Page 101 of Fanning the Flames

As they pulled back, Nyah said, “Wait, you’ve met the Supers? Like their real selves?”

“Yeah. We’re sort of friends with Lunk and Race.”

“Dude.” Ny slapped her playfully. “What’s the deal? Are they hot? I want details.”

“Well, I can’t give you too many details. But yeah, they’re both pretty good-looking. All the Supers are.”

They headed toward the sidewalk. “So your obsession over Superheroes finally paid off, huh?” Nyah teased.

Sadie giggled. “It hasn’t quite been how I imagined it, but it’s definitely exciting.”

“What’s the situation on their dating lives? Any of them single and looking to mingle?”

“Maybe. Oh, but guess what? Mark has a huge crush on Race, and it’s mutual.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“A Super and a Villain?” Nyah whispered.

“Former Villain,” Sadie corrected, then smiled to herself. “It happens more often than you think.”

CHAPTER18

Joan toed her red sneakers off at the door. The beeps from resetting the alarm were the only sounds inside her quiet apartment.

Sadie lightly stirred on the couch. It was dark other than the dimmed floor lamp.

It wasn’t even that late, but Joan was exhausted. A full day of helping with Gus’s video (Gus hated being on camera), and leaking false stories about Amazing Woman being seen around town, and working with Ward to post on a few underground message boards the rumor that would lay the trap for tomorrow. Then the Supers had to deal with Ether making another humid, wet, flight-delaying mess at the airport.

Being a Villain was way less stressful.

She walked slowly toward the gray couch. Her heart lurched at Sadie snuggled in one corner under a fuzzy pink throw blanket. A coloring book and pencils rested in her lap. She’d had a long day emotionally. Their phone call that afternoon had been a tangle of tears and anger from Sadie about her meeting. Her kind soul and big dreams had taken a hit, all because of Joan.

“Hey,” Sadie slurred, stretching her upper back. “How’d everything go today?”

The weight of what Gus said yesterday had been sitting on Joan’s chest, threatening to crush what little sanity she had left. Every time she looked at Sadie, panic flared at the thought of not being in her life. Or her leaving. Or worst of all, something happening to her.

Sadie blinked over sleepy brown eyes. Joan had missed an important moment with her today. Hadn’t been around to comfort her. Was Gus right? That no matter what Joan did, having superpowers would be the thing that drove them apart?

Tears welled up so forcefully, the only thing she could do was sink to the carpet and shield her face.

“Joanie?” Sadie sat up and tossed the blanket aside, pencils clinking. “Honey, what’s wrong? Did something happen?”

Joan shook her head and hiccupped a sob.

“Babe. Come here.” Sadie slid her feet to the floor and folded Joan into her arms.

Joan clutched at her T-shirt, burying her face in Sadie’s chest. Her warm tears flowed and sizzled out like they always did because she was a fucking freak who couldn’t cry like a normal person.

Sadie gently rocked her. “Shh, honey,” she said, kissing the top of Joan’s head. “I’m here. It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not.”

“You’re safe. I’ve got you.” She rested her cheek against Joan’s temple. “I’ve always got you.”

That only made Joan cry harder.

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