Page 21 of Dueling Flames

A loud male voice drifted to our table. “You need a job that you can do properly.”

Both Joe and I snapped our heads over to Lissa’s table. Her father kept talking. “You put all your co-workers at risk by being on the force. You’d be better off as a secretary or in a factory.”

Lissa’s shoulders tightened, and her hands gripped the table. “I don’t put anyone at risk.”

Her mom reached over and patted her hand. “I know you think that, but firefighting is a man’s job. You could get hurt and then what will you do? It’s not like you have anyone who can take care of you. There aren’t any men who want a woman stronger than they are.”

Lissa pulled her hand away. “I’m too weak to be a firefighter but too strong for a man? Which is it?”

“Lissa, don’t cause a scene.” Her father glared at his daughter.

“You are causing a scene.” Lissa snapped back.

“Don’t talk to your father that way. The disrespect. Is that how we raised you?” Her mother’s face pinched, and she crossed her arms over her stomach.

“No. You taught me to agree with everything you say, but I haven’t done dat in years. Somehow you think I’m going to magically turn back into dat little girl you desperately wanted. I’m never going to be dat little girl.”

“We just want what’s best for you,” her father said, speaking louder than before.

“No,” Lissa stood up, wavering just a bit. “You want what makes you look good, not what’s best for me.”

Her father stood and grabbed her arm. “Sit down,” he said between his teeth.

I stood up and limped over to their table. I suddenly felt all the alcohol hit me at once. I just needed to hold it together for a few more minutes.

“Thorne,” Joe whispered behind me.

“Lissa,” I said calmly, putting my arm around her. “You ready to go?”

She turned to look at me. I’m sure everyone in the restaurant did as well. She swayed in my arms. “Thorne.” She blinked. “Yeah. I’m ready.”

“Who are you?” her father asked when I pulled his hand off Lissa’s arm.

“I’m her work partner. And I can assure you that she pulls her weight better than anyone I’ve ever worked with.”

“Obviously she can’t if you’ve got a broken leg,” her father scoffed.

“And she had nothing to do with it.”

I grabbed her bag and led her to the door, calling out to Joe, “Let me know how much I owe you.” I pleaded that we both wouldn’t fall on our asses trying to walk out. My head started to swim.

Joe appeared by our side outside of the place. He held up Lissa on the other side.

“Here. I’ll drive you back.”

Lissa

I leaned against Thorne in the backseat of his friend’s car. He’d introduced himself, but I couldn’t remember his name. Seeing Thorne appear beside me in that place surprised me in the best way. I went from feeling anger and regret to safe in a manner of seconds.

Thorne led me into the apartment and onto the couch. I closed my eyes and when I opened them, he had a glass of water for me. I pushed it away.

“I don’t want water yet. I need more to drink.”

He nodded and brought back two cans of Old Style from the fridge. I cracked one open and downed a giant gulp.

“Ah.” I kissed the can and took another sip. “Thanks for appearing out of nowhere. I drank too much to calmly talk to my parents.”

“Hoping to drown out their noise with booze.” He sipped his own. “I’ve been there.”