Heat stings behind my eyes.
I even miss Keo, because although he’s here with me… it’s like he isn’t. It honestly hurts worse.
Ugh. Fuck me.
Keoni
What am I doing?
Working. You?
Delete.
I hope you’re in bed, you looked tired when I left.
Delete.
Give Clover warm milk before bed, you’ll be her best friend.
Delete.
If you want, you can sleep in my bed while I’m not there. It’s far more comfortable.
Delete.
Those are all the things my heart wants me to say, but my brain knows better.
Instead of starting a conversation that will never end, I toss my phone into my locker and head to the secured patio of Station 151. It’s located furthest east in Maple Falls, about a fifteen-minute drive from the cabin.
Being a firefighter wasn’t always the plan—I’d dreamed of one day playing in the NFL—but my gut told me to pursue a more meaningful career.
No offense to the players, but helping people over entertaining them felt more like my calling. I’ve been in this line of work since graduating from Arizona State University with a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. I’d initially thought about becoming a police officer, but firefighting fit me better.
Fire has always held a special place in my heart. Sure, my job is to put it out, but to me, it’s still beautiful—warm and inviting whencontrolled, and I’ve always been that: Control.
Slipping through the sliding glass door, I see my company, one man and two women, sitting around, chatting.
“Pierce, glad you decided to join us,” Corey says with a cheeky grin, leaning back in his chair.
“Robertson.”
“Come on, guys,” the redhead, Taylor, says while leaning back in her chair. “Leave the last names to the other companies to call us.” She’s got her hair air-drying, hanging over the metal railing and swaying in the light breeze.
Kali crosses her arms over her chest. “Tell us, Arizona, how was lugging all that gear in over a hundred-and-ten-degree weather?”
“A nightmare.” I move to sit in the empty chair, right between her and Corey.
“I bet,” he says while taking a long swig of his drink. “Why’d you move here? I hear Scottsdale’s filled with rich, hot women.”
“And men,” Taylor says with a giggle.
“Guys, come the fuck on.” Kali quite literally rolls her eyes back, her thick brows raised so high I’m surprised they don’t jump from her forehead. “Let’s use our brains.”
“It’s fine.”
“No,” she continues. “The last name Pierce. Ring any bells? There is only one family here by that name… and what just recently happened.”
“Ah, shit.” Corey leans forward and slaps my arm. “I’m sorry, man.”
