Page 11 of Embers in the Dark

I walk in and my attention is pulled by both River and Clay.

“Malloy, please tell me you haven’t watched all of the latest season ofLove is Blind?” River pleads.

Clay looks over, a smile sliding across his face. He knows I have because I binge watch it at his place with Abby every single time it releases. It’s ritualistic at this point. We don’t miss any episodes together.

I decide to play it cool. “Um, what season is it again?”

“Ugh. The one with Derek and Shawna. The chemistry is unreal,” he says.

“I haven’t, no,” I say, scratching my beard.

Fucking right I’ve watched it. Those two were off the charts with chemistry. It was surprising they had the ability to keep the show going the entire season, it was pretty obviousthey were getting married. But, they managed to keep us hooked. If they didn’t end up together, I would’ve been pissed. Abby and I stayed up until the late hours to finish the season. We were committed to see it through.

“I need to make a bet those two don’t last six months,” River declares.

“Oh, you’re on,” I pull my wallet out and slap money down. Clay gives me a knowing look, my eager bet proving I’ve seen the season.

Everyone starts chiming in. The guys start yelling about the couple, passionate about the two in the relationship. We all have sides, Clay siding with me, pushing his brother’s buttons just as much as me. Soon we’re shouting about how we want to see their happily ever after written in the stars.

We hear a throat clear, and we look over to find our captain standing at the opening of the kitchen and sitting area next to another firefighter we don’t recognize. We stand straighter, ashamed that we were just passionately arguing about a reality TV couple. Not only that, we were putting bets on their future outcome like we knew them personally. It’s embarrassing.

“Gentlemen, I would like you to meet our new probie, Tyler Hunter.” Our captain brings his hand to the newcomer’s shoulder.

It’ll be good to have someone new and I won’t be the new guy anymore. Although I wasn’t technically a probie, I was still new to the station. Plus, with the tension bubbling with Rios, it made for some discomfort nonetheless. Not to mention my beard. The captain hates it, but it meets regulations; I’m always able to form a tight seal on fit tests. Having someone else to divert his attention will be a welcome change.

We walk over to introduce ourselves and the moment I lock eyes with our newest member to Station 10, I realize he looks familiar. I’ve seen him before. For a few beats, I can’t pinpoint where, but then it clicks.

Abby showed me his photo, although he was shirtless and his tattoos were on display last time I saw him, his face ishard to forget. She’s going to shit a brick. Maybe I shouldn’t warn her, especially because Clay will be none too happy to know his ex-wife-now-girlfriend-soon-to-be-fiancée has been drooling over the new probie on the internet.

I put my hand out. “Nice to meet you, Hunter. Or should I call youHuntsamillion?”

“Oh, you’re a fan.” He chuckles, not even bothered that I recognize him from his social media profile.

“What’s he talking about?” River latches on to this tidbit immediately. Of course he does.

“Our newest member is an international sensation,” I say. I can’t help it. This is too good to be true. I guess in a city full of people, I did find Abby’s little crush.

“Yeah, I’ve been outed.” Hunter runs his hands through his hair, his smile easygoing, although a blush does creep onto his cheeks. River is going to eat this shit up.

“I run a little social media account. It’s gained traction through the last couple years. I was in the military and in that time I was using it as a way to connect so I used to post videos. I guess it took off,” Hunter explains, shrugging.

“So, what? You’re like famous?” Clay asks.

“Do you mind if I take a quick selfie with you to send to a friend? She’s going to freak,” I say.

“No problem,” Hunter says.

I snap a quick picture and begin typing out my message to Abby. I’m about to send it when Clay starts to piece things together.

“She? Who are you sending that to? Who’s your friend, Malloy? How did you know about Hunter?” Clay’s no fool.

I just smile at him and Clay starts to look over at our newest probie.

“Oh, come on. Really? Abby follows this guy on social media?” Clay asks.

River starts laughing. “Don’t worry, Clay. She still lovesyou. She has our Ella with you.” That earns River an elbow to the gut, yet he still laughs.

River points to our newest recruit. “I like you already, probie. You’re pissing my brother off and you’ve been here five minutes. This’ll be fun. Ten bucks says Abby will be here by lunch to see you in person.”

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