Page 121 of Burning For You

“Stop, all of you. No one is getting into a fight because of me.”

“Too late,” Jim said. “We all are. What was said, Ash?”

He took a deep breath. There was no holding this back and it was useless to try.

Maybe Skye would realize how serious this was.

And that what she did yesterday wasn’t only stupid and foolish but fucking reckless.

“That maybe with her history and what happened to her parents that she has the fire bug. That maybe she likes to see things go up also. That she’s been to just as many fires as him and no one is looking at her. She could be doing it for attention.”

“I’m going to fucking rip him apart,” Keegan said.

“No, you’re not,” Carrie said, moving to get in Keegan’s face and point her finger. “I don’t need you losing your job or being arrested.”

“Oh, don’t worry about me, Mom. I know how to get away with things and not be found out.”

Carrie put her hands to her ears. “Stop. All of you. Especially you, Skye. This is too much for me. I wanted a nice peaceful Thanksgiving and it’s the last thing I’m getting.”

“There is no such thing as a peaceful holiday in this family,” Corbin said.

“You’re not wrong,” Ash said.

“Since we are already going at it,” Carrie said. “Then let’s tackle the last thing on the list. But first, Skye, you’re going to listen to Ash. Do not even think about bringing your idea up to anyone outside this room. We don’t need any more eyes on you.”

“They know it’s not Skye, but that doesn’t stop anyone from starting rumors,” Ash said. “And you can see how quickly things could change once that happens.”

She sighed. “Fine. For now, I’ll let it go.”

“Good,” Carrie said. “Now, why are you spending time with Sean?”

“Yeah,” Tate said.

The room got loud, everyone throwing questions out at once.

Skye stood. “Enough. All of you. I didn’t seek him out. He stopped me while I was getting gas weeks ago.”

“And you haven’t said a word?” Keegan asked. “Or you, Ash? You need to stay away from him”

“It wasn’t for me to say anything,” Ash said.

“I asked him not to,” she argued. “And why do I need to stay away from him?”

“Whose side are you on anyway?” Corbin asked Ash.

The tables were turning quickly now. “I’m on everyone’s side.”

“You can’t be,” Brenna said, laughing. “It’s not possible.”

“It is. And I am. But I’m in Skye’s corner. I didn’t think it was too much of a big deal. It’s not like they talked much, right?”

“Someone answer me why I have to stay away from him?” she demanded.

“Keegan didn’t need to be that harsh,” Carrie said. “But Skye, do you think it’s wise to bring up old memories?”

“Bring them up? They never go away.” She was looking around the room, saw Keegan and Tate frown. “What? Tell me?”

“He’s an asshole,” Tate said. “I’ll say it. He has anger issues and likes to pick on people smaller than him.”