Essentialism (Bridgette & Troy's Story) (21 page)

We park and I hit the switch to drop the hydraulics. I can tell right away that we are going to need to send someone up in the bucket to fight this one from above. Smoke’s billowing out of the windows and as we start to disburse, a loud explosion goes off.

“That’s likely propane,” Abel says over the radio. Let’s tackle this bitch. I run over to Shawn as he’s struggling a bit with the fire hydrant to get the line attached.

“Calm down, man. Don’t be nervous. It’s no different than in training.”

He nods his head and attaches the hose. I give him a slap on the back and turn the water on. Then I report to Abel over the radio, that we have water. Immediately the guys start to spray the house. Shawn and I run over and remove another hose to tackle the right side.

The pressure is so strong; I love the fight the hose puts up. Water gushes out of the end and we drench the house. Abel gives clear instructions like he always does. We’re really lucky to have him as our Chief.

The flames begin to dissipate and I’m grateful. The last thing we want is for this fire to spread to any of the surrounding homes. I glance up at Matt in the bucket. That kid always has a grin on his face. I chuckle at his expression; it’s as if he’s taking on the world.

We work well together as a team, smothering the last of the flames. Within an hour of arriving on the scene, we are done and packing up. I can’t wait to get back and take a shower. That’s one of the worst parts about this job – the smell. I might think it’s worse than some of the other guys, but I’m a freak about being clean.

Abel drives us back and I sit in the back of the truck, bullshitting with some of the other guys. These are my brothers and funny as can be. Shawn’s beginning to fit right in. I think he’ll be a good addition to the team. Abel pulls in front of the station and I hop out to guide him into the bay. I’ve parked our rig before and she’s a bitch to maneuver.

While I’m guiding him in, I hear my phone ring. It’s on one of the benches and I grab it and answer it without looking at the screen; I regret it right away. My dad’s voice is stern and cold.

“What’s that noise?” he barks.

“I’m helping Abel back the truck into the bay. What’s up?” Irritation flows through me. I try to stay nice; he is my father after all.

“I can see you’re still not taking your job seriously. Just call me when you’re not putting other people’s lives at risk.”

“Fine,” I say and hang up.

It’s easier than arguing with him. What I wanted to say was a lot worse than fine, but I bit my tongue. I’ll text my mom later. Who knows what in the world that man wants. I know if I wait and call him any later, he’ll be drunk. Since retiring, that’s what he has become. A drunk.

I put my hand up signaling Abel to stop and the guys all pile out. I check my phone on my way up to shower and notice a missed call from Bridge and a few text messages.

The test has been scheduled.

I’m kinda freaking out. If I’m a match, I did some research and I’m not liking it. Call me.

I dial her number and go sit on the bottom of the stairs to the house. She answers, and I can tell right away, she is down. “How are you holding up?”

“I don’t know.”

“Listen, babe, I know this is hard. The unknown always is, but remember what we’ve talked about. It’s just a test. You don’t have to do anything more.”

She huffs into the phone. “I know, but what if I’m a match? I don’t think I can go through with the procedure.”

“Come on, baby, stop getting ahead of yourself. You know Googling shit is always worse than the facts. Please, don’t let this ruin your night.”

“I know, It’s just—”

I cut her off. “No, baby, stop worrying yourself. For me?”

“Okay. Are you almost off?”

“Yeah, we just got back from a call. I’m gonna shower and leave. Do you still want me to grab dinner on the way?”

“Please, that would be great.”

“I won’t be long. I should be home by the time you get there.”

“I’m gonna leave in a little bit, so I’ll see you soon.”

We hang up and I fly inside past the kitchen full of animals, eating like they have been starved for weeks. I shower and dress, then pack my bag. I don’t see Abel anywhere inside so after I say bye to everyone. I head down to the garage and find him.

“Thanks for helping Shawn today. Are you outta here?”

“Yup. I’ll see you for the move.”

“Sounds like a plan. Cara and I appreciate it more than you know.”

I give him our signature goofy high-five and walk to my Jeep. I toss my bag into the back thinking of what I can grab us for dinner. I want something fast so I can get things set up for tonight. I know I can’t go wrong with Drain Café, plus, they’re quick. As I drive, my mom calls and I’m happy to answer knowing it’s her.

“Hey, Ma.”

“How’s my baby boy?” she asks.

“I’m good, just leaving work.”

“Oh, that’s nice. Well, I wanted to see if you and that special girl of yours want to have dinner soon. I would love to meet her.”

“Yeah, of course. We’re going out of town for her birthday, but after that should work. I’ll talk to her and text ya, okay?”

“Oh, honey, that’s great. I can’t wait to meet her.”

“Thanks, Ma. Hey, Dad called me earlier. Do you know what he wanted?”

“No, sweetie, I don’t. I can ask him.”

“Nah, don’t bother. I’m sure he’s only calling to bitch. Is he taking care of you and Brittany?”

“He’s doing his best, dear. You know I’ll call if I need anything.”

“I love you, Ma.”

“Love you too, honey.”

As I walk into Drain, I’m happy that it’s quiet. There aren’t many people inside and I put our order in. As I wait, I check my phone and look at the weather for the move this weekend. It’s going to be hot as hell. Great.

Within a minute or two I’ve paid and am on my way outside. As I walk across the parking lot, a black SUV cuts in front of me and slams on its brakes. I throw my arms up and yell at the driver as I walk around it. Then the window rolls down.
You have got to be kidding me.

“What’s up, douchebag?” David says.

“What, do you hang out here now hoping you’ll be able to see Bridgette again?”

“Piss off. Where is she?”

“Don’t fucking worry about it,” I snarl back.

“What, did she already leave your sorry ass?”

“Fuck you. No, in fact she’s at my house – naked – in my bed – waiting for me.”

His face turns to disgust and he spits at me. It lands on the inside of his door. “Nice. I can see why she left you. You got some fucking class, bro.”

I turn my back to him. I’m not going to give him any more of my time. “We’re not finished. She’ll come to her senses,” he yells and speeds off. I shake my head and watch his SUV as it peels away. Every detail about it, I’m engraving into my memory.

Jesus, what are the chances that I would run into him – again? I hop in my Jeep and look around, he’s nowhere to be seen. On the drive home, I pay attention to the cars around me. I want to make sure he doesn’t follow me. The last thing I need is that strung out fuck knowing where I live.

My anxiety spikes thinking about him. He looked like he hadn’t showered in a week, and he was so skinny. His face was all fucked up. There were a ton of scabs that looked like he’d been scratching them. He’s definitely on something. God, I really need to tell Bridgette about seeing him. Especially now that it’s been twice. She’ll understand and know the only reason I’d kept it from her was to protect her.

I push that all aside. No, fuck it; I’ll handle him later. Right now I need to figure out how to calm Bridge. I know she’s going to be upset about the test when she gets off of work. I park in the driveway and take our food inside. I head straight for the kitchen and grab two beers from the fridge. That’s what she’s going to need first. I know a little alcohol always calms her nerves. Then I shoot her a text.
I’m here waiting for you. I can’t wait to see your beautiful face.

She doesn’t respond promptly like she normally does. I take our food upstairs. I think she’ll enjoy relaxing in bed and eating there. Then I can take care of her, wash away her worries, and relax her fears.

As I sit on the edge on the bed, I contemplate what she’ll want tonight…I’m not sure if she’s going to want me to be gentle with her or take her out of this world and into mine. Quite frankly, I hope it’s the second option because I need it. I follow my gut and grab the blindfold, rope, and the heart-shaped crop she picked out.

If she doesn’t want this, I’ll give her anything, whatever she thinks she needs. I know her well enough to judge that this is the perfect dose of medicine to cure her rapid thoughts. I know her mind – it races a million miles a minute. However, once I slide the blindfold over her eyes, that all washes away. She has to focus on
me – my
voice,
my
commands, and trust where
I’m
taking her.

I hear the front door close and bolt downstairs. She smiles at the sight of me. I engulf her in my arms and breathe in her delicious scent. When we pull away she looks up at me with a bit of an uncertain expression. “How are you, baby?” I ask.

“I’m better now. A lot better.”

“Good, come upstairs with me and we can talk.”

She tilts her head to the side, questioning my motives. “I promise, dinner is up there.” I reach for her hand and she takes mine. I lock our fingers together and begin to move. Her heels click on the stairs and once we enter my room, she takes them off.

We both sit on the bed and I hand her a beer. She gives me a sideways smile and says, “Thank you,” before she takes a small sip. I sit behind her, placing both of my legs around her body and lean us backwards. She exhales deeply.

“Talk to me, baby. What’s going through your mind?”

She shrugs her shoulders and says, “I don’t know. I keep reminding myself that it’s only a test, but it’s more than that. It’s seeing Robert twenty years after he abandoned us. I mean, how am I supposed to handle that?”

“Babe, you stay true to who you are. He’s lucky you both have agreed to get tested.”

“But what if he wants to act like everything is normal? What do I do?”

“If it were me, I would let him know how great you’re doing. You have a fabulous job and are starting a new,
healthy
relationship. Plus, I’ll be right there with you. I won’t let him make you feel uncomfortable.”

“You will?” she questions, turning in my hold.

“Of course I will. Did you think I would let you go through this alone?”

She rests her head on my chest. I squeeze her a little harder and look down at her small frame, resting so securely between my legs. “You have a way of making everything seem so easy.”

“It is. This is all minor stuff. Is he going to be there for the test anyways? Isn’t it just a blood test?”

“You’re right, I don’t think he will. I don’t know why I get myself so worked up.”

She looks up into my eyes and I move my lips to hers, brushing them gently across her sweet skin. She exhales a long breath. It sounds like she’s been holding it for a while. “Your lips…” she trails off.

“Mmm, your lips,” I repeat and plunge my tongue against hers. I set her beer down and don’t wait for her to tell me anything else. I just go with what I’m feeling. In this moment, I need her, all of her. I roll us over and pin her beneath me. Taking my hands, I hold her face. Her mouth feels like satin as our tongues work together, and she makes the sexiest noises. Anything she does in bed turns me on, especially the sounds. She has me so hot.

Pulling away for a brief moment I look into her eyes, they are so green. I can see myself in the reflection. They are clear and certain looking up at me. “Tell me what you want?” I ask. I need to hear the words from her. I want to know that she’s ready for me to push her limits.

“Take me to your world.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes,” she responds breathlessly and slides her hands under the thin fabric of my gray t-shirt. I help her out and sit up removing it all the way. I toss it aside and look down at her, slowly unbuttoning each of the delicate buttons of her top. Once I’m all the way done, it hangs open, exposing her body. Forcefully, I pull down each cup of her bra, revealing her.

Taking my hand, I pinch a hardened nipple and wrap my mouth around the other. This special attention causes her body to buck underneath me. Pulling away, I blow on the wet nipple and say, “Calm down, baby. We’re barely getting started.”

Blinking a few times, she looks up at me, and I kneel between her legs unbuttoning her pants. The moment I’m done, I rip them off of her, underwear and all. She closes her legs and shyly turns from me. “Oh, no, you don’t. Open your legs, or I’ll tie them apart.”

Slowly, she complies. With a smug smile on my face, I step off the bed and remove my pants. As I stand before her, naked, she licks her lips and rolls on her side. “Your shirt and bra off, please.”

She immediately listens. And when she’s done, she crawls to me, stark naked with that long brown hair framing her face. When she reaches the edge of the bed, she sweeps it to one shoulder and says, “Touch yourself.”

Without hesitation, I grab my cock moving my hand from the base to tip over and over again. She watches what I’m doing and pinches her nipple. The touch causes her to squeeze her thighs together. She signals that I come to her and I can’t wait. I want my cock in her sweet mouth.

As I step to the bed, she opens wide and takes all of me in. I close my eyes and pull out almost all the way before I push back in, following each movement with my hand. She reaches her hand up my body and rests it below my chest. Finally, I let go of my dick and place my hands on my hips, balancing myself on my tiptoes as I fuck her sweet mouth. Each movement is amazing.

Jesus, my girl sucks a good cock. As I move and thrust, I think of how good it’s going to feel to tie her up. She spreads her legs a little and I can see her cunt. The sight stops me dead in my tracks. I push her backwards onto the bed and grab the rope off of my nightstand. “Flip over, baby, and grab your ankles.

I slide the blindfold over her eyes and admire this view and how obedient she is. Hovering above her, I kiss between her shoulder blades. Her skin is damp from perspiring in anticipation. I love how her body responds to me, that I have such a powerful effect on her body. I know we are just beginning this journey, but the trust she has shown me tells me there is nothing she wouldn’t give me.