Page 34 of Flame's Fight

When my stomach growls, I laugh. “I need to eat, but I want to take a shower first. Want me to help you bathe?”

With a few cuss words and plenty of laughter, I help him wash his hair and body before taking care of myself. I’m glad he’s laughing, because I know how frustrating it must be for him to be reliant on someone else. But I’m happy to see how he’s keeping his good spirits.

“I should have Tally look at your wound, but Scar said you could stop the infirmary, and he’d do it.”

Flame nods as he pulls on his shirt. “I’ll stop by the infirmary. He’s had enough practice with gunshot wounds. Probably more than Tally.”

When we reach the infirmary, I remember Tanya. “Tanya’s here in the clubhouse.” I tell him. “Or at least she was here last night. She slept in your bed.”

Flame nods. “I forgot. Ghost asked me earlier, and I told him it was fine. I’d rather she was here than out there where Deion or one of his guys could get to her.”

We find Caitlin in the infirmary with Scar. She dances over and hugs Flame before hugging, too.

“You’re in a good mood.” I tell her.

She grins. “I am. I get to go to Crossroads today. Carver said they were finishing up the first apartment and wants to get my feedback. It’s just so exciting to see it come together.”

“That is good news.” I tell her. “Have you met Tanya yet? She’s a physical therapist, and she knows Athena Stokes. I know you mentioned wanting to meet Athena and talk to her about joining Crossroads.”

“I do, but I haven’t seen Tanya yet. Maybe I’ll see her around. I would like to meet Athena. I’ve heard great things about her.”

“How is it going with your dad?” I ask. I’m a little afraid to ask, but Caitlin’s smile settles me.

“I’m happy he’s here. Tally still wavers between trusting him and believing he’s plotting our destruction.” She says, making me laugh. “I really think he didn’t know what mom was up to, especially regarding Gerard and my inheritance. Tally has residual resentment because of how he dismissed her career choice. He couldn’t understand how she could choose to work in ER at another hospital instead of choosing to join his baby, Chambers Medical Group. But personally, I think she pricked his ego when she came here instead. I don’t think he thought working ER was a bad thing. But that’s the message he sent her.”

I nod in understanding.

“Brooke was right. Your wound looks good.” Scar says as he applies a new bandage. “Let’s give it another day and maybe tomorrow you can remove the bandage for good.”

“Good. Now I just need to get my legs working again.” Flame says as he wheels toward the door. “Let’s go see if we can find Tanya and get some sessions scheduled.”

“We’ll go with you.” Scar says, as he and Caitlin follow us out to the common room.

“I’ll grab us some breakfast.” I tell Flame.

In the kitchen, I find Tamara busy fixing French Toast and sausage while Jenna fiddles with the coffeemaker.

“Yum.” I say when I enter the room.

“Help yourself.” Jenna says as she moves to the coffee pot carrying a carafe full of water. “I’m just fixing some fresh coffee. How is Flame doing?”

“Getting stronger. His wound is heeling and his legs continue to get stronger.”

“Oh, good.” Tamara says. “It probably helps that he has you as his nurse.” She says grinning.

I shrug. “I’m happy we’re back together.”

“Us too.” Jenna says with a laugh as she pours in the water. “Hopefully you two will have sex soon, if you haven’t already.” She continues, her back to us so she can’t see my mouth drop open or Tamara’s smirk. “He’s been a nightmare since you two broke up. I offered to give him a blow job just to relieve some of the stress, but he said no.” Tamara rolls her eyes at me as Jenna continues. “He said no to all the girls.”

Jenna is a sweet and naive girl who pretends to be one of the kutte bunnies, but the truth is none of the guys will touch her. Not that they don’t find her attractive, but she’s under Shield’s protection and he’s threatened dismemberment to anyone who treats her like a bunny.

Jenna turns around and must notice the look on my face or maybe she sees Tamara struggling not to laugh. “Did I say something wrong?”

I laugh and shake my head. “No. Flame said he hadn’t been with anyone. I believed him, but…”

“You’re bound to have doubts.” Tamara says, nodding her head. “But in this case, he wasn’t lying. I heard the bunnies complaining about how at first, he’d start flirting, but then when they thought they had him hooked, he’d wiggle off and swim away. Then it got to where they didn’t even try. Some guys give off the ‘leave me alone’ vibe. Flame sure did.”

I suppress my self-satisfied grin as I carry the plates back into the common room and find Flame sitting with Tanya and Ghost. The other two are about halfway through their breakfast when I set a plate in front of Flame.

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