Down in Flames

By Angie Titus

Leora Walker and Dylan Parker have been frenemies since they met.  They can't seem to be in the same room together without bickering.  Their friends are tired of being referees and decide to solve things once and for all.  To do this, they bet Dylan and Leora that they can't live together for one month.  Two people who irritate each other.  Thirty days.  What could go wrong?

• Language: English
• Publisher: K&A Books
• Release date: Aug 9, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393747239

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

W e wanted to thank you all for coming, Lynette said with a warm smile.

Leora Walker studied her sister and thought about how she'd changed over the past year.  Love had taken a serious workaholic and transformed her into someone who smiled and laughed.  Someone who was so happy you could see it in her face.

Thanks for inviting us, Brody answered, snagging another burger from the plate in the middle of Lynette's large kitchen table.

Yeah, his brother, Angus, agreed, that was brave of you.  You know how much us Davis boys like to eat.

Lynette gave him a small smile.  Of course.  I do live with one of them.

Her gaze slid to Matt, who was sitting beside her, and Leora felt a twinge of jealousy at the look that passed between them. 

Why did you invite us all here?  Beth asked curiously before taking a sip of her pop.

Dinner at Lynette and Matt's wasn't all that unusual.  Matt owned a restaurant and loved to treat his friends and family.  The eight of them often got together to celebrate just about everything—and sometimes for no other reason than they enjoyed one another's company.  It was different this time, though, and they all could feel it.  Something special had brought extra light to Lynette's eyes and a sense of expectation to the room.

Immediately interested, Leora put her hamburger down to hear her sister's response.  She wasn't the only one whose eyes were immediately on the happy couple.  Both of Matt's brothers stopped chewing and Dylan, Beth's brother and Matt's best friend, stopped whispering to Tia.

"What do you mean?  Can't a guy ask his closest friends and family over for supper without an ulterior motive?'  Matt's innocent reply would have had more effect without the twinkle in Lynette's eye.

Leora looked at Lynette and raised her eyebrows.  A slow grin spread over Lynette's face.  Leora had never seen Lynette smile so joyfully.  Suddenly, she knew what was coming.

So, when did this happen?  she asked in surprise.

Two days ago, Lynette replied.  Isn't it great?

Beth jumped to her feet.  Congratulations!

She went around the table to hug both Matt and Lynette.

I knew it, Tia declared smugly.  Didn't I tell you this was going to happen soon?

What was going to happen?  Angus asked, his confusion evident.  What the hell is going on?

Since he was sitting next to the happy couple, Beth hugged him, too, and kissed his cheek.  Don't be so dense.

I think what my sister means, Dylan said dryly, is it's fairly obvious that Lynette and Matt are engaged.

Engaged?  Angus looked stunned.  But we're too young to get married!

Tia snorted.

I don't think twenty-six is too young to get married, Leora disagreed.

Brody groaned.  Marriage is like a sickness.  Once it happens to one of us, it happens to everyone.  I guess I may as well get it over with.  Beth, will you marry me?

Funny.  Beth rolled her eyes and stole one of Angus's fries.

I don't know why anyone would want to get married anyway.  Dylan shook his head.  It seems dumb to me.

Leora glared at him.  Which proves you aren't old enough to get married.

Leora had always had mixed feelings about Dylan.  He irritated the hell out of her, and he made her laugh like no one else ever had.  At times, she despised him and, occasionally, she adored him, but for the life of her she couldn't decide whether she actually liked him.  The rest of Matt's friends and family had been easy to like and easier to get a handle on, but every time she thought she had Dylan figured out, he did something to surprise her.

He shrugged.  I don't know if I ever want to be old enough.

That's okay, she replied. It's unlikely anyone would ever want you, anyway.

He threw her an evil grin, so she made a face at him.  As far as she was concerned, smiling at her that way wasn't playing fair.  Dylan wasn't traditionally handsome but he had a killer smile, and Leora was pretty sure he knew it.

You'd better be careful; your face will freeze that way, Brody teased her before turning to Matt and clapping him on the shoulder.  Good luck, Matt.  If any of us was meant to settle down, it's you.  Now, are there any more hamburgers?

Matt laughed and got to his feet.  There's a few left on the counter.  I'll get them.

Leora couldn't really blame Brody.  The hamburgers weren't just beef on a bun.  Matt's cooking was amazing, and she'd never eaten anything of his that she didn't absolutely love.

So, have you made any plans?  Tia asked.

No, Lynette admitted.  For the moment, we're just enjoying the feeling of being engaged.

What does it feel like?  Beth asked.

Matt, returning to the table with the last few burgers, replied, Good.  It feels good.

But now you have to live with a girl, Angus said, taking a big bite of his burger.

Matt put the plate down next to Brody.  I've lived with a girl for eight months. I think I can handle it.

Hey, you're supposed to say living with me is a joy, Lynette told him, poking him gently in the ribs.

Living with a girl isn't so bad, Dylan added.  I did it for twenty years.

Angus snickered.

What?

Maybe you guys are the ones who are hard to live with.  Have you thought about that?  Leora suggested.

I'm not hard to live with, Angus told her.

Me neither, Brody mumbled around another hamburger.

Tia laughed.  No woman would even try to live with the two of you.

See.  Dylan leaned forward.  She said the two of you.

Don't worry, Leora said, pointing a french fry at him.  You're no prize either.

Dylan scowled at her.  A man would have to have rocks in his head to want to live with you.

She made another face at him and stuck out her tongue.  His scowl cracked and the corners of his mouth tipped up slightly.  Beth, who couldn't see his expression, hit him lightly on the side of his head.

Be nice.

Me?  he asked, rubbing his head.  What about Leora?

Brody leaned towards Leora, so she said, Don't you dare.

He looked at her innocently.  What?

If the two of you are so hard to live with, the only chance you might get to live with someone else is to live together, Angus interrupted Leora's next comment.

Very funny,  Dylan said at the same time Leora blurted, Don't be ridiculous.

They'd kill each other, Matt said, his face full of amusement.

I don't know, Lynette replied.  They might surprise you.

No way.  Angus shook his head.  They couldn't make it longer than a few weeks.

We'll never know, will we?  Leora said.

A strange expression flickered over Angus's face, and she could see the wheels turning in his head.  Her stomach fluttered and she knew he was going to say something horrible.

Why not? he commented.

What do you mean? Dylan asked him.

Well, it would be an easy thing to test.

Test?

Yeah.  Sure, Angus replied.

Wait.  Leora tapped her hand on the table.  What are you saying?

Instead of answering her, he looked at Brody.  What do you think?  Could they do it?

Dylan and Leora?  Nah.

I think they could, Tia argued.

Leora looked at Dylan.  What are they talking about?

What do you think, Beth? Matt asked.

Beth frowned.  I have no idea.

I've got a hundred bucks that says they couldn't last a month, Angus announced, leaning back in his chair with his hands behind his head.

I'll match the hundred and say they can, Tia said, excitement lighting her dark eyes.

No way.  Brody's words were actually unslurred by food.  I got a hundred.

Anyone else? Angus sat up.

This is crazy, Leora objected weakly.  The whole conversation was getting out of hand.

Lynette looked at Leora then at Dylan.  She glanced over at Matt, who winked.

Sure, I'm in, she said, but my money's on them.

Me, too! Beth added, finally making up her mind.

You, too? Dylan groaned.

I'm on the other side. Matt took out his wallet and extracted a brown bill.

Every one of Leora's friends had taken a side.  Now they were all looking at her and Dylan expectantly.

You don't really think we'll bet on this, do you? Dylan asked.

Of course we do!  Brody, Matt, and I bet that you can't live together for a month, Angus told him happily.

What are your terms?

Dylan! Leora exclaimed.

He held up his hands.  The six of you are betting money for each other, but Lee and I want more than that.

We do?

Sure, we do.  What do we want?

I know what I want, Brody said.  Your new 50 inch TV.  It would look great in our apartment.

Oh, yeah, Angus agreed.  That TV is awesome.  We also want characters named after us in Leora's next book.  Good characters, not jerks—unless they're cool serial killers.

Leora was a writer and had already published three romance novels.

But... she tried to protest.

We need something for Matt, Angus said over her.  What do you need, Matt?

Matt was chuckling.  Labour.

And an hour a day for a week of both of you doing dishes in the restaurant.

Dylan's eyes narrowed.  What would we get?

What do you really want?

A thousand bucks.

Everyone laughed.

I'm serious, he insisted.

No, you're not.

Okay.  What have you got to offer?

We are not doing this, Leora tried to say, but she was ignored.

Angus thought for a moment.  A hundred bucks from each of us..and you get to be best man at Matt's wedding.

And for Leora... Brody studied her for a minute before a sly smile came to his face.  We'll give you one half of our duplex, rent free, for six months.

Dylan, Angus, and Brody restored houses as a hobby.

You're not selling it?  This was Tia.

Nah.  We bought Dylan out.  Angus and I could use the rent money.

It's really nice, Tia told Leora. I might rent the other side.

I have an apartment, Leora was able to interject this time.  Why would I want to live somewhere else?

I wasn't done, Brody continued, his smile growing.  You also get a puppy.

What?

Leora had wanted a cat or a dog for years, but pets weren't allowed in her building.  She was able to make a living with her writing, but just barely so far, and she couldn't afford to move.

Any puppy you want—from a shelter, from a breeder.  We'll pay.  And then when your six months are over, we'll match the rent you're paying now.

You're joking.

Nope.  He looked at Angus, who nodded.

Are you considering it?  Lynette asked curiously.

Of course not!  Leora replied at the same time Dylan said, Maybe.

Maybe?  Leora gaped at him.

He shrugged.

You know my brother can't refuse a dare.  Beth settled back into her chair.

It's not a dare; it's a bet.  A terrible bet.  I'd have to put up with him for a month.

Like you're a picnic, Dylan scoffed.

She shook her head.  Where would we stay?  I live in a small one bedroom apartment.

My place.  His answer was immediate.

Your place?  She looked around at the others for help.

He has three bedrooms, Matt told her.

His house is huge, Tia added.

And if we lived in my house, Dylan continued, I wouldn't have to find someone to take care of my cat.

Leora stared at him in shock.  You have a cat?

It came with the house.  He flashed her a smile.  To the others, he said, I'm in, and I'll take your terms.

Think about this.  We'd have to live together for a month, she pointed out.

Easy as pie.  My house is big enough that we can avoid each other if we want to.

Enthusiasm oozed out of Tia.  I think it might be fun.

Don't be a wimp, Angus, the instigator, prodded.

If you're so excited about this, why don't you and Tia try it?

Because Tia and I aren't always mouthing off at each other.

Mouthing off?  We don't mouth off at each other, do we, Dylan?

Nah, he agreed, but there was amusement in his eyes.

Leora threw her hands up in the air.  Fine.  You got me.  I'll move into Dylan's house for a month.  If we make it through the month, we win, and so does Beth, Lynette, and Tia.  If I move out before the month's over, then Matt, Angus, and Brody win.

Great!  Smiles were rare from Angus, but a grin suddenly spread over his face.  Let's shake on it.

He reached across the table and shook Dylan's hand before coming around the corner to take Leora's.  His hand was so large, it made hers look like a child's.  Still, it was a  strong hand, and one that had made Leora feel safe from the day she met him.

Well, if you're going to go through with this madness, let's make a contract.  Lynette sounded way too cheerful as she rummaged in a nearby cabinet.  She came out with two pens and a notepad.

Moving aside plates and glasses, she sat back down and started writing.  As she wrote, she repeated the terms they'd just discussed.  Then she asked, So, when do you want this to start?

How about next month?  It's only got thirty days, so you'll even have an edge, Brody suggested, finally forgetting all about his hamburger.

Noon November first until noon December first?  Dylan clarified.

Sounds good.

And both of them have to be in the house from midnight until five a.m. every night for it to count, Angus added.

Leora sighed.  I can't believe I'm doing this.

Think about the puppy who's just waiting for you.

That's playing dirty, Brody.

Think of her little face.

Is there anything else you want me to put in here?  Lynette interrupted.

This isn't a detail for the bet, but I'd like someone to bring my desk over to put in my room while I'm there.  I'll need somewhere quiet to work.  Is there room?

Plenty, Dylan assured here.  We'll take care of it.

Great!  Angus clapped his hands and rubbed them together.  Let's sign this thing.

I CAN'T BELIEVE I AGREED to do this, Leora moaned the next day.  She was having tea with Beth and Tia in Beth's kitchen.

I can't believe you did, either.  Beth gave