I point at Reece. “That asshole sent out a video of my girlfriend from my email account. I left it open the other day. Forwarded it to everyone she works with, all because he’s fucking jealous!”
Reece spits a mix of blood and saliva on the ground next to him and stands up. “Jealous of what? Your slut of a girlfriend? The one who just goes around looking to open her legs for everyone in the PITCREW? I’d be surprised if she didn’t bang close to all of them already.”
I struggle out of their hold, lowering my shoulders and go full steam toward him. Hitting him straight in the gut, we fly to the ground, but it’s only for a brief moment before I’m pulled off him again.”
“Come on, Casen,” our driver, Troy, says, pushing me out of the room. “He isn’t worth it.”
I can hear Reece moaning in the other room, but I don’t give a shit. I shoulder out of Troy’s grip and head toward the door.
“Parker!” Captain yells. I turn and am surprised to find he’s already up on me. He escorts me the rest of the way out of the firehouse. “Go home. Now!”
I figured that might happen. Pointing back toward the door I ask, “You heard what he did, right, Cap?”
He looks up to the sky, like he’s praying for something, and then back down to me. “I did, son, but right now I don’t know what the hell to do with you two. A few days ago, I had to send you to the emergency room, and it looks like he’s headed there now. But I can’t have you here right now, and I think it’s time for a shift change. Maybe one of you needs to move to a new rotation. You two can’t work together any longer.”
He’s right. I don’t know that I can trust him anymore. He’s supposed to have my back and now I feel as though I’ll be looking over my shoulder.
“I understand. Do you want me to wait to see if you can get someone to come in?”
He shakes his head no. “Go on home. I got this. Just take the day and come see me tomorrow morning.”
Not having anything to grab from inside, I get in my truck and head back to Embyr’s place. For the first time in the last two days, she answers when I knock. Even though it’s been a couple hours she looks just as tired as before. Her eyes are bloodshot and her hair is in a messy ponytail. She’s wearing sweats. She says nothing as she lets the door open and walks to the couch, taking a seat. I sit next to her, reaching for her hand. She flinches, and it breaks my heart.
“Embyr, you have to know I didn’t do that. Please.” I beg. “I just saw Reece. He told me he did it when I found out I made Lieutenant and I left my email open.”
She responds softly. “I know.”
Lifting her chin up with one finger, I wipe away a tear with another. “If you know then we can work this out. I’ll go to your job and explain everything. I’ll tell them...”
“No.” She interrupts. “No. I already spoke to them. My job is secure. I go back fresh on Monday morning.”
“I’m so sorry this happened. Come on. Let’s go lie back in bed.” I rise to my feet but she doesn’t follow. She’s just shaking her head at me.
“No, Casen.” She swallows and glances up at me. “You have to leave. I can’t do this anymore. If I’m going to forgive and forget then I need to just be alone.”
I fall to my knees before her. “Baby, we can heal together. Don’t let Reece come between us. Please.”
“I need you to go.” She gets louder. “I need to be alone. I need to figure out who I am again. My past just keeps coming back to haunt me. I’ll never get away from it, and if I’m with you, then I’ll never forget it. It’ll just be in my face all the time.”
Widening her legs, I nestle between her and wrap my arms around her shoulders. “We can do this. It can be overcome. I promise. Let me show you. Give us a chance.”
Her sobs get louder. “No. Leave. Now!” She stands, stepping over me and walking down the hallway to her room and slamming the door.
Slamming it on us.
“Did Reece really do that?” Trinity asks from the kitchen.
Eyeing her from my place on the carpet I ask, “Have you been there the whole time?”
She mixes a spoon in her cup of coffee and walks over to me. “I have been. Tell me. Is Reece responsible for the video being sent to her work? You didn’t do it to get back at her?”
“Yes. He admitted it, and if you think that I would do something so cold then you are dead wrong. Your boyfriend is a fucking psycho.” I stand up and storm toward Embyr’s room.
I bang so hard a picture frame falls from the wall to the floor. It’s of her parents. I pick it up and put it gently back in its place.
“Go away, Casen, or I’m calling the cops!” she screams through her tears. I hear the heartbreak. It matches mine.
“I’m not giving up on you, Embyr,” I yell in the crack of the door. “We didn’t go through hell and back just to give up. I love you, and I’m going to fucking fight for you. You’re worth it!”
Slapping my hand one more time on her door before turning to leave.
