Free Flashover by Dana Mentink Page A

one. Though Ivy no longer loved Antonio, the hurt and humiliation remained. Now Denise was trying to take her job as well?
    When she didn’t reply, Jeff gave her good shoulder a playful punch. “Don’t worry, Ivy. It’s not like Strong is going to replace you or anything.”
    Ivy clenched her jaw. Why shouldn’t Strong replace her? If Ivy couldn’t get her shoulder back to one hundred percent, she would have no other choice. Not to mention the fact that the chief was no doubt still angry about Ivy’s insubordination. Why wouldn’t she be giving Denise Williams a good shot at Ivy’s job?
    The conversation was replaced by cheers and shouts as the game started. Ivy felt detached from it all. Her job, her everything, was floating further out of her reach like a toy boat being towed out by an ocean riptide. Her shoulder began to throb with a painful rhythm. In a daze she watched Tim’s team put up a valiant effort only to lose by five baskets.
    â€œCome on over to our house,” Jeff said after the final whistle. “The guys are showing up for pizza and a Wii bowling tournament later.”
    She forced a smile. “Oh, no, thanks. I’m going to stick around and wait for Tim. He’s giving me a ride home.”
    â€œOkay.” Jeff gave her a worried look as he and his wife climbed down from the risers. “If you change your mind, you know where to find us.”
    She waited as the gym began to empty. More than anything, she wanted to talk to Tim to hear his comforting reassurance that things were going to be okay. She wondered when she started to care so much about his input.
    He trotted out of the locker room minutes later, checking his watch. She congratulated him on a good effort.
    â€œThanks. The kids played well and I’m proud of them.” He looked at the door. “Jeff said the guys were going over to his place. I figured you’d be going with them.”
    â€œI didn’t feel like it. Want to walk with me?”
    â€œUh, well, I can’t actually. I promised the kids I’d stop by the pizza party to celebrate a good season.”
    â€œOkay. I can wait while you chow down a slice of pepperoni.”
    He shifted from one foot to the other. “Actually, I’ve sort of got this other thing I need to do, but I don’t think you should walk home alone.”
    She blinked. “Oh, don’t worry about me. If you’ve got other plans, no biggie. I was going to go by my mother’s house anyway.”
    â€œYou sure?”
    â€œSure, no problem. Are you, er, meeting someone?”
    â€œYeah. Call me when you’re finished at your mom’s and I’ll drive you home.”
    â€œOkay.” She was dying to ask him who he was meeting, but he’d already headed for the door.
    She mused as she left the gym. Tim had an appointment. Was he on his way to a date? She knew plenty of women who would be interested in him. He was sweet, honest and had principles—perfect boyfriend material for someone in the market for that kind of thing. She’d thought so before she met Antonio.
    No, it was probably some small group Bible meeting, but that was usually on Thursday nights, she knew. Why had he looked so anxious about it? And why did a stab of jealousy seem to shrink her insides? Jealousy came with love, didn’t it?
    The cool of the early evening felt delicious after the stuffy gym. A slight humidity tinged the air. She stood for a moment, feeling lost as she watched the people empty out and return to their respective lives. If she wasn’t a firefighter, then who was she? What was she supposed to be doing with her life?
    Though her plans to see her mother had been in the formative stages only, she decided to make good on what she’d told Tim. Going back to her empty apartment and stewing about Denise Williams would not accomplish anything. Picturing Tim on a date wouldn’t be helpful, either. The