“Hey, Serefina, that’s our song,” Tasha stated, interrupting her thoughts.
“Oh my God, it is our song,” Mel added.
“You know what this means, don’t you?” Catalina asked.
“No, what does it mean?” Serefina asked, practically feeling their excitement trying to break down her walls of sadness.
Serefina felt her cheeks turn a shade of red as Tasha began singing the first line of the song. Then Mel followed. Here they were, grown women in their twenties, out of college, working on careers, and they were in a restaurant starting to sing and draw complete attention to them.
Serefina started laughing as Catelina joined in and they raised their eyebrows at her to prepare for her part. They looked so happy, so excited to do this, and as Serefina’s part from years ago came up, she went to sing and got only the first line out before her voice cracked, tears filled her eyes, and she stopped.
She couldn’t help it. Every time she began to feel happy, the guilt brought her down.
“Serefina, it’s okay,” Tasha said as she wrapped her arms around her and hugged her tight.
“We’ll get through this,” Mel whispered, joining in.
“We’re a team, remember? Nothing has changed. You’re back and we’re here to help you,” Catalina added. They were hugging tight until they heard someone yell out “cut them off.”
The four of them burst into laughter as they sat back down in their seats.
Serefina wiped her eyes and then looked up at her three old friends.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to ruin your good time.”
“Ruin it? Are you kidding me? This is the first of many nights we’re going to be hanging out. We’re going to help you get through this. It’s what you would do for any of us,” Catalina stated. They all smiled, and Serefina wondered if it were possible. Could her friends help her to move on and gain control of her emotions? Or was it simply too late?
* * * *
Ace walked into Sullivan’s with his brothers, Eddie, and Lance. The place was crowded as usual, but a call ahead of time saved them a corner booth in the back of the restaurant. They all said hello to their mother who greeted them with a huge smile as always.
They headed toward the booth and nodded hello to some other people they knew, and of course Ace saw the group of young women hanging by the bar staring at them. He shook his head. There were always women hanging around the restaurant day and night looking to land a firefighter. But the bunch of them weren’t biting tonight. Their shift was long and busy. They wanted to eat a good dinner, to blow off some steam, and then head home to bed for a good night’s sleep.
Before their drink orders came, platters of wings and nachos were brought out to the table by the waitress. They immediately dug in as their beers arrived next. The others were talking about the day while Ace spoke with Junior. Eddie was a good guy. He had hopes of filling his father’s shoes one day as chief of the firehouse.
Ace on the other hand was fine being a Lieutenant for now. He’d only arrived four years ago after his multiple tours in the Marine Corps. Being one of the oldest, most experienced in the group, he took his role seriously. Which was another reason why his brother Marco’s death hit him so hard. If his brother had only let him know that the arsonist had been haunting him, then maybe they would have handled entering that blaze a bit differently.
“So, what’s going on? Remembering how to be an overprotective brother is getting to you?” he teased and then took a bite of the boneless buffalo wing.
Junior chuckled then lowered his head shaking it. “It’s more than that. She’s been gone for more than five years. I guess I’m trying to make up for lost time. It’s just different.”
“Believe me, I can relate.”
“Oh yeah, how?”
“Look at these two boneheads I have to keep an eye on. If I don’t keep their asses in order, they wouldn’t make it to roll call.”
“Fuck you. Your rank doesn’t mean shit outside of the firehouse, bro,” Bull stated, and now Lance and Eddie chuckled.
Ace gave his brother a firm look. “The hell it doesn’t. I’m your lieutenant. That means I’m watching over you whether you like it or not, both on the job and off.”
“Got it, Lou,” Ice mumbled but never took his eyes off the two brunettes staring at him winking and waving.
Ace threw the napkin at Ice. “See what I mean. The man is thinking with the wrong head right now. I’m just going to remind him that roll call is early, and grabbing some more beers, hooking up with two chicks, and staying up all night is not a good idea.”
The others laughed.
“Hey, I’m human. They’re over there waving and blowing me kisses. What am I supposed to do, be rude like you, blowing off every possible piece of ass because they’re not good enough?”
“Not good enough? What’s this all about, Ace?” Lance asked.
“You pipe down there, lucky. My brother is full of shit.”
“Not so. You’re the pickiest bastard I know when it comes to women.”
“I just prefer a more sophisticated woman. Not some buff, trying to rack up points, or notches in her garter belts. You want to be a number on her wall, a guy she fucked just to say she did a firefighter from Engine 19?”
Ice looked back over at the two brunettes, who were winking and rubbing their hands up one another’s thighs. He turned back at the guys who saw the whole show.
“Hell yeah, Ace. I’ll take one for Engine 19.”
They all started laughing and the waitress brought over their steaks.
“Now this is the only piece of meat that’s on my mind right now,” Lance said as he rubbed his palms together. They continued to laugh, enjoying their friendship and being in this crazy profession together.
Chapter 5
After talking to her friends for hours the other night, and them sharing some of their thoughts and advice, she decided to do what they said. They mentioned her going back and engaging in activities she did when she first lived here. The things she enjoyed doing that gave her peace of mind. She had started off slowly yesterday morning, leaving the house and going for a walk down by the beach. After seeing the different runners using the jogging track, she decided that today she would do the same thing. Running always brought her peacefulness. It made her relax her mind and to think of meaningless things.
After she laced up her running sneakers and pulled her hair into a ponytail, she headed out toward the track that bordered most of the boardwalk. Once she came to the end of it, she ran on the sand, remembering this was what she always used to do when she was a teenager. The ocean air was cool this early in the morning, but the waves were small, the water much calmer than when high tide came in. As she headed toward the dunes, she saw a runner heading from the opposite direction. Her time alone on the open beach that led to the lighthouse was coming to an end.
She ran up the dune, planning on running to the lighthouse to avoid the runner’s path when her foot landed on something long and hard. She lost her balance and fell to the sand, bracing herself as something cut into her ankle. “Ouch,” she stated, recovering from the fall and looking down to see the damage. Her ankle was bleeding, a stick from an old wooden fence post used to line the sand dunes stuck out of the sand.
“Are you okay?” someone asked as she was dusting off her thighs.
She looked up. The bright sun was blocking her view of the man’s face. He was huge. Not just big, but wide like a linebacker, filled with muscles and tall. Taller than her brothers by inches.
“Yes, I’m okay.”
“You’re bleeding.” He leaned down and reached for her leg. The moment his fingers touched her skin and she locked gazes with his big blue eyes, she gasped. He was gorgeous to boot.
She pulled her leg away, and attempted to get up. He touched her shoulder, against her skin. She was shocked at her body’s reaction. “It’s okay. I won’t hurt you,” he stated.
She swallowed hard. “I’m f
ine. I didn’t see that damn wooden stick in the sand.”
He helped her get up, his hand was big enough to wrap around her arm and then some. Where the heck was he from anyway? She had never met a man so muscular, good looking, and tall. It was intimidating to say the least. She placed her hand over her eyes to shield away the sun.
“Thanks. I’m fine, really.”
He looked at her ankle. “But you’re still bleeding.”
“It’s not the first time, and I’m certain it won’t be the last. Thanks again.” She started to walk away, thinking that she would head down to the water, take off her socks and shoes, and let the saltwater run over the cut and wash away the blood.
“They have a running track, you know. It’s a lot safer.”
She thought he sounded full of attitude. She glanced over her shoulder, and he followed her.
“Listen, I grew up around here. I ran this same route for years before there was a track. Thanks for the advice.”
She knew she sounded snappy, but what the heck? It was like the man was reprimanding her. He did look older with dirty-blond hair, big blue eyes, and lines etched in his forehead. He had to be about thirty, and he had tattoos on his arms. Was that a Marine Corps tattoo?
Her ankle was stinging as she looked at how far of a walk it was from where she stood to the water’s edge.
She trudged onward.
“You’re going to wash it off by the water?”
“That’s the plan,” she said over her shoulder. He continued to walk with her and she looked down seeing more blood drip from her ankle. As the sand hit the cut it burned.
“Let me help you. I know first aid. I think clean water would be best.”
She looked up toward the top of the beach from there she would still have to walk to the nearest water fountain or washing station set up to clean off feet before exiting the boardwalk.
“This stinks. I was really enjoying my run.” She debated what to do.
“Allow me. You can’t keep getting more and more sand in that cut.”
He scooped her up into his arms as if she weighed nothing at all, and she gasped, grabbing onto pure steel.
“What the hell are you doing?”
“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m going to carry you up to the top. There’s a water station there where you can wash off this cut instead of getting more dirt and sand into it. Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”
“Well, I don’t even know you. I don’t appreciate you just scooping me up and carrying me.”
“Sorry. It’s force of habit. I know first aid and I’m used to carrying things long distances including up several staircases, although I can hardly even feel you in my arms you’re so petite.”
She stared at his tattoos, the bulging muscles, the smell of soap and sweat. The man was definitely good looking and her body reacted. Then her mind kicked in with guilty thoughts. I can’t be attracted to him. What about Matt? So easily I can forget about him?
“So you said you’re from around here, where do you live?”
“Not far from here, how about you?”
“Not far from here either.”
They were both holding back information. Well it was better that way. After he got her to the top of the beach, she would never see him again.
“I’ve never seen you running this route before? First time?”
“Running?” she replied.
“Hell no, honey, I can tell that you run. You’ve got great legs.”
“Maybe you should put me down?” she asked, feeling a bit more uncomfortable yet still highly giddy at the fact that he noticed her toned legs. She kept in great shape and worked out with Matt a lot. She swallowed the lump of emotion in her throat.
He tightened his hold. “Can’t do that, miss. I’d hate to think that you could make that cut worse. Remember, I’m a professional.”
The stairs to the boardwalk and the water station were in closing distance to where they were.
“Professional what?” she asked, and he chuckled, climbing the steps with ease and bringing her to the water station. He set her down gently on the small bench. She began to untie her sneaker, and cringed at the blood-soaked sock.
“I’m a firefighter.”
She stopped what she was doing. Her eyes widened and she had to turn away. What were the chances that the first guy she bumped into who flirted with her wound up being a firefighter?
She stood up and he held her elbow. She jerked it away. “I’m fine. You can go now.” She turned on the small faucet and let the water clean away the sand and blood. She cringed from the stinging, and as the water washed away the blood, it continued to bleed more.
“You need a bandage.”
“Well, I don’t exactly have a first aid kit on me. I’ll deal with it until I get back home.” She turned off the water.
“My truck is right over there. I have a first aid kit.” He pointed toward the lone blue pickup truck.
“That’s okay. I’ve wasted enough of your time.” She walked toward the bench to put her shoes back on minus the socks.
“Let me at least get you a Band-Aid so you don’t ruin those sneakers,” he stated, and she agreed. Truth was, she didn’t want to ruin the new running sneakers.
He went to reach for her to carry her again.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“It would be my pleasure. Plus the more you walk, the more it’s going to bleed.” He had a point and she allowed him to carry her to his truck.
* * * *
Ice carried the gorgeous brunette to his truck with ease and a pounding heart. He couldn’t believe his luck. Just jogging down the beach trying to stay in shape and she appeared behind the sand dunes, fell, and cut her ankle. She was gorgeous with big green eyes, a sweet smile, and damn, so petite yet curvy. He felt nervous and unsure but there was no denying the instant attraction to her. But he had the feeling that she didn’t like firefighters. Usually when he told a woman he was a firefighter, she got all shy and flirty. This woman seemed ticked off and unimpressed. He wondered why as he used one hand to open the backseat of the truck and place her in it.
“This is nice.”
“Thank you.” He smiled before opening up the front door and reaching across the seat. He pulled out the first aid kit and grabbed what he needed.
He walked back over and stared down at the voluptuous beauty watching him.
“So what’s your name?” he asked.
She hesitated but then said, “Breanna.”
“Nice to meet you, Breanna. My name is Ivan, but my friends call me Ice.”
“Nice to meet you. Again, thank you for the help.” He applied the ointment after cleaning the wound with antiseptic, and then placed a Band-Aid over the cut.
“There you go. That ought to do fine. I can give you a ride home if you need one.”
“Oh no, that’s okay. You’ve done enough.” She tried to get down from the backseat. He immediately lifted her up and out of the truck, but let her body slowly press against his chest as he lowered her.
“Maybe I’ll see you again.”
She just gave a small smile. “Thanks. Have a nice day.” She waved and then he watched her climb the steps and head back down the boardwalk on foot. He was tempted to ask her for her number, or try to find out where she lived, and maybe a last name but then his cell phone began ringing. He glanced at the clock.
“Fuck. Ace is going to rub this in big-time. I’m going to be late for work.” He closed the door, then hopped into the front seat, closed up the first aid kit, and started the ignition.
After one more glance toward the boardwalk, there was no sign of the beautiful young woman. Ice headed home to shower.
* * * *
Ace was wondering where the hell Ice was. This was getting crazy, him disappearing in the early morning hours or late at night. What was going on with him?
“He’s still not here?” Bull asked, throwing his backpack into Ace’s truck.
“No. We have to go. Maybe he’s at the firehouse already?” Ace said, and just then they heard his truck pulling up the long sandy road. Their house was big and at the end of a vacant cul-de-sac off the end of the pier and boardwalk. It was private and had been in the family for generations.
“Where the hell have you been? You’re going to be late.
“Sorry. I lost track of time. I’ll meet you there,” Ice stated as he jumped out of the truck and ran toward the stairs.
“What’s going on with you? You disappear every morning or go out late at night without a word to anyone of where you were. What’s up with that?”
Ice stopped and stared at Ace. “You’re not my fucking father, Ace. I can do whatever the fuck I want. I’ll get to work. Don’t worry.”
“You better, and this conversation isn’t over.”
“Right, Dad,” he snapped back and then headed into the house, slamming the door behind him.
Ace banged his hand on the opened doorframe. “I don’t get him. What the fuck is he up to?”
Bear got into the truck and Ace followed.
“Maybe he just needs time on his own.”
“Time on his own for what?”
“Listen, Ace, you know I love you. You’re my brother and my best friend, but your need for all this control, and watching over us at every second of the day is becoming annoying. You need to back off.”
“Back off? Why, because I care? Because I don’t want something to happen to my brothers?”
“You weren’t the only one who lost Marco. We lost him, too.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Exactly what I said. Just lay off with the overprotective guardian shit. We’re grown men. We can take care of ourselves. You keep this up, and you’re going to tear us further apart.”
“Further apart?”
“Don’t act so surprised. Marco’s death hit us hard. I understand your reasoning behind watching over us, but we’re not your responsibility.”
Hearts on Fire 1: Serefina (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 4
