I managed a weak chuckle. “Trust me, I know what I’m doing. Paramedic, remember?”
With their reluctant nod, I slowly began to extract my leg. Every movement sent shockwaves of pain through my body, but I pushed through. All I could think about was getting out of there, seeing Drew’s face again. Maybe this time, I’d finally have the courage to tell him how I felt.
“You’re doing great, West,” he encouraged. “Almost there.”
As I finally pulled my leg free, I let out a relieved laugh. “Well, that was fun. Let’s not do it again anytime soon, yeah?”
The guys chuckled, carefully helping me to my feet. As I tested my strength on my feet, I couldn’t shake the image of Drew from my mind. His worried face, those expressive eyes filled with concern.
I made a silent promise to myself right then and there. If I made it out of this, I wouldn’t waste another moment. Life was too short, too unpredictable. It was time to tell Drew exactly how I felt. Consequences be damned.
I gritted my teeth as I took my first step, the pain shooting through my leg like lightning. But I’d be damned if I was going to let a little discomfort stop me now.
“All right, boys,” I said, forcing a grin. “Let’s get out of here.”
"The way we came from is blocked. Do you know another way out?"
I nodded. "I know this building like the back of my hand.”
One of the firefighters, a burly guy with a bushy mustache, raised an eyebrow. “You sure you’re up for this?”
I nodded, swallowing hard. “Absolutely. Consider me your personal GPS.”
As we navigated the smoky corridors, I pushed aside thoughts of Drew, focusing instead on getting us all out safely.
“Watch out for that loose beam,” I called out, wincing as I sidestepped some debris. “There’s a back stairwell just around this corner that should still be intact.”
We made slow but steady progress, the acrid smell of smoke growing stronger with each step. My lungs burned, and I could feel my breath becoming more labored. But the thought of Drew waiting outside kept me going.
Finally, we reached the exit. As the door swung open, the rush of fresh air hit me like a punch to the gut. I stumbled forward, coughing violently, my eyes watering from the smoke and the sudden brightness of the rescue team’s lights.
“Easy there, buddy,” one of the firefighters said, supporting me as I gasped for air. He must be a new one because I didn’t recognize his face.
Through my blurred vision, I could make out the chaos of the scene outside—flashing lights, concerned faces, and a flurry of activity. But all I could focus on was trying to breathe, each inhale feeling like sandpaper in my throat.
As I sat there gulping in sweet, clean air, a familiar figure came tearing through the crowd, his face a whirlwind of emotions.
“West!” Drew’s voice cracked as he rushed toward me, his usually tousled blond hair wild with worry.
I tried to stand, ignoring the sharp pain in my leg. “Drew, I’m okay?—”
Before I could finish, Drew crashed into me, his arms wrapping around me so tightly I thought I might lose mybreath all over again. But I didn’t care. I buried my face in his neck, inhaling his scent—a mix of sandalwood and something uniquely Drew—as if it could purge the smoke from my lungs.
“Jesus, West,” Drew mumbled into my hair, his voice thick with emotion. “I thought…I thought I’d lost you.”
I pulled back slightly, meeting his tear-filled eyes. “Takes more than a little roof collapse to get rid of me,” I quipped, trying to lighten the mood. But my attempt at humor fell flat as I saw the raw fear etched across Drew’s face.
“Sir, we need to check him over,” Johnny, a fellow paramedic, interrupted, gently trying to separate us.
Drew’s grip on me tightened. “I’m not leaving him,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Warmth spread through my chest at his words. “It’s okay. He can stay.”
I was so ready to go home. My leg was likely bruised but definitely not broken or sprained. I just needed a shower and my bed because I was fucking tired.
As Johnny began assessing my injuries, Drew hovered nearby, his eyes never leaving me. “You’re going to the hospital,” he stated firmly.
I started to protest, “Drew, I don’t think?—”
