After We Fall (Take the Fall, #3)(32)

Obviously, Hayden is either hosting a birthday party or doing a community-involvement event.

“Is this a bad time?” I ask.

Before he can answer, a kid zips past him, little legs going faster than the rest of his body. One foot comes way off the ground and he starts to fall backward. Hayden easily grabs the boy and sets him down on his feet.

“Whoa, buddy. Better slow down. The ground’s slippery.”

The kid looks at him with hero worship written all over his face. “Thanks, Captain!”

A smile kicks up the corners of Hayden’s mouth. “Anytime, Cecil.”

Cecil speeds away, although he isn’t as much a hell on wheels this time.

“Guess that answered my question.” I turn, ready to walk all the way to Dwight’s house on the other side of town.

“You could always stay and help,” Hayden suggests.

I like kids. Can even envision having a couple in the near future, but right now I’m pissed at myself for my reaction to Evangeline’s questions. “Not exactly in the best mood.”

“Give me a couple of minutes and I’ll meet you in my office.” Hayden walks away, presumably to hand over the reins to his second in command.

I make my way to his office, bypassing squealing kids and parents taking pictures with their phones.

Closing the door behind me, I effectively silence the sound of festivities. I’m so on edge that instead of sitting to wait for Hayden, I begin to pace and think about Evangeline instead.

There’s so much in my head right now that I can’t gather my thoughts properly. It’s all one big jumbled mess in my brain. Jumbled mess or not, I know I’ve royally f*cked things up with Evangeline.

Yeah, I left her with my truck keys, but that won’t make up for leaving her in the middle of brunch in the first place.

“Shit,” I mutter, and start for the door, but Hayden opens it before I get there.

“Leaving?”

“Yeah, I screwed up and I need to fix it.” I move past him.

He grabs my arm. “Anything I can do?”

“No. This is all me.”

Letting go of me, he grins. “Still on for tonight’s fight?”

“Yeah. I’ll be there.”

He walks with me to the front of the fire station. “You can always invite your girl.”

“I don’t have a girl.”

Hayden levels me with a look. “When a man gets this worked up, it’s always over a woman.”

I exhale. “Fair enough, but I won’t invite her to a fight.” There’s no way Evangeline would be interested in one. Too violent. Too bloody. I can only imagine how she’d react. No way I’ll keep her if I show that side of myself—at least for now. I can ease her in, eventually, and if it’s a problem for her, I’ll stop.

“As long as you can concentrate on the match, I don’t care who you do or don’t invite.”

I tip up my chin at him. “Don’t worry, you’ll get your share of the purse.”

Pounding me on the back a couple of times, he says, “Go apologize.”

“See you at five.” I take off, stopping at a street vendor’s cart. It’s filled to the brim with flowers. Quickly picking out a bouquet of wildflowers, I pay for the bundle and haul ass back to the diner.

My truck’s still there, and as I pass by the glassed-in front, I see that Evangeline is, too. Her head is down, her fork poking at her food.

I’m such an * to leave her like that. I just walked out with no thought to her. While I have a lot of issues when it comes to my dad and his death, that’s certainly not Evangeline’s problem.

Her head jerks up and her eyes round. Her sweet lips part.

I give her a sheepish smile and point to the flowers in my hand, then motion for her to stay where she is. I don’t expect her to come to me.

Striding into the diner, I blaze a path directly for our booth. Evangeline’s slightly turned, watching as I draw closer.

Plump lips part before a smile kicks up the corners.

Wait a minute? She’s happy to see me?

I stop beside her, handing over the flowers. “I’m sorry for leaving. You didn’t do anything wrong…and when I saw these, I knew they belonged with you—whether you forgive me or not. My gifts to you come without conditions.”

There are a few sighs and aws from other customers.

Shifting my weight from one leg to the other, I rub my thumb along my jaw a couple of times. I didn’t mean for anyone but Evangeline to hear me.

Evangeline’s brows rise and she bites the corner of her mouth. “That’s a really good speech.”

“I really meant it.”

Setting the flowers beside her, she gestures across the table. “You’re welcome to join me again.”

Worried that she might change her mind, I plop my ass in the seat across from her. My meal is probably ice-cold by now, but I don’t give a damn. So I tuck into my eggs like a starving man. Oh yeah, cold and rubbery as hell, but it’s a punishment I’ll gladly take for hurting her.

The waitress comes by, winking at me as she refreshes my coffee. “Went to all that trouble just to buy flowers, huh?” She grabs my plate. “I’ll have Travis make another omelet for ya.”

I’m definitely going to add more money to her tip. “Thanks.”