Page 63 of Embers in Our Past

Now it’s my job to woo her back and remind her that she won’t lose herself in us. I did it once. I just have to find a way to do it again.

CHAPTER 22

Clay

River hasto drag me to my next shift, and I’m not even exaggerating when I say I don’t want to head into the station. Luckily, Kennedy is staying the night with Abby while I’m on my shift. It gives me peace of mind knowing she won’t be alone. This is my first shift since her family has gone back home.

On the drive over, River tells me his plan for proposing to Kennedy, which is happening in the weeks to come, and it’s absolutely ridiculous, yet on par for the two of them. It involves a penis purse and a disagreement over not having the right menu options, two things that I would never do, yet something that I think Kennedy will somehow appreciate. I roll my eyes and try to hide my smile while he gives me his whole plan.

“You love it, so don’t try to pretend you don’t think I’m a genius.” He points at me, then turns his head to focus on driving.

“The jury’s still out, but you’re bordering lunatic and comic,” I say with a chuckle.

“Well, I am the funnier twin, so it sort of fits,” he says, and I roll my eyes.

“Mom really didn’t need to push you out. She had perfection after she delivered me,” I say, buffing my nails and rubbing it on my shirt.

“Your life wouldn’t be half as fun without me, Clay, and you fucking know it.” He socks me in the shoulder.

“I think the word you’re looking for is less stressful. It would be less stressful.” I laugh, and he gives me the bird, his eyes trained on the road in front of him.

Once we arrive at the station, we see the guys huddled outside, Rios at the center, with the rest of the guys holding him back. River parks the truck in a hurry, and we make our way over to see what the scuffle is about. It isn’t until we get closer that we notice Malloy is opposite him, his hands up, trying to calm his friend down.

“Dude, I put in the transfer, but I didn’t know it would be here,” Malloy says, his voice calm as he talks to his friend.

“I don’t want you here, man!” Rios shouts.

“I thought we were past this,” Malloy says back.

“Yeah, well, now we aren’t.”

“Dude, get over it. Nothing happened. You’re being a fucking dick over nothing. I’m your best friend, and you’re acting like I did something to deceive you and our friendship. Be a fucking man, and listen to me. You’re like a brother to me,” Malloy shouts. “Put this behind us.”

Rios’s nostrils flare as his eyes are like pinpricks glaring at Malloy. “Don’t tell me you’re like a brother to me when you definitely had something going on with my sister,” he retorts, and my eyes go wide. Shit, this goes deeper than I thought. Malloy and Rios’s sister?

Watching them yell back and forth, it’s like watching a tennis match. All of us are just surveying this yelling match, making sure they don’t take swings.

I had no idea they had this animosity toward one another. Abby had reassured me nothing was going on between her and Malloy, yet I never believed it was possible. I guess this is why. I still assumed something could happen between the two of them. Jealousy plays tricks on us when we feed it. Maybe this was why she was adamant nothing would happen with her and the firefighter from Dover. She knew about Rios’s sister.

“Listen, I just wasn’t expecting this, man. I just, I need some space, alright?” Rios throws his hands up, moving passed Malloy and into the station.

The guys disperse, following Rios inside. Some of the guys give Malloy a reassuring nod, and some even pat him on the shoulder, I guess feeling a bit sorry for the guy.

River looks over at me, his eyebrows shooting up in shock and disbelief. I share his sentiment. I stay behind, hoping to speak to Malloy. Malloy watches Rios’s retreating form, defeat evident in his features.

“I really thought this would be good for us when I saw where I was stationed.” He sighs. I’m not even sure he realizes I’m the one stuck out here with him.

“Give him time, man,” I say. “Is it true though? You and his sister?”

He swings his gaze to me. “What? No!” He does a double take, then asks, “Clay, right?” I give a slight nod, and he continues. “Sorry, I just had to confirm. I honestly don’t know how to tell you two apart yet. Abby said it takes time.” I can’t help the laugh that escapes.

Then his shoulders sag, and he closes his eyes, maybe reality dawning that he may as well come clean. “It’s not what Rios thinks. Nothing happened. I swear. We didn’t do anything. Plus, she’s with someone now. I thought we were good. I mean, we were starting to hang out again. I even told Abby last time we hung out that we were finally doing better, but then this reaction makes me think it was all a farce.” He looks back over at the door Rios walked through, his brows furrowing in concentration.

“I assume we’re talking about Baylee, right?” Rios is the only brother, surrounded by sisters. Baylee is the youngest and the only one of his sisters who isn’t married.

“Yeah. I’ve known her since she was born. I mean, I don’t think I have a memory without her in it. But I swear, nothing happened.” He scratches his beard, worry taking over his features.

“But you wanted it to?” I ask.

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