Page 18 of Firecracker

Mac starts laughing. “Well damn, he was right about that but…” He moves back as he proceeds to check me out. “…but the marshmallow thing I don’t get. You're tiny as hell.” He looks to Gus. “Redman, what’s up with the marshmallow thing?”

Quick. The little fucker has been talking shit about me.

I feel my face heat up. Knowing he’s been talking about me, has every blood vessel in my body bursting.

“Mac, back the fuck off my girl. She had a parka on last night, and it was like three times her size. Quick was calling her a marshmallow.”

The other guy who hasn’t spoken starts to laugh.

Izzy turns toward him. “You’re awfully quiet over there Dallas.”

He puts his hands up. “Hey, I haven’t said shit. I’m just here.”

Dallas? Really?

“For fuck’s sake, who named all you guys?” I blurt out.

Everyone laughs and right at the same time the doors open.

Dallas exits first since he’s closest to the doorway but Mac and Gus motion for us to go ahead of them. They both have smirks on their faces while we both look irritated.

Gus grabs Izzy’s elbow, slowing her walk so they can talk while Mac moves up next to me. “So what’s your real name? Even though Firecracker will probably become your new name around us.”

I stop and turn, looking straight at him, placing my hands on my hips, I explain. “I don’t like those names. My name is Ruby.”

Mac widens his stance making him a bit shorter while crossing his arms over his chest.

Goddamn, these men giants.

Mac tilts his head to the side and states, “Ruby, like Ruby Tuesday?’

“What the fuck. You’re the second person to call me that today. No, it's just Ruby.” I copy him, crossing my arms over my chest, which in turn makes his eyes leave my face for a beat to check out my chest.

“Well Ruby, I think Firecracker is perfect for your spunky little ass. You’ve got fire in your spirit and that mouth of yours, well let's just say you pop off and I kind of like it.”

My body starts to tingle in all the right places. I shift my legs to release the pressure between my legs, letting the skinny jeans Izzy had me put on rub some relief.

“Well, I don’t.” I turn to walk out the doors but stop and turn back, catching Mac checking out my ass. “Tell Quick to quit talking shit about me.”

Mac smiles, taking only two strides to reach me before he’s towering over me again. “Ruby, I don’t think any of us will stop talking about your fine little ass for a while, but I guarantee you no one will be talking shit.” He lifts his pointer finger up, tapping my nose.

He moves to open the door for me to pass through it and when I do he murmurs. “You’re hot as fuck alright.”

Motherfucker.

I don’t look back but instead just walk straight to the driver who drove us here and climb into the car that’s waiting for us.

He quoted what Quick said in the truck yesterday. Jesus, was Quick really talking about me that much?. Once I’m in the car behind tinted windows, I turn to look back only to find Mac still staring at the car. He probably knows I am staring right back. He pulls out his cell phone and makes a call still staring like he can see me.

Izzy emerges from the building with Gus on her tail. Izzy doesn’t look happy. Gus stops following her when he comes up next to Mac, who’s still on the phone. Mac says something to Gus, and he nods his head with a smile but doesn’t move. Izzy jumps into the car, slamming the door.

“What’s wrong?” I ask still staring out at the boys, who are still staring back at the car.

“These fucking men are barbaric. Like fucking cavemen from back in the day. Like do what they say, or they will throw you over their fucking shoulder and just take you, kind of barbaric,” Izzy says in a rant.

Folding her arms, she turns to look outside toward the men, who are still standing there staring at the car. Mac says something else to Gus, and this time Gus moves toward us.

“Is he coming with us?” I ask.

“Fuck no. He’ll be by to pick us up later,” she states.

At that moment the car takes off leaving the guys standing and staring.

“Well, Mac can throw me anywhere he wants. Damn, he’s sexy as sin,” I state breathless.

We both bust up laughing.

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