Play With Fire (The Men of Fire 1)

Ryan’s words filter through Zoey’s brain, and she looks up at me, eyes wide and filled with concern. “What the hell is she talking about? What fireman?”

“Oh, you know. Just another exciting day in the life of the DiGiorgio’s.” Zoey’s eyebrows slowly rise to the top of her head, chewing on her food and impatiently waiting for me to continue. “Ryan decided she wanted a visit from the fire department, so she shoved her head through the rails out front, but then she got stuck. It was traumatic and not to mention embarrassing.”

Zoey instantly breaks into howls of laughter, choking on her food, and struggling to catch a breath. “Small bites, Zo,” Ryan says in concern, which makes Zoey laugh that much harder, tears now streaming down her face. Her laugh is infectious and within seconds, I’m right there with her, Ryan and Coby coming along for the ride.

“The fireman saved me and called Momma Angel. I fink he wikes her. He was sooo big,” Ryan shares, “and he’s my frwend.”

Zoey’s head whips around so fast, it’s like a scene from ‘The Exorcist.’ It’s really quite scary. “Did he?” she replies to Ryan while looking directly at me with a pointed stare.

“Uh-huh,” I grumble, not making eye contact with her.

Desperately needing to get the spotlight off me, I turn it right back on her. “Actually, I met a friend of yours today too,” I grin, my eyes sparkling with laughter. “Do you know anybody by the name of J.E.T? About this tall ...” I indicate with my hand above my head. “Grey eyes, dirty blonde hair, and H.O.T.” I fan my face and turn to look directly into the eyes of my best friend, waiting and watching for her reaction as I say, “built like a firefighter.” I keep on describing Jet as the color continues to drain from her face.

Smirking like the cat has caught the canary, I know I’ve caught the little minx from keeping secrets from me. “Know him? Because he seemed to think he knew you, very well ... actually. Biblically even.” I tap my lip. “He said you guys had a date last night. Funny, since you never told me you were going out on a date on Monday night.”

“I wouldn’t call it a date,” she grumbles like she didn’t mean to actually answer my question.

“Oh, yeah? What would you call it?” The look she gives me suggests that she’d like to wrap her fingers around my neck and squeeze. That thought alone makes me smile, knowing she really doesn’t want to be having this conversation with me.

Zoey looks at the girls, and it’s like I’d forgotten they were at the table. Coby’s head is in her spaghetti, and Ryan is still shoveling her food into her mouth while stashing a mountain of garlic bread around her plate.

Zoey’s eyes light up with some kind of unspoken excitement before she glances away, probably to avoid the question. “We’ll talk once the girls are in bed.”

“NOOOOO,” Ryan yells at the top of her voice just as Zoey gets up from the table.

“Yes, baby. It’s really late, and you need to get into the bath and go to bed. It’s been a really long day.”

“No, Momma. I needs to call Daddy and tell him my fireman saved my heads,” she says pointing to the head in question. Dread fills me as I try navigating this situation. I didn’t even think about calling and telling Bryce. I’ve had enough trouble keeping my mind off Bull. “It’s pretty late, baby. Do you think maybe we should call him tomorrow?” I question, knowing she would have completely forgotten about calling her father by then.

“No Momma. I want to tell him I got a new friend today and he cames in the big red twruck.”

Zoey gets up from the table, cringing for me because she knows exactly the feels running through my body. “Alright, Ryan.” I stand up picking up the plates as I go. “Let’s just quickly tidy up, and then we’ll give Daddy a call.”

Quietly we clear the table, Ryan gathering her and her sister’s bowls and cups, thankfully not picking up on my sense of dread from the upcoming phone call. Just the thought of calling Bryce makes me feel like I could be sick. This is not going to end well, and I know Ryan doesn’t even realize what this is going to do to me, but it’s not about that. If it makes her happy calling her dad, then that’s exactly what we'll do.

I get busy cleaning up the kitchen, and Zoey walks in a few moments later after putting Coby down to sleep. I look up. “Is she okay?”

“She’s out like a light. We didn’t exactly make it to bath time.”

“Good,” I smile, trying to act like nothing is bothering me, but she knows me too well. “Thank you for that. One down,” I say looking at Ryan. “One to go.”