22. Clay
Clay
River has to drag me to my next shift, and I’m not even exaggerating when I say I don’t want to head into the station.
Luckily, Kennedy is staying the night with Abby while I’m on my shift.
It gives me peace of mind knowing she won’t be alone.
This is my first shift since her family has gone back home.
On the drive over, River tells me his plan for proposing to Kennedy, which is happening in the weeks to come, and it’s absolutely ridiculous, yet on par for the two of them.
It involves a penis purse and a disagreement over not having the right menu options, two things that I would never do, yet something that I think Kennedy will somehow appreciate.
I roll my eyes and try to hide my smile while he gives me his whole plan.
“You love it, so don’t try to pretend you don’t think I’m a genius.” He points at me, then turns his head to focus on driving.
“The jury’s still out, but you’re bordering lunatic and comic,” I say with a chuckle.
“Well, I am the funnier twin, so it sort of fits,” he says, and I roll my eyes.
“Mom really didn’t need to push you out. She had perfection after she delivered me,” I say, buffing my nails and rubbing it on my shirt.
“Your life wouldn’t be half as fun without me, Clay, and you fucking know it.” He socks me in the shoulder.
“I think the word you’re looking for is less stressful. It would be less stressful.” I laugh, and he gives me the bird, his eyes trained on the road in front of him.
Once we arrive at the station, we see the guys huddled outside, Rios at the center, with the rest of the guys holding him back.
River parks the truck in a hurry, and we make our way over to see what the scuffle is about.
It isn’t until we get closer that we notice Malloy is opposite him, his hands up, trying to calm his friend down.
“Dude, I put in the transfer, but I didn’t know it would be here,” Malloy says, his voice calm as he talks to his friend.
“I don’t want you here, man!” Rios shouts.
“I thought we were past this,” Malloy says back.
“Yeah, well, now we aren’t.”
“Dude, get over it. Nothing happened. You’re being a fucking dick over nothing. I’m your best friend, and you’re acting like I did something to deceive you and our friendship. Be a fucking man, and listen to me. You’re like a brother to me,” Malloy shouts. “Put this behind us.”
Rios’s nostrils flare as his eyes are like pinpricks glaring at Malloy. “Don’t tell me you’re like a brother to me when you definitely had something going on with my sister,” he retorts, and my eyes go wide. Shit, this goes deeper than I thought. Malloy and Rios’s sister?
Watching them yell back and forth, it’s like watching a tennis match. All of us are just surveying this yelling match, making sure they don’t take swings.
I had no idea they had this animosity toward one another.
Abby had reassured me nothing was going on between her and Malloy, yet I never believed it was possible.
I guess this is why. I still assumed something could happen between the two of them.
Jealousy plays tricks on us when we feed it.
Maybe this was why she was adamant nothing would happen with her and the firefighter from Dover. She knew about Rios’s sister.
“Listen, I just wasn’t expecting this, man. I just, I need some space, alright?” Rios throws his hands up, moving passed Malloy and into the station.
The guys disperse, following Rios inside. Some of the guys give Malloy a reassuring nod, and some even pat him on the shoulder, I guess feeling a bit sorry for the guy.
River looks over at me, his eyebrows shooting up in shock and disbelief. I share his sentiment. I stay behind, hoping to speak to Malloy. Malloy watches Rios’s retreating form, defeat evident in his features.
“I really thought this would be good for us when I saw where I was stationed.” He sighs. I’m not even sure he realizes I’m the one stuck out here with him.
“Give him time, man,” I say. “Is it true though? You and his sister?”
He swings his gaze to me. “What? No!” He does a double take, then asks, “Clay, right?” I give a slight nod, and he continues. “Sorry, I just had to confirm. I honestly don’t know how to tell you two apart yet. Abby said it takes time.” I can’t help the laugh that escapes.
Then his shoulders sag, and he closes his eyes, maybe reality dawning that he may as well come clean.
“It’s not what Rios thinks. Nothing happened.
I swear. We didn’t do anything. Plus, she’s with someone now.
I thought we were good. I mean, we were starting to hang out again.
I even told Abby last time we hung out that we were finally doing better, but then this reaction makes me think it was all a farce.
” He looks back over at the door Rios walked through, his brows furrowing in concentration.
“I assume we’re talking about Baylee, right?” Rios is the only brother, surrounded by sisters. Baylee is the youngest and the only one of his sisters who isn’t married.
“Yeah. I’ve known her since she was born. I mean, I don’t think I have a memory without her in it. But I swear, nothing happened.” He scratches his beard, worry taking over his features.
“But you wanted it to?” I ask.
“I mean, yeah, for a minute there, sure,” he says without hesitation.
“It came out of nowhere and surprised me. I mean, I didn’t plan to catch feelings.
But I have my friendship to think about.
I mean, he’s like a brother to me. I love him like family.
And now, none of that matters. She’s with someone else.
“My mom is sick, and I have her to think about. That’s why I transferred back into the city because I needed to be closer to her.” The more he talks, the more I’m starting to like the guy. I guess he’s not as big an asshole as I thought. Damn it.
“Like I said, give it time. And you’ve got the rest of us,” I say, smacking him on the back and pushing him to walk inside.
If he needs a friend, I can welcome him in.
Plus, he’s been there for Abby when she’s needed someone.
I know she’s going to have him by her side, so he’s someone I’m going to have to get used to having around. May as well start now.
I am in no way insecure about my size, but Malloy is much taller than me and built. I still reach my arm around his shoulders the best I can to make sure he knows I want him to hear what I have to say.
“Let’s get one thing straight though.” I stop us before we get inside the firehouse. “You lay one hand on my wife in a romantic way,” I look him straight in the eyes, “I’ll fucking kill you.” I smile, letting both my dimples pop out.
“That’s fucking disgusting. I don’t see Abby like that, man. Plus, she’s having your baby.” He shivers like the thought makes him cringe.
“Perfect. Welcome to Station 10!” I slap his shoulder, about to start walking again.
Malloy stops and speaks so only I can hear him, “But just a friendly reminder, she’s not your wife anymore.”
“Motherfucker! Just when I thought we were going to be friends.” Malloy laughs as I flip him off.
The rest of the shift is uneventful, and thank fuck. I got a few texts from Abby with selfies, mostly at my request. She was rolling her eyes in most of them while Kennedy was giving me the finger. I hope I can do the same pose in her wedding photos as payback.
River and I go back to Abby’s apartment in the morning. He’s just as anxious to see his girlfriend as I am to see Abby. He hurries ahead of me, and you’d think Kennedy is the one carrying his child.
“River, stop acting like a sad puppy,” I say as he walks through the front door using my spare key. The moment he gets inside, he’s calling for his girls.
“Kennedy, Lola, Daddy’s home,” he yells.
“Gross,” Kennedy and I say at the same time.
“Oh, come on, you both love me,” River says.
“Debatable,” I respond, while Kennedy walks out with her stupid contraption to curl her hair.
I will be the first to admit Kennedy is gorgeous.
Even with the heatless curler attached to her head, and even without makeup, she turns heads.
Kennedy already has a fresh cup of coffee, makeup done and her work clothes on, but has saved the hair for last. I bet she left it on just to give something for River to comment on.
“Skipper, did you save this lovely thing just for me?” he asks as he buries his face in her neck.
“Yes, it’s always about you, Riv,” she answers and laughs as he mumbles something into her neck.
“I assume Abby’s up?” I ask, jutting my chin as I walk down the hall.
“Yeah, she’s working on her computer in bed,” she responds, a Cheshire cat smile donning her features as I pass her. What the fuck is that about?
I give Kennedy a look but let it go as I pass her.
It all makes sense when I knock on the bedroom door and walk in once I hear a faint “Come in” from Abby’s response.
Sitting on the bed is Abby, with her laptop sitting in front of her. That’s not what’s concerning. It’s the contraption on her head. In addition, she’s got these gold things under her eyes. Lola perks up for a second, then lies back down because the early morning just isn’t for her, apparently.
“What the actual fuck did you do, Kennedy?” I yell down the hall.
River and Kennedy come running in, and my twin starts laughing.
“Skipper, I told you to keep her company, not convert her.” River laughs.
“What? Kennedy said it’s better for my hair, plus I could do it while I’m in labor, and it will keep my hair out of the way. Then, right before the baby comes, I just pull the rod out, and I’ll have perfect curls. It’s a win-win,” she says, sipping her tea while I’m holding back a laugh.
“So you plan to go into labor and put this in your hair before heading into the hospital?” I round the bed to kiss to top of her head, around the rod. It’s hard to keep a straight face.
“Yes, Clay, I do,” she says, determination in her voice.