Page 106 of Ignite

Ethan:When I finally dragged my ass to Rylee’s Beat, I was an ass. You’re as talented as you are sexy. You blow my mind.

Ethan:Then that night at the pub you literally blew my mind. If I was an ass, I didn’t mean it.

Ethan:Unless it turned you on, and then I’m asking for a do-over.

Ethan:If it’s about the RFS then let’s talk. Talk to me.

Ethan:I was an ass to you today. I’d hoped last night would turn out differently. I don’t wear jealousy well.

Ethan:Jealousy’s a curse but this cold shoulder is worse. Talk to me.

Ethan:Requesting proof of life. Please

I’d seriously lost my balls and dignity when it came to Rylee.

I threw my last bag into the back of my now ash-covered ute and went from door to door, making sure no one else in my townhouse complex was left behind.

By the time I got in and started my ute, the radio announcer had started another round of suburbs and towns on the Watch and Act list. I’d tuned in halfway through the list. No Beringi or Meringa this time.Great, the heroes had done their job and the world was safe.

WHOOP WHOOP WHOOP

“Residents of the following towns must evacuate. Evacuate now—“

Shit.

Most of the towns on the Watch and Act list had been upgraded. Including Beringi and Meringa. Some of the inlets surrounded by national park had left it too late to evacuate. Residents were being urged to make their way to the nearest waterway or beach.

This was fucking serious.

I had friends in the middle of a fucking firestorm.

My team.

Ryan and half the kids I’d been working with. Most of them started volunteering as soon as they were either of age or could con their parents into letting them tag along.

My father had given his life to his cause.

I’d promised never to do the same.

Wrapping an old shirt around my face to cut down the smoke, I swore that if we made it to the other side, I’d be first to stand beside my team. The first in line to protect Rylee and Ryan.

Ethan:Shit got real. Where are you?

One by one, I rang and left messages for my team. Reece, Korbin, Bailey—every damn motherfucker who should have her back or at least know where she’d be.

Logic screamed they were too busy fighting an out-of-control blaze to answer their phone. Still, I tried. I had to try.

Desperation clouded my judgment almost as much as the smoke fogged the road. When it became impossible to see well enough to drive, even with hazard lights full boar, I pulled over.

Shit.

I could just bug out of town. Come back tomorrow, or even next week. I could stock up on food and water and turn up to the emergency services room with food for all.

Chicken-shit asshole.

Yeah, they’d welcome me with open arms after I’d slept in my bed and they’d either slept in cot beds back at the station, or in their trucks.

Fuck. On the scale of being an asshole, one to ten didn’t even begin to cover it.