Page 53 of Burn It Down

But my sister has trouble with boundaries where I’m concerned.

“Dylan Ryder, I don’t believe, for one second, that all he did wastell youhe was gay and that was it. Don’t you dare hold out on me.”

“He might’ve said it after he backed me into the wall and kissed the hell out of me,” I admit. Giving her a few details, but certainly not the whole story.

“What about the girlfriend you thought he had?”

“Oh, he has her. She damn near caught us making out in the kitchen when she surprised us and came over.”

Cassie giggles like that’s the funniest thing she’s ever heard. “No way! Oh my God, what would you have done?”

“In some ways, I think it might’ve been better if shehadcaught us,” I admit.

“Better how?”

“It would’ve forced Jake to come clean about being gay and maybe we’d stand a chance. As it is, he doesn’t see a way out so I told him friends is all we can be.”

Cassie puts her head on my shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Dyl. That sucks because I think he really likes you.”

Before I can answer, my phone rings. It’s close to one in the morning but as soon as I see it’s an incoming FaceTime call from Jake, my heart skips a beat.

“I’ll go,” Cassie whispers.

“No, stay. Twin talk isn’t over.”

She nestles in beside me as I swipe to answer the call. Jake’s face is covered in black soot with streaks of sweat smearing it across his face.

I bolt upright, kicking the covers off.

“Jake, what the hell happened? Are you okay?”

“That’s what I get for saying we don’t see that many fires. I’m fine. A little dirty and a lot tired, but fine. We got everyone out. I had to climb in a second story window and rescue a toddler. It was scary as fuck because the flames were starting to lick underneath the kid’s door. Thankfully, the parents were smart enough to keep it closed and relied on a baby monitor. If the door had been left open, the kid would have been dead by the time we arrived.”

His voice is monotone like a zombie.

“Where are you now? What do you need?”

“We just got the truck reset back at the station. I’m waiting for my turn in the showers. I just…I just wanted to see your face and know you’re okay.”

“I’m good.”

“And Cassie? Your dad? They’re all good?”

My throat is tight and tears burn behind my eyes because even in this state, he’s concerned about my family. I reach over and turn my light on as Cass sits up and waves at the camera.

“Hey, Jake. We’re all good over here. Dylan and I were just catching up, but if you need a minute with him, just say the word.”

“No, stay. I only have a second, I just…” he falters, squeezing his eyes shut. “I just needed to see him.”

“I took the Corvette out today,” I tell Jake in an effort to distract him from the images he’s clearly trying to scrub from his brain. “I couldn’t feel the clutch stick, but I’ll take it back out tomorrow to be sure.”

As if he doesn’t realize what he’s admitting, he says, “That’s probably because I had the clutch replaced last year.”

Cassie elbows me in the side and I know it’s her silent way of telling me she was right…again.My heart fucking soars.

Instead of calling him out on yet another attempt to orchestrate a way to see me, I let it slide. “No worries. I’m happy to take a look at anything that doesn’t feel right, sound right, or look right. Especially with that car.”

He flashes me a quick smile. “Thanks. I gotta run. Shower’s open. Can I call you later?”

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