Spark & Blaze (A Guns & Hoses Novel) by Brenda Cothern

Brett was referring to and knew exactly what Tig could have shared with his boyfriend who was also Brett’s co-worker.
    “No. There was no reason to.” Tig leaned against the wall and held Brett’s stare in the mirror.
    “Even after running into each other again?” Brett asked incredulously.
    Tig shrugged. “If we had to disclose every hookup we’ve ever had when we run into them, then the lists would likely be long as fuck.” Tig chuckled and grinned.
    “But our past isn’t the reason behind this,” Tig waved at Brett who was still using his arms to brace himself over the sink. “If it was, you would’ve just bolted like the first time you were here and we came face-to-face. You didn’t take off this time. You played pool with Austin and were fine until Flame and your co-worker started talking to you,” Tig’s voice was soft while he listed off his observations. “So what did one of them say to freak you out?”
    As much as Brett wanted to explain to Tig, even as awkward as it would be confiding in a one night hookup, he didn’t have the words because he wasn’t really sure himself what had made him panic.
    “No idea.”
    That was all Brett offered by way of response. He waited for Tig to throw a bullshit flag down, but the cop didn’t. Silence settled around them for what felt like minutes to Brett, but he was sure it was much less.
    “All right.” Tig pushed off the wall where he had been leaning behind Brett. “Flame and I know real well what the inside of that closet door at work looks like if you ever want to talk.”
    Brett hadn’t even realized his eyes dropped away from looking at Tig in the reflection of the mirror until the man spoke. When his gaze snapped up, Tig was standing in front of the bathroom door. Their eyes met and Brett’s saw nothing but sincerity in Flame’s boyfriend’s eyes. Their gaze held for a moment before Tig started to open the door.
    “Thanks,” Brett whispered and watched Tig pause with the door half open.
    “It’s not so bad on the other side,” Tig paused and opened the door the rest of the way.
    Brett thought that was all the man had to say when he watched him step into the hall. But, Tig turned back and met Brett’s gaze in the mirror once more.
    “It’s not as fucking scary either.”
    Brett had no reply. All he could do was watch the bathroom door close in the mirror. He took several deep breaths and splashed more cold water on his face. Another stare at his reflection did nothing to make him feel better, but it did spur him to grab towels and dry his face.
    He felt better when he left the bathroom, but the urge to get the hell out of dodge was still almost overwhelming. However, he tempered his urge to flee long enough to say his goodbyes. He took the ball busting from Austin and Flame in stride because he was bailing on playing doubles. He promised them they would play next time while he broke down his stick and slid it into his case.
    Stick case in hand, he cashed out his tab, and didn’t look at any of his co-workers or the others before he got the hell out of Guns & Hoses.

 
    Chapter Six
     
     
     
     
    Eva n stared after Malone when he suddenly took off to the men’s room. His co-worker was gone long enough that Evan was almost about to suggest that one of them should check on him. Moments before he could do just that, he noticed Flame’s boyfriend heading toward the men’s room.
    Malone’s behavior was odd and Evan was sure if that was why he had noticed and was concerned. He was distracted and didn’t even realize that Flame had racked the balls. Several minutes later, Malone returned only to bail on their game. He didn’t look well when he said his goodbyes and practically ran from the bar.
    “What was that all about?” Austin asked both firefighters.
    “No idea,” Flame replied while he watched his boyfriend. He would get the details from Tig later about what went on in the men’s room.
    Evan had a feeling he already knew. He