Rekindle The Flames (The Men of CLE-FD Book 4) Read Online Free Page B

argue like we do.  You need to grow up and stop letting it
always be about you for a change.”
    “Really, Ryan! It’s always about you and what you want. My
input doesn’t mean a damn thing. I’m just supposed to take it and keep my mouth
shut in the process.”
    “In this case, yes, you should! I was not going back to
that school and be ridiculed.  I have my fucking pride.  As my wife, you should
understand that and support me.  But you don’t! Instead, you’re trying to make
me feel guilty for taking a negative situation and turning it into a positive
one.”
    Frustrated, Megan balled her fists at her side. “Your
pride remained intact, Ryan.  As for your new positive, I hate it. Don’t get me
wrong, I respect firefighters, but it is a dangerous job.  I can’t be like
Gabby and not worry about you.  So, no, I can’t get on board with your new
career because it scares the hell out of me. I don’t want to get that call
telling me I’m a widow.”
    Ryan stood up and faced her. “It seems we are at a
standstill.  I love you, but I also love my job.  It’s unfair you want me to
choose which is more important to me.  Marriage is supposed to be about
compromising, Megan. We talk it out and make decisions together based on what
is best for the both of us.”
    “In a typical marriage that’s how it works.  However, you
didn’t do any of that with me.  I didn’t think you were serious until you
informed me you were accepted at the fire department.”
    Ryan rubbed his chin and looked at her with a steely
glare. “Well, I guess it’s over because I’m not quitting.”
    Megan nodded her head. “My mother was right when she said
you only needed me to get you through the trial. I told her she was wrong and
that you appreciated everything I sacrificed for you because you love me.”
    Ryan cocked his head to one side and narrowed his eyes. “I
do love you, Megan.  I appreciate everything you did for me during the trial
and before that.”
     “Good because my sacrifices cost me a lot.”
    “What are you talking about? What price did you pay that
I’m not aware of?”
    Slowly, she shook her head. “Nothing.  I have to go.  I’m
supposed to meet the girls in twenty minutes.” He reached for her, and she
twisted away from his reach. “I’m done talking to you about this.  This is your
house, and you have every right to stay here so I won’t ask you to leave again.
I’ll be by to get my things tomorrow and move in with my parents until I can
afford a place of my own.”
    “Megan, don’t walk out that door, please,” Ryan pleaded.
    Megan took her purse off the coat hook and hurried out of
the house.  The warm night air made it hard for her to breathe.  She fumbled
for the car keys in her purse; her tears fell harder. Unlocking the car door,
she got in and backed from the garage.  She looked up and saw Ryan standing in
the doorway, his broad shoulders slumped.  Straightening the car, she pressed
on the accelerator and drove away.
    Twenty minutes later Megan drove down the tree-lined
street she grew up on.  As she got closer to the Colonial brick house with its
immaculate lawns and neatly trimmed shrubs, she saw an expensive red sports car
parked in the driveway. She knew her father was out of town on business and
Connor wasn’t expected to come home for a visit until Thanksgiving.
    I wonder who Mom is entertaining . She pressed on
the brake bringing the car to a stop across the street from the house.  Maybe
it was a mistake to come here , she thought. Blowing off girls’ night to cry
on her mother’s shoulder about her impending divorce would only add salt to her
wounds.  Iona was not a fan of Ryan’s, and it didn’t matter that he treated her
daughter like a queen, Iona still found him unsuitable for her daughter.
    Megan lowered the visor to look in the mirror.  The dark
circles under her eyes and smeared makeup would be a sure indicator to Iona
that she’d been crying.  Opening