Page 101 of Asystole

“No, we can’t. But we could save her,” I reply, pushing my flight suit down my legs and stepping out of my shoes to fully remove it.

“Look, Logan, the stunt you pulled in Montana to save your friend’s life was heroic. We admired that, but⁠—”

“But it was only heroic because it didn’t cost you a dime,” I finish for him.

“I’m sorry, but the CEO wants me to let you go, effective immediately.”

I stare at him with wide eyes.

“For doing my damn job? Make it make sense, Mark.”

I can’t lose my job. It’s not like there’s a ton of opportunities for helicopter pilots around here. Besides, Chase and I are finally getting somewhere. I just told him I could support him if he switches residency programs. I need this job. I don’t want to run anymore. I don’t want to move on to the next thing. I want to stay here… with him. I want to help save lives, like he does.

My panic is rising.

I don’t want to let Chase down.

“I’m sorry,” Mark continues. “David doesn’t want a wildcard on the team. He needs to know his orders will be followed without question.”

“But that’s insane. I fucking saved her life!” I bellow in the small space. I know I should shut my damn mouth. Yelling at my boss isn’t going to help me keep my job, but dammit, they’re wrong. This is wrong.

“My hands are tied, Logan. Clean out your locker and head home. You’re done.”

It only took sixteen minutes after landing for them to fire me.

I am terrified to tell Chase. Mostly because it means crushing his dreams.

When I get home, I push my bedroom door open, set my bag down, and head straight into my bathroom for a quick shower. As soon as the day…well, night…is washed off me, I towel myself dry, slip into clean boxers, and climb into⁠—

A huge, warm body is sprawled across my bed.

Chase.

He’s still asleep as I carefully slide in beside him, but he instinctively throws an arm across my chest and burrows into my side.

I rub my hand along the thick forearm now draped across my body. A second later, his lips find my skin, and I smile.

Sneaky bastard.

“You forget where your room is?” I tease quietly.

“No, but I like yours better because it smells like you.”

My heart threatens to fucking explode.

“Does it?” I ask, my whisper full of gravel, giving away the emotions I feel.

“Mmhm,” Chase hums, skimming his hand across my body.

“Keep doing that, and neither of us will be sleeping for the foreseeable future,” I warn, pushing the shitshow that was my night to the back of my mind. Chase’s body heat helps my tension melt away.

“Just making sure you’re really here,” he says, his words getting trapped in my armpit as he nuzzles closer.

“I’m really here,” I confirm, holding him to me tightly, doing my best to convey that he’s not alone, he’s safe, and he’s always welcome in my arms.

When I wake up four hours later, his side of the bed is empty. After brushing my teeth, I grab a T-shirt and have it slipped halfway over my head when warm hands land on my torso.

The cheesy grin Chase gives me causes my own smile to spread across my face as my head pokes through the neck hole.