Asher
WALKER
This thing tonight at the Ashbys’. You only got one single one left in this group, right? She coming tonight?
ME
I dunno.
ME
But they’re all off-limits. Got it?
It’s a lie. I know she’s single, and I know she’s coming. But over my dead fuckin’ body is Walker hitting on Liv.
WALKER
Just curious, Jesus.
I glance to my left out the window and notice Walker’s truck is back in the parking lot after his last call.
ME
Are you texting me from down the hall?
WALKER
Yep.
ME
Why?
WALKER
I was gonna come in but you were wearing your don’t-fuck-with-me face.
ME
I was working out.
WALKER
Still scary AF.
WALKER
If it was anyone but you, I’d think you got in a fight with a woman last night.
ME
Putting my phone down now. If you want to talk to me, grow some nuts and come down here.
WALKER
I’ll wait till tonight when there are other people around.
Shaking my head, I set my phone down on the weight bench in the gym of the firehall, sweat dripping from my brow. It’s been a fucking morning. We had a shit call where a man wrapped himself around a tree. Already drinking and driving at ten-thirty in the goddamn morning. It was all on the back end of yesterday’s double shift. I love this job, but I don’t love being short-staffed, overworked, and exhausted most of the time. Our new firehall on the outskirts of town was finished just last year. It’s shinier than we needed in this county, but the board pushed it through. They’ve also pushed us more money to bring in two new permanent hires, but getting staffed properly takes time. We’re stretched thin. It’s not always the job people think it is, but it’s worth it and rewarding if you can save someone, their pets, or their home. Even better if it’s all three. There’s a deep satisfaction I find in this career, one I’ve only just discovered since freeing myself from the evil clutches of my father’s world and forgiving myself for my mother’s death. The death Icouldn’tsave her from. Protecting people who need it has been my main goal ever since, and I’ve come to the conclusion that this could be part of why I’m so drawn to Olivia. I just can’t stand the idea of her being in need and not being there.
