by Dee Ellis
“Fuck you, dick. I thought we’d be helping move like, some boxes. Not an entire U-Haul worth of shit.” Cage grumbled, but I knew better; he’d do this and smile about it over a beer later. He was good people.
“Oh, come on, you pussy. I have life experience, more than you two fucks can say; thus, I have shit, bro. Lots of shit.” Cage laughed as they reached the top step, dropping the recliner with a thud.
“I call bullshit, Byrne. Simply put, you’re just a hoarder, bro. You have ten boxes labeled “LSU Shit”. Who needs ten boxes of college shit?” Cage sank down to sit in the faded mocha recliner, smirking up at me.
“I’m a southern Mississippi boy; what do you expect, douche? Come on, off your asses and out of my Daddy’s chair. Like you mentioned, we have at least ten more boxes to move.” Cage made a show of reclining; he jumped when I reached forward as if I were going to punch his nuts.
Finn lifted the back of the chair, dumping Cage into the hallway. The two shared a look, then laughed and carried the ancient recliner into the open apartment. Then we all headed out to the U-Haul, knocking out the rest of my things in a little more than an hour.
The house would sell, I had a new place, and it had been almost two weeks since I’d taken a random face to bed. I was doing pretty good. Well, other than obsessing over Lola, which was really not out of the usual. Ever since that night I’d seen her at the diner, I hadn’t been able to get her out of my head.
I mean, since I’d met her and nearly fucked her on the same day, I hadn’t really either. But, this was different.
Last time we had all hung out, when I had seen her drawings and touched her, I knew I wanted her. I mean, I’d wanted her before then, obviously. Barely kept my dick from plunging into her wetness that first night. I had little doubt it would have been fucking amazing; now I’m glad I’d thought with my head. Instead of my dick, like usual.
“The girls are launching into wedding planning mode, Byrne. For the next few months, just smile and nod, yeah? Don’t bitch about the suits they put you in or the flowers you have to pin to said suits. Or who you have to have on your arm.” Cage was explaining over beers once we finished with my things.
“Now, bro-seph, you know better; Lola Bear is the lovely lady on his arm for my wedding and yours. No complaining will come out of this man’s mouth. I can assure you.” I had my beer midway to my mouth when I lowered it, glaring at him.
“The fuck does that mean, Coops?” Finn smiled a shit eating smile as he rested his elbow on Cage’s shoulder.
“Fuck you talking about? You want Lola Bear. She, for some fucking reason, wants you. That’s what I mean, Byrne.” Something hot and fiery coiled through me; anger or embarrassment, I wasn’t sure.
“No shit. Think we didn’t see you eye-fucking the shit out of her last game night? Or, I don’t know, devouring her face on New Year’s? Bro, no one missed that.” My eyes swung from one Cooper to the other and I frowned.
“Shut. The. Fuck. Up.” Okay, apparently, it was anger.
“Whoa, Byrne,” Finn just laughed, spinning his beer in his fingers, “Relax. It’s cool. Lola’s smoking hot; you want her spread out like a bear rug. I get it. Before Gigi, I might--” Finn was a mountain of a man, nearly a foot taller than my 6’1. Still I rushed him and pinned him to the fridge.
“Don’t fucking talk about her like that!” As I watched, Finn smirked, tipping his beer back casually.
“I knew it! I fucking knew it!” My head snapped back to see Cage sitting atop the breakfast island, clutching his stomach and laughing.
“Fuck you two. You don’t know what you’re talking about.” The very idea of anyone else touching Lola had driven me into a blind rage.
“Byrne, buddy, you found the girl you want to fight about. Don’t be embarrassed. Embrace that shit. Besides, Lola is awesome, Gigi and my girl love her, and Finn’s right—she’s pretty fucking hot.” I stepped away from Finn as the two fucks gloated over my obsession.
“Keep it up. I’ll mention to your women how hot you think Lola is.” I looked up just as they shared a look of panic.
“The fuck you will. Besides, this is out of any of our hands, bro-seph.” Finn wiggled his brows and emptied his beer.
“What, exactly, does that fucking mean?” I grew panicked now too, pacing the length of the wide galley kitchen.
“It means Charli. It means Gigi. Our girls saw that shit too, Byrne. What do girls want for their besties? Hot men like us, that’s what.” Finn smirked, posing for a moment before Cage brought a fist down to hit him in the nuts.
“Douche canoe is not wrong. Charli is on a mission, and Red is down for the ride. They keep that shit on the low, but be warned, Byrne. They think you and Lola make a cute couple, and they’re aiming to make it happen. With or without your consent.” Cage hopped down, tossing his beer into my new trash can.
Before I could process just what they were saying, they were heading out. I think I thanked them for the help, but I couldn’t be sure. I was trying to wrap my head around the Cooper girls’ intentions of hooking me up with Lola.
I’d do whatever those girls told me to if they could make it happen.
After a few hours of unpacking, I decided I needed a break. I was starving. The cluttered boxes meant I couldn’t handle eating in the apartment yet; OCD and all that. Instead, I headed out into the neighborhood, which I knew well since the station was fairly close.
Stepping into HopLeaf, I smiled at the cute hostess and asked to be seated at the bar. I felt prickly and on edge, and I couldn’t figure it out. After ordering an old fashioned, my eyes swung around the room. It wasn’t crowded, but I would have seen her even if it was.
Lola.
Seated at the end of the bar, she was focused on the notebook in front of her. The air seemed to thin out, and I felt hotter, despite the wintery weather that left my nose cold and fingers frozen. Fuck, she was gorgeous. Tonight, she wore socks that stopped just above her knees, heavy doc martens, and a sexy skirt. In twenty-degree weather.
Her dark hair, with the now purple highlights catching the light, was piled atop her head in a tiny bun. A few long wisps framed her face, and she kept nudging them out of her way. Damn, she was cute.
I waited for her to notice me, willing it with my fucking mind. Then, she did. Lola glanced up, as if she felt me like I thought maybe she did. The pinch of a frown between her eyes softened when her eyes met mine. Something passed over her face, and then, she tilted her head.
An invitation.
Just as I stood to go join her, my pulse thundering and my body like a live wire, I halted. Fuck. Just feet away, my ex-wife and her new husband were enjoying dinner together. Chicago was a big town, and I’d lucked out not running into Holly in a long time.
I kept moving, dipping my head and hoping she didn’t notice me. Clearly, my luck had officially run out. Holly and her husband stood, and her icy blue eyes locked on me. Mine darted away, landing on Lola; I willed her to stay put. I suddenly felt desperate for her company, for her lightness and foul-mouthed jokes.
“Hunter.” Like ice pouring over me, Holly called my name before her mouth twisted.
“Holly.” I didn’t bother to pretend I was glad to see her; I also didn’t acknowledge the man that was good enough for her to walk away from her marriage for.
“You look good, honey.” Holly cocked her head at me, her strawberry blonde curls bouncing.
That was bullshit; I looked like shit before I saw her. Seeing Holly always left me wrung out, even if it were brief moments like this. I let my eyes move towards the bar again, hoping to focus on Lola. I needed something else to focus on to keep me from losing my temper.
Lola was gone, however. I began to panic. I took a few steps back, readying to rush right the fuck out of that joint. As I watched, Holly cozied up to her husband, the rock on her left hand—which I could have never given her—sparkling in the light. My chest went tight, and the iciness she always left me with started to work its way t
hrough my limbs.
“Pumpkin,” A sweet voice called from beside me, “I was waiting for you at the bar! I ordered your favorite. Oh. Hello. You must be Holly.” This all came out rapid fire, Lola’s voice soft and sweet as she curled herself into my side.
Lola. Fucking. Von.
Tucking herself into my side, she laced her arms around my waist. I went with it. Mostly because I wanted to touch her. To hold her against me. My arm hooked around her shoulders so I could bring her closer. Lola tipped her head back and beamed up at me; my heart did some silly shit I’d never felt before. I wasn’t sure it was healthy.
“H-hey, Darlin’. Sorry I’m late. Moving took a little longer than I thought. Lola, this is Holly.” I nodded towards her, but my eyes were only for the tiny woman in my arms.
Lola smelled like beer and mint, with the slightest hint of freesia. My cock appreciated all the above. Not sure I’d gotten hard around Holly since long before we’d gotten divorced. I smirked as my eyes finally lifted away from Lola’s to glance at Holly.
“Nice to meet you, Lola. Hunter,” Just like that, Holly dismissed her as well as the man on her arm, “I had no idea you were seeing someone. That’s lovely.” Those eyes, cold and steely, swung back to Lola, and I stiffened at the distaste in them.
“Of course, you don’t know. You know nothing about me anymore.” I barked back, rolling my eyes when she looked offended.
“Besides,” Lola jumped in to diffuse the tension, “We were a well-kept secret. I mean, it’s always so hot when it’s just about you two, you know? The excitement, sneaking for quickies, the insatiable need for each other. The best. The best.” Lola leaned closer, pressing her soft tits against my chest, touching her nose to mine.
“Yes...well...I imagine it must be.” Holly looked less than pleased, and I gave a wildly inappropriate squeeze of Lola’s curvy ass. It was a thank you.
“Oh, it was. All this time later, I still want to climb him like a tree, of course. Besides that trunk in his pants, he’s absolutely the best catch ever, you know? I mean, of course you know, right?” Lola giggled and pressed her face into my chest, watching Holly fume.
“Yes. I did marry the man.” At her side, Holly’s husband looked both shocked and wildly uncomfortable. I was loving this.
“You did! You divorced him too; which I gotta say, as rude as it may be, I fucking thank you. Winner, winner, chicken dinner for me, right? Oh! Our dinner is waiting, Pumpkin. Nice to meet you, folks.” Lola spun on her heel, and I didn’t hesitate to follow after her.
I never even looked back.
Instead, I followed Lola to the bar and sank in beside her. For a moment, we didn’t talk. I was still tense, and, in fact, Lola seemed on edge as well. Just as I started to thank her, or tell her I was hard as shit and wanted to fuck her in the bar bathroom if she’d let me, her hand landed on my thigh.
“Sorry if I crossed a line. I just saw a train wreck heading towards you, Hunter. Thought I might Peter Parker it somehow.” Twisting towards her, I covered her hand and wove my fingers through hers.
“Fiery, foul mouthed, sexy as shit, plus you know your comic book shit? I should have married a girl like you instead.”
Lola’s slender shoulders went back as her full lips twisted in a sexy smirk. I opened my mouth to speak when the bartender set two plates of food in front of us. Lola shoved a plate towards me and bowed her head, trying to hide the cute flush of her cheeks. Damn, she was cute.
I didn’t ask why she had done what she had. Lola didn’t offer a why, either. Instead, we ate and drank more than a few beers. We laughed, talking about nothing important. For once, I didn’t push. I didn’t ask for more, even though I wanted it. To just be with her and have some of her time, was nice.
Lola never let go of my hand either. That was nice too.
4
I was having the best dream. At first, it was a nightmare like all the others before it; something in the shadows sent me running, pain blooming through my body with every step. Because I can never outrun the pain. Then, he’s there.
Stepping into the light, Hunter melts the pain away. I see him, and he sees me, and he smiles. It’s smoky and a bit foggy and so damn hot, but I can see him. I know I don’t need to be scared. I feel his fingers lace within mine and all the shadows vanish.
Just as he brings me close, though, a crumbling, crashing fog tears through my dreams. Gerdie is screaming, flapping around over my bed, calling my name. My lungs burn, and my eyes can’t focus they sting so badly. Smoke. There is smoke everywhere and I leap out of bed, stumbling to the floor.
It’s burning hot beneath my palms and knees. My mind is foggy from sleep, and the thick smoke is not helping matters. Suddenly, I realize there’s a fire beneath me at the restaurant. The floorboards are hot and crumbling and I know I need to get out.
Snatching the blanket off the bed, I wrap myself up in it. Snatching Gerdie out of the air, I tuck her inside the blanket with me. My feet are burning as I run towards the door, coughing on the thick smoke. I reach the door, my fingers burning around the brass handle, and I hear the sirens. Hunter!
I don’t know how I know it will be him. But I do. Though I’m standing above a fire that is filling my tiny apartment, and my fucking lungs, with smoke, I’m not panicking. Fire curls through the floorboards where Gerdie’s cage is, and I clutch her closer.
Again, I reach for the door; it bursts open, smoke billowing out as beams of light cut through the haze. I reach out to the first body I see, clutching at whoever it is. I want it to be Hunter; at the same time, I don’t care who gets me out of that choking fog. I’m scooped up, a strong arm beneath my legs and one across my back.
Icy cold stings my burning skin, my scalded lungs, and I choke and gasp. I twist into the warmth of whoever I latched onto as they carry me down the steps. The siren is still going, but I hear no other alarms or warnings. It was Gerdie that woke me up. That bird saved my fucking life!
“You and me, Gerdie Girl. You and me.” I clutch her tighter to my chest as she clucks back and shakes her feathers out.
It’s snowing out, and in the grayish pink sky, it looks lovely. Behind me, I hear glass crashing and feel the faintest heat from the fire. I twist my neck enough to see the restaurant in total ruins, flames crawling out from every window like it wants to escape. Those fucking Christmas lights dangling from the windows flicker in and out.
Twisting back, I see an ambulance with its doors wide open and two paramedics tugging a stretcher out. I clutch tighter at whoever is still carrying me. I hate hospitals. Ambulances. I’m more panicked by the sight of them than I was moments before, waiting for rescue with a fire licking at my feet.
“Hey, hey. I need you to let them check you over, Lola Bear.” I went soft instantly, feeling kind of gooey and warm inside.
“Hunter....” I blink, my eyes blurry and my throat on fire.
“Yes, Darlin’. My guys need to check you over, okay.” I don’t speak, but I shake my head, trying to get my feet beneath me.
“No. No! I don’t need...” Hunter brought me tighter against his chest and lowered his head.
“Darlin’, I need to go fight that fire with my men. I can’t do that if I don’t know these guys are taking care of you. I’m going to hand you over to them. Then I’m going to go help put out that fire. After, I’m coming back to you to make sure you’re okay. I need to know you’re safe, Lola. You understand?” I don’t know if it was how he said it, with emotion I didn’t expect vibrating through his words, or the way he was holding me. Or all the above.
“Okay.” Was all I managed as he set me atop the stretcher.
“Don’t you leave here with her before I say so, Chesterfield.” Hunter barked at the young paramedic who stepped up beside the stretcher.
“Yes, sir.” Chesterfield—sound like a last name, but that’s what these guys called each other—smiled at me with pretty blue eyes and a crooked grin.
“Wait!” I called out, my voice gravelly,
and yet, coming out in a shout.
Hunter twisted back, and I took a good look at him. I wasn’t scared, not even of the young man taking my vitals. At least, I wasn’t scared for myself. Panic bubbled up in the back of my throat as he watched me in the icy darkness.
“Got a fire to fight, Darlin’.” I reached out, lacing my fingers through his gloved ones and trying to give a squeeze.
“Be careful. You come back. Don’t let them take me before you come back.” It was nonsense and it sounded like it, and my head was kind of woozy but then he smiled.
Slowly, a soft and startlingly sexy smile curved his full mouth. Swoon. I think that’s the word for what I did. Pretty sure Chesterfield felt the change in my pulse. Damn, when Hunter turned it on, he turned it on. Stepping back to me, he dropped his head to look into my eyes. A feat with that helmet on his head.
“I promise, Darlin’. I won’t let you go without me, Lola Bear.” Once again, I was warm and gooey. Hunter reduced me to a molten mess.
Then he was stomping through the snow towards the fire. I laid back and let pretty Chesterfield tend to me. My vision was hazy and my lungs burned. I curled into the blanket they let me keep around me, Gerdie poking her head out. I was aware of the paramedic talking to me, asking me questions, but I couldn’t pluck the answers from my foggy head.
I heard Gerdie clucking and cursing at them, the shouts of the firemen, and the crackling of the fire. Then nothing. I was warm all the way down to my toes, and I snuggled into that warmth. I was aware of movement but not where it came from or if I was a part of it.
All I knew was my apartment was destroyed, but Gerdie and I were safe. I tried to consider how terrible that was. How much I must have lost. Even tried to be upset about that box tucked away beneath the floorboards in my closet. My rainy-day fund, I called it. Ashes by now, no doubt. I didn’t focus on any of that, though.
No, in my toes-warm, ooey-gooey state, I thought about one thing.
Hunter said he wouldn’t let me go without him.
