Backdraft

by Cher Carson

  “I don’t know about that. So, where’d you and Maya leave things?”

  Dave grimaced, remembering the way he’d stormed out of her house in a fit of anger. “I got pissed when I found out about that doctor she’s been… seeing.” He would have said screwing, but again, it wasn’t his place.

  “Shit, I’m glad she told you about Chris. I sure as hell didn’t want to be the one to fill you in.”

  “Yeah, I met him when we went to the hospital that night.”

  “What were you doing at the hospital?”

  He held up his bandaged hand, smirking. “Let’s just say I still don’t know how to control my temper.”

  Jack laughed. “Some things never change. So what, you got in a fight?”

  “Yeah, with a sheet of drywall.” He chuckled. “It won.”

  Laughing, Jack raised his beer bottle. “How many times have you made that bone-head mistake?”

  “You have a memory like a steel trap, don’t you?” He’d taken his frustration out on inanimate objects a few times after they lost football games or he got into it with Maya. “But you’re not the only one. Do I need to remind you of all the dumbass stunts you pulled?”

  “Hell no!”

  They looked at each other and laughed, both remembering some of the best and worst times of their lives.

  “I’m glad we decided to do this, Dave. I really needed this today. I’ve been so damn busy with work that I haven’t had much time to catch up with friends lately.”

  “Yeah, I know what you mean. My buddies at the firehouse are like my brothers, but there’s something about catching up with someone who’s known you since you were a kid, right?”

  “You got that right. So, you became a firefighter like your old man, huh?”

  “Sure did. In fact, he’s getting set to retire. I’ll be taking over for him.” He grinned, raising the bottle to his lips. “Unless I do so something to fuck it up in the meantime.”

  Jack looked at his bandaged hand, smiling. “You? Mr. Calm, Cool, and Collected? Nah, never happen.”

  Dave laughed. “Shut the fuck up.”

  Jack’s cell phone rang and he glanced at the screen, smiling. “Gimme a sec.” He picked up the phone, pressing the button to connect the call. “Hey, Ma. What’s up?” He paused, listening to his mother. “She took the kids to visit her parents today. Yeah, sure, I can come over. Hey, guess who’s sitting across from me at Casey’s? Dave Briar.” He held the phone away from his ear. “Okay, I’ll tell him. Yeah, we’ll be there in about an hour. Okay, bye.” Rolling his eyes, Jack ended the call. “I guess you heard? Don’t even think about trying to get out of it. They want to see you and they’re not taking no for an answer.”

  Coach and Mrs. Monroe were two of his favorite people on the planet. He was looking forward to seeing them again, and if their beautiful daughter happened to be there too, he wouldn’t complain. “How’re your parents?”

  “They’re great. They travel a fair bit; go to the seniors’ center a few times a week. Dad’s into gardening and Mom’s pretty involved with the church. Their health has been good…” He knocked on the heavy wood table between them. “So life is good, can’t complain.”

  “And your family, your wife and girls, you said things are good at home now?”

  He smiled, picking up his cell phone again. “Yeah, they’re great.” He scrolled his images until he found the one he wanted. “Here they are. We were at the lake for a picnic that day, did a bit of fishing. It was great.”

  Dave stared at the image a long time, smiling. That’s what he wanted, a beautiful wife to come home to, a couple of kids, a dog or two. Nothing would make him happier than to see Maya pregnant with his baby. But they had a long road ahead of them before they got to that place. “So, is your sister gonna be there tonight?” he asked, handing the phone to Jack. He was more than ready to start that journey now, tonight.

  “Uh, I don’t know. Mom didn’t say.” Jack pocketed the phone and took a pull of beer, refusing to look at Dave.

  “Okay, I said this before. I get the feeling you’re not telling me something about Maya.”

  Jack sighed. “Okay, fine, I’ll tell you. I don’t know if she’s going to be there tonight because she went out of town with Chris for the weekend.”

  The beer was suddenly churning in his stomach. “What the hell are you talking about? Where’d they go?”

  “To Vegas,” Jack said quietly.

  The beer was going to taste a hell of a lot worse coming up than it had going down. “Vegas, why Vegas?” People went there for two reasons: to gamble and get married. The Maya he knew wasn’t big on gambling, which only left one alternative. “Please tell me she’s not thinking about…”

  “I don’t know where her head is right now, Dave.”

  “Then you’re telling me it’s a possibility? She’s actually thinking about marrying this guy?” He slammed his good hand down on the table top. “Son of a bitch, she told me they were just friends. That was last weekend. How the hell did they go from being friends to married in a fuckin’ week?”

  “It’s not like she just met the guy, man. They’ve worked together for three years, ever since Maya started at the hospital. They’ve dated casually, but he’s always wanted more.” He looked Dave in the eye. “We had lunch a couple of days ago, and she told me he wanted to get married.”

  “Fuck no,” he muttered, dropping his head in his hands. “This can’t be happening.”

  “She wasn’t there yet, but I got the feeling she was considering it. She didn’t mention you specifically, but she said she was tired of wasting her life, it was time to get on with it.”

  “No,” he said, shaking his head. “No, fuck no. We can’t get this close, and let it slip away again, man. We just can’t.”

  Jack shrugged. “I don’t know what to tell you, buddy. By the time she gets back, it may be too late to do anything about it.”

  “No!” He knew he was helpless to stop her, but he wasn’t willing to accept it as a done deal until he saw another man’s ring on her finger. “Gimme your phone,” he said, reaching across the table. He didn’t have her cell phone number in his phone, but he knew her brother would.

  Jack brought up the number and handed him the phone. “Good luck.”

  Dave pressed the phone against his ear. It went straight to voice mail. Closing his eyes, he said a silent prayer that he wasn’t too late. They had to talk; they could figure this out, unless he’d run out of time and Maya was already another man’s wife.

  They were driving out of the airport parking lot just as Maya got her mother’s text message about dinner at their house. Apparently Jack would be there. She was tired, but she’d missed out on dinner with her family for the past two weekends, so she felt obliged to go. Fortunately, Chris was always willing to do anything to make her happy. He was a good man, kind, decent, loyal. He would be the perfect husband.

  Turning onto their tree-lined street, she gripped the armrest when she spotted Dave’s big black truck parallel parked on the street. “I don’t believe this,” she muttered, trying to decide whether it was too late to feign illness. Apparently so; her father’s car was pulling into the driveway right in front of them.

  Honking his horn, he smiled and waved.

  “Looks like your parents have company tonight,” Chris said, gesturing toward the black beast parked in front of their house. There was no mistaking Dave’s truck, all jacked up with big ass tires and too much chrome. It was every boy’s ultimate toy, which seemed perfect for him since he still had the maturity of a five year old.

  In the days since he’d walked out on her, she’d managed to move past the guilt and regret that had plagued her for years. Now she was pissed. She’d said she was sorry, begged for forgiveness, swallowed her pride, and put herself out there. And he had the nerve to act like he was the injured party, yet again, just because she hadn’t taken a vow of celibacy. The self-righteous jerk. He’d had sex with everyone and their sis
ter, yet he expected her to join a convent and spend the rest of her life repenting for one single sin. Like hell! Her days of worshipping the memory of Dave Briar were over, and there was no time like the present to set him straight.

  Reaching into the back seat to retrieve the bottle of wine they’d picked up on the way, Chris asked, “Hey, you okay? You seem kind of upset.”

  “That truck belongs to Dave.”

  The color drained from his face as he stared at the offending vehicle. “The guy you were with at the hospital? The one you slept with?”

  She had told Chris the truth about what happened when he claimed he was ready to take their relationship to the next level. She didn’t want any secrets between them. “I didn’t invite him, I swear.”

  “Then what the hell is he doing here?”

  “I wish I knew. He was good friends with my brother when they were in high school. My father was his football coach, and both of my parents loved him. I guess they invited him to dinner to catch up.”

  “Great,” Chris muttered, reaching for the door handle. “This oughta be fun.”

  She grabbed his hand. “We don’t have to do this if you’re uncomfortable.” She could hardly blame him. If the situation were reversed, she wouldn’t want to break bread with a woman he’d had sex with just a few short days ago.

  “No, I’m okay. I think it’s time we clued him in on where he stands with you.”

  Baiting Dave was just asking for trouble. He was a hulk of a man with a short fuse. A potentially lethal combination. “Chris, wait, my parents invited him. He’s their guest. I don’t want to upset them.”

  “Of course not, sweetheart,” he said, getting out of the car, and coming around to her side. “We don’t have to be rude to be obvious.” He linked his hand with her, kissing it.

  After taking a deep breath, she allowed him to lead her into the house.

  Dave was standing at the stove with his back to her, wearing a tight black t-shirt, faded jeans, and motorcycle boots. Lord have mercy, the man’s shoulders were a mile wide. He was dipping a piece of her mother’s homemade bread into the saucepan on the stove.

  Her mother shook her head, slapping him on the back as she walked by. “I told you to stop that; you’re going to spoil your dinner.”

  He laughed. “Trust me, Mary; I always have room for a home-cooked meal. Especially when you’re the one doing the cooking.”

  She giggled like a schoolgirl. “You’re still a sweet-talker, Dave Briar. I must say, your mama raised you right.” Slicing into the fresh loaf of bread, she asked, “How are your parents, anyway? I haven’t seen them in ages.”

  He popped the last piece of bread in his mouth and took a moment to chew before reaching for a napkin to wipe the sauce off his hands. “They’re good, getting set to retire. You should call my mom some time. I’m sure she’d love to have you over to the house for lunch.”

  “You know, I really should. I lost touch with all my old friends when we moved away.” She shook her head as she stacked bread in the basket. “I don’t know why, either. Heck, Brant’s less than an hour from here.”

  Maya knew why her parents severed their friendship with the Briars. They were mortified by her actions, and they couldn’t stand to face them again in light of their daughter’s betrayal. They hadn’t said as much, but their disapproval was obvious whenever Dave’s name came up in conversation. He was the victim, and nothing she could do or say would alter that perception.

  Clearing her throat, Maya was anxious to disturb the sweet scene of domesticity. He looked too damn comfortable in her mother’s kitchen, as though he belonged there. The good-natured banter didn’t sound like two people who hadn’t seen each other in years; it sounded like they were family. Of course, her parents never made any secret of the fact that Dave was the son-in-law they always wanted.

  Dave turned around and his eyes settled on her face before falling to their linked hands. “Hey, I heard you two were in Vegas. So, you get lucky, or what?”

  She frowned at him, ignoring the comment. “Hey, Mom, that sauce smells great. And is that my favorite apple pie?”

  Beaming at her, her mother wiped her hands on her apron. “It sure is, sugar. It just came out of the oven.” She smiled at Chris. “Hello, it’s nice to see you again, Chris.” She walked toward them, pulling Maya into a tight embrace. “I’m glad you could make it, honey.”

  Handing her the bottle of wine they brought, Chris said, “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Mrs. Monroe.”

  She always asked Dave to call her Mary, but apparently Chris hadn’t earned that right yet.

  “Did you two have fun in Sin City?” Jack asked, coming up behind them.

  “Yeah, it was great,” she said, smiling at her brother.

  His eyes drifted to their linked hands. “You have any news you care to share?”

  She could have smacked him upside the head for putting her on the spot. “Where are the kids?” she asked, trying to send him the message that she had no intention of discussing her relationship with Chris while Dave was horning in on their family dinner.

  Not that this was the first time he’d claimed a seat at their table. He’d had a standing invitation to Sunday dinner at the Monroe house when they were kids, but that seemed like a lifetime ago. Didn’t he have the good sense to know he wasn’t welcome anymore?

  “They’re visiting their other grandparents. I just popped into the office this afternoon when Dave called. We met at Casey’s for a beer, and Mom called to invite us to dinner.” He extended his hands, a grin splitting his face. “So, here we are.”

  Forcing a smile, she said, “Yeah, lucky us.”

  “Excuse me,” Mary said, “I’m just going to set out the table linens in the dining room.”

  Chuckling, Jack offered his hand to Chris. “Hey, man, good to see you again.”

  He released Maya’s hand to take her brother’s. “Yeah, it’s good to see you too. It’s been a while.”

  Dave cocked his hip against the counter, watching the exchange with open interest.

  Glancing at him, she asked, “How’s the hand?”

  He held up his bandaged hand. “Better, I guess. The stitches have to come out tomorrow. Maybe I’ll pop by the hospital and let you do the honors.”

  She brushed past Dave and opened the drawer to retrieve the cutlery. “That’s not necessary. Your doctor can remove the stitches.”

  He leaned his backside against the counter, folding his arms over his chest as he watched her. “Maybe I’d rather have you do it. Your hands are a whole lot softer than old Doc Murphy’s.”

  She tried to ignore him, but he didn’t make it easy. “Emergency rooms are for emergencies, Briar. Removing a few stitches hardly qualifies.”

  He crowded in behind her, whispering, “I’m sorry, baby.”

  Her breath was trapped in her throat. She couldn’t move or speak when he was standing so close. Didn’t he care that an audience hung on their every word?

  “I overreacted,” he said quietly. “I was so damn caught up in the past…”

  “Stop it,” she hissed. “I don’t want to talk about this here.”

  “Then when? Where?”

  “Do you need any help setting the table, sweetheart?” Chris asked.

  Forcing a smile, and trying to ignore the muscle jumping in Dave’s jaw as he clenched his teeth in frustration, she said, “No, I’m good. Why don’t you go in and watch the game with Dad and Jack?”

  He laughed. “You know I don’t know the first thing about football.”

  “Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Dave muttered, cocking an elbow on the counter behind him. “You play any sports, doc?”

  Maya glared at him, certain he was intent on challenging Chris’s masculinity because he felt threatened by their relationship.

  “Just a little tennis when I have the chance,” he said, sticking his hands in his pockets.

  “Tennis? You don’t say…” Dave said, not even trying to hide hi
s smirk as he glanced at Jack, who shook his head in shared amusement.

  “I’m afraid I don’t have a lot of time for anything outside of the hospital, and the little free time I do have, I prefer to spend with Maya.”

  His comment obviously hit its intended target when Dave rose up, glaring at him. “Is that so?”

  “Uh, why don’t we catch the last few minutes of the game, buddy?” Jack said, beckoning to his friend with a crooked finger. “I’m sure Dad would appreciate the company.”

  Without tearing his eyes off his adversary, Dave said, “Sure, why not?”

  “Lemme grab us one more beer,” Jack said. “You head on in. I’m right behind you.” He looked at Chris as he reached into the fridge for two long-necks. “You sure you don’t want to join us?”

  “No, I’ll just stay out here and keep Maya company.”

  Dave growled before snagging the beer Jack offered and allowing himself to be pushed out of the room.

  “I’m sorry about that,” Maya said, grimacing. “If I’d known he would be here, I never would’ve invited you.”

  He braced his hands on the back of the chair in front of him. “Would you have come if you’d known he would be here?”

  “I just said…”

  Eyeing her carefully, he said, “You said you wouldn’t have invited me, but would you have come by yourself?”

  She reached for a stack of dinner plates in the overhead cabinet. “I’m not sure what you’re asking.”

  “I’m asking if you’re still interested in him. Is that why you told me you weren’t ready to make a commitment right now?”

  She sighed. “Do we have to get into this here, with him in the next room?”

  “No, but we do have to talk about this, and the sooner, the better.”

  Chapter Eight

  Dave tried to hold his tongue all evening, but watching her with another man, a man who was very obviously in love with her, killed him. The only thing he had to be grateful for was the fact that her left hand was still blessedly bare. If she had walked in tonight wearing another man’s wedding ring, he’d have been shredded.