Page 29 of Startup Fire

Chapter 11

Meddling Friends

The monthly fire and rescue meeting should have been routine. Chief Murphy running through call statistics, equipment maintenance schedules, and upcoming training sessions. Wayne had attended hundreds of these over the years, half-listening while mentally working through whatever metalwork project was waiting in his barn.

Except tonight, he couldn't focus on anything except the empty chair beside him where Jake usually sat.

Jake was there—just on the other side of the room, deliberately avoiding him. Brandon too. They kept casting glances his way and whispering, clearly talking about him.

“Before we wrap up,” Chief Murphy said, “I want to recognize Wayne Drummond for maintaining what Fire Marshal Wygant called 'one of the safest private workshops in the county.' The inspection report was glowing.”

Light laughter rippled through the room. Wayne forced a tight smile and nodded, feeling the irony like a knife. His barn was perfectly safe. He'd made sure of that.

And he'd still managed to destroy everything that mattered.

“Also wanted to give everyone a heads up,” Murphy continued. “Our demonstration for the fundraiser is going to be something special. Wayne and Jessica Hartley have been working on an interactive glassblowing presentation that's going to blow away the competition.”

Have been working. Like it was still happening. Like Jess was still coming back.

The meeting broke up. Wayne headed for the door, but Jake and Brandon stepped into his path, arms crossed.

“We need to talk,” Brandon said.

“I'm tired—”

“Tough.” Jake grabbed his arm. “Storage room. Now.”

They steered him into the small room off the main bay, closing the door behind them. Wayne leaned against the table, already exhausted.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Jake didn't waste time. “Jess came looking at apartments today. Monthly leases, Wayne. Because she's not sure she's staying in town.”

The words hit like a punch to the gut. “She told you that?”

“She told me she got a job offer. San Francisco. And she doesn't know if she's taking it.” Jake's expression was furious. “Want to guess why she's considering leaving?”

Wayne's throat closed up.

“You're doing it again,” Brandon said quietly. “Same thing you did with Amanda. Someone gets close, things get real, and you panic and push them away before they can hurt you.”

“That's not—”

“Yes, it is.” Jake cut him off. “Jess is good for you. You've been happier these past few weeks than I've seen you in five years. You actually smile now. You participate in conversations instead of just grunting responses.”

“She's not staying because of me,” Wayne said. “She's got her own life, her own career—”

“You're right,” Brandon interrupted. “She does. And she was building it here. Until you freaked out over a fire marshal inspection and used it as an excuse to push her away.”

Wayne slumped into a chair. “Her grandparents called without asking me—”

“To make sure their granddaughter was safe,” Brandon finished. “Yeah, they overstepped. But Wayne, that's what families do. They worry. They interfere. They care too much.” He leaned forward. “Is it really about the inspection? Or is it about the fact that letting Jess in means letting her family in? Means getting messy and complicated?”

The truth hit hard enough to hurt.

“I'm not saying anyone was heartbroken when Amanda left,” Brandon continued. “She was trying to make you into someone you aren't. But Jess isn't Amanda. She knew exactly what she was getting into. She's been working in your barn for weeks, watching you respond to calls, dealing with your moods. And she wanted to stay.”

“Wanted,” Wayne repeated. Past tense.

“Yeah, wanted. Because you gave her reasons to leave instead of reasons to stay.” Jake held up his hands. “Would you please do yourself a favor and ask her to stay?”