I didn't want to hear it, so I changed the subject. “How's the trip going?”
“Good, I might be back earlier than I expected. The weather has been good.” I felt my chest get tighter at the mere thought of him returning.
“Glad to hear,” I choked.
“Are you guys done playing house yet?” I knew right away from his comment, he had been out drinking with some of his buddies.
“Ray, I told you, he's a friend. I won't have him stay in some back room at the fire station.
“So, knowing it bothers me, you'll have him stay with you instead. Nice.”
I said nothing and got quiet. I certainly wasn't innocent, and at this point, I wasn't proud of what I had done, but I knew how I felt. I twirled the cord to my laptop in between my fingers.
“Ray, I'm sorry, but I just can't let him do that, I explained things to you.”
“What you explained to me is that you have feelings for the guy, a guy might I add you have a prior history with. Don’t you think that makes me worry? Why are you so quiet?”
“I’m not feeling all that well.”
“I'm not going to have to rearrange any teeth, am I?”
“Ray, stop it.”
The line went quiet for a couple of minutes. “Should I be worried, Cass? Am I going to lose you to him?”
I swallowed hard, tears coming to my eyes. Rearrange teeth, no you won't have to do that, but I fear you may kill him or possibly me when you find out what’s gone on between us.
“Everything's fine. No need to worry.”
I heard the back door to the shop open and felt a blast of cold air.
“Cass?” Brody called from the door.
I popped my head around the corner. As soon as I saw him, I gave him a gentle smile and held my finger over my lips.
“Is he there Cass?” Rays voice came over the phone blaring in my ear.
“No.”
“I heard him, Cass, why are you lying?” he demanded.
“I'm not, it was the TV, Ray.”
“Whatever.”
“I’m not doing this with you right now, Ray. I’ve got to go.” Brody looked at me, his expression changing from happy to pissed off. He waved his fingers in a 'give me' motion, pointing at the phone, but I shook my head and locked eyes with him.
“You're not wanting to do what right now, Cass? If I find out anything has gone on between you while I've been gone, I swear to god that man won't be walking another day in his life.”
I didn't have anything to say. The tears welled in my eyes, finally spilling over and tumbling down my cheeks. Brody walked over and pulled me against him, gently brushing away my tears.
“Cass, I'm fucking talking to you.”
Brody looked into my eyes and slowly took the cell phone from my hand and ended the call. Throwing it on the table, he wrapped his arms around me in a tight embrace. I rested my head on his chest and let out a deep sob.
“He's going to be so mad at me for that.”
“Nope, he deserved that. I could hear him yelling before I was even near you. Now, let’s go home.”