Page 68 of Up In Smoke
Several of my colleagues suddenly look hurt, and now I’m the one feeling like a dick. “Um, no,” I tell them unconvincingly. So I sigh and shrug my shoulders, toying with my fork. “I really am sorry, guys. Jesse’s had a rough time of it the past few years. I was just trying to protect him.”
“And now?” Anton asks, ever the sensible one.
I can’t help the smile that tugs at the corner of my mouth or the warmth that feels like it’s overflowing from my heart.
Apparently, it’s impressive that I kept this a secret for this long, because it seems like my poker face isn’t worth shit.
“Holy fuck!” Beast yells, pointing at me and clutching his chest. “Did you guys see that? The lieutenant issoin love, oh my god!”
“Oh, I saw it, all right,” Lili says, her smile positively predatory. “You’re smitten, Lieutenant. Is that why you cracked out the ring now?”
“When did you get married, anyway?” Teddy asks, looking like he’s doing math in his head.
Gene shakes his head and tips all of the vegan kosher bacon onto his plate. “I have no idea what’s going on,” he grumbles down to Rocky.
“We got married back in November,” I inform them, holding up my hand so they don’t interrupt. “Then Jesse went almost straight away to a rehab center near here. He came home a few weeks ago and is doing well. Really well.” I grin and try not to let my emotions get the better of me. “I’m really proud of him. So, yeah. I felt it was finally time to fess up.”
“Oh,” Yara says softly, hands clasped by her chest. “That’s so romantic. You got married to save him.” Several of the guys ooh and ahh sincerely at that, and my throat gets a little tighter. I nod rather than try and speak.
Okay, so the falling head over heals part technically cameafterthe wedding and stay at the treatment center, for me at least. But Jesse had feelings years before, so I don’t feel too bad bending the truth right now.
I absolutely pulled this stunt to save him, though. And I’d do it again.
“But the insurance company doesn’t see it like that?” Del asks with a frown.
I shrug and poke at one of the pancakes on my plate, now soggy with maple syrup. “Technically, wedidget married in order to be able to afford his recovery program. So I don’t blame them for wanting to take a closer look at our situation. And I’ve already told them everything I’ve told you. But they want to see for themselves if it’s real or if we’re faking it. So don’t be surprised if someone comes snooping around here some time over the next couple of weeks.”
“That sucks,” Teddy says, but Lili shakes her head and beams at me.
“Naw, dude. It’s obvious the lieutenant’s got it bad.” She waggles her eyebrows my way. “So, when does everyone else getto meet him? BecauseIalready have, you know?” She gives the rest of table a smug look, but Valentine points his knife at her.
“If anyone has bragging rights, it’s me. I was at the wedding.”
“I can’t believe you only invited Cap,” Sawyer says with a scowl, folding his arms and pouting into his eggs.
Valentine shrugs mischievously. “Syliva Bloom was there, too.”
Several jaws drop. “Mrs. Bloom knew this whole time?” Beast demands.
“That traitorous snake,” Lili hisses.
But Yara waves off their indignation. “Never mind about all that now. If it’s not a secret anymore, then we all want to meet him. Okay, Rico? And soon.”
“Yeah, we’re not that scary,” Sawyer says.
“We’ll behave,” Lili agrees, looking like the embodiment of trouble.
Del reaches out and squeezes my hand. “He’s part of the family now,” he says sincerely, his eyes dancing with all the emotion you’d expect from an artistic soul. “We’ll look forward to welcoming him into the One-Thirteen.”
“Maybe we could have a party,” Yara suggests excitedly. “You know, like a wedding reception.”
Sawyer snaps his fingers at her as his eyes light up. “Or a bachelor party!” I groan, but before I can dissuade them from any shenanigans, the alarm sounds. “To be continued,” Sawyer informs me confidently.
“Or not,” I mutter, making the captain laugh.
I still don’t want to overwhelm Jesse with the One-Thirteen’s slightly out of control enthusiasm. But I can’t deny as we jump into our turnouts and hop into the rigs that my heart isn’t full.
This might be scary. However, I want Jesse to be a part of my life, and that means all of it. Seeing him shine at his new job last night helped show me that our lives can overlap. His colleagueswere all excited to say hello to me before we left, and I have no doubt that my friends will act the same way.