Chapter 13
1315 Words
Vivienne's POV
Theo pipes up and explains that he also has work tomorrow, but doesn’t start till 8 p.m. He asks me if I want to help with a ‘Safety in the Home’ project he’s working on during the day for the neighborhood his fire station is located in. I say yes with little hesitation, and we make a date for the following morning just as Sia’s phone starts to ring.
“It’s Mum,” she says, looking at me hesitantly.
“Well don’t keep her waiting.”
I nudge and she hurriedly clicks to accept. Karen’s ear fills the screen, making us giggle.
“Mum, you’ve video called, take the phone away from your ear,” she chuckles and then her face comes into view.
“I never know how that happens. Hello lovely girls, how’s it all been going?”
“Good, thank you, I’m settling in well,” I tell her, because that’s really why she’s ringing today. Sia and her mum have an allocated time of the week to speak to each other and Sia never misses the call. They also text and send each other videos.
“Sia, does she have everything she needs?”
“She does. I’ve sorted her all out.”
“That’s good then, and is that handsome fireman of yours there?”
“He is. Hi, Mrs. Woods,” Theo says as he comes in behind us.
“Please, gosh, Theo. Call me Karen.”
Her already rosy cheeks go bright red and she fluffs at her hair.
“Mum, you’re blushing. Stop that, it’s weird.”
“Well, he’s just so handsome. It always takes me back, Sienna.”
“Yeah, I know how fit my boyfriend is.”
“Not for long,” Karen mumbles, but she might not have said that because it was barely audible.
“What?”
Sia and I ask at the same time.
“Nothing, I told your dad to shush. Anyway, I just wanted to see how your first few days have been. I didn’t want to fuss but… well…”
“Honestly, I’m good. I promise.”
“She is.”
Sia nods vehemently.
“So this was just a quick check-in call. I’ll leave you to it. I can hear Jim swearing at something, so I’ve got to go see what that’s all about, but I’ll call you in the week for a proper chat, okay, girls?”
But she’s not really listening anymore.
“Okay. Love you,” we both say in unison and Sia ends the call.
“What do you reckon your dad’s up to?”
I wonder aloud.
“I don’t know, but the squirrels have been driving him crackers, so maybe they’ve messed with the bird feeders again,” she laughs, shaking her head.
•••
The next morning, I woke up much fresher, having had a better night’s sleep. The jet lag is not as bad as I thought it would be. I hear Theo rustling around in the kitchen but head for the bathroom, knowing we don’t need to leave for a while.
Taking a shower and getting ready for the day, I put on a pair of shorts and a grey and white striped t-shirt and then can’t decide between sandals or Converse. Choosing the Converse again, I dig out some tiny socks you can’t see. I put my hair into a high pony and fluff the ends up a bit, moisturize and add a little SPF, then grab my sunglasses.
Theo greets me with a good morning and passes me a hot to-go cup and a croissant. He’s wearing jeans and a t-shirt with the FDNY emblem on it.
“Don’t worry, there’s tea in the cup, but if I let you leave without giving you something to eat, Sia would string me up by my balls.”
I laugh and thank him, taking a big sip.
We leave the apartment and head for the lift—I mean, elevator. On our way out of the building, he fist bumps Frank, who simultaneously nods at me and tells me to enjoy my day. Theo holds the passenger door for me and I climb into his truck. I buckle up as he walks around the front, gets in, and starts the engine. A country song plays on the radio as we wind our way through the city traffic to the fire station.
When we arrive at Theo’s work, I take in the fire trucks that sit alongside each other.
“This is mine.”
Theo taps the passenger side of the one that has ‘SQUAD’ written across it.
I ask him what the difference is between them, but we are quickly interrupted as a few people greet us. Theo introduces me to his co-workers and Garrett and Wills make jokes about my alcohol tolerance.
Soon after, we’re all put to work. Theo has me helping him sort through the school packs he’s trying to put together, and I busy myself after Theo explains what goes in each bag until we’re interrupted by a loud shout.
“Kingsley, dude, look what I’ve got for ya.”
I turn around and my jaw goes slack.
Damien.
He’s wearing a backwards cap, a short-sleeved, navy t-shirt that stretches across every part of his toned skin, mirrored aviators dangling from his neckline and shorts. I can’t stop staring. He’s only an inch or so taller than Theo, but he literally fills the doorway.
I’ll have to ask Sia later how tall her boyfriend is, then I’ll know.
They sure do look alike. Movie stars look. God-like bodies.
It’s… a lot.
Theo coughs and I shake my head out of my trance. Damien breaks out into a smile and brings over a huge box.
“What’s in the box, man?”
Theo asks in a strangled voice and they both laugh.
“Seven. Good one, T,” Damien says as he high-fives Theo.
They both look at me and explain it’s a movie quote game they’ve been playing for years. Damien lifts the lid and Theo’s eyes go wide.
“Damien, man, that’s a whole lot of Wolves merch.”
Damien shrugs.
“I thought it would come in useful, maybe add it into the safety packs or hand it out as prizes. Use it in a raffle. Whatever you wVivienne do with it, man, it’s yours. Let me know if you want me to sign anything.”
I’m mesmerized by their accents. Sixteen-year-old Vivienne would be in heaven right about now. I may have had a slight American teen drama obsession, which has never quite gone away.
Theo nods his head and brings Damien in for a hug.
“You’re the best, Case.”
Damien eyes me over Theo’s shoulder.
“So, how’s it going, Vivienne?”
he asked me.
“Good, thank you. Just keeping myself busy while Sia is out at work.”
“I see. How long are you in town?”
he presses.
“Erm, well, indefinitely… Maybe. I’m not sure yet.”
Something passes over Damien’s face, but as quickly as it’s there, it disappears.
“Well, welcome to the best city in the world. Did you enjoy the ‘match’?”
I cringe.
“Yeah… Sorry about calling it that. Force of habit. I’ll remember for next time, though.”
“Next time. Okay then.”
He smiles and nods.
Theo steps in front of me and asks if I want to go help myself to the drinks out in the common room. I say yes immediately because the smell of Damien—fresh and clean with a hint of expensive aftershave—is messing with my brain.
That, along with the fact that it’s a scorcher of a day, has me heading in the direction of the sound of the TV.
- Writer
