Into The Fire (39 page)

“Shut up, man,” Axel said. “I do not sound
like Carrie Underwood when I sing.”

“Have you ever listened to yourself?” his
friend asked. “Seriously, record your voice then play it back. It’s
Carrie Underwood—dead on.”

“How do you even know who Carrie Underwood
is?” Axel asked.

“Sunday Night Football,” he said. “Duh.”

“Whatever,” Axel said. “You’re such a
girl.”

“Hey, I’m not the one who sings like a girl,”
his friend responded.

“Looks like the boys are here.” Yaya pushed
her cup away and stood up.

The second voice sounded familiar but I
couldn’t put my thumb on where I heard it before. Maybe this was
one of Axel’s friends I’d already met before. I was really
forgetful when it came to names. I hoped I would remember this
time.

Axel opened the door first. “Yaya, I’m here!
And it’s time to start the party.”

Yaya ran to him and smothered his cheeks with
kisses. “My boy, you’re so handsome and big.”

“Thanks, Yaya,” Axel said. “And you’re
beautiful, like always.”

Yaya waved his comment away. “You’re
sweet.”

I approached the entryway and watched them
have their moment. Embraces like that made me feel warm inside. It
was easy to get swallowed up in depression. But times like this
reminded me there was so much to live for.

“Yaya, let me introduce you to my friend
Hawke.”

What did he say?

Hawke stepped inside with a bag over his
shoulder. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for allowing me
to spend the holiday with you.” He extended his hand to shake
hers.

Yaya ignored his gesture and pulled him in
for a hug. “We hug around here. None of that handshaking crap.”

Axel chuckled then set the bags down.

“Sorry, I didn’t catch your name,” Hawke sat
as he patted her on the back. “Axel just said you’re his
grandma.”

She pulled away and patted his cheek. “It’s
Yaya.”

“Just Yaya?” he asked.

Axel gripped his shoulder. “Just Yaya. Go
with it.”

“Okay,” Hawke said. “It’s nice to meet you,
Yaya.”

“The pleasure is mine, dear.”

Was this really happening?

Was I dreaming this?

Hawke was staying here for the whole
weekend?

Why couldn’t I catch a break?

Axel approached me and saw the expression on
my face. “Whoa…just saw a ghost or what?”

My eyes remained glued to Hawke. “Happy
Thanksgiving…”

“Uh, yeah.” He raised an eyebrow then gave me
an awkward pat on the back. “Hawke, this is my annoying and bratty
sister, Francesca.”

When Hawke turned his gaze on me, he
stiffened. The movement was so slight no one noticed but me. He
took me in without reacting. His eyes didn’t display his thoughts
like they usually did. They were infinitely deep, hiding away all
his secrets.

What do I say? What do I do?

Hawke stepped closer to me, his eyes still
glued to mine. He was clearly just as surprised to see me as I was
to see him. He wore jeans and a t-shirt, wearing casual attire that
made him look thick and strong. His conversation outside the house
was so upbeat and friendly. I hadn’t heard him that way since our
date. When he finally reached me, he examined my face like he was
trying to gauge my thoughts. Then he extended his hand. “It’s a
pleasure to meet you.”

I eyed it and didn’t know if I should take
it. If I acted like I knew him, I would have to explain to my
family how we met. And that was a story I didn’t want to tell. I
had a feeling Hawke didn’t either. I took his hand, and the second
we touched I felt that usual fire course between us. We were two
poles carrying the same wire. Electricity ran between us, and once
the touch was severed so was the energy. “It’s nice to meet you
too. And yes, my brother does sound like Carrie Underwood when he
sings.”

A genuine smile stretched Hawke’s face. “I
knew I wasn’t the only one.” He dropped his hand, and I immediately
felt cold like I knew I would.

Axel watched our interaction but didn’t pick
up on the obvious connection between us. “Hawke and I work at the
firm together, the one that works us like mules.”

“At least when we aren’t messing around.”
Hawke shot Axel a teasing look.

“I’m surprised we haven’t been fired yet,”
Axel said.

“At least you can keep your job with your
vocal talents,” Hawke teased.

Axel rolled his eyes. “Let it go, man. People
are going to think you’re being serious.”

Hawke laughed. “Dude, I am being
serious.”

“Don’t call me dude,” Axel said.

I couldn’t help but be reminded of my
relationship with Marie. I called her dude on accident a few times
too.

“Let me show you to your room,” Yaya said.
“It has a nice view of the trees.”

“I’m sure it does.” Hawke stared at me as he
spoke.

We watched each other for a long time before
he turned away and headed up the stairs with Yaya.

I stayed put and was vaguely aware of Axel
standing next to me.

“Nice guy, huh?”

“Sorry?” I didn’t catch what he said.

“I said Hawke is a nice guy. I’m sure you
guys will like him.”

I already liked him—and a little too
much
. “Yeah…”