Rescued Duty (Last Chance Fire and Rescue #5)

Chapter 17

SEVENTEEN

Z ack pulled the firehouse gym weight up to his chest, then released the bar and let it bounce on the floor. He picked it up again for another set of reps and blew out a breath. More like steam at this point.

Every muscle in his upper body burned, yet somehow the feeling was therapeutic. There were several tasks still on his to-do list today, including a stop at the Kirbys’ house to finalize plans for the New Blooms Spring Festival tomorrow with the boys. Something that had been put on the back burner thanks to all the other events that had him fighting to stay alive. But he needed his head on straight before he completed anything.

Which was why he was listening to worship music through his earbuds. Not exactly the first go-to when working out. But the drumbeat kept the songs moving, and the lyrics motivated him to think on what truly mattered in life.

He’d read through his parents’ case again last night and planned to research more about the firefighting foam and extinguishers on the market. Still, the answers he needed seemed hidden behind a fog and left Zack squinting in the haziness to figure out the path forward. It irked him that Powells had information on a culprit but wasn’t willing to disclose the name. All of it could end now if the guy spoke up.

Zack put the weights back, then moved to the pull-up bar. He hefted himself up and did a set. The door closed behind him, and Eddie made his way in.

“You’re about ready to fly off the wall, man. Practicing to be cast as the next superhero?” Eddie straddled a bench and grinned.

Zack grabbed his water bottle and took a sip, then joined Eddie on the adjacent bench. “You know, I was just thinking that workout might be a good video to add to my application.” He laughed.

Although, that was Eddie’s area of expertise. His friend had been working toward getting a grant to start up a youth center for underprivileged kids in the community. A place for them to go to stay out of trouble, especially in the wintertime. If the paperwork was approved, Eddie would become those kids’ hero like in the movies.

Except, on the big screen, the superheroes didn’t really save anyone. There were safety measures already in place, like foam mats and escape routes to make sure no one actually got hurt. And that wasn’t the case in real life.

“The hero is supposed to save people from harm, not get them mixed up in more trouble.” Zack propped his elbows on his knees.

“Good thing you don’t have to be the hero of your own story then.” Eddie winked.

Right. He couldn’t save himself, or anyone else for that matter. He had the head knowledge of that truth, but the follow-through of living it out proved harder. “I’ve already been the reason for enough trouble in life. I don’t want to let people down.”

“How so?” Eddie cocked his head, his eyes focused on Zack.

Zack swallowed. “I’ve been investigating my parents’ cold case.” He sighed. “Naya tagged along to help. After the incident at Powells’s house, I told her I’d handle it alone.”

“She didn’t take it too well?” Eddie propped his hands on the bench. “You couldn’t have known someone would find out about the investigation and start targeting you. Plus, you can’t control someone else’s response.”

Zack frowned. “I know she can hold her own, but I don’t want her getting hurt. Not on my account.” Heat rose on the edges of Zack’s ears.

“We all want to help each other. Maybe this is her way of showing it.”

Zack ran his hand along his jaw. “Naya’s back in my life for the first time in years. I finally have a chance to make it right with her. To pursue something more than a friendship. I could even close my parents’ case. But risking our lives? I don’t know, man.”

Please don’t let her stubbornness get in the way of wisdom, Lord. And help me know what I should do.

He wanted to show Naya and the team what he had to offer. But he couldn’t do that if they got hurt in the process.

“Whatever happens, you aren’t in this alone.” Eddie propped his hands behind him and leaned back. “You care about people. They know it and care about you too.”

Without coming out and saying it, Eddie had still dug under the surface to what Zack was really processing. “You, Naya, the crew. You’re all my family.” Zack leaned forward, hands on his knees. There, he’d said it. And in the same moment, he wanted to tuck that statement under lock and key where nothing could strip his hope.

He was the goofy guy on the team. The one who got the job done and observed his coworkers from a distance, careful not to share too much of life.

He’d lost his family once.

The reality that something could happen again to those he’d come to love was like a dark storm cloud that hovered over him, threatening to open up at a moment’s notice.

Zack shoved his hands in his pockets and stood.

“Exactly. We’re all your family, dude. And we stick by each other through thick and thin. You’re one of us, and you can’t do anything to have it taken away. Isn’t that the gospel?”

Eddie’s rhetorical question prodded at the lies Zack held on to. Yet there was no condemnation in his friend’s demeanor. Only kindness. Trying to help him remember.

“You’ve been brought into God’s family because of His love. And you can’t do anything to get kicked out.” Eddie smiled. “I can’t speak for everyone else, but your true family won’t leave you, no matter what happens. And you’ve got at least one brother right here.” Eddie stood and slapped Zack on the shoulder.

A cheesy grin formed on Eddie’s face. Zack raised an eyebrow. “What’s that look for?”

“Since we’re brothers, I also need to state the obvious, dude.” Eddie shook his head. “You like Naya, big time.”

There was no use hiding the fact. “You say it like it is.”

“And you’re not denying it,” Eddie said.

“I want to be someone she can trust. Someone who reminds her of her worth.” Not because of what she did but because of who and whose she was. A daughter of the King.

“Then tell her that.” Eddie shrugged.

“Because of our past, it feels complicated.” Zack grabbed a roller, then sat on the mat.

“How so?”

“She’s already been hurt and let down by men. When I disappeared from her life when we were teens, I basically handed her a loss that settled deep in her veins. I became another statistic on her record.” Zack dug the roller into his leg muscles to work out the knots.

“Does she know the whole story?”

“No. But I’m not sure how much it would change. She hasn’t verbalized it, but I can see it in her eyes. She half expects me to up and leave again.”

“Give her a chance to hear the truth from you. Then she can make a decision.”

Zack didn’t want to entertain the thought of losing her again. But would telling the truth be worth it?

“Don’t be afraid to open up.” Eddie jabbed his finger in Zack’s chest. “You’ll figure out how to care for and protect her best.” His friend broke eye contact and stared at the wall, like he was preaching to himself.

In the meantime, Zack would help those who’d become his family. He would show up for them. Because that’s what family did. They stuck close by in adversity.

He might not have told Naya all the details about that long-ago day yet, but he’d prove to her he wouldn’t leave again.

He’d touch base with her and invite her to the spring festival tomorrow. Not only would it give him peace of mind that she would be nearby, but after the truck run, they could enjoy the festivities together. That was, if she wasn’t mad at him after their conversation earlier.

“I’m heading over to the Kirbys’ house to run through the plan for tomorrow’s parade with the guys.” Zack grabbed his duffel bag from the gym cubby.

Eddie waved to him, then started his own workout.

Zack changed and headed out to his rental car. He sent a short message to Naya about tomorrow before pulling out of the firehouse.

When he got to the home, several of the boys, including Karson, Andrew, and Carlos, were outside playing a pickup game of basketball.

Zack hopped out of the driver’s seat and waved his hands. “I’m open!”

Karson chest-bumped him the ball. Zack spun and made his way around the perimeter of the court, keeping his hand out to ward off his opponents, and went in for a slam dunk.

Cheers erupted.

“I call dibs on Zack.”

“No way, bro. He’s on our team.” The boys bickered.

“Who’s winning right now?” Zack scanned the group.

“We are.” Andrew’s hand shot in the air, then he pointed to his team members.

“Great. I’ll join Karson’s team. Level the playing field.” Zack winked.

Before they could argue, Zack passed the ball, and the game restarted. When they finished, Zack grabbed his belongings from the car.

“I call for a rematch.” Carlos stuck his chin in the air.

“We’ve got some business to attend to first. If there’s time afterwards, we’ll hit the court again.”

Thankfully, the boys agreed without any objections, and they headed inside. The three boys who were helping Zack with the truck run followed him into the kitchen, and the rest headed in separate directions.

Zack spread out papers on the table. “This is the map for our route tomorrow during the parade. We’ll toss out candy along the way for those who are gathered on the sidewalk.”

“Will we get to blare the siren?” Karson sat up in his seat.

“There’s three blocks, so I think we can arrange for each of you to do it once.”

The boys high-fived each other.

“We’re going to start at the firehouse. I already spoke with Mr. and Mrs. Kirby about meeting us tomorrow morning. What time do you need to be ready to go?” The Kirbys would make sure the guys arrived on time, but Zack still wanted the kids to realize it was their responsibility to be prepared.

“Eight,” Carlos said.

“That’s so early,” Andrew moaned.

“It’s later than when we have to get up for school.” Carlos shrugged.

“I know I can count on all of you,” Zack said. “Once we finish the route, there will be a tent set up near the city hall where we’ll hand out more candy, stickers, and fliers about the firehouse.”

“This is awesome. We’re going to be famous for a day.” Carlos pumped his fist in the air.

Zack smiled. This was what made investing in these kids worth it. Showing them they had value. They weren’t forgotten or unseen. No matter how trivial the experience appeared to onlookers, this event would be a highlight for the boys.

Looking around at each of these boys, Zack couldn’t help but see himself in them. Their enthusiasm and determination in life. How amazing would it be to show these kids they had family surrounding them too? Like Eddie had done for Zack.

A crazy thought crossed his mind. What if Zack adopted some foster boys? The undertaking would be hard to manage by himself. But if he had a wife…

Would Naya ever consider adoption? He didn’t know for sure, and he was definitely jumping the gun, but the thought of raising kids alongside Naya prickled his skin with goosebumps. Zack shook his head. He couldn’t put stipulations on a relationship that didn’t even exist.

Zack cleared his throat. “Any questions on what we just went over?”

“Um…” Karson’s eyes darted all over the room. “Do we have to have a tent by the city hall?”

Zack took note of the teen’s quiet voice. Something wasn’t right. “It’s at the end of the route in a central location. Do you have another suggestion?”

“Will I get in trouble for disagreeing?”

“Not at all. Your opinion is valid.”

Karson swallowed. “I heard Green Warriors is going to be there. And some people aren’t too happy about that. What if there’s a confrontation?”

Zack steeled his jaw. He wanted these kids to have a better life, not get caught up in the wrong crowd or worry about being pegged as part of the wrong crowd.

“You guys focus on our booth, and I’ll make sure nothing happens.

Zack wouldn’t let the rift between Ethos and Green Warriors affect the teens’ contribution tomorrow. Eddie and the rest of the crew would make sure of it too. They were family, and family stuck by each other no matter what would come their way.