Page 22 of Tempered By Flames

LIAM PANICKED THE ENTIRE way back to the station. How could he not? Taylor had been clear that they needed to talk, and it was obvious that he’d seen what Liam had done. He knew Liam wasn’t human, and he would want an explanation. Liam wasn’t sure he could give him one. What was he supposed to say? Hey, Captain, thanks for taking a chance on me, and by the way, I can turn into a gigantic dragon. Just the thought made Liam want to hide.

How long would Taylor wait to fire him? Would he even wait? Or would he do so as soon as the words were out of Liam’s mouth? Would it be better for Liam to try to come up with an excuse or deny everything? He was tempted to do just that, but if Taylor had seen him, it wouldn’t be easy. Liam didn’t like the thought of gaslighting his captain, but he just might have to. The problem was that he wasn’t sure that Taylor would let himself be gaslit.

Liam was out of the truck as soon as it stopped in the station. Taylor always had stuff to do when they first came back, and Liam hoped that today wouldn’t be any different, even though Taylor knew something was up. Maybe he would have time to grab his bag and find an excuse to leave. He could tell Taylor that he’d started vomiting or something.

“Hey,” Austin said before Liam could disappear into the locker room.

Liam didn’t have time to deal with Austin, but he still sucked in a breath and turned to him. “Yes?”

“West and I just wanted to tell you that we support you, whatever happens. If you want, we can be with you when you talk to Taylor.”

Liam blinked. He knew that Austin and West supported him, but he hadn’t expected the offer. Going with him to Taylor’s office would put them in Taylor’s sights. It would reveal to Taylor that they knew something was up with Liam, and since their captain was a smart man, he’d start wondering if maybe they weren’t as human as they seemed, too. Liam didn’t know how much Taylor had noticed West and Austin using their dragon abilities on the job, but knowing them and the job, he was sure that Taylor had noticed odd things happening around them before. He might have chalked them up to something else, but if they openly supported Liam, Taylor might start to rethink that. It wasn’t something that Liam wanted to happen.

“You don’t have to,” he told Austin as West joined them. “I don’t regret doing what I did. I saved that woman’s life. I just hope he’s not going to be too harsh on me.”

“It’s Taylor. He won’t be.”

“I wish I could have as much faith in that as you do.”

“You should. I know you’re scared, and I get it. I’m kind of terrified by this entire situation.” Austin smiled ruefully. “Honestly, better you than me, but West and I had been talking about telling Taylor and the rest of the team soon. Between one thing and another, we haven’t been able to sit down and truly discuss how we want to do that.”

“Well, it’s good that you won’t have to make any kind of decision about that anymore. I outed myself.” Liam rubbed the back of his neck and chuckled self-deprecatingly. “Only me, right? The two of you have been working here forever, and no one knows what you are. I got here a few weeks ago, and now our captain knows something’s going on.”

“I’m telling you, it doesn’t matter,” Austin insisted. “Taylor is a good person. He’s not going to use what he saw against you. He’s going to listen to whatever you tell him. He won’t judge. He also won’t do anything to hurt you. You have to believe that.”

Liam didn’t think that Taylor would physically hurt him. Hell, he didn’t even think that Taylor would report him. He just wasn’t sure that Taylor would want to keep him around at the station once he found out what was going on.

“Liam, you have a visitor,” Lisa called out.

Liam frowned and turned toward her voice. The others had scattered after Austin and West had followed him to talk, so he couldn’t see her, but he could see Ethan walking toward him, a determined expression on his face. Liam blinked, not having expected Ethan to be at the station. Why was he here? What was going on?

Liam had been glad when Ethan had distracted Taylor at the scene. It had given him the opportunity to disappear for a few minutes, and by the time Taylor had found him, West, and Austin again, they’d been working, and he hadn’t been able to say anything. Liam had been able to feel his gaze on him, though, and he still could, even though he was pretty sure that Taylor was in his office right now.

“Hey, Ethan,” Austin said when Ethan reached them. “Did you flirt with our captain?”

Ethan’s cheeks turned pink. “None of your business.”

“I just don’t get it. Why Taylor? You never tried flirting with me or West.”

Ethan arched a brow. “What can I say? I like older guys.”

Austin barked out a laugh. Liam found himself smiling, too. He could tell that Ethan was teasing and trying to keep the situation light. He didn’t know if Ethan actually liked older guys, but he was pretty sure that Ethan liked him, and that was the reason he was here.

“Can I talk to you for a second?” Ethan asked, turning to Liam.

“I haven’t even showered yet,” Liam warned him.

“I don’t mind.”

Liam hoped he didn’t because he smelled of sweat and smoke. Ethan didn’t even wrinkle his nose when Liam gestured at him to follow him. He did so, his steps sure, as if he knew exactly what he was doing. Liam wished he did, too. He had no idea what was going on or what to do with this mess.

Since he knew that Taylor was in his office, Liam led them outside the station. He turned once they were out the door, eager to find out why Ethan was here. Well, to talk to him, obviously, but why? What did he have to tell him that was so important that he hadn’t texted or called?

“How are you?” Ethan asked as soon as they were out of sight of the people inside. He knew that Austin and West were probably hanging around, curious. He’d have to answer their questions, but that would come later, probably after talking to Taylor.

“I honestly don’t know,” he told Ethan. “I didn’t have a choice.”

“What happened? You looked like you were freaking out. You still do.”