I was in the same funkIhad been in for the last forty-eight hours, and it was all because of her.
“What’s going on with the neighbor?Theniece?”
A grunt asIdropped down from the pull-up bar was my only response toDrew’squestion.
He let out a sharp laugh. “Ah.Ishould have known.You’reinto her.”
“I was,”Isaid asIheld out my hands in defense. “Happy?”
“Was?”
I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to ease the stress that had knotted up there ever sinceAurorahad stormed out of my place. “Isaid some stupid shit.Shegot mad.Igot mad.Itis what it is.”
“What happened?”
I gaveDrewthe basic details—Auroracoming over to eat.Thingsgetting hot and heavy.Meopening my mouth like a fucking idiot rather than just kissing her.WhenItold him about the fire on the beach, his demeanor shifted.
Drew was easy going ninety percent of the time.Thatother ten percent was when he was working and had a game-face on.Icould always trust that, when the tones dropped, he was all business.
“I may have overreacted,”Iadmitted whenIgot to the end of the story—howIhad thrownAuroraonto her couch, made sure her ankle was up and iced, then stormed out. “Shewas just having a good time with friends.Lordknows she deserves to have a little fun after everything she’s been through.”
Drew lifted his eyebrows. “Shein trouble or something?”
ButIjust waved it off.Itwasn’t my place to shareAurora’sbusiness withDrew. “Nah.Justsome personal shit.”
“You didn’t happen to clue her in as towhyyou have a tendency to jump down people's throats when they’re not making the exact personal safety choices you deem appropriate?”
I glared at him.
“I’ll take that as a no.”
“I don’t need people to make the same choicesIwould.Ijust need them not to be willfully reckless.”
“Did you ever stop to think that the drive and motivation that make you a good firefighter also make you a terrible friend?”
I hated whenDrewgot philosophical with me.Itdidn’t happen often, but when it did, it was usually becauseIwas being stupid, and he was the only one who was ballsy enough to say it to my face.
I knew exactly what he was talking about, andIknew that he was right.Butthat didn’t meanIliked it.
A digital bell chimed overhead and the intercom crackled. “Visitors,”Chiefclipped before turning off the feed.
That was the station-wide warning for “make sure you have pants on and be on your best behavior.”
Drew grabbed a towel and mopped up his face before pulling his station t-shirt back on.Iwas halfway through doing the same thing when someone called my name.
“Wharton,”Chiefsaid as he strolled in. “Youdecent?”
“Yes, sir,”Isaid with my head and one arm in my shirt.Therest was bunched up around my shoulders.
“Ladies,”Chiefsaid toward the door.
That caught my attention.Iyanked my shirt down asAuroraand her friends crowded in the gym doorway.
Chief looked around. “Maybetake ‘em outside or show ‘em around.”Hismustache twitched. “Itsmells in here.”
“Hey,”Isaid asIscrubbed my hand down my face, just to make sure the beads of sweat were gone. “Uh—hi.I. . .”Istopped stammering long enough to get my bearings.
Aurora didn’t look too sure of herself either.Whatwas she doing here?WasIhallucinating her standing in the middle of the station?
