All Fired Up (Green Valley Heroes #7)

Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

HUNTER

S ome country song blasts over the loudspeakers, a guy crooning about how someone left him, as I hold the door to Genie’s Country Western Bar open for Madeline. I can’t tell from the lyrics if he’s talking about a dog or a woman, though. Maybe even his truck.

Madeline swishes past me in a black top and jeans I’ve never seen her in. Then again, we’re usually in athletic clothes, but even at the library she doesn’t dress in shirts that show the slightest peek of her cleavage, or jeans that highlight that fantastic ass of hers.

Not that I was looking.

I’m not exactly sure what I’m doing inviting her out like this, but I really do need a drink after my shitty day. What had made it bearable, though, was knowing I’d see her later. The thought had cheered me up, strangely enough. And as we’d been walking back to my house, all I knew was that I didn’t want my night with her to end yet.

So here we are.

I snag us an empty table, and almost as soon as we sit down, Patty Lee is there, asking us what we want.

“Um, I’ll take a sangria,” Madeline says, looking over the laminated menu. “Oh, and some wings and mozzarella sticks.” She glances over at me. “What? I haven’t had dinner.”

Was I giving her a look? It’s just, I’ve never gone out with a girl who ordered that stuff on a first?—

Whoa, whoa. This isn’t a date. Obviously.

“And for you?” Patty asks me when I continue to sit there like a bump on a log, caught up in my thoughts.

“Oh. Fried chicken and a Yuengling on tap.”

She nods and returns to the bar to put our orders in, bringing us the drinks fairly quickly. I take a long swallow of my beer, enjoying the crisp, malty flavor. Madeline sips at her drink, her gaze darting around the room.

“You ever been here?” I ask, my foot tapping to some new song on now.

“Only to pick up takeout. I’ve never stayed to hang out.”

“You don’t seem like a bar scene girl.”

Even in the dimmer lighting, the slight flush on her cheeks is obvious.

“No, I’m not.” She gives a self-deprecating laugh. “My scene is more staying at home with a book.”

And that’s exactly why we’d never be friends in real life. Without the training program, I’d probably never even have realized she moved back to town three years ago.

And what a shame that would have been. She’s actually pretty fun—when she’s not feeding me sponges, that is.

“Oh, yeah. That’s definitely my scene, too.”

She laughs, more genuinely this time. “Right. What’s the last book you read, then?”

“You know, the one with the people, and the stuff...”

She smiles and takes a longer sip of her sangria. “I love that one.”

I scratch at the back of my neck, not sure if I should say this, but it comes out, anyhow. “I started that book you gave me.”

Her brows raise. “I was wondering about that. I had to renew it on my account, you know.”

Shit. I didn’t even think about it possibly being overdue.

She tucks her hands under her chin and leans in. “How far in are you? What do you think?”

“Well, it totally weirded me out when it started with those black-and-white pencil drawings. I didn’t think there were going to be any words for a while.”

She nods, excitement on her face. “I love the opening. It’s so unique.”

Yeah, it is. “I’m maybe a third of the way through. He just found out the guy at the toy shop didn’t actually burn his journal.”

“And do you like it?”

I shrug. “Yeah, it’s cool. I thought you were fucking with me when you first gave it to me, but it’s not so bad once you take into account the pictures, too.”

“I really love that book. You know, they made a movie out of it, too.”

“Yeah? Maybe you could come over one night so we can watch it together.”

She gives me a strange look for a second before her face clears. “Sure.”

I can’t explain why, but her agreement causes my stomach to make this funny floating sensation, like I’m buoyant.

I clear my throat and take another swallow of beer. “Have you seen the movie?”

“A while ago. It’s not new, maybe a decade old by now. So enough of the finer details have escaped me that I can watch it again and be surprised.”

“Well, I’ll have to finish up the book soon, then.”

She circles her index finger around the rim of her glass. “Have you, um, had any issues reading it?”

Something about her question puts me on edge. “What do you mean? I can read.”

Her hand reaches out, briefly touching my forearm. “I know you can.” She presses her lips together, then smiles. “Forget I said anything.”

Our food arrives then, and I order us another round of drinks, too, since both our glasses are nearly empty. We end up sharing all the food, and by the time we’re finished, Madeline is noticeably more relaxed. It could be my stellar company...or the additional two full glasses of sangria she drank throughout dinner. She’s not drunk, though, just a little looser than normal. It’s about time she unwinds some.

“Did you ever think back in high school you’d be out here with me at Genie’s one day?” I ask her, polishing off my second beer. I won’t order another since I’m driving us home later.

She laughs, freer than she usually does, but that’s only because I know the difference in her laughs now. Huh. When did that happen?

“Uh, no,” she says. “Especially not when I first got there.”

“Why not then?” Was there some kind of difference?

She leans in conspiratorially. “Well, we moved to Green Valley when I was fourteen, during the summer before freshman year, and I didn’t know anyone. So that first day of high school was a real shocker.”

Brand-new town and brand-new school? Yeah, I can see that being rough.

“I was trying to find my first class—I think it was gym—and somehow got turned around and ended up outside over by the bleachers. And guess who I saw under there making out with Lydia Marino?”

“That was your first impression of me?” Well, shit. Hope I gave her a good show.

She nods, smiling. “I’d never seen anything like it before in real life.”

In real life? “What do you mean?”

“You know, like . . . sexy.”

I sit up straighter in my seat. “Yeah?”

“Guess I led a sheltered life.” She looks at me, then reaches out tentatively, brushing soft fingers through my hair. “Your hair was longer then.”

Tingles race over my scalp and down my neck and arms. Holy fuck. Is she flirting with me?

She sticks her hand back in her lap and lets out a nervous laugh, looking over toward the dance floor. “Sorry. I don’t know why I did that.”

I’d probably embarrass her if I said she could do that whenever she wanted. “It’s not a big deal,” I murmur. I don’t want her to be uncomfortable the rest of the night.

She nods, still not looking at me.

“So, did you have a big crush on me after you saw me under the bleachers?” I wait until she’s looking to waggle my eyebrows for comedic effect, making sure to slap on a lascivious grin.

It does what I wanted, her stiff shoulders loosening as she rolls her eyes. “Why would watching you make out with your girlfriend make me crush on you?”

I frown. “Lydia was never my girlfriend.”

“Oh. I just thought since . . .”

“No. I mean, we’ve hooked up. But I’ve never been serious enough about a girl to make her my girlfriend.”

Her brows raise skeptically. “You love ’em and leave ’em?”

I shift in my seat, not liking the turn of this conversation. “That makes me sound like a player.”

“Well, that’s what I’ve heard. Remember, I did say you have a reputation.”

Wiping my palms on my jeans, I stare down at my empty mug. “Right.” So that’s how she sees me.

“But what other people say or first impressions aren’t a full reflection of a person,” she continues after a beat of silence. “Some people surprise you once you get to know them.”

I look up, finding her gaze steady on me. “How?” I ask, my throat suddenly dry.

She drops her gaze and plays with an abandoned straw wrapper on the corner of the table. “Sometimes the bad boy has a different side to him. He can actually be nice when he wants to be.”

She’s talking about me, right? I can’t assume anything with her.

“And sometimes the know-it-all has a wild streak in them,” I tell her.

Her brows lift in surprise. “Wild?”

“You messed with my car, my phone, my coffee, the food I ate. That’s pretty wild in my book.”

She holds her hands to her cheeks, her eyes going wide. “Oh my God, I just remembered I signed you up for a bunch of spam sites.”

I blink at her. “What?”

“The email you put on the emergency notification sheet at the fire station. I used it to subscribe to a ton of spam.”

“Oh. I never check that email. No harm done.”

She gives me an exasperated glare. “But what if they need to reach you?”

“Then they can call me. But look at you. Pulling badass pranks left and right.”

She bites at her bottom lip, trying to hide a smile. “It’s not very like me. But I guess I can be kind of stubborn.”

“You? Stubborn?” I wave my hand exaggeratedly. “Never.”

She holds her hands up in surrender, the smile turning into a laugh. “Okay, okay. I get it.” She stands and pushes in her chair. “I’ll be right back.”

She walks away, disappearing into the bathrooms on the far side of the room.

Not two seconds later, there’s a scrape as her just-emptied chair is filled by Josie, a girl we went to school with. I wouldn’t call us friends, more like acquaintances, but from the way she smiles at me, it seems she has more than acquainting on her mind.

“Hey, Hunter.” She twirls a finger around a long strand of blonde hair. When did her hair get that long? Or blonde? Maybe they’re extensions. “Are you on a date with Madeline?”

Wow. Guess she’s jumping right to it. “No. Why?”

“We were wondering.” She motions behind her to a group of five girls in a booth across the way, two of whom I’ve slept with. I wonder if they know that about each other.

“We’re...friends,” I tell her, knowing she’s waiting for some kind of explanation.

Not that it seems believable, even if it is the truth. What reason would Madeline and I ever have for being friends? We’re complete opposites.

Josie doesn’t seem to need any further explanation, though, as her smile grows wider and she leans in. “Oh, okay.” Her finger slides down my right pec. “You want to dance?”

I look down at her finger, then back at her. Coming on strong, isn’t she? “I’m hanging out with Madeline tonight.”

My rejection doesn’t seem to faze her. “And if she weren’t here? I’ve heard you can give a girl a good night on the dance floor.”

Her finger trails down further, over my abs, straight toward...

I catch her wrist and set her hand away from me. It’s obvious she doesn’t mean just dancing. That dancing would end up with the two of us in her bed tonight.

Josie’s a pretty girl. She could easily bag most guys here. So, why me? Why tonight? Actually, I thought she was seeing someone. What’s his name? Jimmy? James? I don’t remember.

“Don’t you have a boyfriend?” I ask her. Not that it’s been a deterrent before.

She shrugs one shoulder, her confidence finally waning. “We broke up.”

Ah, so that’s why she wants me. Rebound sex. Madeline really was right about my reputation.

Any other time, this would be a no-brainer. But now...I don’t know. Something about it feels cheap. Josie doesn’t know me, other than the most superficial things. And I don’t know her. There’s no connection other than a surface-level attraction.

She doesn’t make me smile. Or surprise me. Or make me want...more.

“Sorry, Josie. I’m not into rebound sex anymore.”

Her hand flutters toward her chest. “I was only asking to dance.” She gets up and scowls at me. “You don’t have to be a dick.”

If there were any beer left in my mug, she’d probably fling that in my face, but she settles for flouncing off back to her friends.

If she wants to pretend she wasn’t propositioning me, fine. But we both know the truth.

At least Madeline wasn’t here to witness that.

When she returns from the bathroom, I don’t mention anything about Josie, instead asking her if she wants to dance.

“Oh my God, no,” she says, taking her seat again. “Trust me, you don’t want to dance with me.”

Actually, I do. I didn’t want to with Josie, but with Madeline...

“Why?”

She chuckles. “Because I have two left feet. Besides, I thought we were here to drink.”

“I already had two beers. I shouldn’t have any more if I’m driving you home.”

“Wow, look at you, Mr. Responsible.” She nudges my shoulder. “You’re a changed man.”

In a way, I kind of am. With her, at least. She makes me want to be...better.

“Did you want to go, then?” she asks, reaching for her purse. “Since we’re done?”

“No.” Again, I don’t want this night to be over yet. “How about we do something else?” I rack my brain for something to do. “How about truth or dare?”

Her brows knit together. “Are we twelve?”

“Come on. It’ll be fun. Pick one.”

She rolls her eyes. “Fine. Truth.”

“Of course you’d pick that.”

She shrugs, not caring.

All right. Truth. “Did you really think I was sexy in high school?” I grin and point a finger at her. “And no lying. You’re under an official truth-or-dare oath.”

Her gaze narrows. “I said what you were doing was sexy. Not that you were. There’s a difference.”

Hmm, interesting. I stroke my jaw, thinking about her response. “You didn’t actually answer the question.”

She huffs and twists her lips. “Okay then, yeah. Of course. Every girl thought you were.”

A smirk spreads over my lips. “So you were attracted to me.”

“I didn’t say that.”

My smirk drops. “You just said I was sexy.”

“Physical attraction isn’t the same as being attracted to someone. There’s the mental aspect of it, as well. The emotional one. That’s just as important. For me, at least.”

I think back to a few minutes ago with Josie. How despite thinking that she was pretty, I wasn’t interested in sleeping with her. “Okay, I get it. So what attracts you to a guy, then?”

She purses her lips, seeming to give my question thought. “Well, there’s the physical attraction, obviously. But I would also want him to be kind and considerate. Someone who listens to me, who makes me laugh. Someone who makes time for me, who makes me feel like I matter.”

Her mom had said she’d had a failed relationship. Did that guy do those things? Or is that why they’re not together anymore?

“And that’s two questions,” she says. “You were only supposed to get one.”

I force a smile on my face, still caught up in her answer. “Guilty. Your turn, then.”

“Truth or dare?”

“Dare.”

She makes a tsking sound. “Of course you’d pick that,” she repeats. “Fine. I dare you to tell me?—”

“No, no. That’s the same as truth.”

She grins, knowing exactly what she was doing. “Your whole life is a dare, you know that? You’d do whatever I say and have no shame about it.”

I shrug. She knows me better than I thought. “Only one way to find out.”

“And if I dared you to strip to your boxers and sing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ on the bar counter?”

I lean in closer. “How do you know I’m wearing boxers? I could be going commando.”

She pushes me away, muttering under her breath about how ridiculous I am, and I laugh.

Tapping at her chin, she says, “No, a dare should be something that doesn’t come naturally. That has some personal difficulty tied to it.”

Hmm. “What diabolical scheme do you have hatching in there?” I tap the side of her head. “What have I unleashed?”

“Who me?” she asks in a faux-innocent voice, then sits straighter in her chair. “I dare you...to get an A on the final written exam.”

My stomach drops. “That’s not fair. You’re setting me up to fail.”

She blinks rapidly. “No, I’m not. It’s a challenge, but not impossible.”

I thought we were having fun, teasing each other. But this isn’t fun anymore. “That isn’t a dare. That’s making sure you get to be a volunteer firefighter. If I pass, you pass.”

“No, I’m asking you to push yourself. To go beyond what you think your limits are. You’re already leaps and bounds ahead of where you were when we first started.”

“Pick another dare.”

She throws her hands up in exasperation. “What do you want me to dare you to do? To pants the chief?”

My lips quirk unwillingly with amusement. “Then we’d both get kicked out of the program.”

“Exactly. So I stand by my original dare.”

“It’s not even something I can do right now. Our exam isn’t for another month.”

She shrugs. “I’m willing to wait.”

I let out a sigh of exasperation. This is so stupid. “Fine. But you have to do an actual dare. No hiding behind truths.”

Her head tilts to the side, considering me. “Okay. But you also have to answer a truth. No hiding behind dares.”

I hold my hand out and she shakes it. I guess our rivalry isn’t fully at rest.

“What’s my truth?” I ask her.

“I have to think about it. You have a dare in mind for me?”

I study her the same way she did me. “It should be something you don’t want to do. Something you’ll find difficult.”

“Stop using my words against me.”

“Okay. I dare you to kiss me.”