Series: Fever Falls Series by Riley Hart
Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96922 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96922 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
“Nothing like that,” I replied. “Everyone’s been so nice, and I’ve noticed a few people taking pictures of me in the grocery store or something, but other than that, it just takes me three times as long to take my normal trips around town, you know?”
“Yes, I do. Just get ready for when the commercials come around. Something about being on people’s TVs makes them feel like you’re right in their homes with them, their friends even.”
“Your mom?”
His gaze lowered to his drink, though I could tell he was looking far beyond it, as though seeing some memory in his past. “All the women we’d run into wanted to be her, or at least be her best friend. The guys pretended to be her friends long enough to get something more from her. I’m sure you’ve already had more than your share of that kind of attitude.”
“It’s good for my ego,” I teased, and I could tell by the way he laughed that he took my remark in the spirit I’d intended. I took a swig of my beer. “Now, how about you, Mr. PR? How are things going on your end of all this?”
“I have the easy job. I just schmooze. I don’t even have to set up appointments, since Carter handles all that.”
“When’s he get in?”
“He’s here, but I told him he wasn’t going to meet up with you and get all googly eyed again.”
“Googly lipped is more like it.”
Dax had been about to take another sip of his drink when he stopped, snickering. “That’s the Jace I’ve been missing.”
“Ah, so you have been missing me.”
“You’re not gonna get more than that out of me.” He set his glass on the bar. “Any rate, Carter is probably trolling around on Grindr, Scruff, and Tinder for some action right about now, so we can catch up.”
“I’m glad you came by yourself,” I confessed, and the way he looked at me, I could tell he was pleased I’d said it.
“Excuse me,” a voice came from beside me, and I turned to see a couple of high school girls standing there. Dax snickered but turned away to keep from making his amusement obvious to the girls.
After I accommodated them with a few selfies and signatures, I told Dax, “I might have a better idea for dinner.” I retrieved my phone from my back pocket and called an Uber.
“Oh, gonna take me to some secluded part of Fever Falls where you’re a virtual unknown?” he asked, rolling his eyes.
“Something like that.”
We headed out of the restaurant.
“Hey, Hottie Firefighter!” a voice called from down the street.
Seriously? Am I gonna have to take another selfie tonight?
I turned and was relieved to see Rush heading along the sidewalk toward us.
“Hey, man!” I called back as he approached and reeled me in for a hug. As he pulled away, I said, “Dax, this is Rush—”
“Yes, it would be hard for me not to know who Rush Alexander is,” Dax said with a chuckle, as though he found it humorous that I figured he might not have recognized the celebrity motocross rider. “I’ve definitely been surprised by how many stars can be traced to Fever Falls.”
“Stick around,” Rush said. “They say we’re up-and-coming, which sounds like branding for a Grindr profile, not a city, but what do I know?”
We shared a laugh before catching up briefly. He was in town for a few days and was meeting up with Ash and Beau for dinner at Fever Pitch.
When our Uber arrived, Rush headed on his way, and we slipped into the car. It was nice that the woman driving didn’t recognize me, so we were able to chat about movies and TV shows for the ten-minute drive before Dax finally asked me, “Okay, but seriously. Where are we going for dinner?”
“Just wait, Mr. Impatient.”
We stopped shortly after, and I thanked the driver and hopped out of the car. Dax did the same, glancing around, his eyebrows furrowed.
“The fuck?” he asked. “Are we—”
“Welcome to Chez Kruse.” I waved to my townhouse as the driver headed down the street to turn around in the cul-de-sac.
Dax burst into laughter, bowing over, hands on his thighs as he tried to collect himself.
“Hey, it’s an alright place,” I insisted.
“No, it’s not that, Jace. I just…” He struggled a moment longer to contain his amusement, then stood erect once again. He approached and rested his hand on my shoulder, adding, “This is probably the most refreshing place you could have brought me to this evening. Mac here?”
“Yeah, he is!” I grinned just at the mention of his name.
I guided him inside, and Mac hopped up from his bed and hurried over to greet us. “Aw, you excited I brought my buddy Dax?”
He barked, which made Dax laugh.
“You said you didn’t have any pets, right? —Say hey to Dax, buddy.”