Feel the Fire (Hotshots)

by Annabeth Albert

  “Yeah. Same.” It was the perfect opportunity for Luis to suggest that they share said shower, and the flirty response rose in his throat only to die as one of the workers came over to ask Tucker a question. Just as well. Sex would be foolish.

  Even knowing that, he still wanted it, his body buzzing the whole ride back. His brain might be debating the wisdom of starting something with Tucker, but his cock knew exactly what he wanted. And as for his heart...well, it knew his brain was in denial. There was already something going on, whether they got naked or not.

  As they pulled into Luis’s hotel, he was still deliberating asking Tucker to come up. Unlike Tucker and his “tour” of his house, Luis didn’t even have good pretext. If Tucker accompanied him up to his suite, it would be for sex, and there wouldn’t be any more pretending that they could ignore this...whatever it was.

  Tucker parked in the back of the lot near a clump of trees, and when he turned toward Luis, all calculations ceased, desire winning out the instant their gazes met. The same heat he’d battled all day was right there in Tucker’s eyes. His face was smudged with dust, and tired lines bracketed his mouth, and Luis had never wanted anyone more. His body leaned in, no longer waiting for his brain’s permission, and Tucker more than met him halfway as they slid into a kiss as easily as if they’d been doing this for decades.

  When they kissed, the years fell away, and Luis was right back to being a hyper sixteen-year-old, every touch thrilling, each brush of their tongues going straight to his cock.

  “Come up with me,” he panted as he pulled away to get a breath, forehead still resting against Tucker’s.

  “Can’t.” Tucker managed to sound genuinely pained. “I called Heidi after I found out about the fire. We usually do Sunday dinner together with the kids. It was my night to cook, but Isaac volunteered to grill instead. I shouldn’t skip out.”

  “Family first.” Untangling himself from the console, Luis retreated to his side of the car. “See you tomorrow?”

  “Wait.” Tucker touched his arm. “I’m not trying to blow you off.”

  “I know.” And he did. It was the dad thing again. And the kids did have to come first. Luis got it. He didn’t like it, but he did get that Tucker had priorities that didn’t include getting laid right then. Tucker kept his grip on Luis’s arm when he would have escaped, holding his gaze with steely eyes.

  “Just so you know, I don’t have the boys every night.”

  “Is that a proposition?” Luis tilted his head, considering. Tucker was way more tempting than their common sense should allow.

  “Maybe more like a promise.” Tucker’s grin made him look far younger and more mischievous.

  “It’s a bad idea.” He groaned, but his pulse was already speeding back up, anticipation curling low in his gut.

  “The worst,” Tucker agreed, still smiling.

  “Until your next terrible idea, then.” He leaned in for a final swift kiss, and this time Tucker let him leave.

  As he walked back to the hotel, damn if Luis wasn’t already looking forward to their next non-work-related encounter. Oh hell. Work. He had to see Tucker again tomorrow. At work, where he would need to pretend that he wasn’t dying to kiss him breathless again. Fuck. He was so damn screwed.

  Chapter Nine

  “You’re late.” Walker greeted Tucker at Heidi’s front door with a scowl so fierce that Tucker was afraid that even his hasty shower hadn’t been enough to erase any signs of his kissing session with Luis.

  “Sorry. The fire location was pretty remote. And then I had to take Luis—my coworker—back to his hotel.”

  “Whatever. The food’s almost ready.” Walker shut the door behind Tucker harder than necessary, still not smiling.

  “Hey.” Tucker tried to grab Walker, but forgot that he wasn’t nine anymore, not so easy to wrap up in a hug. Walker neatly dodged his hand. “What’s your problem? Did you need me for something today?”

  “Nah. I’m fine. Everything’s fine.” Walker’s heavy sigh said exactly the opposite.

  After coming down the stairs, Wade had a fist bump for Tucker, which he supposed was better than Walker’s unexpected surly turn.

  “He’s just freaking out because he took another SAT practice exam and did worse, not better,” Wade offered, ruffling his brother’s hair.

  “Well, I’m here now. And I’m here for you, specifically.” He tried to meet Walker’s eyes, let him know how deeply he meant that. Had he missed something important this week? They were in the final month before senior year started, and time seemed to be rushing toward Labor Day faster than he would like. Was something going on with Walker? Guilt made his back muscles tense. “Do we need to make a study plan? How can I help?”

  “I don’t need a plan.” Walker stalked off toward the bathroom.

  “Well, that went fine.” Wade did a fair imitation of Walker’s sigh and his slightly slower speech. They might be identical, but Tucker was rarely fooled for more than a second or two as to who was whom.

  “What went how? What’s with Walker?” Heidi came breezing in from the back patio where Isaac was grilling. The picnic table was already set, and the plantings that Tucker had helped with caught the evening breeze. It would be way more inviting, however, if Walker wasn’t acting strange. And if part of Tucker’s brain wasn’t still back with Luis. He did want more kisses, but not if it meant missing something crucial with Walker.

  “Oh, nothing.” Wade made a dismissive gesture. “He’s pissy about his test scores. And Dad’s new boyfriend.”

  “Dad’s new what?” Heidi and Tucker spoke at the same time, and he was pretty sure his eyes were popping out even more than hers.

  “He has this new coworker.” Tone dismissive, Wade headed toward the kitchen. “Walker said he was even at the house Friday. Drinking a beer.”

  “Was he now?” Heidi stared Tucker down as she picked up a bowl of salad from the counter.

  “It’s nothing. We were just...catching up. That’s all.”

  “I think Luis needs to join us for dinner on Wednesday,” Heidi mused, voice more thoughtful than teasing, but her suggestion still stole the air out of Tucker’s lungs.

  “He most certainly does not.” God, that was all they needed. Yes, he did want more time alone with Luis. Alone. Not introducing him to the chaos circus that was family dinner nights, and not risking making Walker even more unhappy.

  “Yeah, he does. Let’s freak Walker out.” Wade, however, had no such reservations.

  “There’s nothing for Walker—or you—to get worked up over. It’s a friend. That’s all.”

  “Whatever you say.” Grabbing a pitcher of water, Wade headed to the patio, leaving Tucker and Heidi behind.

  “Yeah, Tucker. Whatever you say. Bring that.” Heidi laughed and pointed toward a bowl of rice. “And now he’s a friend? I thought you were both bitter and sad about the past. What changed?”

  “We talked. But it’s not—”

  “Dinner!” Isaac called from the patio, setting a large platter of meat on the table.

  “Bring him,” Heidi insisted. “I want to see him again too. We can all catch up.”

  “Walker’s mad. Not sure if it’s this or something else, but I don’t have time for...anything right now.”

  “You’ve got time for a friend.” Heidi set the salad down and squeezed his arm. “And like I said, I want to see him too. Revisit some good high school memories.”

  “Yeah,” he reluctantly agreed.

  “I mean, don’t go falling in love with the guy again or something crazy, but you’re entitled to a friend. Walker can deal. And whatever he’s got going on, there’s more than just you on the case—we’ll get to the bottom of it. Promise.”

  Don’t go falling in love. Yeah, Tucker already knew that. Luis was leaving, had no interest in a serious relationship, and might well st
ill be grieving his late boyfriend. Tucker might be interested in exploring their chemistry together, but it was like finding the perfect restaurant while on vacation. He could indulge now, enjoy it while he had it, and still understand that it wasn’t going to become a staple in his diet. As long as he didn’t go catching feelings, it wouldn’t be the worst thing to...sample the menu a little more so to speak. On that note, he headed outside, Walker catching the door right before it shut and brushing by Tucker.

  “Food ready?” Walker slumped down next to Wade.

  Damn it. No matter what Heidi said, he was still worried about Walker. It didn’t matter how he justified it, no amount of more time with Luis was worth alienating his kid over.

  “Yep.” He passed the rice, then leaned in, lowering his voice. “Do you need a break? Want to sleep at my place tonight? I won’t bug you or try to hang out, but I did notice that new superhero movie is streaming now.”

  “Dad. I’m not twelve.”

  “I know.” Oh, how he knew, even if his heart kept trying to forget how fast the years had gone.

  “And...maybe.” Walker frowned and kept his voice down. “I do need to think. It’s hard to do that with so many people around.”

  “Don’t I know it.” He and Walker were alike in that they both enjoyed being around other people but craved quiet to reset. “Thinking about anything in particular?”

  He sent up a quick prayer that Walker’s reply would have nothing to do with Tucker’s social life. He couldn’t stand it if he were the reason for Walker’s recent bad attitude.

  “Stuff. Colleges. Everyone acts like senior year is supposed to be magical or some crap like that, but it hasn’t even started and so far it sucks.”

  “Give it time. All you’ve had so far is football practice and the SAT classes. Things may change when school starts back up after Labor Day. You don’t have to have all the answers right now. You’ve got time to figure it out. And I meant what I said inside. I’m here to help you figure it out.”

  “Thanks. Some things I have to sort out for myself, though.” Walker snagged a roll out of the bread basket coming around. “But...sorry I was rude earlier.”

  “Sounds like you have a lot on your mind. I know you can handle yourself, but I’m here if you need to talk through anything, okay?”

  “I don’t.” Then seeming to realize that he’d snapped again, Walker frowned. “Sorry.”

  “It’s okay,” Tucker said, even though it wasn’t. He wanted Walker to confide in him, the way he had when the boys were little, and it sucked to think that there might be something wrong that he couldn’t fix. The food was delicious, as always, but he couldn’t shake the sense of foreboding that settled over him even after Walker went back to teasing Wade and Angelica, same as always.

  Next to Tucker, Angelica jostled his chair as she reached for a roll.

  “Here, sweetie.” He grabbed one for her and buttered it as well. For a moment, only an instant really, he let himself imagine sitting next to Luis. It might not be such a terrible idea to invite him. He was a friend, and Tucker had brought other friends around the family, chaos and all. Heidi’s suggestion kept poking at his brain, making him want things he shouldn’t, making him try to rationalize those urges. Luis would probably turn down the offer in any event, but if he didn’t...

  “Butthead. See if I help you later.” Wade threatened Walker over some minor tiff, and whatever cozy scenario he’d been about to imagine disappeared in a flurry of reminders about language and tone.

  He managed to sidestep Heidi’s continued questions about Luis while they made quick work of the dishes after dinner. Right as he was about to leave, Walker came bounding down the stairs, backpack over one shoulder.

  “You were right. I do need the quiet. Okay if I walk back with you?”

  “Always.” Relief surged through him that Walker wasn’t shutting him out entirely. He was quiet on the stroll back to Tucker’s house, but merely his presence had Tucker’s tight jaw relaxing at least a little.

  When they reached the house, Walker stopped by the stairs, turning back toward Tucker. “Dad?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Invite your friend.” Something unreadable crossed his face, resignation maybe or apology. Tucker still wasn’t convinced that would be the right call, but Walker’s effort made his chest warm.

  “Thanks. And you can ignore Wade. I’m not looking for a relationship, promise.”

  “Whatever.” Walker sounded less flip than earlier, but there was still a certain unhappiness there that wasn’t his usual.

  “Are you sure you don’t need to talk?”

  Walker’s phone went off before he could reply. “Sorry. It’s Mary Anne. I’ll take it upstairs.”

  And with that, he was gone, leaving Tucker even more muddled. Despite everything, including his worries about Walker, his mind returned to Luis as he got ready for bed, replaying their car kiss. His body hummed with unfamiliar energy. Even though he knew he was risking complications, he still wanted more.

  * * *

  “Heidi wants you to come to dinner on Wednesday.” Holding a reusable bag in one hand, Tucker entered Luis’s office like they had some prearranged lunch date, shutting the door behind him.

  “Hello to you too, Tucker. Come in, won’t you? To what do I owe the pleasure?” Luis made a sweeping gesture at his guest chair. It was a busy Monday, getting ready for the controlled burn, reviewing evidence from yesterday’s fire, and Luis had lost track of time, still hadn’t eaten his own lunch. Hunger might be making him cranky, but also Tucker’s seeming ease at putting aside their heated kisses wasn’t helping.

  “Sorry. I was intending to simply bring you food, but then Heidi texted a reminder, and I wanted to get the invitation out before I forgot.”

  “You brought me food?” He lightly kicked his own ankle under the desk, trying to make sure he wasn’t dreaming up this bizarre encounter.

  “Those premade protein boxes you like aren’t enough food, and I figured you might be getting tired of the limited options around here. Made an extra sandwich this morning in case you wanted it.” Tucker dug a pair of sandwiches out of his bag.

  “You made me a sandwich?” Heart swelling, he accepted the foil-wrapped package. Damn it. He wanted Tucker’s body, not his sweetness. Tucker caring might be more than he could take.

  “With some of Wade’s spicy mayo,” Tucker confirmed.

  “Thanks. Now what’s this about dinner?” It said something about his mental state that he’d be happier to have a lunchtime quickie with Tucker than face his kid again.

  “We do the twice a week family thing. Casual. But Isaac’s cooking is worth it.”

  “You’ve mentioned. Still not sure how this involves me.”

  “Heidi—”

  “What did you tell her?” Even though they were alone in his office, he kept his voice low. He didn’t think Tucker was the type to run right out and give his ex a kiss-by-kiss report, but maybe he didn’t know this Tucker as well as he thought.

  “Nothing.” Tucker held up his hands, but Luis merely raised an eyebrow. “Okay, okay. Maybe I said that we were catching up, but that’s all. Walker was acting weird about seeing you at my place, so I was trying to make it no big deal.”

  “And bringing me for dinner is how you want to make it less of a deal?”

  “I’m allowed friends. And we’re friends, right?” Tucker’s crooked grin did nothing to reassure Luis.

  “You make a habit of tangling tonsils with friends?” He gave Tucker a pointed look, liking his blush a little too much.

  “No. You know that.”

  “I do.” Luis gentled his voice, because he did get that Tucker didn’t do this sort of thing regularly, possibly ever. “I’m just saying there are far less complicated ways to invite me over to make out. We both know this isn’t truly a meet-the-family sort o
f arrangement, right? Not saying that we can’t be...”

  “Tonsil-tangling friends with benefits?”

  “That works.” He laughed along with Tucker before sobering again. “But dinner... I’m not so sure.”

  “It doesn’t have to be that complicated. Heidi was your friend too, back in high school. She’d like to say hello. And maybe it will defuse Walker. He said to ask you, so I think he’s...trying. Not sure what’s going on with him.”

  “Do the boys know?” He tried to hide how curious he was by taking a bite of the sandwich, which was very good, crusty sourdough with good quality turkey, cheese, and spicy mayo. If Tucker was trying to win him over, there were far worse ways to go about it than plying him with food.

  “About my sexuality? Yeah. Heidi and I talked it over, and after my rift with my family, we didn’t want them hearing secondhand rumors from cousins, didn’t want to send the message that I was ashamed.”

  “Smart. And brave. That can’t have been an easy conversation.” Not that he’d expected Tucker to shy away from it—he’d already proven himself to be honest and caring, especially where his kids were concerned.

  “Actually, it wasn’t too bad. Kids understand way more than we give them credit for. And they were getting to that age... I wanted them to know that whatever identity they had, no matter where they landed on the sexuality spectrum, that it was okay and that they would be loved no matter what.”

  “You’re a good dad.” Luis’s chest expanded with an emotion he refused to name. Damn. Tucker wasn’t just a good dad but a great one. And Luis had had a pretty awesome one himself, so he knew exactly how lucky Tucker’s kids were. He’d had too many friends with disastrous coming-out stories to not know how blessed he was that his dad had had a beloved brother who happened to be gay and that Luis’s parents’ support had never been an issue for him.

  “Thanks. It was important to me that they know that not everyone shares my family’s narrow-minded views and to create an environment where they could tell us anything. Which is why this thing with Walker is so troubling. Something’s going on, but if he won’t tell me what, I can’t fix it.” Tucker frowned, and Luis reached across the desk to pat his arm.