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

by Rebecca Barber

  Walking around the other side of the rig, I was stopped by the sight of a blonde I wasn’t expecting to see any time soon.

  Without waiting for even a hello, she threw herself towards me, catching me off guard, and although I stumbled back slightly, I managed to catch her and stay standing.

  Hugging her tight, I growled. “What are you doing here?”

  “Didn’t you miss me?”

  “Like you’d never believe.”

  To the whistles and cat calls of the guys who’d stopped what they were doing and were watching the show, I set her back on her feet. Damn she looked good. Happy almost. “Zach, I’m so glad to see you.”

  “Missed you too, Maddy. I can’t believe you’re really here.”

  “I know.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” I asked.

  Maddy looked vulnerable. Not something I was used to, and I didn’t like it. Not one little bit. “I didn’t want you to tell me not to.”

  “I’d never do that. You’re my little sister. You’re always welcome.”

  “Well, I’m glad you said that, big brother. Any chance you’ve got a spare bed at Casa Higgins? I need somewhere to crash.”

  “There’s room in my bed for a pretty girl like you,” Samuels smarmed as he stuck his hand out for Maddy to take.

  I growled at him, but the asshole didn’t even flinch. And Maddy, well she hadn’t changed a bit either. She just smiled even wider at Samuels’ shameless flirting.

  “I might just take you up on that,” Maddy replied, equally as flirty and offering him a wink.

  Oh shit. Someone save me. If these two are already making eyes at each other I was going to need a drink.

  “Maddy’s staying at my place. Now, why don’t you go put your bags in my truck, then we’ll head over to Hooligans and grab a drink.”

  “Sounds great.”

  “I’ll give Lily a call and see if she wants to join us.”

  “Who’s Lily?”

  “Lily’s my—”

  “Lily’s his girlfriend and baby mama.”

  “WHAT!” Maddy’s overly dramatic screech woke every dog in the surrounding neighborhood. “You’re a dad? You didn’t even tell me!”

  “It’s a long story,” I offered, trying to calm her down.

  “Well, it sounds like a long story that’s going to need tequila. So, hurry up, big brother. I’m thirsty and you’ve got a story to tell.”

  “Let me help you with your bags,” Samuels offered, picking up Maddy’s bright pink suitcase.

  I rolled my eyes. Could this day possibly get any freaking longer?

  32

  LILY

  I was on a mission; sore arm be damned. Okay, maybe not but I wasn’t letting it slow me down. Not today. While Ava lay on the floor on a patchwork quilt I’d found in the cupboard, one I remembered from my own childhood, I started purging. It was long overdue and strangely cathartic, but I wasn’t slowing.

  After I’d seen Zach fawning over the blonde with the perfect ass, I’d tried to get back to work at the store but Linda and Sage practically chased me out the door after I knocked over the third bucket of flowers, flooding the floor.

  Annoyed at the world, I’d stopped by the grocery store and stocked up on supplies; chocolate, chips, cookie dough and ice cream, before coming home and attempting to eat my weight in sugar. It wasn’t until I went to dig through the pantry looking for the chocolate icing I remembered buying that I started my cleaning binge. When I couldn’t find it, I pulled everything out of the pantry, checking the use by dates and rearranging. After the pantry, feeling pretty good about myself, I moved on to the drawers filled with baking trays. Grandma could bake. She made the best shortbread cookies I’d ever had and even though we’d spent hours in the kitchen together, I’d never got the hang of it. Mine always turned out too dry and crumbly, or worse, too wet and flat. Knowing my skill set didn’t including baking, I started throwing away pans that had seen their best years.

  Grabbing another chocolate cookie, I popped it into my mouth as my phone chirped on the counter.

  Zach: Hey, pretty girl. Feel like dinner tonight at Hooligans?

  What was I supposed to say to that? Was the message even meant for me or some other ‘pretty girl’ in his life? Up until today, I thought I knew, but now, now I wasn’t so sure.

  Even though part of me wondered who the real Zach Higgins was, I knew he was determined. If I didn’t reply, there was a very real possibility he’d just show up on my doorstep, looking as sexy as ever, and I’d instantly forget the reason I was angry with him. He had this magic power over me. One that made me forget myself and my own name with only a smile.

  Lily: Not tonight. Got a headache so having an early night. Have fun.

  “Hopefully that should keep him away,” I told the room, setting my phone on silent and turning my attention onto to the linen cupboard.

  I was trying to fold a fitted sheet when a knock at the door interrupted me. Groaning, I hoped it wasn’t Zach, a thought that annoyed me because until I’d seen him with that woman wrapped in his arms, there was no one else I’d rather have standing on my porch.

  “Just a minute,” I called out, stepping over the mountain of old towels and threadbare sheets that were destined for the bin, making my way to the door.

  Glancing around the room, I caught sight of my reflection and hesitated. I looked like shit. My hair was sticking out in every direction. I was sweaty, smelly and looking my absolute worst. Oh well, as Grandma would always say, ‘if you can’t love me at my worst, you don’t deserve me at my best.’

  Opening the door, I was relieved to see Linda standing there in her sweats.

  “Linda, what are you doing here?”

  “Checking on you, sweetheart. Can I come in?” Her voice was filled with that warm motherly tone and I realized that if I lost Zach from my life, that meant I lost Linda too, something I was sure I wasn’t ready for. Somehow, she’d been the person I needed in my life when I didn’t even know I needed her.

  “Of course, please. And excuse the mess, I was…”

  “You were?”

  “Cleaning.”

  “Cleaning or avoiding?” Linda challenged.

  “Both?”

  “Thought so.” Linda picked up the sheet I’d tossed on the sofa and folded it quickly.

  “How did you do that?”

  “Do what?”

  “Fold a fitted sheet? Are you a witch or something? Those things are ridiculous.”

  “They’re not so bad. Now, where’s your sling, young lady?”

  “Ah…”

  “And why isn’t it on your arm?”

  “It was in the way and slowing me down, so I took it off. I think it’s in the kitchen.”

  Linda marched past me before returning with the torture device and holding it out for me. Not wanting to piss her off, I slid it into place, adjusting the knot at my neck that kept getting caught in my hair.

  “That’s better. Now, sit down and tell me what’s got you cleaning like a mad woman.”

  Dropping down into the couch, I wished I’d thought to pour myself a glass of wine. “Happy now?” I asked, hearing how horrible I sounded. Linda was the last person who deserved to be on the end of my snotty attitude. “I’m sorry,” I apologized quickly.

  “Don’t even worry about it,” she dismissed with a wave of her hand. “Now, what’s wrong? And don’t even bother to tell me it’s nothing or you’re fine, because I won’t believe you.”

  She wouldn’t either. And I wouldn’t lie to her. I just wondered how much I could tell her without trashing her son.

  “I just feel like a fool, that’s all. Nothing a night of binge eating chocolate and keeping busy can’t fix.”

  “Is that what you had for dinner?” Linda asked, pointing at the pile of chocolate wrappers and cookie crumbs on the coffee table.

  “Ah…”

  “Lily! That’s no example to set for your daughter,” Linda scol
ded, and I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment. She was right. Eating your feelings wasn’t healthy and not something I wanted Ava growing up to do.

  “Sorry. It won’t happen again.”

  “It will, but that’s okay, Lily. You’re not perfect. I know that might be hard to hear, especially when everyone in this town seems to think you’re a saint, but you’re not perfect. And no one expects you to be. You’re human. You have faults and flaws just like the rest of us. It’s what you do, who you are despite them that makes you someone to be proud of. And you, Lily Evans, are an incredible woman. You’re kind, compassionate, caring and your Grandma would be so proud of you.”

  “You really think so?” I snorted through the runny nose.

  “I know so.”

  Linda hugged me, squashing my arm between us and, despite the shooting pain, I didn’t want her to let go. I needed her to hold me. To reassure me. To tell me that everything was going to be okay.

  “Thank you.”

  “Anytime, sweetheart. Now, what did my idiot son do to upset you?”

  “What makes you think I’m upset?” Linda gave me that ‘you’re kidding, right?’ look which had me caving instantly. “It’s nothing. Zach is…”

  “Not here. So how about you tell me the real reason. And don’t tell me you’re still upset about what you saw this afternoon with the blonde. I’m sure once you spoke to Zach that was all sorted out very quickly… Wait! Lily, you did speak to Zach, didn’t you?”

  “Ah, well… not really.”

  “Not really? What does that even mean?”

  “We exchanged messages but…”

  “But you didn’t ask him about it, did you?”

  Shaking my head, I felt like a fool. I wasn’t sure why I was insisting on playing these games. This wasn’t high school. This was real life. My life. I should be better than this. I was better than this. Most of the time anyway.

  “Oh, Lily. You need to talk to him. I’m sure there’s a perfectly good explanation for whatever it is you think you saw.”

  “And what if there’s not?” And that right there was the reason I hadn’t gone and asked him in the first place. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to know. I was terrified the truth was going to hurt more than what I already was.

  “Let me ask you, why did you fall in love with my son in the first place?”

  Wow! Talk about being put on the spot. “I don’t… I didn’t say…”

  “Yeah, yeah. You two haven’t exchanged I love yous yet, but it’s obvious you do. So, what is it about Zach that made you love him?”

  As much as it pained me to admit it, Linda was right. I did love Zach, and maybe that’s why this hurt so bad. Why I was acting like such a brat. Why I was hiding from my problems. “Because he’s kind. And he’s real. And he’s got a good heart. And he’s… he’s a good man.”

  “And do you think he’s any less of those things after what you saw today? Keep in mind, you don’t really know what you saw.”

  “No.”

  Linda was right. I didn’t know the real story behind the woman at the fire station and until I did, I was going to keep dreaming up scenarios in my mind and torturing myself.

  “Then you need to talk to him.”

  “You’re right. I do. But maybe tomorrow. I’m a mess.”

  “Sounds like a good plan to me.”

  “Thank you, Linda. And not just for tonight either. Thank you for everything. Without you helping me for the past couple of weeks, everything would’ve…”

  “Worked out anyway,” she finished for me.

  “Not what I was going to say. What I was going to say though, was everything would’ve been so much harder without you. I wish there was a way I could repay your kindness.”

  “There is.” Linda smiled softly, not missing a beat.

  “What’s that? Name it and it’s yours.”

  “I need a cuddle from my granddaughter before she goes to bed.” Linda smiled, looking over at Ava who was chewing on her teddy bear’s ear.

  “Granddaughter?” I choked, bending down and scooping her up; something I was getting rather good at with only one arm.

  “Yes. Granddaughter.”

  I placed her in Linda’s arms and watched her dote over the precious little girl. It was amazing. A month ago, I didn’t have Ava in my life and now I couldn’t imagine a world that didn’t revolve around her. So much of my calm, orderly world had been upended, including a move across town, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Ava was everything I ever wanted and never thought I’d have the chance to have. Giving her up wasn’t an option.

  Sarah had warned me this would happen. That I’d fall in love with her and when the time came for her to go to her forever home, I wouldn’t be able to say goodbye. She’d even questioned me when I’d signed the paperwork to be a foster carer. But I’d known better. I’d sworn I’d be able to do whatever was best for the child. I truly believed I would. And to some extent, I still did. The difference was, I truly believed I was what was best for Ava. No one would ever love her like I did. Now I just had to prove it.

  “Are you okay with her?” I asked, looking at Linda.

  “Absolutely.”

  “Great. I’m just going to go unpack a few more boxes, if that’s okay?” I confirmed, eyeing the towering pile of boxes still filling my living room. If Child Services were going to come and do a home inspection, then they were going to look at my home, not the storage shed we were living in.

  “Should you be moving them with your arm?”

  Probably not. “I’m fine,” I lied, focusing on carefully opening the first box before shoving it along the carpet into the spare bedroom.

  Two hours later and Ava was tucked up in bed, while Linda and I hauled the last of the unwanted blankets out to the living room so I could put them in the car and take down to goodwill tomorrow.

  “Coffee?” I asked as I moved into the kitchen.

  “No thanks. It’s late. If I have a coffee now, I won’t sleep tonight.”

  “Good thinking.” I hadn’t even thought about that. My brain was in a fog and I wasn’t thinking more than one step at a time.

  “Actually, Lily, I had an idea I was wondering if I could run by you,” Linda asked, sliding onto the bar stool at the kitchen bench. She was a sweaty, disheveled mess. I probably was too, but she looked nervous. Like she was afraid to ask me whatever it was that was playing on her mind.

  Handing her a bottle of water, I took a long chug from mine before jumping up onto the bench. “What’s up?”

  “Your apartment. The one above the store. Were you thinking of keeping that?”

  “Are you interested?”

  “If you’re looking to rent it out. My lease is up next month and since I spend all my time in Sunnyville anyway, I’d talked to Zach about moving over here. He was surprisingly fine with it.”

  “Of course he was fine with it. You’re his mother. He moved halfway around the world to be closer to you. He’s not going to baulk about living in the same town.”

  “Yeah, you’re probably right. But while I’m sure he’s okay with us living in the same town, I’m not sure us living under the same roof is the best idea.”

  “Then the apartment is yours,” I confirmed.

  Having Linda living there was a relief. While I hadn’t been in a hurry to do anything with it, having it resolved was one less thing I had to worry about, and I was a big fan of that. She’d be the ideal tenant too. No loud parties. She knew the shop hours and what it was like downstairs, so she wasn’t likely to complain. She was meticulously clean, almost to the point of hospital-grade cleanliness. And most importantly, I trusted her.

  “We still need to sort out rent and utilities…”

  “We can do that. But for now, here,” I handed her a chocolate bar. “Instead of champagne. Welcome to the neighborhood.”

  “You’re sure about this? I mean, really sure? I don’t want you just saying yes because I’m Zach’s mom. You need to be certain th
is is what you want.”

  “Linda, the place is yours. For as long as you want it. We’ll work out the finances, but I’m not worried. You can move in whenever you want. I’d offer to help you, but I don’t know I’d be much use until I get this damn thing off my arm.”

  Linda set her half-eaten chocolate bar on the bench and moved towards me. Feeling this was a moment, I slid down the bench and reluctantly set my own chocolate aside. She wrapped me in a hug so tight it brought tears to my eyes. Not from the pain, but from the comfort that overwhelmed me. There was no doubt in my mind, I’d made the right call. No matter what happened between Zach and I in the future, I was setting up my life, Ava’s life to be the brightest I could make it.

  33

  ZACH

  Now I remember why I don’t party with Maddy. Chick is wild. And not in a good way. I’d tried to get some food into her between shots, and I think she ate maybe a handful of fries, but then the dancing started. Maddy was as outgoing as you could imagine. At least she was when she was full of booze and let loose. I still had no idea why she’d shown up out of the blue like this, but I knew she’d been going through a rough time for the last couple of months.

  I don’t remember everything that happened last night, probably a good thing, but I do remember warning Samuels that if he so much as looked at Maddy like that, I was going to cut off his hand and slap him in the face with it.

  “Morning,” Maddy grumbled as she strode into the kitchen wearing only a t-shirt and a pair of sunglasses. If only the magazines could see her now. The soapie star wasn’t so glamourous after a night out.

  “You’re trouble,” I told her, blaming her for the pounding migraine I was rocking. The idea of climbing back into bed and sleeping the day away sounded so good, but I was on shift in… “Shit!”

  “What?”

  “I’m going to be late. I start work in ten minutes.”

  “Sucks to be you.”

  “You know what, Maddy? Sometimes you can be a real bitch.”