Page 99 of Ignite

Losing the chance of finding out whether Ethan and I could be more than a one-night stand on repeat, now came third in heartbreak behind losing my parents.

We could have been—

“I’m out of here,” I called, pretending that life was fine and my heart remained intact. “Look after yourselves and don’t damage my trucks.”

It had been a standing joke. The trucks were old and in constant need of money and repairs. I looked after them while they were in my care, only to release them to be used and abused by the firefighters.

I needed the non-judgmental love of an animal. And my horses had always had my back.

Chapter 28

Pride or Uniform

“AllregisteredvolunteersfromMeringa and surrounding areas are being asked to report to the Emergency Response Center. If you are visiting our wonderful town and are registered with the State Emergency Service or bushfire service in another state or city, we need you. If you are available, please go to …”

Ethan

“Training’s over.” Reece had already commanded the team to finish up by the time I’d pulled my shit together and strode back into the gym, my head still spinning and my cooling muscles screaming obscenities.

I’d stormed off first, deciding to jog around the block to calm down before facing my new reality, but I returned in time to watch Rylee rev the shit out of her work truck, sending dust over my black beauty before tearing out of the parking lot.

What if she’d told the truth? Darin had been fairly plastered yesterday, and it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility that Rylee would insist on him leaving his car overnight.

What if I’d just knocked on the door this morning instead of acting like a jealous boyfriend?

I needed to work out, I needed my guys. I didn’t need Reece taking control and thinking he could call time. “Nah.” My tone firmer than the word, “We’ve still got—“

“No time.” Reece gave me my first glimpse into the Captain of the RFS. His jaw was set, and eyes determined. “Fire’s just jumped containment lines and we’ve gotta go.”

“But you just told Rylee …”

“Fuck it, man, no one’s gonna call Rylee out today.” Behind us, all the guys were already putting the equipment away and grabbing their bags. Reece stood, arms crossed in front of me, and I didn’t know if I was about to receive a sermon or a flogging.

“Why not?”

“Because this weekend is the first anniversary.”

“Of what?” No one was making any sense.

“The trucks headed out to a blaze last year. Small fire, nothing out of hand. The original Rylee Mettner didn’t make it home.”

“Fuck. Why didn’t someone stop me from being a douch-bag asshole to her?”

“Because we’d rather her be pissed at you than be afraid for us. We’ve gotta go out and make sure it doesn’t get out of hand.”

Behind Reece, I saw Bailey shake his head with Trey, both of them muttering, “It’s already a mother-fucking firestorm.”

“And Rylee?” I pressed, needing answers.

“Do you, or don’t you?” Reece asked, arms still crossed but I could see him counting off his men and his phone going off with messages.

“What?” I couldn’t stop asking stupid questions.

“Do you have the real feels for her, or were you just treating her like a fuck-buddy?”

Maybe I deserved the flogging. “What’s it to you?”

“Because we all love her, like a sister. We’ll all kick your ass from here to the Victorian border and back if you treat her like shit.”

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