Page 90 of Embers in the Dark

“They’re still fighting over Ella calling River dad first?” I ask.

“Yes. It’s exhausting. Seriously, why does Clay even fall for it?” Ashton shakes his head. “I came over here for a break, but I think my twins are easier than they are.”

“I think you might be right,” Hunter says.

“So Hunter, how’s it going at the firehouse? These guys making your life hell as a probie?” Ashton asks him.

“It’s not too bad, I expected worse.” He flashes his relaxed smile Ashton’s way. “After the Army, I think I can handle just about anything.”

“True. Have you been back to civilian life long?” Ash asks him.

“I got back about three years ago. I traveled during that time around the States before I settled on Boston. Jerry andScarlet had reached out when I was traveling and told me about wanting to rent their home out, so I jumped on the opportunity.” He throws the first few burger patties onto the grill while River and Clay join us outside, unfazed by the heated discussion we left them with in the kitchen.

“You two finally figure everything out?” Ashton asks them.

“Of course.” River smiles.

“You made a bet, didn’t you?” I roll my eyes.

“Always,” Clay answers, clinking his glass with mine.

“You two are so annoying with your bets,” Ash chimes in. “And yet we’ll all take a side and throw money in by the end of it. My money is on Clay winning this as he is the actual father and she lives with him.”

“I’m very persuasive, you know.” River looks way too confident.

“You’re ridiculous, Riv,” I tell him.

“Malloy, you really don’t know me, do you?” He laughs. “Back in the sixth grade, Clay’s girlfriend couldn’t even tell us apart.”

“You really are a dick. This asshole went half a lunch period sitting next to her acting like me until I showed up. You know how embarrassed she was when she realized it wasn’t me she was sitting next to? She broke up with me the next day.” Clay shakes his head as he takes a drink of his beer.

“Well, you found out she wasn’t for you thanks to your loyal brother,” River retorts.

“It’s not like I was going to marry her, man,” Clay answers back.

“Do you have a speaker or something so we can play some music to drown them out?” I look at Hunter. “This is just going to keep going on and on.”

Hunter makes a face before walking off, hopefully in search of a speaker. As much as the Nichols brothers mightbicker, it’s the exact distraction I needed after the stressful week I had with my mom being in the hospital. The only thing I’m missing is my girl by my side.

I pull out my phone and open up my texts to find the latest photo she sent me of her with my mom sitting on the couch smiling into the camera. My whole heart is staring back at me in that selfie and there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for those two. It’s a reminder that Baylee proved to me that we’re a team and I owe her for loving me with her entire soul.

I got a ride from River this morning, leaving my truck with Baylee in case something came up with my mom. This is my first shift back since my mom got sick. Yesterday was the BBQ and I spent the evening over at my mom’s house, while Baylee had to study with a group at the library.

My mom looks much better than she had been prior to her incident. She seems to be getting her appetite back, however, she has taken a break from the chemo since that was what prompted the heart attack. We have an appointment coming up to evaluate how we’ll move forward. From the tests performed at the hospital, it seems there wasn’t any damage to her heart wall with the cardiac arrest, which is a relief.

The one-eighty our lives have taken in such a short time has really put everything into perspective. I’m just grateful she’s still here and I look at everything around me and feel like I’m looking at my life with a whole appreciation I didn’t have before. I’m not taking any second with those I love for granted and I think the amount I’ve told Baylee I love her is starting to make her crazy.

I woke her up this morning to tell her and she nearly threw a pillow at my face. Granted, she was out studying until an ungodly hour, so she had every reason to be pissed, but I couldn’t be gone on a twenty-four hour shift withouttelling her how much I’d miss her. She had to know and, of course, I had to kiss her all over before I walked out that door.

She forgave me after a few orgasms, obviously. The smirk on my face gets River’s attention.

“You’re thinking something dirty, aren’t you?” He parks his truck.

“None of your damn business.” I look over at him.

“Oh, it’s really dirty then.” He laughs.

“Fuck off,” I tell him. “Also, thanks for the ride.”

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