Burned (12 page)

“Yes, I heard and Orlando is mad at him. It’s true, Nick was a handful years ago, but he’s changed according to Orlando.”

“Are you agreeing with Anthony?”

Regan shook her head. “Heck no. Nick’s redeemed himself and he shouldn’t have to keep proving that to people.”

Lincoln released a resounding sigh. “I’ve forgotten what’s it’s like to be with a man my age. We’ve had a lot of fun doing things together. Oh, well, I don’t want to talk about that anymore. Nick is done with his babysitting duties. Everyone can return to their normal activities as far as I’m concerned.”

“What have you two been doing? Regan asked tapping a finger on the table top.

She shrugged her shoulders. “We do things, Regan. Anyhow, it’s not important anymore. He did what Orlando asked of him and now it’s over.”

“I’m not buying that from you. You’re a stubborn person, Lincoln. You hold everything inside because you don’t want anyone to think you are vulnerable. What Anthony did was despicable and could make a person want to get revenge. Honey, I have to ask, have you slept with Nick to get back at Anthony?”

“You sound ridiculous, Regan. You know I wouldn’t do anything like that or use Nick that way.”

“I had to ask. So, when you’re out with Nick, he never sees your pain. Is he able to keep that off your mind?”

“Sometimes, but I did break down once. Nick saw it and I was embarrassed.”  She tossed her napkin in the plate. “This is so unfair. You and Carter have more experience with relationships than I do. Anthony was my first real love, Regan. I hate him for what he’s done to me yet my heart still aches for him some nights. When will that end?”

Regan took her sister’s hands in hers. “There is no timetable to heal. When Mark and I divorced, I threw myself into school to drown my sorrow. Here is my sisterly advice to you. The worse you can do is let Anthony know he has broken you. Keep your head up high. This city is full of potential suitors, Lincoln.”

She skewered her lip. “With my luck, I’ll land another man like Anthony.”

“No, you won’t. And stop being a pessimist. None of this is your fault, Lincoln. Anthony has not and will never let go of Melanie. She left Cleveland and that put her out of his mind, but not his heart.”

“Then why is he acting an ass about Nick if he is so happy to be back with what’s-her-face?”

Regan leaned back in the chair. “Well, he probably didn’t expect you to bounce back so quickly and possibly with Nick. And let’s face it, Nick is younger, he’s attractive and Anthony feels threatened that Nick will find you more than just a friend—those are my reasons why he’s acting up.”

Lincoln shook her head. “Nick has a stream of women to choose from. You all had him put his social life on hold while he babysat me. He can get on with his life and I’ll muddle along in mine until I’m ready to date again. Anyhow, your bachelorette party is coming up soon and I plan to let my hair down and have fun.”

Regan held her hand up for a high-five. “That’s the spirit!  Don’t close the door to your life because Anthony isn’t a part of it anymore. You’re too young to give up on finding love again. We all get burned, but we eventually get over it.”

Lincoln felt a little better about herself but sad that Nick wouldn’t be coming around anymore. She needed get her head out the clouds and get on the right track of life and the advice Regan gave made sense. “That is what I needed to hear, Regan.”

“I try to keep it real and it comes from my past experiences. Anyhow, Mom and Carter will arrive this weekend. Orlando wants to have a cookout if the weather stays nice so make sure you’re available.”

 She dunked two French fries in ketchup and stuck them in her mouth. “I’m there and if you need me to bring anything, let me know.

*****

Nick jumped off the truck and rushed to corner Anthony before he entered the break room. Shoving him on the shoulder, he yelled at him. “What the hell were you doing back there, man? Were you trying to kill me on purpose!”

Anthony pushed away Nick’s hand. “You’ll pay closer attention next time.” “Screw you, man! You’ve messed with me for the last time. I’m not taking your shit anymore!”

Anthony buffed up. “Bring it on with your punk ass!”

Nick’s breath came in short pants, his face red-hot with rage. One narrow escape with death was enough for him. To have it happen again due to someone else’s negligence was something he would not stand by and take.  He lunged towards Anthony tackling him around the midsection.

The two fell to the floor. The noise from falling equipment hitting the cement floor alerted other firefighters to the area.

“Hey! Hey! Break it up now!” Jon yelled as he tried to break the strong holds the two men had on each other.

With the help of other firefighters, they wrestled them apart to end the fight. “Both of you in my office,” Jon ordered.

Nick wiped sweat from his face with the back of his hand. His heart was beating a hundred thumps per second. If Jon hadn't been standing between them, Nick would have jumped Anthony again.

Nick roared, “I’ve had it, Jon! That bastard is trying his best to get my ass hurt again! He fucking cut the line, knowing I was still in that damn hole!”

Attempting to defuse the situation, Jon replied, “Nick, I need you to calm down.”

“Fuck that!” He said slamming his fist on the desk.

“Nick, c’mon. Take a deep breath and sit down.”

Anthony leaned against the wall with his arms folded. “I didn’t know he was down there. When I did a call out, he didn’t respond, so I cut the line. I followed the procedure.”

Nick bounded out of the chair, pointing a finger in Anthony’s direction. Jon restrained Nick, who yelled, “Bullshit! Gordon heard me respond. Hell, I was behind him.”

Frustrated, Jon growled, “I’m two seconds from suspending both of you for one day if you don’t shut the hell up!” He turned his attention to Anthony. “Ant, I heard Nick call out. Why didn’t you call him again if you didn’t hear him respond?”

Anthony clapped his hands together slowly. “Well, look at you. You get to play lieutenant while Murad is away, and you’ve already gained an ally in Nick.”

“Don’t go there, Ant. This is serious, and it’s not about whom I’m friends with at this point. Nick could have been killed in that gas trap.”

“I didn’t hear him,” Anthony stated adamantly. “The backhoe digging in the gravel behind me overpowered his voice.”

Jon shook his head. “Get real, Ant, I can’t take that as an excuse. The other guys heard him.”

Anthony shrugged his shoulders. “So I take it you’re going to write me up? Damn, Jon, I’ve been on this job for 11 years and my record is spotless. You’re gonna mess it up over one mishap?”

Still upset, Nick exploded again. “One mishap! What about when you sucker-punched me like a little bitch and ran? Ya better be glad I didn’t press charges against you for that! But this shit is different! You tried to kill me.”

Anthony’s temper matched Nick’ as he yelled. “You’re not worth me going to jail, dickhead! Besides, I’ve saved your sorry ass many a day when you were a Prob. Don’t pretend like you don’t owe me one screw-up.”

Nick’s rage intensified. “You know what, Ant. We wouldn’t be at each other’s throat if Lincoln weren't involved. It’s eating you alive that we spend time together.” Nick egged him on. “You want to peep in the window to see what we’re doing don’cha? It’s eating you alive thinking my big hands are touching her in places you thought you’d only touched…ha-ha! I don’t want to mention what else is reaching places you could never reach.” He indicated that action by shifting his eyes down the front of his body.

Nick saw the veins thicken and throb in Anthony’s temples. He had him right where he wanted him.

“You sonofabitch,” Anthony seethed through thin lips. “You’re dead! Mark my words on that.”

“Stop! I’ve heard enough already!” Jon yelled. “I’m not a damn counselor for your personal lives, and frankly I’m tired of this shit interfering with your work here! Ant, you have moved on. You made the decision to walk away from Lincoln. If she wants to see Nick, there ain’t shit you can do about it, bro. Get over it, and build your life with Melanie and your son.”

Anthony’s color drained from his face. “Lincoln will always be special to me. I don’t want that joker to hurt her.”

“And, you didn’t hurt her?” Nick interjected.

“Yeah, I did. And it hurts like hell. She didn’t deserve what I did to her, but, dammit, I have a kid to take care of.”

Nick scowled. “If you cared about Lincoln so much, you could’ve paid child support and been involved in the kid’s life at the same time. Melanie is the woman you’ve always wanted, but she’s just as wishy-washy as you. Your intention was to keep Lincoln on the side just in case she bolted again.”

Anthony’s eyes narrowed. “Shut the hell up! You ain’t fooling me. You don’t give a damn about Lincoln. Nick, she will get the last laugh. Lincoln is too smart to let you conquer and add her to the list of bimbos you parade around here. That corny smile you flash will not work on her.”

Jon sighed heavily. “Really, you two want to hash that out now after the speech I made?”

Nick hitched his chin. “Jon, he is labeling me the bigot I used to be.”

Jon took a seat and let them finish the battle they started. “I have to agree, Ant, you are.”

Nick eased his tone. “Give me a little credit, Ant. I apologized for everything I did to you back then. I have not back-peddled once in my growth to be a better person.”  Nick shook his head, fed up with the situation. “Lincoln and I don’t have a romantic relationship because that would violate the fucking code. However, she will find another man to love one day. Are you gonna stalk every man she encounters and beat the crap out of him?” He waited for a response and got dead silence. With a muttered curse, he left the office to go to the break room. His cell phone rang.

He cracked a grin when he saw who it was. Instead of going to the break room, he stepped outside. “Hey, beautiful, how is your day going?”

“Wow, what a greeting, but this is Lincoln you’re speaking with.”

“I know who you are. Do you have a problem with me calling you beautiful?” The sun was shining brightly through the tall trees on the property. He sat on the bench of a picnic table, letting the warmth of the May breeze blow across his face.

“I don’t have a problem because it’s true. I don’t want to keep you long, I know you’re working. How would you like to come to a barbecue on Saturday, if you aren’t busy?”

“I don’t have any plans, so that’s cool. Who is giving it?”

“It will be at Orlando and Regan’s house. My mom and sister will be in town, and they’re having a little get-together for them.”

He groaned. “Are you sure Anthony won’t be there, Lincoln. He and Orlando are close.”

“Nick, my mother knows what he did to me. Do you honestly think Anthony would show up and be put in that hot seat?”

“You gotta point. I’d be happy to be your date.”

“Who said anything about you being my date?”

“I did.” The alarm sounded, and he cut the call short. “Hey, I gotta run. I’ll call you when I get back.”

“Nick, be careful.”

His heart felt full for some reason. The sound of her voice and the fact that she had called had him feeling some sort of way. “It’s safety first with me.”

Chapter Fourteen

The day was perfect for a cookout. The weather had cleared after a few days of rain and the temperatures were in the upper seventies. It was warm enough to dress light and eat outside. Regan had decorated the backyard to befit the blooming flowers that lined the fence. R&B music played low in the background. She had outdone herself to make the cookout relaxing for her mother and sister.

“Mom,” Lincoln hugged her mother tight. “I’m so glad you’re home.”

Lynette took her daughter in her arms returning her hug. “Lincoln, baby, all I’m hugging is bones. Why aren’t you taking care of yourself?”

“I am taking care of myself, Mom.”

“Lincoln Hathaway, don’t lie to your mother. I know you’re under a lot of stress because of Anthony. Honey, why don’t you move to Chicago?”

“Mom, I have a job and responsibilities here. However, you could move back here. We could be roomies.”

Lynette laughed releasing her daughter. “That would be a lot of fun if I wanted to come back to Cleveland. I love Chicago. I’ve made wonderful friends and my job is there.”

“Tell her the truth, Mom,” Carter said.  She gave Lincoln a loving squeeze around the shoulders.”

Lincoln raised her brow. “Tell me what?”

Carter winked an eye. “Mom has a boyfriend.”

Lincoln folded her arms across her chest. “Oh, really. And who is this man, Carter?”

“Girls, I am the mother here. I will not be put under the spotlight and questioned like a criminal,” said Lynette.

Regan came over carrying a tray of lemonade. “Is Mom denying she has a boyfriend again?”

Lincoln shot Regan a quick look. “You knew about this and didn’t tell me, Regan?”

“You’ve been preoccupied lately, Lincoln. Carter has checked out Mr. Hadi and approves of him.”

“My mother has a boyfriend and I can’t keep one,” Lincoln teased. “What is this world coming too?”

“The world is the same, Lincoln. Your momma just still has it going on,” Lynette said as she hiked her skirt and crossed her shapely legs to sit down.

Lincoln laughed with the others over the comment. “Mom, no one would believe you have three grown daughters and grandchildren. You do look fantastic,” she said passing out tumblers filled with spiked lemonade to everyone.

“I have to keep up with my girls. You three are beautiful, young, and gifted Black women. I am so proud of all of you. Being a single mother, I worried if I would drop the ball in raising you all. However, when I was at work, you three took it upon yourselves to pick up the slack.”

“Mom, you were our role model. The sacrifices you made for us were phenomenal. Our friends that had two-parent households envied us,” Carter said.

Lincoln straddled the picnic bench. “As hard as you worked, you never missed my basketball games or track meets on the weekends. Do you all remember how Regan would cover her face when Mom cheered for me? She would be so mad at Mom.”