Page 8 of Burning Up

“Stop,” Toby said, bringing a hand down on Matt’s leg. “You know I hate that.”

“Sorry. I can’t help it.”

“Can we please change the subject?” Toby asked.

Matt scowled. “Maybe Bryce isn’t done talking about baseball.”

Talking? Bryce wouldn’t exactly call it that. “I’m fine. I think you gave a very thorough answer.”

“See?” Toby said.

“Why don’t you tell me about your family, Toby? You’re really the oldest of five?”

Toby nodded. “Crazy, isn’t it, but yeah. After me there’s my brother Rob. He’s only eighteen months younger, but we… We don’t really talk now. Then there’s Jenna. She’s awesome. She’s the one who’s made the cookies for you, and she’s studying interior design.”

Bryce immediately liked her. He didn’t need to know more.

“I also have two more younger sisters, Laura and Felicity. They’re twins and they’re lots of trouble, but they listen to me. Usually.”

Matt rolled his eyes. “Only when they want to.”

Bryce laughed.

They were all silent for a while after that. Bryce drifted off into thoughts about the rest of his day, about running with Rollo and working at Nathan’s, wishing he had someone other than his dog to spend the day with.

Toby polished off his drink and set the glass down on the eating shelf that lined the edge of the porch. “Could we have said anything to convince you to come dancing with us the other night?”

Bryce nearly choked, but Toby didn’t look away. No hair twirling or anything else to indicate he was nervous now. It must be the alcohol making him bold. Bryce shook his head. “No.”

“Why? And don’t say you’re too old.”

“Like I said, I haven’t really been going out much, and…”

Bryce glanced at Matt. He was frowning at Toby and jiggling his leg again. This time, Toby didn’t seem to notice.

Bryce downed the rest of his drink before finishing. “If I’d joined you, I wouldn’t have wanted to come home alone. I can’t complicate things at work, especially not with me being new and everyone knowing about Atlanta.”

Toby smiled. “We didn’t want you to leave by yourself.”

Matt’s cheeks were bright red and his eyes dark. He put a hand on his leg as if trying to hold it still. “No, we didn’t.”

“I don’t sleep with co-workers. It’s my own rule as much as the department’s.”

The desire in Toby’s eyes turned to concern.

“I won’t rat you out unless your relationship affects your job performance,” Bryce said. But the knowledge would weigh on him every single day. “I won’t put myself further at risk, though. I’ve never been good at hiding things.”

“It wouldn’t have to be?—”

The fantasy Bryce had indulged in when he’d imagined them dancing, imagined taking what he wanted ran through his head. He didn’t think once would be enough with them. If he got a taste of them, he’d want more, a lot more, and that was not going to happen. He slid off his stool. “I should head home.”

Matt stood too, but Bryce held up a hand. “I only live a few blocks from here, I’ll walk it.”

“But your truck’s at the station,” Toby protested

“I’ll get it later.”

Matt frowned. “Bryce, don’t?—”

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