“Hi, boys.” I greet, trying not to look at the portrait of Drew that hangs on the wall. Instead, I turn the corner to the area where the trucks are parked. The door is open, so it is the coolest part of the station.
“Oh, God, sorry,” I blurt, turning around to ashirtlessEmber.
“Never seen a guy without a shirt?” He laughs.
I spin on my heel. “No, it isn’t that. I just thought you were changing or something. I didn’t want to intrude,” I mutter quickly.
“Changing out here? That’s what the change rooms are for, sweetheart.” He grins. The arrogance that drips off this man is infuriating.
I can’t help but look at him anyway. He really is in great shape, for a cocky bastard, that is.
“It’s rude to stare,” he taunts, walking toward me, his uniform jacket slung over one arm. I feel my face heat up, and I back away.
“I wasn’t staring,” I argue.
“Yeah, you were, and I bet you like what you see too, huh?”
“You are really full of yourself.” I shake my head.
His gaze rakes over me, and I feel utterly naked under his scrutiny. He places his hands on his hips, and my eyes move down to that impressive V peeking out above his pants.
“I don’t, actually. I think you’renothingbut a brazen, cocky bastard.”
“I’ve been called worse,” he tells me, his eyes holding me hostage.
“No surprise there.” I feel my back hit against what must be a wall.
“There you are,” Grady’s voice behind us is sobering, and I’m thankful he arrives when he does. I don’t know why I let this man get me all wound up. I blame Dylan for putting ideas in my head.
“I see you two have met again?” Grady mutters, but there’s a hint of irritation in his voice.
“Hi, Ember, good to see you again.” Dylan says, an amused expression on her face.
“You too.” He gives her a grin that has Grady frowning.
“You two about ready to leave? We have jobs to do here.” Grady looks between Dylan and me.
“That’s the thanks I get for bringing you lunch?” Dylan complains.
“You should bring me some next time.” Ember’s comment is directed at me.
I let out a laugh. “Fat chance. He’s right. We should head out.” I agree with Grady because he looks like he might kill Ember.
I glare at Ember and turn to leave with the other two.
“See you around, Shelby Brooks,” Ember calls after me, seemingly unbothered that I just gave him the cold shoulder.
Highly unlikely, I want to say, but I decide to ignore him instead. He seems amused by that, and I hear him chuckling.
“I mean, did you see how arrogant he is?” I glower at Dylan, but my annoyance is not with her, but Ember.
“I did see that you two have a whole lot of tension between you.” Dylan laughs. “I wonder what would have happened if we didn’t walk in there.”
“Nothing. Nothing would have happened.”
“Yeah, sure.” She teases as she climbs into her car, leaving me standing there.
“I’ll see you soon, sweetheart.” She teases.
