Page 44 of Embers in the Dark

“This”—I point between us—“will always be equal between us. It’ll always be about us having fun together, and always be a partnership.” I run my hand down my face.

She pulls my hand away from my face. “Hey, Tucker, I know. You’re not him.”

“I'd never do that to you. Never. When I just said that, and I heard how it sounded, I just?—”

She comes up on her tiptoes and kisses me. “You’ve never treated me like I’m fragile. Don’t start now. Please, Tucker.”

I nod. “You are the epitome of strength, Firefly.”

If there’s one thing I will never do it’s treat Baylee like she’s broken, because to me she’s the strongest person I’ve ever met.

CHAPTER 15

Tucker

I can’t helpthe smile on my face as I walk into the station. Before greeting the outgoing crew for report, I head directly to my locker to put my things inside. I’m still grinning like a fool when I see Hunter on my way out of the locker room.

“What’s got you in such a good mood?” Hunter sips his coffee.

“Nothing.” I try to play it cool. “You just getting here?” Probies are usually here earlier than us.

“Been here an hour. No fucking way I’ll be late. I got coffee for the captain, per his request and got one for myself.” He holds his up. “So, back to my original question: Your good mood has nothing to do with your new roommate?” He eyes me and bumps my shoulder.

I stay silent as I keep walking toward the guys. I don’t need to have this conversation with him and risk someone overhearing us. Even though I don’t care if my friendship with Rios is over, I don’t need to risk further animosity in the firehouse right now.

Hunter calls out before heading into the locker room, “Don’t think this conversation is over!”

“I didn’t think it was,” I call over my shoulder.

I hear him laugh and push through the double doors into the apparatus bay, finding most of last night’s crew gathered. I greet one of the guys from the previous shift, ready to get any updates from their shift.

It seems not much happened last night, so he doesn’t have much to tell me. Luckily, aside from a few residential calls and a fire down the road that was easily put out, it was a pretty quiet night. Shifts like those are blessings and they seem to have had a good twenty-four hours overall.

Once I go through the details with him, I begin inspecting my personal protective equipment. Soon, River, Clay, and Hunter join me, checking their own PPE and getting their own updates from the previous shift on their way out.

We flow through our tasks easily, with Hunter mixing into our fire family as if he’s been here all along. Rios, even with all the issues recently with Clay and myself, still works seamlessly in the mix, which is a relief. The minute we get to the station, we put aside our differences, a good thing in a position like ours. We need to have each other’s backs, our ability to work together can be a matter of life and death very quickly.

The hours pass without a call, and soon we’re famished. Hunter starts to prep lunch. Sandwiches seem to be the easiest thing to prep and one of our other guys lends a hand as well. I join in to help speed up the process and get the food finished up. Our captain is sitting in his favorite recliner, while some of the guys are watching a game on the television.

Something seems off and it’s only then I realize it’s too quiet. I turn to Clay and ask, “Where’s your brother?”

He looks around and shrugs. “Probably talking to Kennedy. Don’t ruin it. It’s quiet in here,” he answers. Our captain scoffs to himself.

I must’ve jinxed it right then, because not thirty seconds later River makes his way into the dining room.

“What the actual fuck is that shirt, Riv?” I hear Clay say behind me.

The whole room turns to look over immediately.

“What do you think?” River asks.

“What in the world does it mean, man?” I can’t help but ask.

“UILF?” Hunter questions, completely lost.

“UILF!” River exclaims, as if repeating the acronym will help it makes complete sense.

We stand in silence, staring at him. His brother sits on the stool, waiting for the punchline as if this is a norm he expects from his twin.

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