Page 10 of AJ’s Fire

“We’re not … She’s not …” He sighed. “Actually, I brought her here to meet you!”

“Yeah? I thought, I mean, I figured you wanted me to meet her because you two are dating. You’ve been spending so much time together. And you're not hooking up with other women. I’m confused. She’s really not your girlfriend?”

Jackson’s elbows were on the table, and he covered his face with his hands. He mumbled something that sounded like this is such a mess, but he said it so softly I wasn’t sure. He sighed and uncovered his face.

“Emily and I have been friends forever, Aje. It’s not like that. I’ve been telling her about you. And she really wanted to meet you. For you two to maybe …” Jackson didn’t finish the sentence, instead moving his hands between the two of us.

“Oh, so she is flirting with me?”

“Maybe. I don’t know? Yes?”

“Huh?” I looked toward the bathrooms. “And you’d be okay if we …”

“Maybe. I don’t know? Yes?” He laughed as if the repeated words were a joke, but he sounded sincere and maybe a little desperate. As if resolving some inner conflict, he tried again. “Of course, I’d be okay with it. You’re both my friends, and I want you to be happy. Why wouldn’t I be okay with it? Hook up, date, whatever.”

I hoped my look conveyed how oddly he was acting. I didn’t call him on it but threw out a little test instead. “And what about you; while I’m charming your friend, who are, I mean, what are you going to do? Ooh, there’s that waitress, Casey.” I started to look around. “Bro code, no man left behind, right? Should we go find …”

Jackson’s phone buzzed, which he ignored, but he stopped me with a, “No!

“AJ. I’m fine. It’s fine. I’ve … You know, lately I haven’t been into it. The whole playing-the-field thing.” I wasn’t any closer to understanding but was thrilled to finally hear him say the words.

“Yeah, I’ve noticed. I thought it was because of Emily.”

“Nah, it’s because of me.” Jackson sounded sad, and his phone buzzed again.

“You’re popular tonight.”

“Apparently.” His tone hadn’t changed, but the tone around the table did when Emily came back, all smiles and positive energy. She took one look at Jackson and could tell something was up.

“What have you boys been talking about? Do you need more time? I can …”

Jackson jumped in with another, “No!” He was really on edge. “We were just chatting. Chatting about how you wanted to meet a hunky firefighter, and how this entire neighborhood knows that AJ is the hunkiest of us all.”

“I hear you’re quite the player, AJ.”

“Yeah, well, I used to have a partner in crime. Not so much anymore.”

I watched Jackson during this entire exchange, worried over his mood as I’d been worried about him in general for months. My heart constricted, thinking about him being unhappy and even more so because I had no idea why. All I wanted to do was help him. I also really wanted to figure out why my stomach had a marching band residing inside it. The two things seemed related, but it was like I was missing a key piece of the puzzle. I needed my thoughtful, focused Jackson back, with his honest gaze and truthful answers.

We kept staring at each other, and damned if his motherfucking phone didn’t buzz again. I went to grab it, but Jackson snatched it up quickly, our eyes never leaving each other. There was determination in his and maybe embarrassment? My fucking stomach swooped again.

The whole interaction just felt charged and weird and not like us at all.

“Be right back,” he mumbled, tapping at his screen as he headed to the bathroom.

I watched him until he rounded the corner, keeping my eyes on the spot until Emily drew my attention back to her. I’d almost forgotten her standing there and may have jumped in surprise.

“You know what would be fun?”

“Huh?”

“Is it too soon to talk about New Year’s Eve? My cousin Ruth will be in town, and I promised her a fun night. What do you say, hunky fireman?”

“Firefighter,” I corrected.

“Right, sorry. How about it? Can you find one more guy for Ruth, and we’ll show my cousin some New York fun?”

“Huh? Wait? What about Jackson? Can’t Ruth be his date? I mean, sure, I guess New Year’s Eve sounds like fun. Thanks for asking.” I sounded hesitant and ridiculous in my response, when really I was just confused about any number of things. I tried to focus on the attractive woman asking me out even as I kept one eye on the back hallway that led to the bathrooms.