Page 20 of Flirting With Fire
Meyer frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
I shrugged. “Nothing. Only curious. After coming from an exciting city like Chicago, returning to your small-town roots must seem like a step down.”
I wasn’t sure where I was going with my assholery, only that his response to Lindy when she brought up her boyfriend had seemed odd—as if he didn’t approve.
He pressed his lips together in a tight line before answering. “Actually, this is a step up. I was a firefighter in Chicago; I’d just been offered a promotion to lieutenant. I’m thrilled to be back.” He hmphed then mumbled, “Not that it’s any of your business.”
Lindy was busy bringing down dishes from her cupboard, the rattling likely drowning out Meyer’s last snarky comment.
“Of course you are, hon.” She turned with the dinner plates cradled in her arms, smiling. “Dex didn’t mean any harm. He’s only asking questions. Didn’t I ask you the same things?” She handed the plates to me. “You can set the plates. Meyer, grab the cutlery, please. Now you boys go on.” She shook her finger at us both. “And behave yourselves and play together nicely. Remember, you used to be on the same team together, you had each other’s backs.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. I had so many responses to her statements, and exactly zero of them were appropriate.Meyer wouldn’t make eye contact, and a little snort escaped his lips. I gritted my teeth so I wouldn’t follow suit.
The awkward silence as we traveled the short distance to the dining room made me wish I’d turned Lindy down after all. Instead of being polite by accepting, I was more likely making sure I hadn’t been overturned in her affections. In other words, I was being selfish and was now paying the price.
We quietly laid out the place settings, then stood on opposite sides of the small maple wood table with nothing to do with our hands. I covered my mouth to stifle a chuckle. Thinking about what I could do with my hands while alone with Meyer wasn’t such a great idea right before his mom joined us.
Meyer let out a sigh. He was gripping the top of the ladder back chair and appeared distinctly uncomfortable. I knew how he felt.
“Hey, Dex.” He lifted his gaze and met mine. “I’m sorry…” He shifted his weight. “I shouldn’t be so snippy with you. And I want to say thanks for being around, you know, for my mom. I know she appreciates it, and I do, too.”
I straightened, a strange lump forming in my throat. Was Meyer being nice to me? Ever since he’d arrived, it seemed like he despised me as much as he did back in high school. Maybe a lot had changed for him since he left. Maybe it was for the better. I dragged my fingers through my hair. Or maybe I’d only seen the parts I wanted to see back then, the hurt and anger after the final fuck over from him.
“Of course.” I smiled. “I don’t get out much, so she’s probably been doing me a favor more than the other way around.”
I snapped my jaw shut as Meyer’s eyes widened. What the actual fuck was wrong with me? I sounded like Norman Bates, the Stepson Edition.
“Oh?” Meyer rubbed his chin. “You're not seeing anyone right now?”
My cheeks heated. Wow. I sounded equally as pathetic as the last time we’d spent time around each other.
“The ranch.” I attempted my ‘whatever’ tone. “It’s so busy.” I cleared my throat a bit too loudly. “Who has time?” I chuckled shakily.
Mortified. It was truly the only word that could describe my feelings.
I chanced looking up and discovered Meyer staring at me with a strange intensity. Did I have something on my face? Was my shirt buttoned wrong? My cheeks started heating again, and I scoured the vaults of my mind for a good excuse to abruptly leave.
“I imagine it’s been hard since your folks passed. Mom says Kayla’s been in Denver for a while now, so…
“All ready!” Lindy called out as she breezed into the room with the pot roast. Both Meyer and I rushed to help her with the large pan at the same time and she froze. “Boys, out of the way. This is piping hot, shoo.”
After Lindy placed the roasting pan on the hot plate in the center of the table, we helped her bring in everything else. Lindy paused as I picked up the pitcher of lemonade and Meyer the salad bowl.
“I can grab the cookies if one of you can get the cake.”
Meyer smirked at me, then reached for a Flying Saucer bakery box I hadn’t noticed earlier. “Yes, Destiny was telling me how this is Mom’s favorite.” He arched his eyebrows. “Red Velvet. I thought cake was an appropriate dessert for a dinner celebration.”
Lindy laughed as she started out of the kitchen. “Then you should’ve gotten Devil’s food cake since it’s your celebration, hon. Not mine.”
As soon as she was out of earshot, I regarded him with exasperation. “What’s your problem?”
He shrugged, which was no easy feat with a large bamboo salad bowl in one hand and a cake in the other. “I don’t have a problem, but you clearly do.”
My jaw dropped. “What are you talking about? Ever since you arrived, you’ve been acting like I pissed in your Cheerios.”
“Ha!” Meyer almost lost his grip on the salad. “You’ve been moping about, all frowny and moody. I don’t know what I ever did to you that you’re this cranky.”
“That’s a good one.” I would’ve crossed my arms, but disaster was likely given the glass pitcher I held. “Like you have no clue what you did.”
