Page 59 of Slow Burn

Maybe wishing she was here wasn’t his smartest idea.

“I’m only staying for one drink,” Arlo tossed out as soon as Elijah sat.

Nash grinned as he took a sip of his beer. “So you’ve said, but you love going out just as much as I do.”

Georgia reached into the bucket on the table, pulled out a beer, and handed it to him. Elijah took it and focused on Arlo. “Nash has a good point. You’re always up to be out all night when you aren’t working. Why is tonight different?”

“I’m going skydiving tomorrow, and I can’t be hungover or tired.” Arlo was proud of this with a giant smile on his face.

“What the fuck?” Nash’s eyes were huge with surprise. “I know you’re an adrenaline junkie, but that’s fucking dangerous.”

“So is running into burning buildings, but all three of you do that,” Georgia pitched in as if she was defending Arlo’s decision.

Which annoyed Elijah.

“There is a big difference.” Elijah's eyes drifted over her beautiful face, doing his best not to linger down and stare at her ample cleavage. “We are educated, have safety provisions, follow policy, and we’re also heavily trained.”

She put her hands up in defense. “I’m not saying you are putting out fires without thought. It’s just I doubt Arlo is skydiving without similar precautions.”

“Thank you, Doctor.” Arlo nodded his head. “I’ve done my research, and I’ll go through a safety briefing.”

Since those two were sitting next to each other, Georgia looped her arm over his shoulders. “Any time. I expect to see all the pictures.”

“Obviously,” he smiled at her. “I will share all the details with you at Anna’s party on Saturday.”

For no reasonable explanation, Elijah wanted to punch Arlo square in his stupid face.

“Fuck, I forgot about her party.” Nash drained the last of his drink. “It’s my first day off shift. I’m not sure I’ll be able to make it. Who’s all going?”

Georgia bit her plump lower lip for a second. “Arlo and I will definitely be there.”

Why did she say it like they were going together?

Elijah regretted coming out with Georgia here.

“Benny is coming, and so is Roman and Sloane. Anna also invited some friends she has from college. Oh, and Sophie is going too!”

Nash grabbed another beer, twisted the cap off, and took a big gulp of his drink.

“Elijah, are you going to Anna’s too?” Georgia, with pure sweetness oozing from her, asked him.

Arlo put his empty bottle on the table. “If he isn’t there, it’s because he’s in Clifton looking for a hookup.”

Yep, Elijah wanted to punch Arlo. Sure, he’d gone to Clifton, another nearby town, and had a few hookups there, but he didn’t expect his friend to be so blasé about it. He wanted so badly to remind Arlo of the woman who recently showed up at the station for him, wearing only a trench coat.

Georgia eyed him with a dark-green stare. “Oh, is that one of the zip codes you find acceptable for dating?”

Nash patted him on the shoulder. “Clifton is definitely on your rotation. But, Baby Sister, I’m not sure Elijah considers what he does dating.”

“I’m well aware,” she murmured back.

Arlo stood, saying goodbye to Elijah and Nash, and then the asshole gave Georgia a hug, promising tons of pictures to share on Saturday.

“Nash.” A blonde shimmied over to the table, wrapping her arms around him. “I was just about to leave until I saw you. What are you doing tonight?”

His playboy friend pulled out his wallet and threw a couple of twenties on the table. “I’m actually ready to go. Want me to give you a ride home?”

The blonde was basically humping Nash’s leg. “Among other things,” she told him, pushing her chest into him.