Page 15 of Fire Me Up
Lucas nodded and joined the others as they filed out, leaving me alone with Dylan, who was scribbling something on a clipboard, lips moving like he was talking himself through it.Hyper-focused. He could go from scattered to absorbed in a heartbeat, and I found both sides of him magnetic.
I squatted in front of the enclosure, peering in at Bacon. “Hey buddy, time to go.” I clicked my tongue, wiggling my fingers. Bacon opened one eye, gave me a look that clearly said fuck off, and went back to sleep.
I glanced over my shoulder at Dylan, who was bent over his toolbox, tongue peeking out slightly as he concentrated. My chest tightened. Why hadn’t he kissed me again? Had I been too clumsy, too eager? Or not enough? Maybe he’d realized I wasn’t worth the effort.
“Come on, Bacon,” I tried again, making kissy noises that would’ve gotten me roasted at the firehouse. “Let’s go for a walk.”
Bacon stretched, yawned extravagantly, and curled even tighter.
I stuck out my tongue at him. “Traitor.”
The truth was, I didn’t want to leave—not while Dylan was still here. My chest felt heavy at the thought of walking out like nothing had happened between us.
I reached into the enclosure, determined to haul my cat out if necessary. Bacon narrowed his eyes, tail flicking in warning.
“Need some help?” Dylan’s voice came from right behind me. When had he moved closer?
“No, I—” I looked up to find him standing over me, his expression unreadable. “He seems to like it in there too much.”
Dylan crouched beside me, our shoulders nearly touching. This close, I could smell him—motor oil and soap, sharp and warm. My pulse quickened.
“Cats, man.” He shook his head, voice low and amused.
I nodded, hyperaware of his proximity. This was the closest we’d been since that kiss, and my heart was hammering like Iwas back inside a burning building. Except here, I had no idea what I was supposed to save.
“So,” Dylan said, not looking at me as he wiggled his fingers at Bacon. “You ever been to Under Colfax?”
“What’s that?”
“Gay bar. Okay music, decent drinks.” He glanced at me, quick and bright, then looked away again. “I was thinking you might want to check it out. You know, if you’re still trying to explore that side of yourself. Um, after the kiss, I mean.”
Hope flared in my chest. Was he asking me on a date? “With you?”
“Not with me specifically. I mean, I’d take you, but I’d just be there to show you around. You should definitely meet some guys. Get comfortable with the scene. It’s intimidating at first, but once you get used to it, it’s chill.”
“Oh.” My heart sank. Not a date. A field trip. Babysitting duty.
“I think it would be good for you,” Dylan said, his words tumbling faster now, nervous energy bleeding through his usual charm. “Dance a little, flirt, get comfortable with the vibe. No pressure. Most of the bartenders are friends of mine, so they’ll look out for you.”
That was Dylan—covering his vulnerability with generosity, always making fun the armor for how much he cared.
I stood, needing distance before I did something reckless like kiss him first. “Okay.” I shoved my hands in my pockets, then folded my arms instead, trying to look casual. “Sure. That sounds fun.”
Dylan looked up, then rose to his feet in one fluid move. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
Something electric passed between us, strong enough that I almost swayed toward him. His gaze flicked to my mouth for halfa second, and I was sure—absolutely sure—he was going to kiss me again. I leaned in just a little.
Bacon launched himself out of the enclosure like an orange missile, tail high as he bolted for the classroom door.
“Shit!” I lunged, pain ripping through my healing shoulder as I slammed into a desk.
Too late. He was already gone, and Dylan was sprinting after him, yelling at someone in the hall to close a door.
I followed, clutching my throbbing shoulder. Fucking cat. Fucking gunshot wound. Fucking hormones making me chase after a guy who probably thought of me as a project.
Bacon tore around a corner, Dylan close behind. I heard a crash and Dylan’s sharp curse: “Sorry! Cat emergency!”
