“Oh my God.” Her eyes widen, shining in the light of the sun. “I thought we were sitting quietly.”
“We are. I’m quietly askin’ you about why you sold out every piece of who you are for Johnny Nicholson.”
She laughs and sets the phone on her lap. “I didn’t sell out for Johnny Nicholson! Jesus, Brooks. I work a professional job. I have to stay in contact with the producers in case they need changes to the script. It’s a phone, not an atomic bomb. Aren’t you literally doing like twelve jobs right now that you don’t want to do because the city can’t find anyone to do them?”
I grin. “You’re keeping tabs on me?”
“My mom won’t stop giving me updates.” She plays unamused as she speaks.
“I see her around town. How is she feeling?”
She shrugs and glances at me with heavy eyes. “Okay, I guess. Some days are better than others, but she’s recovering well. The doctors said the stroke could’ve been a lot worse.”
“That’s positive. That she’s recovering well, I mean.”
“Yeah, it is. How’s your brother?”
“Good. Married now. Doin’ the whole fuckin’ family thing.”
“You sound upset about it.”
“Not really. I never wanted that shit.” I clear my throat as the ambulance lights whir ahead and pull toward the truck.
“I remember.” She glances toward me as the paramedics push me out of the way to attend to her. It’s a quick moment, and just like that, she’s whisked away in the van, and I’m sat wondering what happens next. I can’t follow her to the hospital. I’m sure she doesn’t want me there. We could barely get along for twenty minutes.
Damn it!
I should’ve let my feelings for her go years ago. I should’ve moved on. I should’ve fucked with other women, then maybenow I wouldn’t be so desperate for her. Maybe I’d be able to sleep at night, get more shit done, and not be the grumpy fucking asshole I feel like all the time.
Chest tight, I pace the forest floor, scrubbing my hand down over my beard as I move, desperate to let her go. Despite my efforts, there’s one nagging siren blaring in my head. A realization that I can’t avoid.
Yes, I’m a blizzard to her—a storm that leaves the land cracked and barren. And yes, she’s a wildfire—hot and untamed. Together, I realize we’re chaos embodied, yet I can’t pull myself away. I can’t ignore the siren's call. She’s home, and this time, no force of nature will keep me from trying to get her back.
Chapter Three
Kelsi
“What are you doing here?” My tone is admittedly irritated, though I’m not sure why. In reality, I’m over the moon happy to see Brooks standing in the hospital room doorway, even if I do look like a steaming hot pile of trash. Seriously, I’m on day three of not washing my hair, I’m wearing no makeup, and hospital lighting doesn’t do a girl any favors.
“I’m makin’ sure you don’t do anythin’ else stupid,” he groans lowly, sending a tingle up through my spine and down again.
Why does this gruff man do it for me? There are nice men everywhere. Men who won’t enter a room quite so aggressively. Men who whisper sweet nothings. I need one of those men.
“Stupid?” I sigh. “Really?”
“Yeah, stupid. Like runnin’ back to L.A. to shine Johnny’s shoes.”
“Oh God, we’re doing a thing.”
“We’restilldoin’ a thing,” he repeats and steps into the room with a box from the bakery and a grocery bag from the market. “You had a list in the truck. Not sure if it was old or not, but figured everyone could use bread and lumberjack cinnamon rolls.”
“And the flowers?”
“Oh,” he glances down at the handful of daisies in his hand, “I saw these along the way and thought you’d like ‘em. Well, the old you would’ve liked them. I’m sure you’re used to gettin’ designer bouquets from all the men out in California now.”
Daisies are my favorite. He used to pick them for me on his way home from work at least a couple times a week. There’s something about a hand-picked bouquet that’s so much sweeter than anything store bought.
“You really think those guys in L.A. are out to get me?” I take the flowers from his coarse hand. I forgot how rough they are. “I’ll always prefer wildflowers. Thank you.” I breathe in the soft scent and try not to smile, but it’s useless.
