Chapter 4 #2
Miles turned and a smile lit up his face. “Hey, man. I didn’t even see you guys.” He stood, exchanging a typical guy hug with Zack. “We all heard about your ice save today. Looks like our training came in handy.”
My body tensed at the reminder of the call from this morning. The one where I failed. And what did Miles mean by our training?
“Yeah, hopefully the boy pulls through.”
My stomach dropped and I whipped my gaze up to Zack. My head felt like it was swimming. “Wait… I thought he didn’t make it.”
Zack turned to me and his usually bright expression instantly faded as he stared at me.
No doubt the hurt and confusion on my face had him spinning.
I pulled my gaze away quickly and brought my drink to my lips, taking a long sip.
The last I had heard he was still unresponsive.
Although I didn’t think to follow up again.
“Adam and Lyla got an update toward the end of shift. It took more than an hour, but they were able to bring him back.” Zack’s tone was more serious than I was used to hearing.
“That happens more than you realize with cold water drownings,” Miles added with a clipped nod. “The thought is rapid cooling slows the need for oxygen, protecting the heart and brain.”
Zach was nodding, like this was all common knowledge to him. But his tone was still grim when he added, “They don’t know the extent of any brain damage yet, though.”
My legs suddenly felt weak, and I felt myself sway. Was it the alcohol? Or had the sudden new information I was just given hit me that hard? Before I even realized what was happening, both Miles and Zack were reaching for me.
“Whoa there,” Miles whispered.
I leaned closer to him, but I didn’t miss the fact that Zack still had a hand on my back. I was literally sandwiched between two hot, muscular men. I giggled. “Hmm. This could be fun.”
A growl rumbled in Zack’s chest. “Maybe I should drive you home. You’re drunk.”
I pinned him with a stare that hopefully translated to ‘get lost.’ Or maybe ‘fuck you.’ Because of course he had to go and open his mouth. “You’re more fun when you don’t talk.”
Miles chuckled. “That was the consensus growing up too.”
I glanced between the two of them and took another sip of my drink. “You two grew up together?”
“Yup.” Miles raised a brow at Zack. “And it seems not much has changed. We’re still interested in the same girl.”
Zack shook his head. “She’s one of us. Just looking out.”
Miles looked at Zack skeptically and then down at me with admiration. “Firefighter or EMT?”
“Dispatch.” Zack and I said simultaneously.
“Ah.” The admiration was still there as Miles nodded. “Gotcha.”
I half expected him to be disappointed. In my experience people didn’t find my job to be nearly as impressive as other first responders. Which always pissed me off, because we were just as important, if not more, in my opinion.
“You want to come say hi and meet the rest of the crew?” Zack offered.
I pouted, wanting Miles to say no and go back to flirting with me.
“Sure,” he said instead.
But neither of them moved until Zack finally stepped away and turned, heading back toward the table. Miles placed his hand on my back, and we followed Zack to the table with our drinks. I took my stool, and thankfully Miles pulled up another one, sitting it between Zack and me.
“Good to see you again, Adam.” Miles tipped his chin in a clipped nod.
Adam returned the nod and then introduced Lyla, Logan, and Izzy.
Zack patted Miles on the shoulder. “This is Miles, he’s with the county’s search and rescue team.”
“Oh. Who you just did the ice rescue training with?” Lyla asked Adam.
Adam nodded. “Yeah, and we went to school with Miles too.” He leaned back in his chair, a shit-eating grin appearing on his face as he pointed back and forth between Zack and Miles. “These two actually beat the crap out of each other over Savannah Williams junior year of high school.”
Lyla’s eyes widened. “Seriously? I can’t imagine Zack in a fight.”
Hmm. This just got interesting. I knew I picked up on something between Zack and Savannah at the volleyball game. There was history there. I wrapped my lips around my straw, studying Zack’s reaction to this line of conversation.
Miles shrugged, taking a swig of his beer. “In his defense, he didn’t start it.”
“Water under the bridge now.” Zack brought his own beer to his lips, taking a drink.
“Yeah, but I’m not making that mistake twice.”
Zack coughed, choking on his beer, and exchanged a look with Miles I couldn’t read. The shit-eating grin Adam shot Zack had me all sorts of curious.
“How did the new suits work?” Miles asked, changing the subject and glancing around at the guys.
“Perfect,” Zack answered. “I had to get in the water to search for the boy. No issue with my clothes getting wet underneath, or the cold penetrating much at all.”
My stomach revolted. Jesus. Did these men not understand I wanted to forget today, not be reminded of it at every turn?
I downed the rest of my drink and turned to Miles with my sexiest smile. “Do you want to get out of here?”
His eyes widened slightly, but I could see the rejection coming.
“Mia,” Zack intervened, his tone scolding, and I shot him a glare.
Miles put his hand up, cutting Zack off. “Relax. I don’t make it a habit to take drunk girls home.”
“I’m not drunk.” I crossed my arms with a pout. Fuck. My stomach flipped again, and I worried I might throw up. “Just a little tipsy.”
I stood, making sure I was steady on my feet. “I’m going to use the restroom and then I’m out of here.” I just couldn’t sit here and rehash the calls from today, and I knew that was where this was going. “Leave with me or not. Your choice.”
I turned and headed to the back of the bar, hoping I wasn’t about to barf. I really should have eaten more before I left work.