Page 122 of Roaring Flames

“Did you decide if you want to meet with your birth fathers?” he interrupts, cocking his hip against the counter.

His question takes me off guard.

“I don’t know,” I answer honestly.

Jake nods as if he suspected as much. “Well, if you decide you want to meet them, know that I’m here for you. Ride or die, right?”

A smile tugs at my lips. “Let’s hope it’s not the latter.”

“And let’s hope theridecomes with Benadryl because I get motion sickness,” Jake adds, his dimples making a brief appearance.

I laugh out loud at that.

Things suck at the moment, but we’ll be okay.

We have to be.

Forty-Seven

IZZY

Christian arrives at the house only a few minutes later.

I honestly didn’t expect him to show up. I mean, Hale and Gerry are attending the barbecue as well. They could’ve easily driven me.

Yet…

My heart does a strange little jig in my chest as soon as I catch sight of him. I have no idea why, besides the fact that he’s the sexiest man I’ve ever seen in my life. Or maybe it’s because he stares at me with an intensity that takes my breath away. Or it’s because he’s one of the only supernaturals in town that I feel like I can talk to and rely on. Or it’s because?—

Enough already!I internally chastise myself, racing for the door.

Jake beats me to it.

He throws it open with a wide, shit-eating grin on his face and a mischievous twinkle in his baby-blue eyes. I want to snap at him, but…I’ve missed seeing him smile. Really fucking missed it.

“Well, well, well. Hello, Mr. Montgomery. What is the vice principal doing at our house on a weekend?” Jake leans against the doorjamb as if he hasn’t a care in the world.

I can’t see Christian’s face from where I’m standing, but I hear his answer crystal clear.

“I’m here to pick up Izzy.”

“Hmmm.” Jake taps a finger against his chin in contemplation. “Isn’t that a tad inappropriate?”

I change my mind.

I want to kill him.

But then Christian answers again, and the breath leaves me. “It probably is, but she’s eighteen, and I’m only a few years older than her. And I don’t even want to be a damn vice principal but was forced into the job by my father. What are they going to do? Fire me?” He scoffs and then chuckles. “Good riddance.”

Jake appears stunned, but whether it’s because of Christian’s answer or his blunt candor eludes me.

My foster brother shakes his head, as if attempting to clear it, and then asks, “Is she your mate too? I know Hale and Gerry said?—”

Oh fuck.

Nope.

Not having this conversation.

---