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  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?”

  Li
ncoln 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.”

  “Speaking of your games, Lincoln,” Carter interrupted. “Do you know she has your trophies and ribbons on display at the house? No matter who comes over, she makes sure to show you off.”

  Lincoln laughed. “Oh my God, those are from my high school days!”

  “I don’t care if they are from elementary school. You worked hard for those rewards. Baby, I know you’re hurting now, but that will pass. If you ever feel you are overwhelmed, don’t suffer through it alone, pick up the phone, hop on a plane, or drive to Chicago. If you can’t make it to me, I’ll come to you.”

  “That goes for me too,” Carter chimed in. “I’m the oldest and should be there for you more. Lincoln, you are more than welcome to come live with me too. The kids would love to see you more.”

  Lincoln pushed back the tears. Her family was truly her support system. “Mom already tried that, Carter. Besides, I have to stay here and keep an eye on Regan.”

  “Hey, I resent that, Lincoln. I’m capable of taking care of myself and you,” Regan said with a frown.

  “Girl, you would fall apart without me, and you know it. Orlando can only do so much for your diva butt.”

  “I might be a little diva, but Orlando will agree I have toned it down.”

  Lincoln chuckled. “Don’t believe her. Regan has Orlando wrapped around her finger. He will agree to anything she says.”

  “Well, he is the only man here. Plus you got him to cook. How did you do that, Regan?” Lynette asked as she watched her future son-in-law prep the grill.

  Carter looked over the rim of the glass as she drank the lemonade. When a man entered the backyard, she asked. “Whoa, who is that?”

  Lincoln and Regan’s head turned in the direction of Orlando. He was shaking hands with another man that had joined him at the grill. “That’s Nick,” Regan said. “He works at the same firehouse as Orlando.”

  “I thought Chicago had fine ass firefighters but damn,” Carter said sucking her teeth. Putting the tumbler on the table, she adjusted her tank top. “How do I look?”

  Regan smacked her lips. “Bring in the girls, Carter; you’re a married woman.”

  “I would never cheat on my husband, Regan. However, there are no laws against looking at a beautiful man.”

  Lincoln rolled her eyes at her sister. Carter was older by six years and married and looked fabulous for her age. She wasn’t as tall as Lincoln, but they shared the same skin color and body type. Carter was also super thin and always dressed to impress. Even at a backyard picnic, she was dressed in designer clothing from head to toe. As a correspondence journalist with the Chicago Tribune, she could easily afford to dress for success.

  “Don’t you dare flirt with him, Carter,” Lincoln warned in a playful manner.

  “And give me one reason why I shouldn’t? As long as I’m away from home, I might as well have a little fun. No husband or kids until the wedding—I’m in heaven.”

  Lincoln tuned out her sister’s mindless dribble as Nick’s familiar swag walked over to where they sat. The big smile slapped across his face warmed her in a certain spot. They exchanged glances as Regan introduced him to her mother and sister.

  “Mom, Carter, this is Nick Barona. He’s also a firefighter and a good friend of ours.”

  Lynette raised her hand. “Nice to meet you, Nick; I’m Lynette.”

  Nick shook her hand. “Nice to meet you. Are you sure, you’re a mom? You’re too gorgeous to be a mother,” he teased.

  “Oh, I like this young man,” Lynette replied with a deep blush rising on her cheeks.

  Carter stood up. “I’m Carter. I’m the oldest sister.”

  “Geez, are you kidding me here? No wonder Orlando is always smiling, he’s surrounded by you beautiful ladies all the time.”

  “Nick is a bit of a flirt, so you all better watch out,” Orlando said teasing Nick as he propped his foot on the picnic bench.

  Nick laughed. “Orlando knows I’m harmless. However, I meant what I said.” He turned to Lincoln and released a sexier smile. “How are you doing, beautiful?” he asked slipping his arm around her waist.

  Lincoln swore her heart dropped to her feet first then bounced back in her chest knocking the wind out of her. She stuttered,” I-I’m great and yourself.”

  “Now that I see you, my day just got better.”

  Lincoln shuddered from the silence of her relatives. She had some explaining to do. How she would explain she had no idea. Nick had never flirted with her like this before. She wondered if he was playing around or if this was usual for him since she really didn’t know him that well.

  “I’m flattered.” She swirled the ice in her drink. “Can I get you something to drink? Regan made spiked lemonade. It’s really good.”

  “I’d rather have a beer if that’s okay.”

  Orlando motioned for Nick to follow him. “Come on, Nick, there is plenty of beer in the house.”

  Lincoln dreaded lifting her head to see the curious eyes of her relatives waiting for the scoop on her and Nick. “I feel you all piercing me with your eyes. There is nothing going on between Nick and me. We are just friends.” She lifted her head to see Regan’s smirk widen. “Stop, Regan. You know how Nick is.”

  Regan’s hands went up in a defensive manner. “I only know what I saw and heard.”

  “Oh, so, you’re going to play stupid too. He was playing! Nick is playful like that.” Moisture dampened Lincoln’s forehead as she tried to explain.

  “She’s sweating,” Carter teased. “Isn’t that cute?”

  Flustered Lincoln wiped her face. “You’ll trippin’, there is nothing between us.”

  “Okay, that’s enough. Leave my baby alone,” Lynette ordered. “Lincoln, does Anthony know Nick?”

  She nodded. “Yes.”

  “Are they good friends?”

  Lincoln sighed. “Mom, their friendship is complicated. And the question is irrelevant since I’m not involved with him.”

  “Regan, Carter, give me a minute alone with your sister.”

  They left and Lincoln slumped on the chair thinking she’d made a mistake asking Nick to come. “Mom, I don’t need a lecture.”

  “I don’t plan on lecturing you. Lincoln, I never worried about you too much because you have a strong will. You’ve been able to resolve any conflicts you’ve ever gotten yourself into without my help. I’m going to trust you know what you are doing this time.”

  “Why isn’t anyone listening to me? Nick has been a good friend to me. I’m not taking advantage of him and he isn’t taking advantage of me. Also, I don’t call him to complain about Anthony or to come hold my hand. The most we do is go to a movie or hang around my p
lace to watch television. We haven’t done anything intimate and it has never come up.”

  “That’s good; because, if you got into a relationship with him it would be disastrous, Lincoln.”

  She covered her face and wished she had something stronger to drink than spiked lemonade. It was a little too late for her mother to explain the birds and the bees. So her guess was her mother didn’t approve of Nick being White. “Let me guess, if I was dating him, you wouldn’t approve because he’s White. You don’t have to worry about anything, Mom.”

  Lynette frowned causing wrinkles to rumple the smooth skin of her forehead. “Have I ever interfered in any relationship you girls had once you were old enough to date?”

  Lincoln shook her head. Her mother was making her feel like a teenager and she was scolding her for misbehaving. “No, ma’am.”

  “Alright then. My concern is those two being friends, honey. If that man is hanging around with you, it will cause a conflict with Anthony. I don’t want you in the middle of that battle.”

  She sighed silently. In the middle of it—I am up to my neck in it. “I’ve heard it all and I know the consequences of coming between friends. Nick has females that he dates. I’m more like one of the guys that he can kick back with. There is no pressure from me.”

  “Lord, touch this girl right now,” Lynette said looking up at the sky. “For Pete’s sake, girl, thirty is knocking at your door. If you want to believe he doesn’t have an interest in you, go ahead and believe that. But, people on the outside watching you two are seeing something else. He wants you. The question is do you have any feelings for him?”

  Her emotions concerning Nick were muddled. She didn’t know what she felt for him for the reason that Anthony occupied so much of her heart. If she got too close to Nick, it would seem like a rebound to cover her pain and that was not fair to him. “Mom, this day is supposed to be about you and Carter. I don’t want to discuss my love life. Can we drop this, please?”

  “I’ll drop it for now. Regan has gone out of her way to make us feel at home; I don’t want her to feel I don’t appreciate it.”

  “Thank you,” she breathed.