Page 32 of Striking the Match (Redwood Bay Fire #3)

“I thought I’d be more prepared,” I tell them, feeling like I have to defend myself.

“Cassius was going to train me, and he has this slightly scary but very efficient PA who was also going to help. But we didn’t get the chance to do any of that.

Now people I’ve never met all over the world are digging into my life, acting like they know what’s best for Cassius, and are judging me.

My family is worried and one of my brothers is being a real dick about how it’s going to affect him, but he does have a point.

I just…I really like Cassius so much. What if all this scrutiny is too much, though?

For me and them and maybe even you guys. ”

The troubled faces of my colleagues don’t exactly fill me with confidence. I can tell it’s only just occurring to a couple of them that this could blow back on them and the One-Thirteen as well. Guilt and shame well up inside me.

It’s the lieutenant who shrugs and speaks first. “Fame is a bitch, man. I won’t lie.

You’re right to be worried, but it’s not your fault.

It’s something that’s been done to you. Fame gives people a false sense of entitlement, like they think they know someone because they act on TV or play for their favorite team.

They love you one minute then love to see you fail even more the next.

Public opinion is fickle as fu—” He glances at Mrs. Bloom, who raises her eyebrows.

“Fudge. Fickle as fudge. Nothing’s really changed since we made gladiators fight in the Colosseum. ”

Anton whistles and squeezes the lieutenant’s shoulder. “You sound like you’re talking from experience.”

Flores shakes his head. “Nah, not me. But my best friend from high school has this younger brother who starred in a kids TV show when he was like ten years old. Once the program ended, he totally lost his way and nobody in Hollywood gave a shhh…shamrock.” Mrs. Bloom nods in approval.

“He was in rehab by fifteen, but he’s never been able to make sobriety stick.

Got himself a couple of DUIs that he only just scraped out of.

The tabloids ate up every mistake he made, delighting in his antics despite how he was obviously suffering. ”

“Is he okay now?” I ask, my heart going out to this guy. He reminds me of the younger players on the team Cassius mentioned who he tried to take under his wing and protect.

Flores shrugs again, looking into his coffee cup.

“He did a couple of reality TV shows and won back some hearts and minds, I think. Last I heard, he was dancing at a strip club in LA. His brother checks in on him when he can. I hope he is okay.” He rallies himself once more and smiles at me.

“Sorry, that was all meant to say that I agree with you. Garda’s fame is something you should seriously consider, as illustrated by that video this morning. ”

“But…” Yara says firmly with a frown. “You said you really like him, right, Teddy? And he likes you. So you’re not going to give up, are you?”

“Aww, you’re such a romantic, baby girl,” Lili says fondly.

“I don’t want to,” I admit honestly. “I’m just not sure where we stand right now. I’m waiting to hear from him.”

“He hasn’t messaged yet?” Lochlan asks.

“Well, he’s probably still at the hospital,” I begin saying, before I realize something. “Oh, hang on.” I pull my phone out. I forgot I’d put it on silent.

Sure enough, there’s a text from Cassius waiting for me, and my insides swoop like the first drop on a roller-coaster.

CASSIUS: Hey, baby. I hope you’re doing okay.

I’m fine, just waiting on my MRI results, but the foot is already feeling way better.

I’m so sorry for what happened this morning, but if you’re not reconsidering this whole boyfriend thing, Bryan and I already have a plan to smooth things out.

Did you want to come over to my place tomorrow night to discuss?

And also cuddle. And kiss. And other things.

Oh, and Kiki wants to see you, too. Let me know, your boyfriend .

He ends with several emojis that include a devilish face and a kissing one. My heart flips in my chest and I can’t stop the grin splitting my lips as I fire back a quick reply to say I’ll see him tomorrow night.

I look up only to see the entire first watch staring at me with barely concealed glee.

“He wants to have dinner to talk it all through,” I tell them shyly. “And, um, he signed the message calling himself my boyfriend.”

“Hell yeah!” Lochlan cries as some of the others whoop and clap, making Rocky and Miss Margot Fonteyn bark.

“And on that happy note,” Mrs. Bloom says. “Lunch is ready, so I suggest you all go sit at the table before that blasted bell goes off.”

I feel lighter as the team starts to move, but the lieutenant makes a point of catching my arm and giving me a sad smile. “I didn’t mean to be pessimistic,” he says. “I think you’re being very sensible about the whole thing.”

I shake my head. “No, I get it. Thank you. I do hope your friend’s brother lands on his feet in the end.”

Flores tilts his head, his smile half-hearted still. “We’ll see. You can’t help someone unless they let you. But don’t let that steal your sunshine right now. Kwon’s right. Your story sounds like a movie script.”

“Or a fanfiction,” I joke, even though I’m not sure he knows what I mean. But as we sit at the table and dig in to Mrs. Bloom’s delicious home cooking, I appreciate something.

No matter what happens with Cassius, I need to remember that I have a loving and supportive family here and at home, aside from my dickhead brother.

But there are always going to be dickheads, or jealous fans trying to sabotage us, or homophobes, or whatever.

Let them waste their energy like that if they want.

The One-Thirteen has my back, and Cassius has invited me to his home where he wants to do ‘other things’ with me.

I can’t control what other people think, whether that’s strangers on the internet or family members. But I can own my happiness and enjoy it. Life’s too short to let good things go just because you’re scared.

And Cassius isn’t just a good thing. He’s one of the very best things to ever come my way.

I’m not giving him up without a fight.