Eddie Diaz was pissed.
Not just pissed — feral.
It had been three days. Three long days since Buck had sent him that picture — the one of Buck and Tommy kissing, shirtless, looking like they had just had the best time of their lives while Eddie was stuck at home, stewing in his feelings.
And now? Buck wasn't even trying to be subtle about it.
Eddie had seen it all. The way Buck and Tommy were constantly together. Tommy picking Buck up after shift. Tommy showing up at the firehouse for no reason other than to see Buck. Tommy wearing Buck's hoodie last week.
And the worst part? Buck was so fucking smug about it.
Eddie could practically hear Taylor Swift's I Know Places playing in his head as he sat in the firehouse gym, loading up another set of weights onto the bar. He slipped his AirPods in and tapped play on 1989 (Taylor's Version).
"I know places we won't be found…"
Perfect.
Eddie pulled the bar off the rack and started bench-pressing. His arms strained as he pushed up and down, up and down, the weight pressing into his chest. Sweat dripped down his temples, but he didn't stop.
In the background, he vaguely heard Hen and Chimney talking. He ignored them.
"Hey, Eddie?" Chimney's voice drifted over.
Eddie didn't respond.
Hen's voice followed. "Damn, he's in a mood."
Chimney chuckled. "Yeah. Wonder why."
Eddie pushed harder. His muscles burned.
"They are the hunters, we are the foxes… and we run…"
"Eddie!" Bobby's voice now.
Eddie didn't stop.
Bobby's steps approached. "Diaz."
Eddie shoved the bar up one last time, muscles screaming, before racking the weight and sitting up. His chest heaved. His hands were shaking.
"Eddie?" Bobby said carefully.
Eddie ripped out his AirPods and stood, walking over to the free weights. He grabbed two dumbbells — 70 pounds each — and started curling.
Hen's eyes widened. "Jesus."
"Eddie," Bobby said, a warning tone in his voice.
Eddie ignored him.
"You okay, buddy?" Chimney asked.
No answer.
"I think we broke him," Ravi whispered from the corner.
Bobby's eyebrows rose. "Eddie—"
Eddie's jaw clenched. His biceps were shaking from exertion. His heart was thundering in his ears.
"And we run… run… run…"
"Dude, you're gonna hurt yourself," Hen said, stepping toward him.
Eddie's face was dark, his mouth pressed into a thin line. He lifted the weights again.
Bobby stepped forward. "Eddie."
Eddie's eyes were dark as he lifted the dumbbells — and then slammed them to the ground.
THUD.
The whole gym went silent.
Hen's mouth dropped open.
Ravi jumped.
Chimney's eyebrows shot up.
"Jesus Christ," Chimney muttered.
Eddie's chest rose and fell rapidly as he wiped sweat from his face. He flexed his fingers and then grabbed another set of weights.
Bobby's eyes narrowed. "That's enough."
Eddie's jaw clenched. "I'm fine."
"No, you're not." Bobby's tone was sharp now.
Eddie lifted the weights.
"Eddie," Bobby said coldly. "Put them down."
Eddie's hands tightened around the metal. His muscles burned. His head buzzed.
And then Bobby's hand was on his shoulder. "That's an order, Diaz."
Eddie's jaw flexed. Slowly, he set the weights down.
Bobby's eyes didn't leave his. "What's going on?"
"Nothing."
Bobby's gaze sharpened. "Bullshit."
Hen and Chimney were still watching, exchanging concerned glances.
"Seriously, Eddie," Chimney said. "What's wrong?"
Eddie's mouth twisted.
"Nothing," Eddie said through gritted teeth.
Bobby folded his arms. "This wouldn't have anything to do with Buck and Tommy, would it?"
Eddie's head snapped up.
Hen's eyebrows shot up. Chimney's mouth curled.
"I knew it," Chimney said.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Eddie said flatly.
"Really?" Bobby's gaze was sharp. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're about three seconds away from either passing out or throwing a punch."
Eddie's mouth pressed into a thin line.
"And since you've been brooding like Batman for the last week—" Chimney started.
"I'm not brooding," Eddie growled.
"Oh, you're definitely brooding," Hen said.
Ravi nodded silently from the corner.
"You're jealous," Chimney said, pointing at him.
Eddie scoffed. "Of Buck and Tommy? Please."
"Yeah," Bobby said dryly. "Of Buck and Tommy."
Eddie's jaw flexed. "I don't care who Buck dates."
Hen's eyebrows lifted. "Sure you don't."
Eddie's fists curled.
Bobby's eyes sharpened. "Eddie."
"I don't," Eddie repeated.
"Okay," Bobby said. "So you wouldn't care if they… say, made a sex tape?"
Eddie's eyes flashed. His chest tightened. His hands clenched at his sides.
Hen's mouth dropped open. "Oh shit."
Chimney gasped. "They made a what?"
Bobby smirked.
"They did not," Eddie growled.
"You don't know that," Bobby said.
"Oh, he knows," Hen teased.
"I know they didn't," Eddie snapped.
"And how do you know?" Bobby challenged.
"Because Buck wouldn't—"
Eddie's mouth clamped shut.
Hen grinned. "Oh, this is good."
Chimney was full-on grinning now. "You're totally jealous."
"I'm not jealous," Eddie growled.
"You're seething," Bobby said.
Eddie's chest rose and fell. His heart hammered in his ears.
And then Buck's name lit up his phone screen from across the room.
Eddie's gaze darkened. He stalked over, picked up his phone, and swiped open the text.
Buck: "What are you doing tonight? "
Eddie's teeth ground together. His thumb hovered over the reply button. His heart thudded painfully.
"Don't," Bobby warned.
Eddie smirked darkly. He typed back:
"Busy."
Buck's reply came instantly.
"Boooo. Guess I'll just have to see Tommy. "
Eddie's chest burned. His thumb hovered over the phone.
Chimney leaned in. "Eddie—"
And then Eddie typed back:
"Fuck you."
Chimney gasped.
"Oh, damn," Hen whispered.
Bobby's mouth twitched.
Eddie's phone buzzed again.
Buck: "You wish."
Eddie's lips curled into a dangerous smile. His blood was hot in his veins.
Chimney glanced between him and Bobby. "This is either gonna end in a murder or a marriage."
Hen laughed. "Could be both."
Eddie set his phone down, breathing hard.
Bobby's gaze softened. "You know you could just talk to him."
Eddie's eyes glinted. "Or I could just keep making him sweat."
Hen shook her head. "Toxic."
"Unhealthy," Ravi added.
Chimney grinned. "Hot as hell, though."
Eddie's jaw flexed. He smiled faintly.
And somewhere, in the back of his mind, Taylor Swift's voice hummed along:
"And I know for me it's always you…"