What in the hell was that? It sounded like something falling.
I didn’t waste any time turning down the music, instead placing the wine on the table then heading downstairs. What in the hell was that smell?
Something nutty. Something… burned.
Sasha whinnied from her stall. My nerves on edge, I rushed toward her.
Only to notice smoke.
CHAPTER 28
Axe
I threw open my locker door and tossed my bag onto the bench behind me. I stunk of sweat and soot.
“Listen up.”
Hearing Jameson’s voice didn’t surprise me. On the way to the fire I’d heard he’d become second in command just underneath the captain. Well deserved, although his command would take some getting used to.
Dante flanked my side, his locker two away from mine. He still had a shit-eating grin on his face. And I still wanted to give him the finger.
“We have representatives from the Forestry Service who will be gracing us with their presence on Wednesday afternoon. Everyone is expected to be here. Got it?”
Why was it that my brother was staring me down?
“What?” I threw out as everyone glanced in my direction.
“That includes you too.Rookie.”
The entire locker room erupted with laughter.
“To hell with all of you!” I yelled after cupping my hands around my mouth. They continued ribbing me, the bastards. I stripped off my shirt, placing my phone on the shelf before unfastening my belt. A long, hot shower was definitely needed.
The timing of the flash of my screen indicating an incoming call correlated to a buzzing sound coming from the communications system.
“Shit,” Rock snarled. “Another goddamn fire.”
I grabbed my phone, answering it immediately without bothering to look at the screen. “Sterling.”
“Axe, it’s Wade. Don’t hang up! Please.”
“Now isn’t the time, Wade. Plus, I don’t think we have anything to talk about. You made your point. We’re no longer friends.”
Wha. Wha. Wha.
The alarm continued to go off, the smokejumpers moving closer to the door in hopes of learning what the hell was going on. The alarm didn’t automatically mean we were headed out.
“Axe. Shut up. It’s the barn. I was going to see her and saw the smoke and…” The man was out of breath. What the hell was he bothering me for?
“What?” I was barely paying him any attention. He wasn’t making a damn bit of sense.
“The barn is on fire. Listen to me.”
“Then call the…” I shifted away from the group, turning my full attention to him. “What are you saying?” Now I noticed the hint of terror in his voice. “What’s on fire?”
“I’m saying the barn is on fire. I’ve tried calling the fire department. They’re on other calls.”
I pulled the phone away from my ear, trying to find out what the hell was being said on the intercom.
