides into the seat. “It was leased? It doesn’t even feel broken-in.”

“That’s why I jumped on it before Henry cleaned it up and put it out on the lot.”

She runs her hands over the touchscreen in the middle and down the controls below it. “I guess I should tell Celia I don’t need a ride tonight.”

“She already knows.”

Her eyes widen. “What? How?”

“She met me at the dealership before I signed the papers.”

“Why?”

“I wanted to make sure you’d like it.”

“Sully.” She sighs. “That’s so sweet. I can’t believe she kept it a secret.”

Me either. “Let’s take it out.”

She peers up at me. “Will your shoulders even fit in here?”

I snort and walk around to the passenger side and get in. “It’s surprisingly roomy.”

“Where to?” she asks.

“Wherever you want.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

I’ve driven it every day for about a week, but I’m still not used to my car. It’s so red and pretty. I can’t help smiling every time I see it. My bright, shiny reminder of how sweet and thoughtful Sully is.

How lucky I am.

After spending most of my weekend with Sully and Madison, I promised my sister I’d stop by the apartment to help her go through some boxes.

Then we’re meeting Sully and the guys at their favorite bar for dinner.

I pull into the spot closest to the sidewalk. Even though I haven’t heard anything from Darren since he sent his last letter, Sully still worries so, I text him that I’m here.

Barking echoes through the courtyard and as I jog up the steps, I recognize Gambler’s bark. As rambunctious as the dog can be, he’s not usually noisy.

Cautiously, I creep up the remaining stairs and look around before stopping at Ty’s door. Gambler barks even louder and there’s a rattling from inside the apartment, like he’s trying to escape his crate.

Worried about the dog, I pull out my cell phone and call Ty.

“What’s going on, Aubrey?”

“Hey, I just stopped by to meet Celia and Gambler’s going nuts in your place.”

“Shit. I’m at the station. Do you mind checking on him for me? The landlord’s already on my ass about having a pit bull. I don’t need a noise complaint too.”

“Of course. I didn’t want to go into your apartment without telling you.” I walk over to Celia’s door and open it, reaching inside to grab Ty’s keys on the peg by the door.

“I appreciate it, Aubrey.”

“I’m going in now.”

“I’ll stay on the phone with you.”

“Hey, Gambler,” I call as I enter.

He stops barking and sits up straight, tail whipping from side to side.

“Are you okay, boy?”

He whines in response.

“Need to go out?”

“Don’t, Aubrey,” Tyler says. “If he’s that worked up, I don’t want him dragging you down the stairs.”

“I’ll be careful.”

“Is he okay?”

I inspect the black metal bars of his crate before unlocking the door. Gambler falls into my arms, wiggling and wagging his tail. His big, pink tongue slurps the side of my face, making me giggle.

“He seems fine. I’m sticking around for a while. I’ll bring him next door with me and keep an eye on him. If that’s okay with you?” I ask.

He breathes out a sigh of relief. “Thank you. I’m leaving here in a bit.”

We hang up and I grab Gambler’s leash. He sits and waits while I clip it on. “Someone’s been going to obedience class,” I mutter, rubbing the top of his head. “So polite.”

I lock Ty’s door and lead Gambler outside. He immediately heads for the stairs.

“Easy, boy.”

After a quick walk around the parking lot, we head upstairs. At my front door, he growls.

>   Did I leave it ajar when I grabbed Ty’s keys?

A trickle of fear drips down my spine. I can’t remember closing the door. I was on the phone and distracted, so I probably didn’t pull it shut.

Gambler growls again and scratches his paw against the door, pushing it open even wider.

Nothing looks out of place. Then again, I haven’t been here in a few days.

My phone vibrates, startling me. Heart hammering, I answer. “What?”

“Rude much?” Celia laughs. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m at the apartment.”

“That’s why I called. I’m running late.”

“Oh.”

“Is everything okay?”

“I’m not sure. Gambler was barking like crazy when I got here. I called Ty and I’m bringing him over to our place for a while.”

“He did that last night, too,” she says. “Ty’s been working a lot. Figured poor G was just wound up. Ty took him on a run this morning, so he should’ve been tired.”

I close the door behind me, dropping Gambler’s leash so he can run around the apartment. Laughing, I ask, “How do you know so much about Ty’s schedule, sis? Hmm? What have I missed around here lately?”

She snorts. “Give it a rest, little Miss Matchmaker.” There’s yelling in the background and she groans. “Gotta go. See you in a bit.”

Laughing to myself, I wander into the kitchen and grab a glass of water and a couple biscuits we keep for Gambler.

I find him stationed outside my closed bedroom door.

“Yup, that’s my room, boy.”

He glances over and whines.

“Want a cookie?” I wave the treats in his face, but he ignores them.