“Gonna pass on that,” I scoff. Because no woman will ever be Shelby Brooks.
“Why don’t you bite the bullet and ask Shelby out?” Haden asks. He seems to have guessed that she’s on my mind, again. “Grady isn’t her father, man. She is a grown-ass woman who can make her own choices.”
“Ihaveasked her out, and she’s turned me downtwice.” I don’t mention the fact that I stole a kiss last night, a kiss that plays over and over in my mind.
“You don’t seem like the kind of guy that gives up that easy. But women like Shelby are pretty hard to please. She isn’t looking for a fling and shit like that. So unless you are seriously into her, I’d be wary.”
I frown. “Yeah, I know. I get that.”
The alarm sounds, and both Haden and I are on our feet in seconds. No time to shower, no time to think. Just suit up and move.
We meet the other guys on the way to the assembly point. Everyone listens to the call—a motor vehicle accident involving a pick-up truck and a car, with minor injuries. Witnesses can’t confirm if there’s any smoke on the scene.
We pull on our gear and hit the sirens. I get into the pumper truck with Haden by my side. I just hope it’s not a severe accident. I think these callouts are the absolute worst, at least for me.
When we arrived at the scene, the pick-up truck had veered off to the side. There’s no steam or smoke as confirmed. A burly guy, who I assume is the truck driver, is being tended to by a medic. He seems to have a bump on his forehead. I look at the windshield and figure he bashed himself into it.
The real commotion is the petite chestnut-haired beauty yelling at him, her hands flailing about. My heart skips a beat, fuck does she look hot in anything. Her white dress sits just above the knee, tan arms and legs, she’s delectable. She seems all right, but fuck do I need to make sure of it myself. The other driver yells something back at her, and I clench my fists as I make my way over. I could punch him for raising his voice to her.
“Whoa! Let’s take it down a notch, you two, okay?” I ask, and Shelby spins toward me. There is a hint of something in her eyes, surprise maybe, but it’s gone before I can decipher it. Green eyes hold me captive, and for a second, I want to take her in my arms. “Are you hurt?” I reach for her chin, turning her face from side to side. The driver cocks a brow at that, and I drop my hand instantly. She tucks her hair behind her ears, clearing her throat.
“I am fine, but I want this fixed, and this asshole insists that I need to pay for the damages myself.” She motions to the rear end of her car. Thank goodness it’s not a massive dent. It can be knocked out, sanded down, painted, and it’ll be as good as new. But the way her face reddens tells me that she doesn’t give a shit about that. She wants the other driver to admit he was wrong.
“How about you, Sir? You good?”
“Just a flesh wound. I’m great. She is the one who hit the brakes too slowly,” The truck driver drawls. “The light was green. What the hell got into you?” he directs that to Shelby, whose eyes widen.
She shakes her head. “The lightjustturned green, and I was in drive, another car hit an amber light right in front of me, asshole. Look at my car!”
“Lady, that ain’t nothing I can’t fix in my shop. Bring it over. But I am not paying you what these other mechanics in town charge.” The trucker shakes his head.
“The main thing is that nobody was hurt, well, seriously.” I look to the trucker who is giving me the stink eye. “The cops will be here to take a statement. I don’t think either of you will need a tow truck?”
“Yeah. She’s good to go,” the man grumbles, looking over at his truck lovingly. “You teach your little girlfriend here how to drive, ya hear?” the man tells me.
“Why you—” Shelby snaps, her tiny hands reaching out. I grab hold of them, frowning down at him.
“I’ll drive you home,” I tell her. I am not about to let her slap a man when he’s offering to fix her truck.
“What? No. I am perfectly capable of getting home on my own.”
The trucker snickers, and I cast him a warning glare.
“Shelby, can you not be stubborn for once in your life. You’re shaken up. Let me help.”
“Fine,” she snaps, her arms folded across her chest.
After the cops take their statements, I let Haden know I’m dropping Shelby off. It’s my last call for the day anyway. This is met with catcalls and winks, I know good ol’ Grady will hear about.
I open the passenger door for her, and she climbs in. She smells of cinnamon and honey. “Well, that’s hours of my life I won’t get back,” she mutters under her breath, running her hands through her hair.
I ignore that, shut the door, and walk around the front of the car, climbing into the driver’s seat. “Do we need to pick Brody up?” I ask, turning toward her.
“No, that’s okay. Grady will drop him off before dinner.” I nod. I can’t help but stare as her white dress rides up slightly, displaying a hint of thigh. How I’d like to run my fingers over it, feel how smooth they are to the touch.
“Eyes up, slick.” She snaps.
“Yes, Ma’am.” I smirk as I pull out onto the road. “Your brake fluid needs changing,” I tell her after driving down the street.
