Page 92 of Embers in the Dark

I think after that night with Myles, they saw I would never do anything to put Baylee in harm’s way. I would walkthrough fire to keep her safe. Her father simply hugged me and told me to keep her safe and shed a few tears when he pulled away.

The rest of the night, we sat vigil at my mother’s bedside, hopeful she’d come out of it. Once my mother was conscious and breathing on her own, Baylee’s parents promised not to discuss what had gone on in the hospital room, giving us a chance to announce to the family however we chose.

We weren’t sure if we would move forward with a small service at the courthouse, or if we’d do an engagement and a full wedding with a proper ceremony and reception. We’ve been so tired and adjusting to getting my mom back to her normal routines that we haven’t made any major decisions at this point. I just know I’d like to make it official in whatever way makes Baylee happy.

Now that Rios is here at the firehouse, it’s obvious someone let it slip and I need to figure out who. I didn’t get a text from Baylee, so I’m assuming she’s unaware he knows at this point.

You could hear a pin drop in the kitchen right about now. The shock across everyone’s faces would be priceless if it wasn’t at my expense. Rios makes his way toward me and he’s about to advance on me, but River and Clay stop him.

“Hey man, not here,” River says.

“This fucker thinks he can marry my sister and get away with it!” Rios points at me while yelling in my direction.

“There’s an explanation.” I put my arms up in surrender.

“Malloy, you’re a piece of shit!” he yells.

“Watch it,” Clay says in his ear. “Why don’t we take a walk before the captain hears you?”

“Too late. Malloy, Rios, let’s go. Now!” our captain says from the doorway.

I look up and stand straighter. I then direct my gaze at Rios and stare at my old best friend until I see him compose himself. River and Clay hold on to him until he finally standsup and pulls himself from their grasp. “I’m fine. It’s fine, I’ll go.” He fights himself free and walks off.

I nod at the guys without a word. I know they all want answers, especially because I’ve been around them since my mom was discharged and I haven’t mentioned anything about me and Baylee. I hated keeping it to myself, but I was still figuring it all out. Especially without talking to the rest of Baylee’s family, we wanted to wait until we had spoken to them first.

Once we sit down in a makeshift space the captain uses as an office from time to time, Rios scoots the chair further from me, the immature asshole. I have to hold off the eye roll.

“Care to explain the spectacle out there, Rios?” Cap begins.

He thumbs over at me. “Malloy married my sister behind my back.”

I look down because that’s literally what I did. I know better than trying to interject unless spoken to.

Our captain looks over at me. “That’s ballsy. Is this true?”

“Yes sir, it is.” I nod. “It’s not so plain and simple, but yes, I did marry her. It’s not legal though, sir.”

“Fuck legal, Malloy. You know that’s not the point,” Rios interjects.

“Rios, quiet,” Cap says. “Malloy, what do you mean it’s not legal?”

“It was done in the hospital without a marriage license. It was sort of spur of the moment when my mom was intubated.”

“Alright, Rios, then what’s the problem?” Cap looks at Rios, already over this conversation.

“Cap, Malloy is really playing this down. He went behind my back with my little sister, who is ten years younger by the way,” he emphasizes.

“Is she underage or something?” Cap asks.

We both answer, “No!”

He brings his thumb and pointer finger in-between his eyes. “Again, what’s the problem here?”

“Cap, if I can be completely transparent here?” Rios asks and our captain nods. Rios continues, “I asked Malloy not to date my sister. He did it anyway. And now he married her? It’s bullshit.” He huffs and crosses his arms.

I look over and it’s hard not to see how immature he looks beside me. I wish he could hear himself.

“Okay, here’s what’s going to happen. First, this family drama stays out of my firehouse, understood?” He looks at Rios.

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