Fallen: An Everyday Heroes World Novel (The Everyday Heroes World)

by Rebecca Barber

  No one had ever asked me what my favorite was before. “No worries. When do you need them?”

  He let out a huge sigh. “Saturday morning if that’s okay?”

  “Perfect. Did you want to pay now or when you pick them up?”

  After swiping his card, Zach thanked me, but before he left, he walked over to where Sage was eavesdropping and placed a kiss on Ava’s head before walking out the door, the jingling of the bells letting me know the coast was clear and I could breathe again.

  Plonking my butt down onto the stool, I wondered if it was too early in the morning for wine. I needed one. Or two. Or possibly something stronger.

  Just when I thought it was safe to breathe again, Zach’s head poked back through the door.

  “Forget something?” I asked, squeezing my thighs together.

  “Yeah actually. Just wanted to tell you, I love your shoes.” With a final wink he was gone.

  Sage made a beeline in my direction, as I swung my legs out from behind the counter and looked down at my feet. “Oh. My. God.”

  Sage’s hysterical laughter scared Ava in her arms and she whimpered. “Today’s so not your day,” Sage teased between fits of giggles.

  I wanted to slap her. I couldn’t. If it’d happened to someone else, it would’ve been hysterical. But it wasn’t someone else who was wearing one black shoe with a shiny silver buckle and one navy shoe with a red bow. It was me. I was a bloody mess. And Zach had seen it. He’d seen it all.

  “This can’t be happening,” I groaned, fixing the buttons on my soggy, coffee-stained top.

  “Oh, it is. Now, sit down and snuggle with little miss here. I’m going to get us more coffee and donuts and then you, Lily Evans, are going to start talking. First topic, that delicious hunk of man meat who was just in here looking all sorts of fine.”

  I was screwed. So very screwed.

  9

  ZACH

  Swapping shifts was not my smartest idea. Grady would pay for this. I was going to make him cover one of my Friday nights or something equally as annoying.

  This was my second shift in a row, and both were turning out to be torturous. I was used to long hours and the lack of sleep didn’t really bother me but dealing with the fallout of idiots grated on my nerves. Last night we’d been first on the scene of a car accident. The guy had wrapped himself around a light pole, and by the time we’d arrived on scene, he’d come to and was sitting behind the wheel, drunk as a skunk singing ‘Hotel California’. He smelt like a brewery and there was an open bottle of bourbon wedged between his thighs. After getting him out of the car and helping him stagger over to the ambulance as it pulled in, he proceeded to lecture me about wasting my Friday nights working when I should be out chasing tail, something I’d much rather be doing than dealing with the likes of this idiot, but here I was.

  Sadly, that was only the beginning of it. We’d made it back to the station and I was just grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge when the alarm sounded again. Gulping down mouthfuls and trying not to choke as I ran across the common room and climbed back in, we were off again. This time to help an overenthusiastic backyard chef control the fire he’d inadvertently set trying to get the perfect char on his steaks. By the time we managed to get it out, including his back fence, which was now missing sections, his steaks were well and truly cremated.

  And so the idiocy continued. All damn night.

  By the time Saturday morning arrived, I was so tired and sore, I could barely put one foot in front of the other.

  “You got plans for your days off?” Bowie asked as he tossed his bag into the back of his truck.

  “Yeah. Sleep. And a lot of it.”

  “Sounds like a plan. When you back?”

  “Tuesday,” I replied with a loud yawn.

  “Well take it easy. See you then.”

  “You too.” With a two-finger salute, I watched as Bowie slipped behind the wheel of his truck and peeled out of the parking lot.

  With a stop to make before I could go home and fall into bed, I got my ass moving.

  Stepping inside the small florist shop, the scent of flowers hit me like a wall. It wasn’t like I was against flowers, just this many all crammed in such a small space was more than a little overpowering.

  “She’s not here.”

  The voice called out and caught me so off guard I almost tripped over a bucket next to my feet.

  “Huh?” I replied, wincing at how dumb I sounded.

  “Lily. She’s not here.”

  “I wasn’t…”

  “Yeah okay. Keep telling yourself that.”

  Deciding that it wasn’t worth arguing with the chick with the purple hair and way too much eye makeup on for a Saturday morning, I marched straight up to the counter.

  “I’m picking up…”

  “The beautiful bouquet Lily came in early this morning to put together for you. I know.”

  “I’m Zach,” I introduced myself, extending my hand over the counter. It took her a moment while she eyed me up and down before dropping her small hand in mine.

  “Sage. We’ve already met”

  “We have?” How could I not remember her? Sage didn’t look like the kind of girl anyone would or could forget in a hurry.

  “Yeah, but you were pretty distracted and in a hurry.”

  Now I felt like shit. Forgetting someone was an ass thing to do. “I’m sorry Sage. I didn’t…”

  “Don’t even worry about it. I’m not,” she shrugged, and I wondered if she really meant it or if she was like every other female I’d ever met and was going to pretend to let it go only to whip it out and make me feel like a dick whenever she needed. “Give me a second and I’ll grab your order.”

  She vanished out the back leaving me standing there, tired as hell, feeling like an idiot. I didn’t know if I was glad Lily wasn’t there or disappointed. Confused is probably the best description and right then, I was way too exhausted to even consider what that actually meant.

  Sage returned a second later cradling a stunning bunch of flowers. I might not know a lot about flowers or flower arranging or even tying a bow, but I knew these were beautiful and absolutely perfect for what I had in mind.

  “Wow!”

  “She really out did herself, didn’t she?”

  “Yeah.”

  “She came in early this morning and put them together for you. Very early.”

  “Well, I appreciate it. She did a great job.”

  “You’re missing my point. She came in very early. Very, very early to put those together for you. Only you. You were the only order for today and it’s her day off, but she came in anyway.”

  “Why?” I asked dumbly. I wasn’t that important, and I certainly hadn’t asked for any special treatment.

  “Maybe you should ask her.”

  Sage shrugged her shoulder and when the phone started ringing, I was dismissed. Looking down at the colorful bunch wrapped in purple and orange paper with a giant silver bow, I knew they were exactly what I needed. I just hoped they’d last until this afternoon. I needed a shower and some sleep, then I’d deal with everything else.

  An incessant and annoying ringing woke me from where I was sleeping, dead to the world. Reaching out, I groped around trying to find my phone, my eyes still blurry.

  “Hello,” I rasped, rubbing my eyes.

  “Zach!” an annoyingly cheery voice exclaimed.

  Sitting up, I settled myself against the headboard, knowing this wasn’t likely to be a short conversation. “Hey, Maddy.”

  “Hey Maddy? Hey Maddy? Is that the greeting your favorite sister gets when she calls you?”

  Maddy. I loved her, most of the time anyway, but she was always so damn dramatic. No wonder she was an actress.

  “Cut me some slack. You woke me up,” I grumbled, wishing I was still asleep but eyeing the clock on the other side of the room and realizing it was probably time for me to get up anyway.

  “Oh. Sorry, sleeping beauty. How
’s Mom?”

  “Why don’t you ring and ask her?”

  “You know I can’t.”

  I wished Maddy and Mom would sort out their dramas, but I was not getting involved. Whatever it was that happened between them that had them hiding from each other on opposite sides of the world, I wished they’d just get over themselves and sort it out. And the sooner the better. They were both missing out. But it wasn’t my fight.

  “She’s doing okay, but she’s getting old, Mads.”

  “Don’t, Zach.”

  “How’s things back home anyway?” I asked, changing the subject.

  “Okay I guess.”

  “You guess? What’s going on?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Nothing?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Bullshit.”

  “Huh?”

  “Maddy, I love you, but even I know when a girl says she’s fine, she’s anything but. And thankfully, I’m far enough away that I’m safe, but I’m slightly worried about those who aren’t. So, tell me what’s going on.”

  “It’s nothing. Bryce just…”

  “Just what?”

  “He dumped me.”

  “Dumped you? I didn’t even know you two were dating.”

  “Well…”

  “We’re talking about my mate Bryce Masters, aren’t we?”

  “Yeah. I mean, we weren’t really dating as such, it was more…”

  For the next twenty minutes I tried to talk Maddy down off the ledge. For someone who didn’t want to talk about it, once she started, she wouldn’t shut up. I don’t think she even took a breath as she spilled her guts.

  When she was finally done, I reminded her that we loved her no matter what and there was a bed here for her whenever she could make it over for a visit. She’d always wanted to come to America but never made it, and if I was being honest, I really wished she’d come over.

  “Call me anytime, Mads.”

  “Thanks, Zach. I knew you were my favorite brother for a reason.”

  “I’m your only brother.”

  “And that’s why you’re my favorite.”

  “Love you too.”

  “Thanks for everything.”

  “Anytime. And remember, even if they do kill you off, something else will come up. It always does.”

  “Thanks, Zach. Love you.”

  We hung up and my stomach rumbled loudly. Jumping in the shower, I got cleaned up quickly, before dressing in a t-shirt and jeans before slapping my baseball cap on my head and heading down to the kitchen. After eating a full plate of bacon, scrambled eggs and a couple of slices of toast, I gathered my stuff and headed out the door.

  Sliding behind the wheel of my truck, I wiped my sweaty hands on my thighs. I was nervous. As much as I kept telling myself not to be, I was. At some point I’d decided this was a good idea but now I wasn’t so sure.

  Giving myself a pep talk, I put the truck into reverse and backed out of the driveway. Navigating my way through the streets, I drove past the station where the doors were wide open, but the rig was missing, probably out on another call. Driving down main street, it was strangely quiet for late on a Saturday afternoon. The florist shop was dark and all locked up for the night, and I glanced over at the bouquet sitting on the passenger seat, taunting me.

  I’d taken the long way around, but as I turned into the street, with my heart beating out of my chest, I drove up the driveway and killed the engine.

  “I can do this,” I told myself as I pushed open the door.

  “Can do what?” a sweet voice asked from beside my open window, scaring the crap out of me.

  10

  LILY

  It was a beautiful afternoon and after spending all morning cooped up inside starting the mammoth job of cleaning, I’d taken Ava out for a walk to enjoy the afternoon sun. Walking back up the driveway, I wasn’t expecting to find Zach’s truck parked there. I thought he’d be out on a date. The thought churned my stomach.

  Stepping up beside his door, I almost laughed listening to him give himself a pep talk.

  “Can do what?” I asked, catching Zach off guard.

  “Geez, Lily! You almost gave me a heart attack.”

  “Sorry.” Even though it’d been kind of funny to scare him, I did feel a little guilty. But only a little. I stepped back and let him open the door and slide out.

  “And how’s my favorite girl today?”

  I almost answered. The words were on the tip of my tongue when he knelt down and reached into the stroller, letting Ava wrap her tiny little fist around his finger. He wasn’t talking to me. Of course he wasn’t. Why would he be?

  “I need to get her inside. Did you want to come in?” I offered.

  “Sure.”

  Pushing the stroller across the yard, I managed the stairs like a master, thank God, because I could feel Zach’s eyes cataloging my every move. After unlocking the door, I unbuckled Ava from her stroller, carrying her inside while Zach did something in his car. Who knows what he was up to?

  “Lily?”

  “Just a second,” I replied, peeling off Ava’s wet diaper and dropping it in the trash before getting her cleaned up and dressed again. Nursing her in my arms, I couldn’t help but lean in and smell her clean baby scent as I walked back into the lounge room to find Zach looking uncomfortable and kind of awkward.

  “Shouldn’t you be out on your date?” I blurted out rather rudely.

  “Date? What date?”

  “The one you ordered the flowers for?”

  A sneaky smirk crossed Zach’s face, and now I was the one feeling awkward. I didn’t know him well, actually I barely knew anything about him, but the mischief dancing in his eyes had me sitting down on the arm of the couch.

  “You mean these flowers?”

  As he pulled his hand out from behind his back, I recognized the bouquet instantly. It was the same one I’d gotten out of bed early this morning to put together. Three times. Not that I’d tell him that. The need to have it absolutely perfect was driving me. Painstakingly, and much to Sage’s amusement, she watched as I added and removed flowers, tossing any with flaws on the floor with a dramatic sigh.

  “What…”

  “Lily Evans, these are for you.”

  Zach smiled.

  I melted.

  Ava cooed.

  He placed the bouquet in my arms and reached for Ava. Not knowing what to do or where to look, I let him take her from my arms and tuck her against his chest.

  “Y-Y-You bought me flowers?”

  “Yeah.”

  “No one’s ever bought me flowers before,” I admitted, the words catching in my throat.

  “No. Surely that can’t be right.”

  “It is. Sadly.”

  “How does that happen?” Rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet, Ava’s hand clamped around the chain hanging from Zach’s neck and instead of batting her hand away, he just crooked his neck to let her hold it.

  “Guess it goes with the job. I’m surrounded by them all day, so why buy them for me. I don’t know.” I shrugged. I’d never really thought about it before but now I was, I felt like shit.

  “Well, the men you know are idiots. If buying you a bunch of flowers puts that sort of smile on your face, then they’re the ones missing out, Lily. Not you.”

  How was this man not already tied down? He knew all the right words to make your knees weak, your panties wet and your heart swoon.

  “You’re sweet, Zach, you know that, right?”

  “Yeah, but don’t tell anyone. You’ll ruin my reputation,” he deflected with a wink.

  “My lips are sealed,” I promised solemnly, making the universal motion of buttoning my mouth.

  “One thing I don’t get though, every time I’ve been here, you always had a bunch of fresh flowers on the bench or the table…”

  “Ah, you’ve seen them but have you really been looking?”

  “Huh?”

  “They’re the
flowers that I can’t sell or give away. They’re wilting or missing petals or the stems are bent. I donate what I can to the hospice or the nursing home, but I bring home the rejects. I might as well get some enjoyment out of them, even if they only last for a day or two.”

  Zach looked at me, and his gaze was intense and made the butterflies in my stomach take flight. “You’re incredible. You know that, right?”

  “Yep. And now you do too,” I sassed back, trying to lighten the heavy.

  I was saying all the right things, but inside I was a jumbled mess. Needing to put some space between us, I took advantage of having someone else around. It wasn’t something I was used to and definitely something I couldn’t get used to, but taking advantage for a few minutes couldn’t be that bad… could it?

  “Are you right with her for a couple of minutes?”

  “Where are you going?”

  Squinting, I felt a teeny tiny bit bad. “I was just going to jump in and have a quick shower, I mean, if that’s okay.”

  “Go. Go. No rush. We’re all good here,” Zach assured me, waving me off. “This pretty girl and I are just going to hang out and debate the benefits of a good night’s sleep.”

  “That’s something Ava could learn a lot about.”

  Zach moved towards the door, adjusting Ava in his arms. I needed to get out of here as soon as possible before I said or did something stupid like asking him to marry me. Hurriedly, I murmured, “Take your time,” before scampering out of the room like someone had lit my ass on fire.

  After enjoying my shower, I’d washed my hair and shaved places I shouldn’t have let get so far out of hand. Knowing Zach was out there had me taking a little longer to apply my favorite raspberry lotion before changing into a pair of cute boyfriend jeans and a sweater, rather than my pajamas which I’d been planning on.