Chapter 2
Lissa I bit my lower lip and clenched my fists in order to keep my job.
Captain Grayson Cole continued to tell me exactly where I messed up today during training.
The worst part was that he never yelled.
Just his quiet, steady scolding. I could feel the heat of my anger crawling up my neck.
None of this would have happened if Thorne didn’t play around so much.
“You are both lucky that none of the hydraulic tools broke.” Captain Cole finally sat down with a sigh.
The state issued a list of training required by all firefighters in order to stay current.
This month’s training exercise was a refresher on all the lifesaving hydraulic tools. “Is this what you call getting along?”
“We don’t get along,” I answered quickly. Probably too quickly based off Captain’s raised eyebrow. “He rubs me the wrong way. The only reason I haven’t said anything is because he normally knows how to do his damn job and cooperates on a run.”
“Funny, Thorne said you two were close and that your friendly competition went a little too far.”
I took a deep breath in through my nose. That’s what Thorne called friendly competition? I can’t even imagine how he reacted to the captain’s lecture. He probably brushed it off as soon as he left the office.
I breathed out and uncurled my hands. “Again, I’m sorry for my part. I’d like to formally ask to work with a different partner.”
He studied me long and hard. “Honestly, you two work well together. I’m surprised to hear your request to move.
That being said, I really can’t move people around right now.
It was hard enough getting the schedule we have to work.
I’ll let you know if something changes.” The captain stood up.
“In the meantime, try to get along with your partner. Maybe find a common interest, like cleaning up the mess you both made out back.”
“I’m on it. Play nice and clean up.”
The captain shook his head as I left his office and walked down the hall into the lounge area.
The lounge was equipped with tables, chairs, and a few couches, as well as a pool table off to the side.
A large glass wall overlooked the bay where the trucks parked downstairs.
Thorne headed straight for me as soon as I entered.
Thorne strolled over to me with that perpetual smile on his face. His black hair wasn’t long enough to reach his dark blue eyes so he couldn’t use that as an excuse to not see my anger.
“Can you believe the captain thinks we don’t get along?” he laughed and patted my shoulder.
“We don’t get along,” I gritted through my teeth.
Thorne’s eyes widened. “What?”
“You think I’m joking when I’m serious. It’s like you can’t read people’s faces.
Captain now knows we don’t get along because you annoy me.
When we’re training, I don’t wanna play around.
Both of us almost got hurt. We almost destroyed the Jaws of Life.
Why would you insist on using it when it made dat noise? Do you know how much dat cost?”
His smile disappeared. “You’re serious?”
“Yes. Get your act together.”
I turned and walked toward the stairs. I needed to work off this anger.
As I reached the stairs, I heard Thorne ask, “Does she hate me?”
“If she hated you, she wouldn’t talk to you,” someone said. Maybe Hank. Maybe Phoenix. I couldn’t tell at the moment. I just needed to get away.
Lissa I walked into the fire station for my next shift knowing I’d have to talk this out with Thorne. After putting my things away in my locker, I turned to find Thorne standing right behind me.
“Jesus,” I said while putting a hand over my heart.
“Sorry,” Thorne said. “I have an idea.”
He smiled, and I pursed my lips. I didn’t want to admit how handsome he was when he smiled. Good looks wouldn’t soothe my anger.
“An idea for what?”
“For us to get along better.”
“We get along on calls and that’s all we need. We just need some boundaries.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
“I really didn’t know I annoyed you so much. Just listen to my idea.”
“We need to talk anyway.” I walked past Thorne and led him to one of the empty offices.
We sat across from each other, and I started. “Listen. We don’t need to be friends. We just need to be able to work together, which we’ve done well over the last few years. I just need you to stop messing around while we work.”
“I don’t play when we are on a run, and you know that.” His eyes narrowed in on me, and I raised an eyebrow. I’d never seen him serious outside a call before.
I leaned forward and put my elbows on my knees. “I mean play while training, while discussing work, while in this building. There are times when everyone can relax, but you don’t have to make a joke during every meeting and throughout training.”
“Fine.” Thorne leaned forward mirroring me. “But we need to have a better relationship. Maybe not friends, but we should get to know each other. We’ve worked together for two years. We should have a better understanding of each other.”
I fought rolling my eyes. “And how do you suggest we do that?”’
His eyes lit up, and he smiled.