Page 6 of One Little Spark

He set the temperature to frigid, better to wake him up and cool down his thoughts about Hazel at the same time. After stripping off his pants, he stepped under the spray and a shudder wracked his entire body, distracting him from thoughts of his best friend’s sexy sister. He really was going to have to getover her since she was off-limits. It was just stupid to pine after her. On the other hand, it wasn’t like there was anyone else he wanted to ask out.

He enjoyed their Thursday nights. Probably more than he should. He always felt good being with Hazel. They laughed and had a lot of fun together. He lifted his face to the spray. He was surprised Jory hadn’t caught on to how Aiden felt about his little sister. Some of the other guys at the firehouse who also hung out at the bar on Thursdays certainly had. They shot him knowing looks, but everyone kept their mouth shut, for which he was eternally grateful. Jory would absolutely fucking kill him if he knew. Aiden let out a long breath, shut down the arctic-level shower, which hadn’t cooled his libido in the least, and reached for a towel. He really should stay home and stay the hell away from Hazel.

But a half hour later, he pulled into the parking lot by the high school football field. It was packed already, and the game didn’t start for another thirty minutes. He made his way to the concession stand. “Hey, Jor,” he called when he got close. His friend was behind the small cinderblock building, breaking down empty boxes.

“Bro,” Jory said as they did the man-shoulder bump. “Glad you came. Did you finish your floor?”

“Yup. Looks good. Do you need help?” he offered.

“I think we’ve got it for now. Hazel is helping Mom inside, so I’m on restocking duty.”

“The whole town is here. This charity game was a great idea. The rivalry between Cherry Valley and Huntsville is still alive and well. The fact that Billy Winston is playing for Huntsville and Phoenix is playing instead of his brother just makes it all the better. Gonna be a great night for your mom.”

Jory nodded. “Should be a hell of a game, too. I can’t believe Phoenix is putting on the uniform. After blowing out hisknee in college, I didn’t think he’d ever do it again.”

Aiden shrugged. “He’s helping out his brother’s team. It’s pretty cool of him to do it.”

“Also, pretty damn stupid,” Hazel groused as she came out the door. “Do you know how many of these guys we see in the ER with some injury or other because they’re trying to get in shape for the big game every year?” She shook her head. “They’re too old to be running around in full gear, smashing into each other. Recovery isn’t as quick and easy once you’re over thirty.”

“Well, thanks for that thought.” Jory crushed another box under his foot. “Nothing like being told you’re old.”

“Who’s old?” Eileen Kincaid poked her head out of the back of the concession stand. “Aiden! It’s nice to see you. How are you?”

“Doing well, Mrs. Kincaid.”

“How many times do I have to tell you? It’s Eileen, please.” She smiled at him and then turned to Jory. “Would you mind grabbing the rest of the soda from the back of the van? People are thirsty tonight.”

Jory nodded and raised his chin to Aiden. The two headed to the parking lot. It was early evening, and the sun was already down behind the trees. The game would be played under the lights. There was a cool breeze, and Aiden was glad he’d worn his favorite black sweater with his jeans. The leaves were a riot of color already, and although it had been warm recently, the distinctive smell fall permeated the air. Winter was around the corner. “It’s cooler tonight. I guess that’s the end of the warm spell.”

“Yeah. It’s also windy.” Jory frowned.

Aiden shoved his hands in his jean’s pockets. “You’re thinking if the firebug lights the grass tonight, it’s gonna be ugly.”

“Yup.” They reached Mrs. Kincaid’s van. Jory went around back and opened the door. “You got any kind of a feeling about it? The firebug, I mean?”

Aiden often had a gut instinct about things. When he’d worked on Wall Street, he would just know when a stock was going to do something unexpected. His gut would tell him. He’d made some serious money trusting his gut. Jory had also always paid attention to Aiden’s instincts. Not once did he dismiss them as being hokey, so he usually told Jory what he felt. This time he hesitated. “To be honest, there’s something going on. I don’t know how to describe it.” What he was thinking sounded weird and he didn’t really want to say it out loud.

“Give it a shot.” Jory stood watching him.

“I think…there’s something bad gonna happen. Like really bad. I’ve been having nightmares. Someone is planning something, and it’s gonna get people hurt.”

“Shit, man. You think the firebug is gonna light up a building with people in it?”

Aiden shrugged. “I don’t know what it is. I just know there’s something coming.”

Jory nodded. “Not much we can do about it at the moment. Just keep our eyes open, I guess.” He reached in and grabbed a couple of cases of soda. Aiden did the same.

Just then, Phoenix came across the parking lot. “You guys need some help?”

“Hey, Phoenix. I thought you’d be in the locker room, getting ready for the big game.” Aiden said with a smile.

Phoenix reached in the back of the van and pulled out the last two cases of soda. “I was held up at the station.”

“The arson case?” Jory nudged the back doors of the van with his hip to close them.

“Among others.” Phoenix shook his head. “I have no idea what the hell is going on these days, but people are doing allkinds of weird shit.”

Jory’s face got serious. “We were just talking about that. Aiden has one of his feelings.”

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