Page 24 of Frosting and Flames

I can’t help the snort of derision that escapes me. I never liked him, even before he and Rachel started dating. He’s always been a shitty person.

He gives me a side-long glance, but dismisses me. “What are you doing here?” he asks Rachel. “Is the bakery selling the pancakes?”

She flips over the first of the bubbling pancakes. “No, I’m volunteering.”

He chuckles. “You always complained you never had time to do anything. Now you’re volunteering?”

She finally looks at him, her nostrils flaring. “Well, I have a lot more free time now that you’re not around.”

The background chatter of the crowd seems to fade as I listen intently for Kyle’s response. Should I leave and give them privacy for this conversation? Yeah, probably. Am I going to? Hell, no.

I don’t know what kind of answer she’s expecting, but he only gives her a bland smile. “Glad you’re getting out of the house, at least. Even if you’re stuck with the arsonist.”

He motions to me and my hackles rise. Who the hell does he—

Rachel’s spatula bangs down on the griddle. “At least Nick learned from his mistake. He’s dedicated his life to making sure it never happens again. Which is more than I can say for you.”

I stare at Rachel, flames rising in her eyes. Note to self—don’t piss her off.

Does she really think that about me? Or am I a convenient prop to get back at her ex? Either way, I’ll take it.

His jaw tightens. “Don’t pretend like you’re happy to be stuck with him.”

I open my mouth to defend myself, not sure what’ll come out, but Rachel beats me to it.

“I’m not stuck with him. I’m choosing to volunteer here. I’m even helping him with the next fundraiser.”

She is? This is news to me. Then again, I didn’t know she was coming today, either.

“If anyone’s stuck with someone,” she continues, “it’s you.” She jabs her spatula in the direction of Autumn.

The vein in Kyle’s temple pulses. Okay, time to break these two apart. We don’t need an altercation at the charity pancake breakfast.

“How about you move it along?” I say to him, subtly moving in front of Rachel. I don’t like the way he’s looking at her.

“I’m talking to Rachel, not you,” he grits out, trying to look past me.

“Well, I think it’s time for you to leave.”

He finally faces me. “I don’t care what you think.”

“And it’s my fire station, so you should. Now, respectfully, you can fuck off.”

His nostrils flare. “What’d you say to me?”

What, he didn’t hear? “I said fuck off.”

“You can’t speak to me like that.”

“Says who?”

He looks around, as if searching for someone he can tattle to. But this is the fire station. My turf. And every one of these guys has my back, no questions asked.

Upon seeing no one coming to his rescue, he makes a faint scoffing sound, looking at me as if I’m not worth the effort, and returns to his table. From the crowd, Autumn is watching us, but she’s too far away for me to make out her expression.

“You okay?” I murmur to Rachel.

Her face is paler than it was before, and she turns so her back is to the breakfasters. “Yeah, fine. Just caught off guard. I…” Sheclears her throat, looking down at her shoes. “I haven’t seen him in a while. Haven’t seen the two of them together, actually.”

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