Chapter 8 #2
I pat her back. “I’m just glad he’s safe.”
“Jax,” Cap calls.
Extracting myself from her hold, I check on the boy again, reminding him about the truck, and head over to the captain. His helmet is off, gaze searching mine.
“Okay?”
Swallowing, I nod. “Good.”
His eyes narrow. “That was close.”
“I know,” I rasp.
There’s a haunted look in his eyes, telling him he knows what I was afraid would happen. “You did good, Jax. Kept calm. Protected them.”
My chest is still threatening to crack from the pressure, but I force a deep breath. “Where do you want me?”
He places his hands on my shoulder. “You did enough. Sit down. Recover.”
“Yes, sir.”
Before he pulls back, he lowers his voice. “I wish I could tell you it gets easier, it doesn’t, but you saved a life today, Jax. That’s something to be fucking proud of. Remember that when things don’t go to plan.”
When we lose a life, remember those you’ve saved.
Without our team getting here when we did, without me doing my job, there would be no fire rescues.
Taking his words to heart, I dip my head in acknowledgement and head to the truck, sitting down beside it, sucking in a lungful of air and holding it.
Breath control is one of the first things we learn.
The more you struggle to regulate your body, the less effective you’ll be.
By the time my breathing has evened out, the boy has finished up with his evaluation.
He tugs on his mom’s hand and points to me.
They head over, the boy bouncing on his toes, and even though I feel like I was dragged through hell, a grin tugs at my lips, and I climb to my feet.
“All right, let’s see how loud the sirens are.” I help him into the truck, a sudden rightness filling me. I may be the most useless Williams brother, but right now, I feel like I’m worth something. Like maybe, just maybe, I’ve found a way to make an impact.
I get off late, but I’m not ready to go home yet, so I take a detour to the store.
Junk food is a must after a day like today.
Once we confirmed everyone was safe and the fire was put out, some of us left while Captain stayed behind with the cops to investigate the cause even though we all know the reason.
Money grubbing builders cutting corners.
Big Ridge is a beautiful place, and it attracts a ton of people.
Unfortunately, that means we attract people who would love to take advantage of the town.
They buy up land and properties only to turn around and operate short term rentals, cutting down on the available housing for those of us who actually live here.
I find the first parking spot and get out of my truck, stretching my sore muscles as the humid air threatens to choke the life out of me.
Fighting fire is a lot like getting into a car crash.
Once the adrenaline is gone, my body aches from how hard I’d been tensing.
Sighing, I head inside, pausing to let Ms. Merle grab a cart before me.
The blast of cold air as I walk in the cart area is amazing, and I linger for a moment longer, cooling my overheated skin. Maybe I should get one of those ice bath things.
“Jax?”
My eyes flutter closed. I’m so tired I’m hearing the voice of an angel, but I don’t even question my possible descent into insanity because I’d give anything to see the owner of that voice again.
“Seriously, are you having some type of attack or are you blocking the carts on purpose just to be an ass?”
A smile cracks across my face. “See, I’m pretty sure angels aren’t supposed to cuss.
” I turn, catching Callie’s gaze. Her hair is swept into a messy ponytail, and she’s in workout clothes.
Flushed skin. Heaving chest. She may as well be dressed for the red carpet, because to me, she’s as gorgeous as ever.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
And an attitude I love. “Honestly, I don’t even know,” I admit. Callie isn’t an angel, she’s a goddess.
“Ooookay.” She searches my face, eyes widening after a moment. “Oh my god. Are you okay?”
“I am now, why?”
She squints at my quip but decides to let it go and gestures at my body. “You’re covered in. . . actually, I don’t know what it is.”
“Ash, soot, sweat. All of the above.”
Planting her hands on her hips, she lifts an eyebrow. “Jaxon Williams. Did you set someone’s house on fire?”
I love it when she scolds me. “Why? Need me to do it again?”
“Jax,” she murmurs, checking to make sure no one is around. “You didn’t—”
“Relax, Alley cat. I helped put out the fire this time.”
She pulls back. “You did?”
Nodding, I pull out a cart and step aside. “You’re looking at an almost employee of the brFD.”
For a second, all the bullshit that passed between us evaporates. “Holy shit! That’s amazing!” And then she immediately tempers her reaction. “I mean, that’s really good, Jax. Are you happy?”
Not without you by my side.
I haven’t been happy since you left.
The sun isn’t the same color of yellow when you’re gone, and the sky isn’t as blue.
I think I love you, and I have for a long time, but I don’t know how to tell you without making you run away again.
“Almost,” I tell her instead.
Her features fall. It seems our time apart hasn’t completely erased our bond.
She either knows what I’m thinking or knows I’m missing something.
I wonder if she knows that my brothers and I would do anything to turn back time and keep her with us.
That every year that she’s been gone we’ve all been dying inside a little more.
We exchange an awkward goodbye, and as I head off in my own direction, I wonder if she realizes the thing I’ve been missing is her.