Page 10 of Embers in the Dark

“Dang, I could use someone to spot me,” he says.

“Why don’t you call Clay?” I ask in return.

“He’s wiped, Ella kept him up last night. I called on my way over and he was going to stay home and maybe workout later,” he says.

I look down at my watch. “I can spot you for a bit then I’ll have to head home and get ready to help my mom before taking her to her appointment.”

“Perfect. Let me warm up,” River says, kissing Kennedy on the cheek.

She rolls her eyes, then hops on the machine next to me, pushing the buttons and starting a brisk walk of her own.

“So, how are things going? You liking the gym so far?” she asks me.

“Yeah. Thanks again for hooking me up with this spot. It’s a perfect distance from my place.”

“Of course. Jerry owed me a favor. I’m glad he extended that family discount to you.” She winks at me.

Kennedy scared me when I first met her. Her confidence is quite intimidating, even for me. She still has her moments, and when I see her interacting with River, I see why they compliment each other. They push each other’s buttons perfectly.

“How’s the team coming along this year? I watched the game last night. It was close,” I tell her.

“They’re going to give me an ulcer,” she breathes out. “But I love the thrill.” She smiles.

She’s the CEO of the Boston Gaels baseball team, and she’s in the thick of the season. I’m amazed she has time to be at the gym right now, although there’s no game tonight. She probably needed a moment away from the office. Or River told her to take a break from her desk and all the emails she has to send.

“I heard you were on a date last night.” She wiggles her brows.

“How did you know—” I question then realize, “Abby told you.”

“Yep. She also said you’re wasting your time on the wrong girl.”

“Of course she did.She’swasting her time talking about that. I’m not going to chasethatgirl.” I press the button to increase my speed. My light walk forgotten, and a jog now needed.

“Sorry, but Abby’s right on this, Malloy. You’re just wasting time. I think the perfect girl is right under your nose and you’re being stubborn.” She looks over her shoulder, then brings her gaze back to me. “I know you care about Rios, but he needs to stop being such a baby about this and realize that you’re good for his sister. If he cared about you, he’d realize you’re what’s best for her too.”

“His sister is with someone else. Why doesn’t anyone realize this?” I say, a little more clipped than I had wanted to be.

“Hey, I’m on your side here,” she says, putting her hands up, “but you’re my friend. I want you to be happy.”

“Why does everyone think I’m miserable?” Fuck. Do I look like a sad puppy or something?

Kennedy stops the treadmill. She stares at me until I do the same. See, she’s fucking intimidating. She’s giving me those god damn scary eyes that make me want to cower in a corner.

“Malloy, you and I both know I won’t beat around the bush. You’re being stupid with all this. I’m not going to sit here and act like I need to hold your hand. You’re a grown man. Fuck, you’re older than me. So, you do you. I’m going to say this once—I hate repeating myself—either you go chase the girl or deal with the consequences. Make the decision now though. If you never tell her how you feel, you can’t be sad that she ended up with someone else. Do you understand that? If you don’t go after her, you may not be the man she stands next to forever. And, if that’s the case, you need to move the hell on. Understood?”

I nod, because what the fuck else am I going to say?

“Good. Now go spot River because I don’t need him breaking a nail and crying about it later. He gets very needy,” she says then goes back to her machine, this time bringing the speed up to a higher-paced jog.

Nowthatwas Marissa energy.

I’ve been excused by “CEO Kennedy,” who I know commands the room. She takes no shit and I know she’s right about Baylee. I need to start being more receptive to these dates and being a little more aware of the fact that Baylee has moved on. I need to do the same. I’ve made my choice to smooth things over with Rios and let Baylee live her life in Connecticut. She’s with that boyfriend who has pulled the life out of her eyes, and that’s her choice. This life I’m living is my choice.

I move over to River, finding him on the rower, he slowsdown when he sees me. He juts his chin, ready to start his weights. The minute we start his workout, I decide to let go the final strings of Baylee in my mind. I can't keep living my life with her in my heart when she let me go long ago.

A few days have passed since my talk with Kennedy, and it’s my shift at the firehouse. River and Clay have reunited and the smile on River’s face is infectious. The twins feed off each other. River is more of the clown between the two, louder and more inappropriate. But from the stories I’ve heard, both were rambunctious as kids. Having both in the same station is an interesting dynamic, to say the least.

The moment I walk in, I hear the laughter in the kitchen. I know River is up to something, or most likely a bet of some sort is transpiring. The Nichols brothers are always wagering on something. Hell, I’m guilty of it, even outside of the firehouse. I’ll now bet things with my mom and Eric whenever I can.

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