Keep it in your fucking pants, Hansen.
“Welcome to the Eagle River Fire Department, candidate,” I said, dropping my hand from hers, feeling like I’d been burned. “You’re running BLS today. Let’s go.”
Chapter5
Paisley
The surprise on Erik Hansen’s face when I walked into the station that morning was all the motivation I needed not to turn around and run home. He hadn’t expected me to show up, and that, more than anything else, was the unwritten challenge he didn’t know he’d just extended. And while this was the only thing I’d wanted for most of my life, Jeremy’s doubts had kept me up half the night, tossing and turning and wondering if he was right. If the guys were right. If my parents were right.
Maybe I wasn’t cut out for this.
But maybe I was. I refused to be anything else, really, even if I had to cut that goddamn cut myself.
“This is the ambulance bay.” Hansen and I stepped into the massive garage with a wave of his hand. I’d seen it before, of course, on multiple occasions, but looking at it now as a real firefighter gave it more meaning. It was a new world, one ready for me to explore.
“You’re an EMT,” he continued, “So I’m sure you know all about working on an ambulance.”
My throat felt tight suddenly, my mouth dry.
“Not really,” I admitted, turning to face him. I had to fight to keep my voice from shaking. Hansen stared at me for a long moment, his gold-speckled hazel eyes scanning my face like he was looking for the truth in my expression.
“You don’t have any EMS experience.” It wasn’t a question.
I looked at the ground and kicked the cement floor with the toe of my boot. My face flamed hot, and I wasn’t even sure why. EMS experience, aside from my shiny certification, of course, wasn’t a requirement to apply to the department. But somehow, I felt like I’d already failed my first day. Let my captain down.
Keep it together, Hill.
“No, Captain, I do not.” I forced my eyes to meet Hansen’s gaze and tried to convince myself not to feel ashamed. “I’ve taken my class and received a National Certification, Sir, but I’ve never been on my own in the back of an ambulance.”
“I see.”
I couldn’t read his face, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to. He kept it straight, veiling any emotion he felt, but I swear I caught the beginnings of a smirk playing on his lips. It was gone too quickly to pin it, though, and I wasn’t going to risk taking this lightly.
“You don’t have to worry,” I said firmly, standing up straighter. It didn’t do any good, I was the most petite person here, but it made me feel better. “I’m a fast learner.”
“I believe you are,” Hansen said, and when he smiled again, it was kind and genuine. He had a chin dimple, something I seldom noticed on people, and I had to actively keep from giggling like some insanely lust-struck schoolgirl.
Bring it down a level, P. Or ten.
Before responding, the side door opened and slammed shut, and two men joined us in the ambulance bay. One was Tyler Morton, a nice guy who ran advanced EMS. I didn’t see him around much, but he was still one of the good ones, someone who had supported me from day one. To the right of him was Korbin Hansen.
Korbin Freaking Hansen.
“Well, there she is,” said Korbin, leering at me. “I didn’t think you’d show up, noob.”
“Sorry to disappoint,lieutenant.” I met Korbin’s gaze, unwavering. Korbin was lieutenant of the rescue squad, the man the department depended on for special operations. A handsome man with short salt and pepper hair and an ego that didn’t fit through the door. I hated Korbin with every fiber of my being, straight from the beginning.
Korbin had scared the shit out of me during the application process. He’d been rude, mean, and childish, an unbreakable force with the wrath of a thousand suns. A few times after he ran portions of the physical exam testing, I’d go home and swear I would never return. That it wasn’t worth it. But I did go back, and that pissed him off even more.
“Enjoying your first day?” He smiled, but the glint behind the smile made me want to punch him in the face, fight it out like dogs just to establish dominance, and move past it.
“I certainly was before you showed up,” I said. Next to me, I swear Hansen’s lips curved a little bit. Ty half snorted, half laughed, and before Korbin could rebuttal, Hansen spoke up.
“I think it’s time to get back to work, Lieutenant Hansen.”
Korbin scoffed, but he punched Ty in the arm and nodded at him to follow. Once they were safely out of earshot, Hansen looked back at me and shook his head, running calloused fingers through his hair. I was wrong if I thought he couldn’t be any more charming.
“Sorry about him. Lieutenant Hansen likes to rile things up around here. As you can see, he comes off as an ass, but he has a good heart once you find it. He likes to give all the candidates issues.”
