Page 99 of Bragg's Match

“Have fun!”

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!”

“Don’t forget about our binoculars!”

The door shuts behind them and I grin at Soleil. “There’s a reasonable explanation.”

Chapter 32

Send the fire department back to Soleil’s house. She’s spitting fire from her eyes. ~ Message from Petal on the Winter Falls Facebook page

“Areasonable explanation?” I grit my teeth to stop myself from exploding.

“The gossip gals stopped by and—”

“You’re blaming this on the gossip gals?”

“No. I mean it was kind of their fault.”

“Real mature. You cause a fire and blame it on five sweet elderly women.”

“Hey now. No one can seriously refer to the gossip gals as sweet.”

“And now you’re throwing shade on the gossip gals!”

“If you’d let me explain.”

“Let you explain,” I sneer. “I don’t need an explanation. You were obviously up to your old tricks.”

“My old tricks?”

I poke him. “Don’t act innocent. You know what your old tricks are. Pulling pranks and causing fires. I should have known better. I must have been crazy to get involved with you.”

“I wasn’t pulling a prank.”

“You weren’t? Really? Need I remind you how I arrived home to discover the fire department all over my house!”

“It wasn’t the fire department. It was River.”

“River isthefire department.”

“Petal phoned him because she thinks he’s sexy. There was no need for the fire department.”

“Now you’re blaming Petal for your mistakes?”

He runs a hand through his hair and yanks. I ignore how frustrated he is. How dare he be frustrated? I’m the one who came home after a long day of work to my house on fire.

“I’m not blaming anyone. I’m trying to explain what happened.”

“I don’t need an explanation. I can clearly see exactly what happened.” I motion toward whatever the hell is burned on top of my stove.

“They’re croutons for on top of the salad. I was preparing a—”

I hold up my hand to stop him. “I don’t want to hear it.”

“You’re overreacting.”

“I’m overreacting?” I pound my fist to my chest. “I’m overreacting?”

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