Page 100 of Fanning the Flames


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Sadie stopped short. The person on their phone behind her almost ran smack into her.

“What?” she said with a fake, breathy laugh.

“Don’t bother pretending to deny it.”

“What… But, um…”Shit.“How?”

“Amit figured it out when you got kidnapped by Trick. He told me, and then I couldn’t unsee it. Especially when Spark disappeared just as Joan began a new career.”

Shiiit. “Amit always knew Joan was hiding something,” Sadie grumbled.Shiiiittt.

“We haven’t told anyone,” Nyah said.

Sadie glanced around the sidewalk, then pulled Nyah into a narrow alleyway. “Thank you. It’s obviously a big secret.”

“So her brother. He’s Ice?”

Sadie nodded.

“Then Greta has to be Volt. She’s cool but sketchy as hell about her personal life.”

A small laugh managed to bubble through the knot of emotions in her throat. “No, Greta is not Volt. Volt’s in prison. Greta’s just Joan’s good friend.” Well,wasJoan’s good friend.

“Huh.” Ny squinted at her. “Can I tell Amit that?”

“Tell him whatever you want. Apparently, everyone’s figuring it out.”

“Who else knows?”

“Never mind.”

Sadie leaned against the side of a building and covered her eyes. Part of her was glad she wouldn’t have to lie to two friends anymore. Amit would probably gloat. At least there were a couple of people she couldreallytalk to now.

Nyah reclined next to her. “Are they working with the Supers? Did they become good guys?”

“Yeah. Sort of. They want to get rid of these really bad guys.”

A boy of maybe eight or ten wandered by on the sidewalk, chomping on a candy bar. He stared at them, chewing open-mouthed.

Nyah shooed him away. “Get in school.”

Sadie sighed, willing her racing pulse to chill out. It totally sucked to finally get her hopes up about her café and be prepared only to have it yanked away. Hard not to be discouraged.

Joanie was gonna feel terrible about the rider thingandthat more people knew her secret identity. She really didn’t need another thing on her plate right now.

Still, Sadie had to be honest with her. Joanie was such an amazing partner, patiently working through their communication issues. Mainly Sadie’s communication issues. Not telling her would only make things worse in the long run.

“You want to come to VCC with me?” Nyah said. “Have a few laughs with Amit? Make some tasty drinks?”

“Sure.” Sadie gave her friend a pathetic look. “Can I have a hug?”

“You absolutely deserve a hug.”

They squeezed tightly. Sadie breathed in the familiar, comforting scent of Ny’s coconut body butter. “Thank you for keeping Joan’s secret,” she murmured.

“I don’t want anyone to know I know. You got snatched off the street. That’s freaky.”

“My new friends will rescue you.”