Page 29 of Dueling Flames

Thorne lay down and laughed. “He walks into it every time.”

When the shift ended, Thorne pulled us down to the weight room.

“Pull-up time. First to 100 wins. You have ten minutes.” Thorne looked between the two of us. A few of the others that just got off duty milled about. Thorne spent all day spreading the news of the competition and pumping Trevor up. So now at 8:15 a.m., we were below the pull-up bars ready to race.

Saint and I liked to compete after work on the off chances we worked together. It didn’t happen often, but I appreciated the challenge. Thorne convinced me to go up against him once. We tied. By the end we moved at the same speed.

“Ready?” Thorne looked down at the timer on his phone. “On go. Three, two, one, go!”

We both jumped up and started. I chose a steady pace. Practiced and even movements, relying on strength and endurance. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Trevor speed through the first fifteen or so, then slowed down. By count sixty, my shoulders began to feel it. I hit eighty and realized that Trevor was behind. His fast start hurt him in the long run. My arms, abs, and shoulders burned as I hit ninety.

Trevor grunted with each rep, but I could still hear Thorne counting my reps over Trevor’s groans.

“95. 96. You got it,” Thorne said.

Phoenix, who worked nights, counted for Trevor. “90. 91. 92. 92 and a half.”

“One more Lissa.” Thorne looked like he was buzzing. This was the only time I let myself look at anyone during the challenge.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Trevor let out.

“And 100!” Thorne yelled.

I landed on the ground with a big smile, shaking out my arms. Thorne hugged me, then lifted up one of my arms.

“And the winner is Melissa Bein of Firehouse 99.”

The small crowd cheered while Trevor’s eyes were as big as saucers. “You counted wrong. There’s no way she won. I had such a big head start.”

I smirked. “I am the tortoise to your hare.”

“This is some bullshit,” Trevor yelled and walked out of the gym.

Phoenix gave me a fist bump. “You know he’ll take that out on you next shift.”

“Yeah, but it feels so good right now.”

Thorne

We returned to the apartment building after the doctor cleared me to walk without the air cast. My foot was free. I still walked a little funny, but I was walking. Lissa laughed as I spun in a circle on my good leg.

“You’re going to hurt yourself.”

“Will you take care of me again if I do?” I kissed her cheek and opened the door for her.

Inside we noticed a small crowd. Pete, the maintenance man, pushed his way through the crowd.

“Hey Pete,” I waved him over. “What’s with all the people?”

“Finally got the elevator working. I think everyone just wants a go on it.”

“Oh. Thanks man.” I waved as Pete walked off.

“Don’t thank me,” he said over his shoulder. “Just took that long to get the experts to come fix the damn thing.”

Lissa and I stood in the lobby, both looking over at the small crowd. The elevator was working. I could easily move home. My stomach dropped. I liked living with Lissa. Her home held a type of warmth that mine missed. Or maybe Lissa herself was the warmth.

I looked over at her, and she smiled. “What do you want to do?”