A Fire That Burns

(Amelia's POV)

I wasn't looking for them.

I'd gone out of my way to avoid them today. After last night, I told myself I needed some space to clear my head and remind myself why I had to bury whatever feelings were clawing their way to the surface.

But there they were.

It wasn't the soft laughter from the utility room that did it, it was that low hoarse hum of Collins' voice. Smooth amused, almost teasing, the tone brought me to a stop.

"Becca," he said, voice low but clear. "If you keep this up, I'll never get these clothes folded."

"Oh, please," my mother's voice purred in return. "You'll fold them later. Right now, I need you."

I cringe hearing her voice. I shouldn't have stayed.

I should have turned and gone back upstairs, locked myself in my room, or walked out the front door. But I didn't. Instead, I stepped closer, my bare feet silent on the cold tile, and peeked through the gap in the doorway.

And there they were.

She leaned against the washer, hands digging into the edge of the counter with Collins leaning over her, his body caging hers in, broad shoulders covering the world behind him.

His lips sealed hers in a kiss that was not too gentle. Raw, heated, his hand fisted in her hair at the nape of her neck, and hers moving down his back.

She whimpered, and the sounds filled the air. I couldn't breathe. Collins' other hand clamped onto her thigh, wrenching it up to wrap around his waist. He was hard against her, commanding in the way he moved to possess that moment. My mom's head fell back as his lips trailed down the length of her neck. Her gasps turned to quiet, breathless pleadings.

I should've left. I should've.

But I just couldn't look away.

My fists were clenched, the nails digging into the fleshy part of my palm to keep me sane. My chest squeezed like the air available wasn't enough, and my stomach roiled with something dark and bitter. Jealousy.

Why must this be what I witness when this is supposed to be me? This should have been mine, right?

It was every second agony, yet there I stood frozen, as I watched his hands on her hips, as his hands roamed her body, and his lips claimed hers in such hunger that sent my pulse racing. I hated how my body responded to this. My skin burned as I instinctively pressed my legs together.

I hated her.

No, that wasn't fair, I hated myself.

Then something happened that caused my stomach to drop.

Collins' head turned, his eyes moved. Dark eyes flashed up and locked with mine.

It was so sudden, so deliberate that I froze right there, my breath catching in my throat. For one second, he didn't move. He just stared at me, his face unreadable, his lips still grazing my mother's.

I saw heat in his eyes that gave me chills; it made me feel ill. I shouldn't have been there. I shouldn't have been watching.

But he didn't look away.

I felt the blood run into my face, my whole body burning with shame and something I didn't even want to name. My lips parted, and I drew in a shaken breath as I tried to make out what was in his eyes. Was it anger? Surprise?

Or anything else?

My heart was racing, the tension stretched between us, his hand still resting on my mother's waist. She hadn't caught the silent exchange; she was too wrapped up in him.

I needed to get out.

Tearing my gaze away, I spun on my heel and bolted up the stairs, my chest heaving as I tried to outrun the knot of emotions clamping down on me.

†****************

The sweet smell of freshly brewed coffee and fried bacon wafted up my nostrils as I made my way downstairs the next morning. I feel irritated at the very thought of seeing them again, but I couldn't avoid it forever.

I came into the kitchen, where they were waiting for me.

My mother sat cross-legged on the stool at the counter, her hair done, of course, and her makeup was also perfect. She was giggling low and leaning forward to pass a plate to Collins, who sat beside her in relaxed confidence, his hair faintly mussed.

I swallowed hard, my nails digging into my palms as I watched them. They looked like a picture-perfect couple, so in sync that it made me sick.

"Morning, baby!" my mother chirped, glancing over her shoulder at me.

I forced a tight smile. "Morning."

Collins's eyes flicked to mine for a second, his face was neutral but sharp, as if he was trying to study me further.

I looked away and reached for a mug off the counter, pouring coffee into it.

"Here, sweetie," my mom said, pushing a plate of eggs and toast his way. Leaning in a bit closer to him, she smiled. "You'll need your energy for today."

"Thanks," Collins said, still light, though distant.

“You’re going to the hospital, right?” she asked, her voice soft. “Big day?”

Collins nodded, spearing a piece of bacon with his fork. “I have a case to review. Complicated surgery. I’ll be in and out all day.”

My hand hovered over the sugar jar. Surgery? Of course, he had to be important. He looked important in his sharp suit and commanding presence. A surgeon and that explains his confidence, and his ability to stay calm under pressure.

That did not explain why he was here, though.

I turned to Mom. She is beautiful, yes, but her loud and sloppy nature did not scream "match for a successful surgeon" at all. The thought came and left my head in haste, but I could feel the tug in my chest. So I ignored the thoughts and reached quickly for some coffee to settle myself.

That was when my phone rang.

The sound cut through the quiet hum of conversation, and both of them turned to look at me. I fumbled to pull it from my pocket, my heart skipping as I saw the name across the screen.

Joel.

The name brought a tide of memories: soft laughter over lunch breaks, stolen glances in the school library, and the faint scent of his cologne as he leaned in to borrow my notes. Joel had been my middle school crush, the boy I'd dreamed about long before I even understood what it meant to want someone.

I hesitated a moment before swiping to answer.

"Hello?"

“Amelia! Wow, it's been a while," Joel said in that warm familiar voice.

I couldn't help the smile. "Joel? I… wow, yeah, it has. How are you?"

As we spoke, the tension in the room changed. My mom stopped with the soft murmurs into Collins' ear, and from the corner of my eye, I caught her stare. But it was Collins' stare that chilled my spine.

I  glanced in his direction, and my heart caught in my throat.

Dark and unreadable, the sharpness of his gaze made my breath catch. Of course, it wasn't anger exactly, but far from neutral.

"Amelia?" Joel's voice snapped me back.

"Sorry! Um, yeah, I'll be there," I hastened to say, aware suddenly that I had missed part of what he said.

"Great! See you next week, then."

As the call ended, I looked up, my cheeks warm with excitement.

"Who was that, baby?" she asked, her voice so smiley.

"Nobody," I said, maintaining a flat evenness in my tone.

"Is that your boyfriend?" she teased again. Her voice was casual and light, but really a pointed jab.

My back straightened; automatically, I swung my gaze in Collins's direction. His eyes showed not one degree of softness, only colder, tighter resolve.

"It's none of your business," I said sharply, leaping up. My chair grated across the floor as I turned to go, my heart starting to pound in my chest.

I was halfway out when I heard my mom mutter under her breath.

"Disrespectful!”