Billy entered the foyer, confusion marring his face. “Uncle Fox left? Why?”
I twisted my lips and turned the bolt on the door. Might as well lock up. It was after nine o’clock. No chance in hell Grayson would come back. Our dad wouldn’t be home until sometime after eight in the morning.
“He had something to do, I guess. Come on.” I put my arm around Billy’s shoulders. “Let’s finish the movie. You need to get to bed soon.”
Billy dragged his feet as if wanting to run after Grayson. I wanted to do the same. “I didn’t hear any yelling.”
“That’s because there wasn’t any.” I dropped onto the sofa, tugging Billy with me. I tucked him into my side and started the movie.
“But he never leaves until late, like midnight.” He wasn’t wrong. Most times, Grayson stayed to tuck Billy into bed. Then he’d drink a little with Dad. Well, that was how it was before I went away to college. I wasn’t sure how things were since I’d been gone.
“Billy, it’s not a big deal. He had something to do.” Of course, it was a huge deal. I sensed Grayson thought he’d crossed the line, but he hadn’t. I didn’t know what was going on between us and fumbled my words like a silly, lovestruck schoolgirl. My emotions were all over the place. One minute I was angry and jealous. The next, I melted under his touch.
Had I lost my chance with Grayson? Probably.
After the movie, I coaxed Billy into bed with a story. An hour later, I’d gotten ready for bed and considered texting Grayson. I didn’t want him thinking he did something wrong. I wasn’t a child. I turned twenty in a few months.
I was an adult—a woman with needs—a woman who loved him.
I fell onto my bed and buried my face in my pillow.
Today was the end of Grayson’s four days off. In the morning, he began his twenty-four hours on and twenty-four hours off. It was called the California Swing Shift. He wouldn’t be around for twenty-four hours, and when he was, he’d probably sleep for twelve.
The annual pancake breakfast in the park was Saturday. I guessed I could see him then.
4
Grayson
I STALKED INTO the station in a piss-poor mood. How could I cross the line with Gillian? I would have never touched her. Jesus, I hated myself.
“Hey, Sly Fox! How’s it going, man?” Jared jerked his chin. His grin nearly split his face in two. He was always like this first thing in the morning. It annoyed the shit out of me.
“Jared,” I grunted, going to the dorm room we all shared.
Don snorted. “He looks to be in a mood.” And dipshit number two hissed as he laughed.
I flipped him off. I was used to their antics after working with them for thirteen years. They were like a couple of obnoxious older brothers, which made sense because they were brothers and were older than me. Jared and Don Collins were fraternal twins. They’d turned forty in the spring—a couple of Mr. Know-It-Alls. Both were married with a couple of kids close to Billy’s age.
“Since when is Sly Fox ever happy?” Jared followed me. “You okay, buddy?”
“Fine.” I tossed my bag on the foot of my bed and exhaled a breath.
I used to like being called Sly Fox. For years, I’d gotten more tail than all the guys put together in the firehouse. But it all changed a few years ago when I saw Gillain in a different light. It was like she’d transformed into another person from one day to the next.
It was weird because I saw her all the time. I couldn’t figure out why my feelings went from platonic tomoreseemingly overnight. It was as if I’d been blind to her. Then one day, I saw her as a beautiful, kind-hearted, irresistible woman.
If I couldn’t have Gillian, I couldn’t bring myself to be with anyone else. Something inside me had changed. It was hell too. After years of getting all the pussy I wanted, I’d been without for a long time. It made me grumpy. Irritable. Short-fused.
“Fox.” Travis’s voice came from behind me.
I turned around. “Hey.”
“How’s my girl? Billy texted saying you two had a fight?” Travis stood tall with his arms crossed over his chest. He and I had similar physiques and were the same height, unlike the Collins twins who were short and stocky.
Jared eyed me, waiting for my response.
“I don’t know what Billy’s talking about.” I shrugged, taking out my phone charger. “I had shit to do last night. Needed to get ready for work. You know how it is.”