“Shut up,” I hissed.
“Make me.”
“I will punch you in the damn face.”
“Try it and see what happens.”
I glared at Korbin, aggravation growing in my chest as I studied the training book in front of me. Memorizing all the crucial gadgets and parts of the suit seemed more complicated than I figured it would be. Laid out on the ground near my feet was a PPE, otherwise known as Personal Protective Equipment. The PPE was obviously an essential piece of equipment, yet it was a piece of gear I was still moderately unfamiliar with. Since I’d only run EMS so far during the job, I hadn’t had a chance to try one on.
“I can practically hear you thinking out loud,” Korbin snapped from the other side of the ambulance bay. He was cleaning some equipment on the far side of the garage. The radio blasted classic rock music from a cheap stereo on the shelf. The sound reverberated off the walls, ringing in my ears, but I had to pretend it didn’t bother me. I ignored him, trying very hard not to get up and scream in his face. I knew he was taunting me. I’d been alone out here in peace and mere quiet minutes before he took over the ambulance bay as his own rock concert.
I looked back down at my list, closing my eyes to concentrate. The test had been easier, but real life wasn’t so. We had training coming up soon, but the last thing I needed was to be unprepared if a fire call came in and I didn’t know the front of my suit from the back. That could prove deadly not only for me but for my crew as well.
“Do you need a study partner?” Korbin asked sarcastically. My head whipped around, and I slammed the book shut, glaring at him. Korbin smirked to himself, shaking his head and muttering something under his breath. I put the book aside and got to my feet, shaking with rage as I crossed the bay. Korbin watched with mild interest as I leaned down and yanked the radio cord out of the wall, ending the music abruptly. He stared at me but didn’t say anything, and I couldn’t nail down his expression.
“I know that you think I’m incapable of doing this job. But you’re wrong.” I folded my arms and glared at him, itching to smack that arrogant smirk from his face.
“I didn’t say you were incapable,” said Korbin with a shrug. “I just don’t think you can do it as well as the men.”
“That’s sexist.”
“It’s true.”
I glared, fists balling at my sides, fingers twitching as an urge to reach out and throttle him washed over me. I took a deep breath and took a single step back to compose myself.
“How would you know? You’ve never even had a female around to judge. I could be the best thing to ever happen to this department.”
“You’d be better off in EMS, Hill, where you won’t have to worry about running fire calls that you’re not prepared for,” he said. “I’m sure Captain Hansen would give you a glowing recommendation.” He rolled his eyes slightly at that last part, which made me even angrier.
“I want to behere.” My clenched teeth audibly snapped together. “And not only that, but Ideserveto be here.”
“Do you?” He was in my face suddenly, leering at me, jaw set so tight I could see the muscles twitching. My first reaction was to back away, to get the hell out of dodge, but I didn’t. I stood my ground. I pushed back.
“I did the same training you did, Korbin, and not a second less,” I snapped, forcing my shoulder back in hopes that it would make me appear taller. “I passed the PT and the written exams and worked my ass off to do it.” I took a single step forward so that there were only a few inches between us. “I survived my first night here. I survived my first real trauma. I survived your petty initiation—which, by the way, was inappropriateon so many levels—and guess what, asshole? I’m still here.”
For a moment, there was only silence as Korbin and I stared each other down. The stubble on his face was prominent, making his already serious demeanor look more intimidating, and his lip curled into a sneer. I probably would have been mesmerized by his rugged handsomeness if I didn’t hate him so much. I wasn’t sure if I should continue to stand my ground, run away, and never look back.
“You certainly know how to talk a lot, don’t you?” he said softly, taking a step towards me. I stepped back only because I had no choice, which amused him.
“Go screw yourself, Hansen,” I hissed. “You’re not worth my time.”
Shaking his head, Korbin turned away from me then, resuming whatever he’d been working on like we hadn’t just almost had a throwdown. I opened my mouth to say anything when a voice behind me spoke up.
“Everything okay here, guys?”
We turned to see Hansen entering the office. He was carrying his boots and his jacket in the other. He stopped to hang up his coat, still eyeing Korbin and me. He looked tired, I noticed, probably the kind of tired I felt, and suddenly I wanted to cross the floor and hug him—or better yet, let him hug me. I wanted to fall into his arms and sob, finally break down, and allow somebody other than myself to comfort me for once in my life.
“Everything is just peachy, Cap,” Korbin said.
“Couldn’t be better,” I added.
I was sure he would call us out for a moment, but he didn’t. Instead, Hansen kicked off his sneakers so he could pull on his work boots, but his eyes were on me, unwavering. I couldn’t read his expression, despite wishing I knew what was going on inside his head. Had he been feeling the way I’d been feeling? Was I crazy for being so attracted to him?
Yeah, probably.
“Whatever it is, forget about it,” he scolded us. “We have some training this morning, so get dressed.”
Chapter16
