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I take my time putting on the hoodie, trying to think of something I can say to avoid leaving this apartment until we know for sure that we have to. He says my name again.
“I’m coming.”
Pounding on the door startles me. “Magic! Fire. Let’s go.”
Conor. Oh shit. My only saving grace was if they were still out, but that hope crashes to the ground like a paper airplane.
I pretend to be looking for something, which uses up the last of Rowan’s patience. He comes over and picks me up firefighter-style. “Guess I’m carrying you.”
“No! I can walk.”
“When we get downstairs.” He opens his apartment door, and I try to pull his sweatshirt down over my ass so I don’t give everyone a glimpse.
I should’ve predicted Rowan wouldn’t put me in a position for anyone to see my ass. He lowers me to the ground right before he opens the security gate. I quickly put the hood up over my head and stare at the ground, shielding myself from everyone as he leads me out onto the road by the hand.
“Is there really a fire?” he asks someone.
“Daddy, look at all the lights.” Bodhi sounds so excited. I’m sure this is like a movie for him.
“Yeah, bud. Pretty cool,” I hear Henry say.
I stay at Rowan’s side, allowing him to shelter me with my arms around him, face buried in his chest. Refusing to look up, I try to stay as inconspicuous as possible.
“God, I just got into bed,” Conor says.
I hold my breath for a beat because he sounds really close.
“Me too, and now I’m gonna be up all night,” Tweetie adds.
“Daddy, they’re getting the hose out!” Bodhi shouts with excitement.
“It’s at Peeper’s,” Rowan says. “Fuck. We should call Ruby.”
I look over, and sure enough, they’re breaking through the windows to get into Peeper’s with their big hose. All of the firefighters are in full gear. This fire is real.
I step forward, but Rowan tugs me back, thankfully.
“Leigh,” Bodhi says, and I freeze. “Isn’t this awesome? At first, I was scared.” He stands right in front of me, his clear blue eyes filled with excitement only kids can have.
“It is,” I whisper and run my hand over his messy bed head.
“Oh, shit, sorry, Leigh. With all the commotion, I didn’t even think.” Tweetie steps closer to me. “So…you two are having a sleepover, huh?” His laugh is drowned out by the sound of another fire truck barreling down the street toward us.
I give Tweetie a little wave and look back down, sliding closer to Rowan, allowing him to hold me at his side. Can the firefighters just finish this up so I can get the hell out of here?
“So, you’re Landry’s girl.” Conor steps up to my side. “Be polite and do some introductions,” he says to Rowan.
No. No. No. Not like this.I have no idea what to do or how I can possibly escape the collision I can see coming from a mile away.
“Oh right. Leigh, this is Conor Nilsen, our new goalie.” Rowan backs up, positioning me to free me from his side, but I grip his shirt with my fist as though we’re at the edge of a cliff.
“Shy one, I see. Didn’t get that impression from everything I’ve heard.”
I’d punch Conor in the face right now if I didn’t want him to know it’s me.
“Not usually.” Rowan puts his hand over mine, untangling my fingers from his shirt.
I give a quick wave to Conor. “Nice to meet you,” I say in a high-pitched girly voice that sounds fake.
