Then, she heads off to grab a sandwich, leaving me alone in the fire station.
And that might have been the biggest mistake of all because I was left with my thoughts of Camellia and her betrayal.
When we were together all of those years ago, Camellia brought color into my life. A kaleidoscope of it. The air smelled sweeter. Food tasted better. I laughed all the time. Ilivedwhen I was around her.
And when she left, my world became dull. Gray. Cold. No more kaleidoscope. No more living life to the fullest. I went through the motions of everything. I would go months without laughing. It wasn’t until I left Sabine and reclaimed my life that I realized howlifelessit had been.
Then - Camellia came back. And it felt like a second chance. I had passion in my life again, something I hadn’t realized was missing. She told me she loved me. My heart soared at the news.
I was already planning our second chance at forever.
I was -happy.
But, whenThat Ryan Assholeshowed up at the hospital, the look on Camellia’s face was all I needed. The betrayal felt familiar, slicing open my gut and spilling my intestines on the floor.
It was a wake-up call.
My happiness can’t depend on someone else because they’ll always betray you. They’ll always let you down. The only person you can rely on is yourself. And it was about time I pulled onmy big boy pantsand did something about it.
Shit.
That reminds me of Camellia, who is still sick in a hospital.
And now I feel like a jackass.
MaybeThat Ryan Assholeis someone she works with that she didn’t mention? Maybe he’s a family friend I’ve never heard of?
No. No. No.
Not again.
I’m tired of being an idiot and falling for this shit, time after time.
Never. Again.
I shake myself. It’s time to get my act together and learn how to live solo. I have the rest of my life ahead of me.
I would beef up my dating profile online. I’d accept the non-stop blind date offers from well-intentioned neighbors. I’d learn about wine and art and go to those pretentious gallery openings.
I’d meet someone new.
That woman may not be Camellia, but at least she’d be dependable. And someone who’d help get my mind off of the shithole my life has become.
The scanner squawks to life. “Engine One, this is Dispatch.”
I pick up the mic. “Dispatch, this is Engine One - go ahead.”
“Possible 10-50 with 10-52 on County Road Ten and Highway 74 - car accident, ambulance needed.”
I glance at the computer screen map in front of me. My team had a run to the hospital. They’re farther away than I am. “Roger that, Dispatch. Do we know the extent of the injuries?”
“Caller says a truck T-boned her and her sister,” the radio squawks. “Two federal agents are taking gunfire.”
My blood freezes as I switch over to the handheld radio and click the mic. “Did the caller give her name?”
“Cam Saber, Engine One. The caller is Cam Saber.”
