CutterI'm draggin' ass. It's been the longest day we've put in since we got here. All I want is a cold beer and an even colder bed. My skin is burning like fire from the heat of the day. But that won't be what I get.Not to mean I'm not thankful. We at least have a roof over our heads and air conditioning. No matter how shoddy the AC is. What I'm missing tonight are the cool sheets of my bed, slipping between them with nothing on, cranking up the AC in my bedroom, and turning my mind off to everything going on around the world.I can't do any of those things right now. Tucker and I are still rooming together, and I have to think he wouldn't be too happy with seeing anything I might inadvertently show while asleep. Our AC sucks, and the sheets are scratchy as fuck."You look done today.""I am," I tell him as I enter the hotel room. Major comes over, giving me a sniff, before he licks my hand. It makes me smile, the first thing that's made me smile all day. "We pulle
RowanThere's not much open in town right now. Most of the stores and restaurants will take months, maybe even years to recover, if they even do. One place that always weathers the storm is Shucker's, a family-owned barbecue joint.It started as a little roadside spot, and in times of uncertainty, they revert back. It allows them to get food to people who need it, while still putting money into the community by paying others to work for them.The parking lot is packed as I slow down, finding an empty space on the outskirts of the gravel. Grabbing my wallet and cellphone, I get out of the car, lock my doors, and go to where the line is extended. Looks like many people had the same idea I did.The group standing in line looks around as they wait. My high school English teacher sees me, and throws back a wave. "Hi Ro, thank you so much for helping at the apartment building. One of my fellow teachers was there and said how much they appreciated you."I grin, happy to hear we were
Rowan"Just let me help you." Isaac tells the man we're attending to. He's been fighting our intentions since we showed up."Please," I beg. "Let us look at the wound."The call came in as a man injured who had been cleaning up from the hurricane. Sheet metal is still wrapped in trees, and some came falling down on his head. There's a very deep abrasion, and it's bleeding profusely. Not horribly alarming with head wounds, but we've got to make sure there's no underlying conditions."I don't need no goddamn help. I'm fine."Isaac looks up at me, his cheeks going red. He's about to lose it. That's the sign. "You're not fine," he argues.A patrol car pulls into the driveway behind our ambulance. A sigh of relief escapes my chest. We need help with this man. He's not listening to us, so hopefully he'll listen to whoever's come to our rescue."Y'all havin' issues?"Of course it's my brother. I turn around, hand on hip, eyes ready to roll when I see someone else has stepped o
Cutter"I'll be right back, just have to run up and get my stuff."I hope Rowan doesn't bolt. She kinda looks like she wants to take away the invitation she gave to eat at her apartment. Can't say as I'd blame her, but I really hope she doesn't."Take your time."That's the last thing I'm going to do. Rushing into the lobby, I see a ton of people waiting for the elevator. Fuck that. I ran enough stairs during football, I can beat the elevator. A quick look around shows me where the stairwell is, and up I go, taking them two at a time. All because I don't want her to leave.Getting to our room, I fumble with the key card. When I finally get it open, I burst through it, almost running over Major."Why in such a big hurry?" Tucker mumbles from where he lies face down on his bed. He worked a long shift yesterday and I'm not surprised he isn't awake yet."Having dinner with Rowan and she's letting me take a real shower at her house.""I hate you." He flips me the bird withou
Rowan"So" – I push back from him with my hands on his shoulders – "I called in our food, and they're gonna deliver it. They treat first responders really well. If you could listen for it while I go take a shower?""No problem." He lets go, but hangs on until the last moment his fingertips can. "Promise I won't be too nosey."There's a lurch in my chest, but I know instinctively I can trust him. "I only have like one major secret." I shrug. It gives off the vibe I'm kidding, I know that, and Cutter takes it the way I mean for him to. "I'll try not to let you break my heart," he laughs.There's something prophetic about his words that hit me in the sternum. Almost as if it's a place we're going and I need to protect him from my past. "You do that."He pulls back slightly, his eyes drawing together."I'll be back in a few."As quickly as I can, I make my getaway, thankfully closing the door to the bathroom and pressing my back against it. In the last three years I haven'
Cutter"I'm gonna send you back out with Sullivan today." The man in charge of our assignments points at me. "He's gonna be checking some of the outer edges of town. You should be there in case there needs to be medical attention rendered.""Got it." I go to the locker they've given me to work out of. Reaching in, I have my go bag. It's second nature to check it, making sure I have everything I need to render aid. This has been mostly what I've done since the night I helped Rowan. Different than what I thought, but no less important. I love helping the people of this state, and Paradise Lost reminds me a lot of Laurel Springs.Right as I have that thought, a request for a FaceTime comes through from Stella."Hello?" I answer, smiling immediately when I see Keegan. "Oh my God, Bub, you're so much bigger than you were a week and a half ago!""Isn't it crazy?" Stella laughs as she tries to avoid his hands, grabbing for her phone. "He's hit a growth spurt. Say hi to Uncle Cutter.
RowanAfter the last week of work, it's nice to not wake up to an alarm. When I finally get my eyes open, I realize how nice it actually is this morning. After Cutter left, I laid in bed, thinking about him probably much more than I should have. In fact, I know it was more than I should have. Rolling over, I pick up my phone, gasping loudly when I see it's past two in the afternoon. I obviously needed the rest, but it's been a very long time since I slept that late. My stomach growls, reminding me of how long it's been since I ate. An idea pops into my head, and I fire off a text.R: Hey bro, you had lunch yet?I'm surprised when he answers right back.S: Not yet, you wanna meet me? I haven't seen much of you lately.My eyes roll. Since everything that happened, he's beyond protective. Almost suffocating at times, but I know I'm lucky. If I didn't have him, I don't know if I would still be alive, and that's as honest as I can be about how far I've come.Sulllivan and
CutterMy phone vibrates in my pocket, and I grin seeing my mom's smiling face.L: Auburn fan huh? C: Jesus. Christ. That quick?L: Whitney already came into The Café. Stella told her about this girl with the Auburn shirt on. Whit said well at least we still got Ransom. You've been withdrawn as a member of the family.C: That's okayL: Cutter, seriously?C: This girl, Mom, I think she's worth it.L: I love you, Cutter. Be safe.C: I will, love you too.As soon as I'm done, my phone vibrates again.R: Hope your ass knows I'm in the doghouse because of you. Rambo and I are sleeping on the fucking couch tonight.C: Why?R: Duh, does Little Ms. Auburn ring a bell.C: Shut the fuck up.R: You know my wife is serious about football.C: Let me go cry you a river.R: Dammit Cutter, I gotta go, but you'll pay for this."Why are you so popular tonight?" Tucker looks over at me."Stella's big mouth told everybody I'm dating an Auburn fan. It's all-out war no