Page 8 of Slow Burn

“Why don’t you like Sophie?” Elijah was curious for the reason his friend disliked Georgia’s bestie.

With an eye roll, Nash turned his gaze to where Georgia, Sophie, and Anna were standing. “A million reasons. When they were in elementary school, Sophie decided to make everyone call her Queen Sophie.”

“Wow, she sounds horrible. Lock her up,” Elijah deadpanned.

“Trust me, it just got worse. Sophie was always the voice of no reason in George’s life. She’s a walking disaster and always looking to get into trouble. Growing up, that meant dragging George along for the ride,” Nash spoke, glaring at the women who had created their own spot to dance.

Sophie, the devil in question, was definitely the ringleader. She was the one hollering along to the song as the group of them shook their asses. Georgia tried to step away, but Sophie dragged her right back to their circle. Anna laughed the whole time, dancing with her hands in the air. Roman, another firefighter, arrived and danced with Anna. Those two were close friends, so their dancing was innocent.

“Who the fuck is that?” Elijah barked when he saw a man approach Georgia from behind and start swaying behind her.

Nash turned back to the bar. “I need to order another shot. That’s Robbie, one of their friends from high school. I didn’t know he was joining us too.”

Elijah nodded, but he was seething, his vision red. This guy had his arms wrapped around Georgia’s stomach, holding her close to him, and she smiled. Talk about being replaced quickly. While she didn’t want Elijah to touch her, she was perfectly fine having this dipshit Robbie do it.

What the fuck.

Sure, Georgia was slated in the forbidden slot, but this was torture. Robbie whispered something in her ear, and she turned to face him with a flirtatious smile. This had to fucking stop.

Were they going to kiss?

Hell no.

“Absolutely not,” Nash grunted to no one, storming off to the group. Elijah noticed another man had joined the group and was dancing with Sophie.

If he wasn’t so pissed off that Georgia managed to get under his skin for the night, he would have found it interesting how the woman Nash called the devil was also the woman he was currently arguing with.

Elijah watched Sophie brush her long brown hair over her shoulders, then push Nash away from her. Nash yelled something to the group, which stopped them all from dancing, and then he pointed at the bar where Elijah sat. Everyone walked in his direction, except for Sophie. Nash grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the bar.

“Hey Lou!” Anna greeted him with a smile. She often called him Lou, short for Lieutenant.

Roman stood right beside her and eyed the shot glasses. “Tequila? Fuck yeah, this is going to be a good night.”

“He’s at a disadvantage because you guys are already friends and work together,” the sweet voice of Georgia surrounded him as she pointed at the man standing way too close to her. Elijah watched her, but she paid him no attention. “Robbie, this is Roman.”

Finally, she looked at him, but it was with disdain as she pointed at him. “This is Nash’s friend and fellow firefighter. What was your name again?”

Elijah glared at her. “I find it hard to believe you don’t remember my name.”

She bit her lower lip and tapped a finger on her chin a few times. “Your name eludes me. I guess you just weren’t memorable.”

“Oh fuck,” Roman mumbled at her diss.

Elijah lifted an eyebrow. “Do you want me to make it memorable?”

Georgia blushed but didn’t break eye contact.

Robbie must have felt left out because he shot his hand out to shake. “Hi there.”

“Elijah Barnett,” he told the jackass, ignoring his outstretched hand. “Who invited you?”

Georgia pushed past Roman and Anna, who both smartly gave her the space she demanded. “Funny, I was about to ask you the same question.”

He smirked as she took another step closer to him.

“Robbie and I have been friends since high school. You don’t even know me.” Georgia pushed her finger into his chest.

Elijah grabbed her hand. “Ah, but weren’t we trying to change that earlier?”