Page 53 of Raging Fires

“I wanted to talk to you before you left. Hear where you were going and when you’d bring her home. Get better acquainted, you know.” Jake gave Tyler another wide fake smile. “Can’t have just anybody going out with our girl.” He patted Kelli’s leg. She shoved his hand off.

“I don’t—I’m not sure I really understand, um, your relationship,” Tyler said tentatively.

“Well, Kelli’s free to do her own thing, you know, but I can’t let anything happen to her. She’s the only wife I’ve got.”

“Okay, but…”

“See,” Jake went on, ignoring Tyler’s attempt to speak. “Kelli and I have been together since college. She was—what were you, babe, nineteen?—when we got together. Good times.” He then launched into a long and detailed description of the many things he and Kelli had done together, from pool parties to movies to a trip to the Grand Canyon to a horseshoe tournament that Kelli was certain he had made up.

As if it hadn’t been bad enough having to listen to one guy shoot his mouth off all evening. Kelli scooted forward, about to stand up and send Tyler off. Or maybe she should just go to bed and let these two idiots chat away.

But before she could say anything, Tyler said, “You know, maybe you two have more going for you than you thought, Kelli. All that history. Maybe you ought to give it another chance." Tyler cocked his head to the side, looking like a confused dog. Kelli had realized tonight that it wasn't an uncommon look for him. "I mean, not that I didn't have a good time, Kelli, but you and I didn’t exactly..."

"Yes. I'm aware," Kelli said crisply. "You and I are better as bartender/bartendee. It doesn't make this marriage any less fake though."

"Maybe it's your communication skills,” Tyler said earnestly. “I did notice opening up doesn't seem to be your strong suit.”

Kelli wanted to scream at him that her communication skills were just fine when she was talking to someone with interests that extended beyond trying to sell her on power crystals, ketamine ‘enhanced’ therapy and made-up sounding charities.

Tyler went on, "Have you two ever looked into what your love languages are?"

"Excuse me?" Kelli was thinking about throwing Tyler's drink in his face. Or dumping it on his crotch. Or maybe Jake's. There were so many tempting targets right now.

"It's about the personal way you express and receive love,” Tyler explained. “Not everyone does it by speaking."

"Are we talking dots and dashes?” Kelli raised an eyebrow. “Because I don't know Morse code."

"No." Tyler laughed. "There are several categories."

"Well, Tyler," Jake grinned. "Without even knowing what they are, I can tell you my love language is MUTE."

“That’s the truth,” Kelli muttered. She jumped to her feet. “Well, this has all been entertaining, but I think it’s time to call it a night.” She put on a smile that was as phony as Jake’s, though hopefully not as frightening, and extended her hand to Tyler to prevent any attempt from him for a hug. He seemed like the kind that gave everyone a good long squeeze if they let him. “Good night, Tyler. I had, um, it was a really… unique evening.”

Tyler was forced to stand and shake her hand, but he kept talking, “You should look into your love languages. There’s a really good book I could lend you.”

“That sounds great,” Jake said cheerfully, taking Tyler by the shoulder and propelling him toward the door.

Kelli stayed where she was, arms folded, thinking of all the tortures she’d like to devise for Jake. As soon as Jake closed the door behind the other man, Kelli burst out, “What the hell was that? Why were you acting that way?

“Acting what way?” Jake widened his eyes.

“Don’t try that innocent look on me. You know what way—you were rude and threatening. Not to mention creepy.”

“I didn’t threaten Man-Bun.”

“So you don’t think it’s threatening to have a six-foot-four muscular guy smile at you like Hannibal Lector just spotted his next meal?”

“Actually, Hannibal had that mask, so I don’t think you’d see—”

Kelli let out a screech of frustration. “Jake! Stop it. Stop dodging and deflecting and face the issue.”

He flung his hands out. “Fine! So tell me, Kelli, what is the issue?”

“Whatever the hell it is you’re trying to do! Greeting us, looking all sexy shirtless guy in gray sweatpants. Grilling Tyler like you’re my dad. Being all snarky and I-know-Kelli-better-than-you-ever-will.”

“What did you expect me to do? Clear out so that the two of you could bump uglies? You went on a date with the guy.”

“You told me to go out with him! You know good and well that I wouldn’t have dated Tyler, but you goaded me into it. You said you wouldn’t care if I dated someone. In fact, you urged me to go. You said you wished I would have sex so I’d relax.”