I don’t even know what to say. My mind is quite effectively boggled. “Did you rehearse that?” I ask quietly.
“About four hundred times. In front of the mirror. How’d I do?”
“Nailed it.”
She grins. I grin. And then she steps out of my way and gives me the very physical choice of which direction to go—forward or back.
My foot twitches, but I still it. There’s one more thing to consider. Well, not really. My mind is already made up, but there’s one thing I need to know.
“You said drive to Jake’s house. I thought he was gone.”
Eyes sparkling, Tori shakes her head.
I lean up and kiss her on both cheeks, then I take a deep breath.
And I turn to walk up the aisle. Toward my parents. And toward Shane.
THIRTY-TWO: Jake
Some people don’t believe in premonitions and shit like that. I’m one of them. I do, however, believe in instinct. Especially when it comes to working fires.
And something tells me tonight is gonna be a busy night.
While everyone else is in the kitchen, shooting the shit and scarfing down potato chowder, I’m making sure everything is stocked and in order on the truck.
Call it a hunch. Call it whatever. It doesn’t matter. They are what they are.
But I never ignore them.
And they’re never, ever wrong.
THIRTY-THREE: Laney
As I walk toward them, I can’t decide whose grin is bigger, Shane’s or Daddy’s. Not that it matters. Neither will be wearing it very much longer.
I smile and nod to first my mother then my father. “Thank you both for coming. I’m sure you know this is a surprise to me¸ but I’m glad you could be here for it. I think that’s important.” My mother covers her mouth with her hand and my father squeezes her narrow shoulders.
“We love you, pumpkin.”
We shall see . . .
I turn to Shane. “I take it you had a hand in this, Shane?”
“Of course,” he answers proudly. “Nothing’s too good or too big for my girl. And that’s why,” he says, taking a black velvet box out of his jacket pocket, “I have this for you instead.”
And here come the first round of fireworks . . .
Everyone in the hall quiets when Shane, still grinning like a peacock, drops to one knee in front of me. He takes the ring out of the box then reaches for my left hand before he clears his throat.
I’m sure he wants everyone to hear his proposal. As well as my answer.
Or maybe he doesn’t . . .
“Laney Holt, love of my life, future mother of my children, will you do me the honor of once again agreeing to marry me?”
He looks so proud of himself, I think absently, like he has no reason in the world to think I might turn him down. To him, all is forgiven and it’s as good as water under the bridge.
But little does Shane know, my heart belongs to someone else.
“Oh, Shane. If only you’d asked me before you went to all this trouble.” For just a few seconds, I hold my tongue as I revel in the sight of his face going from shit-eatin’-grin to what-the-hell-is-happening. “I don’t love you, Shane. What you did to me was the best thing to ever come my way. It helped me to see who I really am, what I’m capable of, and what I want out of life. And I’m sorry, but you aren’t it.”
I could be cruel and say more, but there’s no call for that.
Little gasps and titters begin all around me. The buzz is already starting. I’ll be the talk of the town. And not in a good way. And for the first time in my life, I really, genuinely don’t care. I’ve lived my life under the microscope of these people for far too long. It’s time to show them who Laney is. The real Laney.
Shane tries to recover as I reclaim my hand. “Is this some kind of a joke?” he hisses.
“What kind of a sick joke would this be, Shane? Something sick like trying to play off you cheating on me as part of a ‘prank’? Is that what you mean?”
I hear my parents gasp and I smother my satisfied smile. Now they know.
Shane stands to his feet, all evidence of the suave, composed gentleman gone. He leans in close to me. “You’re nothing but a filthy little whore,” he spits into my ear. I simply roll my eyes. I hope my parents are close enough to hear this part, too. Maybe they’ll get to see what Shane is really like. Maybe they can have someone new to hate, someone other than Jake Theopolis.
“I guess that’s just your opinion, Shane. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
I spin on my heel, ready to make my grand exit, when Shane reaches out and grabs my upper arm, jerking me to a rough stop. “You know what, whore? I would’ve given Tori the ride of her life if she hadn’t stopped me. You were never enough woman for me.”
I half laugh, half sigh. “Nice, Shane. Real nice.”
Shaking my head, I wrench my arm free and turn to walk away, not giving anyone an explanation. They can make up whatever story suits them. I’ve got a life and a future to tend to.
It’s as I’m nearing the door that I hear the explosion. And I feel the gush of heat.
THIRTY-FOUR: Jake
I’m not at all surprised when the siren goes off. I knew something would happen tonight. I just knew it.
When the call comes in, I think little of the address. The church’s fellowship hall. If I’m not mistaken, it’s equipped with a full, commercial-style kitchen. Grease fires happen all the time in places like that. Makes a shitload of smoke, but generally they aren’t too out of control, staying confined mostly to the kitchen.
But then, just as four of us are piling into the truck, we get word that it was a propane tank explosion. And that the hall was full of people. For an engagement party.
My never-wrong gut twists and I feel a cold sweat break out on my brow. I have one thought. Of one face.
Laney.
It’s her. I know it’s her. Laney’s in town. She’s there and there’s been an explosion.
I don’t even try to imagine what kind of function she might be in town for that’s held at the church. The dull ache in my chest seems to think it’s to celebrate her reunion with her fiancé. But right now, it really doesn’t matter what she’s in town for. I don’t give a big ugly shit about her fiancé. All I care about is that she’s not in danger. That she’s not lying on the ground somewhere, burning alive.
A burst of nausea tears through my gut at the mental image of Laney covered in third degree burns. I’ve seen it too many times, been to too many fires that were raging before we could make it to the scene.
I squeeze my eyes shut against the image, reminding myself that this is a small town. It will only take us a few minutes to be onsite. Helping. Saving lives. Controlling the fire.
Saving Laney.
When the truck makes the turn onto the street, I look out the window. The first thing I see is a sign at the front of the street that says, CONGRATULATIONS, SHANE AND LANEY. My heart sinks at that.
And it sinks even lower when we pull into the lot and I see the wreckage.
“Looks like the tank wasn’t full or it would’ve blown that place to bits,” Ronnie says.
I’m not comforted. One wall was blown out completely. Fire is eating away at the rest. And the roof is hanging precariously over it all.
“Respirators on, guys,” Chip yells. I look around. They’re already in place. We all know what to expect.