Page 57 of From the Ashes

Phoenix

Admittedly, Walker and I are finding a routine much faster than I thought we would. Walker is still guarded about some things—like what’s keeping him here—but he quickly got comfortable with innuendos, side glances, and small touches when he thinks he can get away with it. Things like placing a hand on my back as he leans around me to get something out of the fridge. A touch that isn’t necessary, but also not a big deal…like I would be the bigger prick for shying away from the brief interaction or calling him out on it. And since I don’t actually mind him touching me, I keep my mouth shut and let him think he’s being sneaky.

I’m back on at the fire station today. Hudson, Jake, and Knox are all on with me, which is nice...and getting much rarer. Especially because Hudson and Jake hardly volunteer at all anymore. I suspect they’re only here tonight because Knox and I are.

Before settling into another round of poker, I fire a text to Walker just tocheck in.

Phoenix:

Everything good over there?

Walker:

Phoenix, I know my way around a barn. Relax.

Phoenix:

I have more down time at night, so I’m bored and I’m thinking about all the ways you can fuck my shit up

Walker:

Or you miss me.

This guy.

Phoenix:

You know what? Fuck it. I have insurance. Do whatever you want. Just don’t kill my horses.

Walker:

Phoenix:

Forty minutes later,I’m getting my ass handed to me in the poker game, when my phone vibrates on the table next to me. Opening the messages app, I see it’s from Walker…and it’s a picture message.

My heart is beating so violently against my sternum, I fear it might crack.

“Phoe, you okay?” Jake asks, his voice laced with obvious concern.Okay, so maybe they can see it after all.

“Yeah. Walker just sent me a picture message, and I’m a little afraid to open it. It could be anything from my barn on fire to a dick pic.” I laugh, but it sounds forced even to my own ears.

Knox grabs my phone, opens the message, then turns the phone around to face me. “Just a picture of Roxy and Clive doing that face-nuzzle thing they do at night.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “And what if you’d opened it up and gotten a face full of dick?”

Knox just laughs and tosses my phone on the table. “Would’ve been the most action I’ve gotten in quite some time.”

Jake takes a sip of his Sprite and glances at Hudson before returning his attention to me. “Yeah, what’s going on with you and Walker, anyway? Hud mentioned something in passing at Cassie’s farewell dinner. I brushed it off…but maybe I shouldn’t have?” He ends the statement with a higher inflection, clearly making it a question.

“It’s nothing,” I quickly reply, narrowing my eyes at Hudson and his big fucking mouth. “You were right to brush it off.”

I think I’m in the clear until Knox pipes up.Fucker is awfully chatty these days. Especially where I’m concerned.“Speaking of, he settling in okay?” he asks, pretending like he’s studying his cards as he throws another red chip into the pile.

“Well, I haven’t killed him yet, so all in all, it’s going better than expected,” I answer.

“I don’t think killing him is what you want to do to him,” Knox snorts, causing me to fold my hand by violently throwing my cards down on the table.

“Look, whatever you think is going on, isn’t, so just give it a rest, okay? I’m putting a roof over his head becauseyouforced my hand. He caught a bad break, and I know how much getting hurt in the middle of a season sucks. But that’s all it is.”