Up in Flames

by Eden Finley

If I’d known … Fuck, if I knew Eman was going to do this to him, I would’ve told Remy a year ago that I’m hopelessly, stupidly in love with him and he should leave the guy who never grew up.

“You’re imagining what Eman’s reaction would be if he found out that instead of breaking down after he left, you partied, aren’t you?” “Is that petty? It’s petty, isn’t it?” I lean in. “Honey, after being left at the fucking altar, you’re allowed to be petty.” Remy stands. “Then instead of having a pity party, let’s throw a petty party.”

“Another shot!” I cry, fist pumping the air like I’m Joan of Arc screaming about freedom … or was that Braveheart? Elsa?

“How do you know that didn’t lead to sex? You’re hot, and we were drinking and—” “We’re still wearing our clothes, plus there’s no mess.” “Of course there’d be no mess. I swallow!”

“You might have posted a whole bunch of photos to social media last night.” “Yeah?” “With the caption ‘pecky parto.’” “Pecky parto?” “Petty party.”

“I can’t wait to get leid!” He glares at me. “You know, at the airport. Where you get leis. The flower wreath things.” “I’m regretting letting you be here already.”

Whoever said persistence is problematic behavior just isn’t doing it right.” Remy laughs. “I really hope you’re not being serious.” “I’m not. But I got you to laugh, so I’m taking it as a win. If I have to pretend to be creepy to cheer you up, I’ll do it. I’ll even walk ten feet behind you and jump into the bushes every time you turn around if you like.” “No, that’s okay. Walking beside me is fine. Weirdly, the feeling of being stalked doesn’t sound enjoyable to me.” “Fair enough.”

I might be here to make sure Remy’s okay, but after this honeymoon, I’m not sure I will be.

“Are these … petals?” “I was hoping you wouldn’t notice.” “Never took Eman for a romantic guy.” Sanden clears his throat, his cool blue gaze on the ceiling overhead. “Might have been me. Trying to make things special for you guys. I wanted to cancel it before we got on the plane, but you didn’t leave my side.” “You did this? But … you said you don’t even like Eman all that much.” “I don’t, but everyone deserves a little romance on their honeymoon, and I knew he wasn’t going to do it for you.” So … he did this … for me?

“This week, your wish is my command.” “You’re an idiot.” “I prefer loveable jester.” “Aren’t jesters supposed to be funny?” “Wow. I come on this trip to help you, and that’s the response I get. I see how it is.” He looks back over his shoulder. “For that, you’re on the tiny couch tonight.” “But then who will you spoon?” Sanden yanks the pillow out from under my head. “This is Paulie, and he’ll be my spooning buddy for the trip.” “I’m sure you and Paulie will be very happy together.” “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Don’t put that kind of pressure on our relationship. We’re new.”

For Remy’s sake, I’m trying to keep the grin off my face, but it’s really, really hard. Like his dick.

“I can see your smirk,” he rumbles in a raspy voice. “Come on, babe. We’re newlyweds. Perfectly normal to get turned on by your husband.” I run my hands down his abs, and he whines when his cock twitches. The towel really doesn’t hide anything. “It’s official. After this, I’m going to go drown myself.” “That doesn’t sound like a fun honeymoon activity. We could go back to our room and put this massage to good use.” Remy closes his eyes. “I hate you.”

Remy bursts out laughing, and it’s the most amazing sound I’ve ever heard. How Eman could walk out on him, I’ll never know, but this right here is why I had to distance myself once they were together. Because Remy is amazing, and he deserves so much more than he was given. But it’s not too late. I’m going to give him the best fake honeymoon ever.

Sanden wishes me good night, rolls over, and spoons Paulie, and I lie there staring at his broad back, jealous of a fucking pillow.

“Don’t be embarrassed. I get it. I’m hot.” “Now I’m not embarrassed, but you should be. Did you really call yourself hot?” “Of course. I’m the total package.” He winks. “Have my firefighter uniform at home and everything.”

So I let it go and creep up close behind him, as silently as I can. When I’m by his ear, I drop my tone and say, “Duh-dun.” “Remy …” “Duh-dun … duh-dun … duh-dun, duh-dun, duh-dun …” I bite down into his shoulder. “You little shit.” Then before I can stop it, he spins around, picks me up, and throws me across the pool. I’m getting dangerously addicted to how easily he throws me around.

“Did you mean what you said to him on the phone?” His voice is even smaller now. “For him to never call either of us again? Yes.” “Not that. The part where I deserve to be cherished.” I stalk toward him, closing the gap between us, and I cup his cheek as I look him in the eyes and say, “Every. Fucking. Day.”

“I wish you could see you the way I do.” He lifts his gaze, his big hazel eyes shining up at me. “How’s that?” “Precious. Rare. We might not have always gotten along, and while the blame could be put squarely on my shoulders for that, I told myself I was doing the right thing. That you were happy with Eman, and even if I did confess my immature thoughts that I saw you first, you’d still choose him because he’s so much more put together than I am.” “You saw me first?” he rasps. “There’s not a day goes by that I don’t kick myself for not asking you out before he did.”

He moves in closer again and glances up at me. Even fucking bats his eyes, for fuck’s sake. He’s testing my restraint and my strength. I always prided myself on being strong-willed, but even I have my limits. Remy Porter is a big fucking limit.

Please help me forget about going home tomorrow. I want this trip to last. To have good memories instead of tarnished ones. I want to remember you.” Aww, fucking hell. “Give me more of that dose of fun. It’s the best medicine for embarrassment and shame.” “Fucking, fuck, shit, shit, fuckery.” Remy chuckles. “Is that a yes?” I grip him under his thighs and hike him up so his legs wrap around my waist. “It’s a get on the fucking bed now.”

I’m going to prove that I meant every word, and I’m going to cherish him, worship his goddamn body, and then make him come so hard that he’ll forget everything back home. Just like he asked.

For someone who’s so calm and collected on the job, I never pictured him as this desperate, needy, and impatient guy in the bedroom. Could he be any hotter? I don’t think so.

I’m trying to get myself under control before I ruin this.” “I hope you’re talking about my ass.” I laugh. “Fuck, I wish. No, you turn me on so fucking much I’m worried about not lasting long for you.” Remy grunts. “I don’t care how long you last, what you do to me, or how you do it. I just need you inside me. Any part of you.”

“Really?” “What?” I aim my pointer and middle fingers toward my eyes. “I gave you the come-hither eyes.” “Okay, Dolly Parton.”

“Yeah, these things aren’t on. And while you’re more entertaining than the telenovelas I watch with my abuela, I think I’ll give you a minute to sort this out.” She shuffles past us, pausing by Sanden to say, “Don’t worry, I’ll keep my come-hither eyes to myself.” I face-palm and sink into my seat. “And that settles it. Officially not horny anymore.”

“Hey. Look, I know I was a sensational fuck, but it’s been fifteen minutes. You’re smothering me.” Instead of a smart-ass comment from Sanden, laughter fills the line. Deep laughter. Laughter that is not Sanden’s. “Ah, you’re on speaker. With me and Gabe.”

“You didn’t tell me I was on speaker!” “If you’d given me more than point oh oh two seconds, I would have.” Fair call. “Right. Umm … so …” “I won’t tell anyone,” Gabe says. “I thought you hated each other, so I’m struggling with whiplash. I’ll block my ears, you guys carry on.” “Since Gabe’s ears are blocked, I just want to say, that thing you did with your tongue—” “Not blocked enough!” Gabe says. “Remy, you’re great, but you’ll have to continue this another time.”

“And I’m not in love with Remy. He’s just …” My ideal guy, perfect in every way, and—I drop my head to the table and sigh. “He should’ve been with me that whole time,”

All I have to do is keep my tongue in my mouth and my dick in my pants. Easy. I have a lot of friends whose asshole I haven’t licked, so this will be a piece of cake. An actual piece of cake. Not his ass.

“My sister died in a house fire when I was sixteen. She was eleven.”

“I became a firefighter because of Billie. Because I couldn’t save her. So I save others to make up for being that selfish teen who ran away and didn’t even think of her until first responders were already there.” “You. Were. Sixteen,” he says again. “My parents blamed me. Have always blamed me. Their souls died with Billie. They used to be fun, but after losing her, they became shells. Hateful.

“He’s not the only person you have anymore,” I say against his jaw. “Let me be here for you.” “Remy …” I kiss the corner of his lips. “You can cry, or I can cuddle you. We can sleep, or we can take things further. You’ve been here for me through everything, so let me return the favor.” “How are you so goddamn perfect?”

Sanden’s mouth on mine is excitement like I’ve never felt before, but there’s something else there too. Something warm and comforting, something I want to grab tight and cling to.

“Spread those pretty legs for me, sweetheart.” I’ve never opened them faster. With one hand, Sanden grabs my wrists and pins them above my head, and with the other, he lightly drags his fingertips through the mess on my dick. “You look so sexy and desperate.”

He’s swept me up in a goddamn hurricane, and I never want him to set me down again.

How long have you wanted to sleep with him, huh?” Eman leans in. “How long have you been sleeping with him?” “Fuck you.” “You’ve done that, and now you’ve moved on to my friend. I always knew you were naive and stupid, but I never took you for a slut.” Eman’s voice drops low enough that Sanden won’t hear. “If you really think he’s interested in you, I feel sorry for you. He’s played this game before.”

If you can’t be happy alone, I don’t think you’ll ever be happy in a relationship.” “That’s deep.” “That’s what she said.” “Okay, now you can officially get out of my house. No bad jokes allowed.”

But seriously, is it bad karma to wish for a horrific accident or fire that will occupy my brain other than snoring and stupid Eman? I don’t wish harm on anyone, but I dunno, maybe an abandoned building?” “This is why so many firefighters turn out to be pyromaniacs, isn’t it?” “I didn’t say I’m going to set one. Just that … I maybe want one to happen.” “Definite pyro.” I grin, even though he can’t see me. “You got me.”

he says they’re back together, I swear I’m going to scream, but I did say for him to make his choice. To lead his life. If his life is Eman, I’m going to have to deal with that. Or make Eman have an accident. Off a cliff. Remy did say he wanted action.

“Let me guess,” Eman says dryly. “He told you about Billie?” My gaping must give me away. Eman chuckles. “Oh, Remy. That story always got him laid back in the day. I can’t believe you fell for it. I’ve told you what he’s like—how did you fall for it so easily?”

Holy shit! This gaslighting is incredible 😳

“Sanden or no Sanden, we ended when you walked away.” A smug look crosses his face. “Who’s the one who told you I left?” I eye him. Eman fixes me with a look. “I was gone for twenty minutes tops. I have to give it to him. He’s got screwing me over down to an art form. You lasted longer than most guys. I usually only get a couple of months with them before Sanden turns them against me.” Eman lets go of my hand. “I thought I finally had it.” “Had what?” “An actual shot at happiness.” When Eman’s pale brown eyes flick back my way, they’re shiny with tears. “I miss you so much.”

Oh my goodness

“Sirs.” The server gives us a stern look. “I’ll need to ask you to take your seats or take this conversation outside. You’re being disruptive.” “Sorry,” Eman says, struggling to get control of himself. “My fiancé is being silly again.”

😳😳😳

“You were nothing before me. This is your last chance to fix things because I won’t be embarrassed by your pathetic desperation again.” “Fuck you,” I spit and yank my arm away. “Wait,” he snarls, coming after me. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”

I’m beginning to think Eman’s not just an asshole. He’s controlling and abusive. And he’s doing it on purpose.

“Please don’t let me be wrong about you.” I grip his waist and pull him down on my lap. “I’ll try to prove to you every day how much I genuinely care for you. If you’ll let me.”

“You forgot, didn’t you?” “Forgot about going to see the love of my life play hockey?” I wink at Remy, who appears amused but also like he’s missed the joke. “Stop calling my boyfriend that, asshole.” “We tell you all the time, what Aleks and I have is special. If you loved hockey, maybe he would love you like he loves me.”

“And … he thinks watching boring hockey is the way to be cheered up? There’s something wrong with that man. You should stop fawning all over him.” My eyes widen, and I wince as I glance at Remy, but Remy laughs. “Hi, Gabe.” “Oh, fuck. Umm, fawning as in, you know, being friends with you and making sure you’re okay. Not sleeping with you. Which he isn’t. That I know of. He didn’t tell me anything.” “I want a work divorce.” “Okay, moving on. Why would you want to come watch hockey, Remy? I have to be there. You don’t. Run now while you’ve still got the chance!”

The second Grant’s back on the ice, I want blood. “Him, Aleks, go for him! Smash him! Give him a shin kick! Gloves off! Gloves off!” Gabe’s amused snort behind me is just loud enough for me to hear over the rest of the crowd. “Think he knows Aleks can’t hear him?” “I don’t think he cares,” Sanden replies.

Gabe reluctantly stands and yells, “Hit him with the chair!” Sanden shoves him. “Dude, wrong sport. You’re a disgrace to the Crosby name.” “Ah … knock out his teeth?” “Now you’re getting it.”

turning to look at me over the center console. “Yeah, I … sorry.” “Stop saying sorry. I liked it.” “You did?” “Yeah.” He rubs his stubble. “Not as much as I like naked Remy, and funny Remy, and showing off Remy, but verbally abusive hockey fan Remy was an experience.”