I glare at the crew. “Not a damn chance.”
Drake smirks. “Ember texted me, said Chief’s back looks like he’s been mauled by a tiger.”
The guys erupt in laughter. I shake my head, wishing I hadn’t bothered with lunch, but these guys deserve more than lunch, and I probably don’t show my gratitude enough. If it weren’t for them acting so quickly last night, there might not be any of Sera’s home left to salvage.
I clear my throat. “I just want to say?—”
“Ay up, lads, I feel a speech coming on. Let’s open the champagne,” Drake says, throwing his arm around his pal Phoenix.
I give him my best death stare, though the corner of my mouth twitches. “When you ladies are done, I just wanted to say… thank you. For last night. For showing up. You all went above and beyond.”
Bear lifts a wing in mock salute. “Aww, look at that. Chief has a heart.”
Hollywood smirks. “Nah, he’s just smitten.”
I point at him. “You keep talking, and you’ll be doing the holiday shift solo.”
“So, Chief, what’s the verdict on the bungalow?” Bear says, squeezing ketchup onto his burger.
“Fire marshal thinks it started in the living room wall socket. One of those plug-in scent diffusers overheated. Melted the outlet, caught the tree. By the time the smoke alarms tripped, it was already on the ceiling.”
Drake wipes sauce from his mouth. “That’s rough. Poor lass.”
“Yeah. Her nan used to use the same scent. She just… wanted it to smell the same.”
Phoenix grumbles with a mouthful. “Those things should be banned.”
“So, what happens now? Insurance gonna cover it?” Bear asks.
“Sera doesn’t know who the insurance is with.” I rub my forehead, relieving the tension there. “I’m sure her nan would have some in place. Just gonna take a while. But the fire marshal declared the structure safe for fire crew to enter. I’m heading over soon, see if there’s anything worth salvaging.”
Drake squeezes my shoulder. “I’ll come with you, Chief.”
A heavy silence settles for a moment before Phoenix breaks it. “Better take Bear with you. He’s good at lifting heavy emotional baggage.”
Bear huffs. “You mean furniture, jackass.”
The guys laugh again, lightening the mood, and I just smile, shaking my head. These guys might rib me about everything, but they’re my family.
Drake climbsinto the passenger seat of the command truck. I start the engine and pull out of the lot, heading towards Sera’s bungalow—or what’s left of it.
“So,” he says, buckling in with a smirk, “you finally made a move then?”
I snort, eyes fixed on the frosted windshield. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sure you don’t.” He stretches out his legs, settling back in the seat. “You look tired but happy about it.”
I tighten my grip on the steering wheel. “It was a long night.”
Drake chuckles. “Yeah, I bet it was.”
“Drop it.” My voice is gruffer than I intended.
He raises an eyebrow. “Come on, Chief. You can lie to the others, but I’ve seen the way you look at her. Hell, I’ve seen the way she looks at you. You two have been dancing around each other since Halloween.”
“Drake—”
“You think I don’t notice things? I’ve sat through enough Sunday lunches at your place to know you belong together.”
