I peek at Rowan, finding crinkles framing his eyes as he tries to focus on what he’s telling Alec, but his gaze keeps sliding my way.
“You need to find a study partner.” Alec cuts a quick glare my way. “One who’s in your class. Your written exams are weak, below average even. It’s only week two, but better to get a handle on this now than fall behind later.”
“Are you serious?” Rowan complains, throwing himself back in his chair.
Oh shit. This is why I didn’t want to be in here.
I put two and two together, based on Rowan’s comments on day one. He thought, having both myself and Alec here, he’d have some leeway, and he doesn’t. Won’t. If anything, it will be harder.
“Dead serious. You can’t just put all your time in the gym. Being fast and strong doesn’t make you a good firefighter. And it sure as hell won’t make you a Blaze. It’s a thousand times more than that. Put in the effort, and you’ll be fine.”
“Don’t think you’re sly, Alec.” Rowan’s features harden, and Alec shrugs, not changing his dry expression. “I see what you’re doing, and it won’t work. Two years gone, sure, but that little fact remains. Remember that, asshole.” With that, Rowan storms for the door but turns back to me before exiting.
My brows pull in as I watch his nostrils flare with each breath.
“I’m coming over tonight, Oakley.” When my head snaps back at his demand, he boldly holds his gaze steady. “Be ready for me.”
I bite the inside of my lip to keep from frowning. That, or from calling him out on his nerve.
This isn’t him. He’s not commanding or brash. He’s the lighthearted one of the two of us. It’s why we fit. And I get that Alec brings out the worst in him, but trying to appear dominant at my expense isn’t cool. He’ll definitely hear about it tonight.
He knows it, too, which is why he breaks eye contact and heads off.
As soon as he’s out of sight, I sigh, my shoulders dropping.
“Get the hell out of my office.”
With a frown, I twist to look at Alec, but he refuses to pull his eyes from the cracked screen of his phone.
Dick.I smile against my pillow when my phone dings but frown when I open and read the message.
Rowan: Can’t make it over tonight. Forgot I told Gio I’d give him a ride home after the gym. Rain check?
Rain check?
My brows pull in.
On what?
He’s the one who made it a point to say he’d be here tonight.
With a sigh, I toss my phone to the floor and eventually fall asleep.Chapter FiveOakley“He didn’t show last night. Did he?”
My eyes snap to Alec’s. “Excuse me?”
“Rowan. Did. He. Show?” he demands, like he can, and my mouth drops open. His eyes instantly fall to my lips. “Nah. He didn’t. You’re extra pissy today.”
“Stop pretending to know anything about me,” I tell him, and his eyes come back to mine. “And mind your own business. We might be partners, temporarily if I have my way, but seriously, ask all you want about work, and let’s leave it at that.”
“I knew this was a bad move,” he complains, eyes hard, annoyed. “You’re a distraction.”
With a scoff, I stand, snatching my clipboard off the desk. “Whatever you say. I am not distracting him.”
Large fists press into the cheap wood on both sides of me, forearms flexing through the tight, long-sleeved black shirt, demanding me to follow their length, past his biceps and wide shoulders.
With a deep breath, I force my gaze to his.
Dark green stares back, irritation burning deep.
He crouches down, bringing his face closer to mine, raising a brow as he speaks in a raspy whisper, “Who said anything about him?”
My brows lift, my wide stare following him as he pushes himself up and heads to the auditorium.
I don’t get time to replay the conversation in my head because right before he’s out of sight, he snaps his fingers over his head, as if that’s supposed to make me move faster.
I purposely wait a good twenty-five seconds before entering, choosing to stand to the side as he starts us off.
“All right”—Alec claps, and the recruits silence themselves—“there are a few things we need to go over today. We’ll ease in this week, focus on form and proper technique, things like that. Today, we’re covering the double Ds. Oakley”—he looks to me—“I’ll need your help with demonstrations.”
My brows pull in as I eye him because, duh, that’s how this whole partner thing works.
He simply stares at me. Then, in one swift move, he yanks his shirt over his head and—oh my God, hello, muscle and ink and muscle.
He’s filled out every inch of his chest. There’s not a pinch of body fat anywhere on him, nothing but solid and inked skin. Dip after dip, his abs scream at me. Hard work and harder play—that’s the vibe I’m getting. And those hip bones … it’s like someone carved ‘em out. They’re so … there. Staring at me, inviting—