Page 44 of Fire Me Up
“Let me,” Gael said, squeezing my shoulder. “What’s everyone having?”
After taking our orders, he headed to the bar, and I tried not to watch the way every guy’s head turned to follow him.
Gael wasn’t mine. He was oblivious to it, to how fucking magnificent he looked, all broad shoulders and narrow waist, muscles shifting under golden skin.
“So, you and Gael.” Aiden wiggled his eyebrows at me. “Things seem to be heating up.”
I shrugged, aiming for nonchalance. “We’re just having fun. He’s figuring himself out.”
Cash gave me a look.
“What? We are.” I crossed my arms over my chest, suddenly feeling exposed. “It’s not serious.” And he wouldn’t like the real me, anyway.
“Right.” Aiden rolled his eyes. “Well, I think Gael really likes you. And that man is adorable. Don’t you dare hurt him.”
I looked away, unable to handle the knowing look in Aiden’s eyes. My gaze drifted to Gael at the bar, where he was laughing with the bartender. His whole face transformed when he laughed, crinkles appearing at the corners of his eyes, joy radiating from him like heat.
Something twisted in my gut, want and fear tangled together so tightly I couldn’t separate them.
Fuck, I was in trouble. I needed to remember that people always left. Even a level-headed guy like Gael wouldn’t be able to handle me.
Gael returned with our drinks, his fingers brushing mine as he handed me my whiskey. Even that small touch sent electricity racing up my arm.
“So, um, I need to tell you guys something,” he said, his expression shifting to something more serious. “I got a call from my captain today. I’m cleared for active duty again. I have to head home. “
The words hit me like a punch to the gut, stealing the air from my lungs. I took a swig of whiskey to hide my reaction, letting the burn distract me from the sudden hollow feeling in my chest.
“When?” I asked.
“Tomorrow,” Gael said, his eyes finding mine. “I mean, I won’t be that far away. We can still meet up, go dancing every now and then. But I guess the vacation is over.” Every now and then?Clearly, he had no idea how obsessed I was with dancing with him.
In a casual way.
“That’s...great.” I forced a smile, ignoring the voice screaming in my head. Two more weeks. That was all the time I had left with him before he moved back permanently. “I know you missed your job.”
“Yeah, they’re short-staffed, and they want be back on my shift as soon as possible...” Gael trailed off, still watching me carefully. “Anyway, I figured since this is one of my last nights in Denver for a bit, we should make it count.”
“Hell yeah. We should!” I raised my glass, my voice coming out too bright, too enthusiastic.
Something like confusion flashed across Gael’s face. Had he expected me to be upset? To beg him to stay? That wasn’t who I was. I didn’t cling. I didn’t need. I was Dylan fucking Kim—king of casual, master of moving on.
Even if the thought of him leaving made my insides feel like they were being shredded.
“To Gael’s last night out!” Aiden raised his glass, oblivious to the tension.
“Last night for now. I can come back to visit,” Gael said quickly, eyes darting to me.
“Okay, last night for a while, anyway!” Aiden added. But I knew the truth: he wouldn’t be back. I’d known Liv for years, and this was my first time meeting Gael. He didn’t come to Denver often.
We clinked glasses, and I downed half my whiskey in one gulp, welcoming the burn. The music shifted to something with a heavier beat, bodies on the dance floor pressing closer together, skin gleaming with sweat under the pulsing lights.
“We should dance,” I said, grabbing Gael’s hand. I needed to move, to lose myself in the music before I said something stupid, something revealing.
Cash and Aiden followed us to the dance floor, immediately melting into each other like they’d forgotten anyone else existed. I watched them for a moment—the way Cash’s hands settled possessively on Aiden’s hips, how Aiden smiled up at Cash, laughing at something. They moved together perfectly, like they’d been dancing with each other forever.
Gael stepped into my space, his hands finding my waist, heat radiating from his bare skin. I should’ve kept it light, kept it fun. Instead, I pulled him closer, pressing our bodies together from chest to thigh. His breath hitched, pupils dilating as he looked down at me.
“You okay?” he asked, his thumb tracing circles on my hip.
