Flashback: An Everyday Heroes World Novel (The Everyday Heroes World)

by Rhian Cahill

  Oh god, he really was going to cry. The aroma filling the air intensified as she cut into the pastry. When she’d sliced a decent wedge and placed it on the plate, he all but dove on the offering.

  Flavor exploded on his tongue with the first bite, and he shoved a second chunk in his mouth and muttered, “Marry me,” around the sweetest, most delicious pie he’d ever eaten.

  She laughed at him. “That’s two proposals in one day.”

  The pie turned to sawdust on his tongue. He swallowed, the lump of pastry and fruit scraping down his throat. “What?” He glanced at her left hand. She wasn’t wearing a ring.

  “You and Alyssa.”

  He wanted to cry in relief now. Obviously, their coworker had had the same reaction as him to Mazey’s pies. “Oh? And did you accept?”

  “No.” She sighed, giving the action a dramatic flair by slumping against the counter and pressing her hand over her heart. “Alas, it seems neither of my suitors is serious. How could they be without the necessary proposal accessory.”

  “Huh.” He spooned another piece of pie into his mouth.

  “A ring. Neither of you thought me worthy of a ring.”

  “Here.” He reached beneath his shirt for the dog tags he couldn’t seem to stop wearing. “These are just as good.”

  “I can’t take those,” she argued as he pulled them over his head.

  “Sure you can.” He put down his plate so he had both hands free. “You’d be doing me a favor. I can’t seem to stop wearing them, and I should, so if I give them to you for safekeeping, I won’t be tempted to put them on.”

  “But—”

  “Then when I’ve broken the habit, I’ll get them back,” he added as he slipped the chain over her head, making sure he didn’t get it tangled in her ponytail. He grinned when the tags came to rest between her breasts. Breasts he noticed were now confined in a bra. “There. You get those. I get pie.”

  Picking up his plate, he ate the rest of the delicious baked cherry treat. He could tell she wanted to argue some more, and her hands kept curling and uncurling at her sides as though she were struggling to keep them from reaching up to remove his gift.

  Grinning around the last mouthful of pie, he waggled his eyebrows and declared, “We’re engaged now.”

  He hoped he delivered enough silliness in his words for her to think he was joking. And while he was, in a way he wasn’t.

  The woman in front of him tied him up in so many emotional and physical knots that he didn’t think he’d ever untie them. Wasn’t sure he wanted to.

  They’d spent a lot of time together over the last two weeks. He’d been the only one to help her with her spring clean of the base, not because he wanted to clean shit up but because he wanted to spend every second he could with her.

  They’d talked about everything and nothing. He still didn’t know if she was seeing anyone and he’d come to the conclusion she wasn’t, except he could be wrong.

  The fact she’d moved here from LA and there didn’t appear to be anything in the house that pointed to her having a man in her life, Rylan was confident he’d gotten that right.

  Fuck, he wanted to be right.

  “Um, should we get going?” Mazey asked as she finally gave in and reached up to place her fingers over his dog tags.

  “Sure. If you’re ready.”

  He rinsed off his plate, then left it in the sink when he didn’t see a dishwasher. When he turned back to face her, he found her tucking his tags beneath the collar of her shirt and wished with every fiber of his being it was his hands slipping those metal discs under that soft-looking fabric.

  Clearing his throat, he said, “I’ll carry the pies.”

  “Thanks. I’ll grab the ice cream.”

  “Wait. There’s ice cream?” Damn. He wished he’d known that before he’d eaten the pie.

  Grinning, she pulled two tubs from the freezer. “Can’t have pie without ice cream.”

  “Ha. I think I just proved you can, but if I’d known ice cream was on the menu too, I’d have convinced you to serve me up some.”

  “You can have some at the barbecue.”

  “We can start with dessert, right?” he asked as he lifted the box of pies from the counter. With his arms full, he followed Mazey to the door. “My keys are in the front pocket of my shorts. Can you grab them out and unlock my truck?”

  They were on the porch now, and she spun around to stare at him with her mouth open. Snapping it shut she stuttered a bit before turning back to her door and locking up. She was mumbling under her breath so quietly that he couldn’t hear whatever she was saying despite how close he stood.

  He leaned in. “Sorry, what? I didn’t catch that.”

  “Nothing. Left or right?”

  She’d lost him. “Left or right what?”

  “Pocket. Keys. Left or right pocket for your keys?”

  Was she clenching her teeth? “Right. They’re in my right pocket.”

  When she stepped closer and shoved her hand tentatively into his pants, he worked out what her problem was.

  Of course, now he had a problem too.

  With her hand right near his dick, the erection he’d managed to get rid of when he’d first arrived was back bigger than ever. Somehow she managed to fish out his keys without touching his cock. How was one of the great mysteries of the universe because he was packing to the right, and he was pretty sure his crown had wedged itself into the space between his pocket and the front panel of his shorts.

  Yeah, he was commando, hard as stone and on full display, and if it wasn’t for the box of pies in his arms, she’d be getting a good look at what he had to offer and a really good clue about what he was thinking.

  Although, the flush in her cheeks suggested she was just as affected by their close contact. His cock twitched and pulsed, as blood pumped through his veins like bullets from a semi-automatic weapon.

  Before he could say something embarrassing or drop the box and yank Mazey into his arms, she jogged down the two porch steps and raced across her lawn to the curb where he’d parked his truck.

  Resigned to spending the day in sexual torture, Rylan followed. He tried to remember if he had a spare pair of briefs in the gym bag he kept in his truck. Walking around commando with a hard-on all day did not appeal. Besides, this get-together was all ages. He’d better pray he could keep things PG, or he’d be hiding in a corner.

  Neither of them spoke while he put the box behind the front seat of the extended cab. Once he was satisfied it wasn’t going anywhere, he walked around to the driver’s side while Mazey climbed into the passenger seat.

  The silence should have been awkward, and maybe Mazey thought it was, but all he could feel was the tension in his gut, in his pants.

  Tension that he’d been living with to varying degrees since the second he’d mowed her down on the sidewalk in the middle of Sunnyville.

  9

  Christian’s backyard was filled with about fifty percent people she knew, and fifty percent she didn’t. Rylan had introduced her to some of the ones she hadn’t met yet. At one-point, Grayson had dragged her around to meet his brothers and their families.

  She’d had no idea Gray had a son, never mind that he had to have been twelve when the boy was born.

  Speaking of kids. There were so many of them here. Ranging in age from toddler to teenager. As she sipped her beer, she saw Alyssa walk through the back door with her sister in tow.

  Mazey studied her friend to determine where things stood between the siblings. While they talked with Christian’s wife and a woman whose name she couldn’t remember, but thought was Grayson’s sister-in-law, Alyssa’s arm wrapped around Penny’s shoulders, causing the girl to look up at her big sister and smile.

  That one look told Mazey everything.

  The misunderstanding and argument they’d had earlier in the week appeared to have been sorted out. It made her happy for her friend. Alyssa still hadn’t spoken about how she ended up caring for her y
ounger sibling, and Mazey had no intention of peppering her with questions, but she was damn curious about their situation.

  When she’d first met Alyssa, they’d connected, not just because they were both interested in the nursing profession, but also because they were only children of single mothers. Except one look at the two women across the yard told a different story.

  They looked a lot alike, their facial features were the same. Same nose, same almond-shaped eyes, same chin. Looking at Penny was like looking at a younger, paler version of Alyssa. It was as though someone had taken Alyssa’s coloring and mixed in some white, giving Penny’s hair and skin a creamier tone.

  “Hey, whatcha looking at?”

  Mazey glanced up at Rylan. “Alyssa.”

  “Ah. Looks like she sorted out whatever issue her sister had.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Okay, so I’ve got a question.”

  “Shoot.”

  “Is it time for dessert?” he asked with a grin Mazey was sure got him whatever he wanted. Or out of any trouble he found himself in.

  “You’ll have to check with our hosts. I gave the pies and ice cream to Christian when we got here.”

  Rylan pouted. “He’s probably eaten it all by now.”

  She laughed. “We haven’t even had lunch yet. I’m sure everything is in the kitchen waiting for later.”

  “Hmm . . .” His eyes dipped to where the outline of his dog tags could be seen beneath her shirt. A smile quirked one side of his mouth. “I spoke to Cochran before. He said you’re going to be in charge of the inventory and organization of the base from now on.”

  “It would seem so. No one else wants to do it.”

  Rylan chuckled at her words. “I can’t imagine why,” he said with a roll of his eyes.

  “Stop that.” She gave his stomach—a seriously hard stomach—a playful slap. “So I’m a little OCD about these things. It comes from working in an extremely busy ER for years. Everything needs to be in its place so you can put your hands on it right away. In an emergency you don’t have time to go hunting things up.”

  “I’m sure we’ll benefit from your expert skills.”

  Was there some innuendo in his words? Mazey couldn’t tell. They’d been bantering for weeks, and she still couldn’t judge if he was serious or teasing her most of the time. And it wasn’t her inability to determine his meaning. It was the buzz of attraction she couldn’t seem to shake.

  She’d be lying if she denied it. Rylan was a very attractive man. Physically as well as personally. Case in point, he’d come to get her today without drama. Although she hadn’t been privy to Alyssa’s message. Who knows how her friend had phrased the request.

  Had Rylan been happy to give her a lift, or had Alyssa talked him into it?

  “Hey.” Alyssa popped up in front of them. “Maz, Ry, this is my sister, Penny. Pen, two of the best people I work with.”

  “Hi,” the young girl muttered, her gaze lowered. “Um . . . Can I go get something to drink?” Penny asked her sister.

  “Sure. Then find somewhere to hang out with the phone I’m pretty sure has been surgically attached to your hand.”

  “Funny.” Penny fake laughed and shoved Alyssa’s shoulder. “I’m gonna sit over there.” She indicated a shaded area near the side of the house.

  “Sure. I’ll come get you when food’s on.”

  Mazey waited for the girl to leave before asking, “Everything good?”

  “Yep.” Alyssa popped the P. “I’m a dumbass who shouldn’t be raising an impressionable teenage girl, but it is what it is.” She shrugged.

  “You’ll be fine. Didn’t you just prove that?” Rylan asked.

  “I guess. I just . . .” Her friend’s smile was tinged with sadness. “I just wish she had it better. Unfortunately for her, I’m her best option. Hell, I’m her only option at this point.”

  Rylan curled a hand over Alyssa’s shoulder. “You’re a great option. You know why? Because you love her. It’s all kids really need. For the person taking care of them to love them no matter what they do or what happens.”

  Mazey and Alyssa stared at Rylan.

  “Wow. That’s quite profound for a childless bachelor,” Alyssa murmured. “And surprisingly brilliant.”

  Did Rylan’s cheeks turn pink?

  He cleared his throat. “Right. Well. I need another drink.”

  Before they could comment further, Rylan darted away.

  “I think I embarrassed him,” Alyssa said.

  “He’ll get over it. Besides, he was kind of adorable the way his face turned pink.” The smile on her face faded, and she put a hand on her friend’s arm. “Are things really okay?”

  “Yes, thank god! I really am an idiot. She’s been having some female issues and used that dreaded phone to look up what to do about it and found the usual scary things as well as the suggestion to go on the pill. Once I sat down with her and got the full story, I realized we’re more alike than I thought. So, we’ll be going to the doctor’s this week, and I won’t be jumping to stupid conclusions from now on.”

  “That’s good. If you need me to come with you . . .” Would a teenager want a stranger going with her to something like that? “On second thought, why don’t I meet you both for lunch or something after the doctor’s visit? Take the seriousness out of the day by having some fun. You guys can show me more of Sunnyville.”

  “If you’re not on shift, sure.” Alyssa grabbed her arm and towed her away from everyone. “But tell me. What’s going on with you and Ry?”

  “What? Nothing. What makes you ask that?”

  “Well, you’re the talk of the base with all the time you’ve been spending together and—‍”

  “We’re scheduled on the same team. Of course, we’re spending time together,” Mazey interrupted.

  “Yes, but there’s a tension there. A buzz that hums in the air whenever you’re in the same room. Hell, it’s there now, and he’s all the way across the yard.”

  “I like him, I won’t deny that, but nothing is going on. I’m not interested in getting involved with any man. No matter how nice he is. And I’m especially not interested in someone I work with. I’m not doing that again in this lifetime.”

  “Oh, come on, you didn’t work with dickface, and he wasn’t even one-hundredth of the man Ry is.”

  “Doesn’t matter. Not. Interested.” If she said it enough, she’d believe it. No, she did believe it. She just had to get her body on the same page. And stop doing things like shoving her hand down his pants. Or wearing his tags. The metal under her shirt seemed to burn her skin, and she rubbed her hand over them. “No. Definitely not interested in getting tangled up with a man.”

  Alyssa frowned at her. “Fine. Whatever. In that case, you can be my wingman. I need a night out, and next weekend, neither of us is on shift. Penny will be staying over at a friend’s, so we’re hitting the town and living it up.”

  “Next week?” Maybe she could pick up an extra shift.

  “Na-huh, none of that.” Alyssa wagged a finger in her face. “No thinking up ways to get out of it. I. Need. This. And as my newly designated best friend, it’s your job to hold my hand while I let loose and get trashed.”

  “Don’t you mean hold your hair back when said trashing takes the inevitable turn?” Mazey smirked.

  “Yes.” Alyssa’s finger was in her face again. “That. Exactly that!”

  Mazey sighed. “Fine. But I don’t remember the last time I went out to get trashed.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m good at it. Just follow my lead. We’ll find some super-hot men to buy our drinks and dance until our feet blister.” Alyssa’s gaze caught on something over Mazey’s shoulder. “Speaking of super-hot men.‍”

  Turning, Mazey saw Jack had arrived, and his eyes were on them. “Ah. And speaking of tension . . .‍‍‍‍‍”

  “Huh?”

  “You and Jack. I’ve noticed you two sparking off each other.”

  “Yeah. Been ther
e, done that.”

  “Oh, not good?”

  Alyssa shrugged. “Better than good, but shit happened, and I haven’t been in a position to go there again.”

  “Shit?”

  “Penny.”

  “Oh.”

  “Yep. No man wants to be around that kind of drama.”

  “Are you sure about that?”

  “What?” Alyssa pulled her gaze from Jack and stared at Mazey. “Why do you ask that?”

  “Because he’s looking at you like he doesn’t care about anything other than you.”

  “Really?” Her eyes traveled back across the yard. “Maybe.”

  “Maybe we should ask him and a few others to join us next weekend?”

  “Maybe.”

  “I’m sure we could convince Ry to come.”

  Alyssa snorted. “I’m sure if you asked Ry to come, he’d definitely be up for it.”

  “That’s not what I meant!” Mazey’s raised voice drew several gazes. Lowering it to a whisper, she murmured, “I told you I’m not interested.”

  “Shame. I think he’d be worth the potential for disaster.”

  Was her friend right? Would it be worth it? It hadn’t been with Stuart.

  Then again, nothing had been what it appeared for years, and Mazey couldn’t trust her own judgment when it came to men. Not anymore.

  And while she thought Rylan was a decent guy, hell, in some regards, he was perfect, she couldn’t let his outward appearance cloud her mind.

  She’d thought Stuart was a great guy too, and where did that get her?

  10

  “I can’t believe how quickly those pies went!”

  Mazey laughed at him. “At least you got a piece before we went to Christian’s.”

  “Yes, and I’m getting more of your pie now,” Rylan reminded her as he pulled up to the curb in front of her place.

  “What?”

  “You promised me another slice if I brought you home.”

  “I did no such thing,” she asserted with a frown. “I could have easily gotten a lift from Alyssa, but you insisted it wasn’t a big deal to drop me home.”