Chapter 19
NINETEEN
S omeone was shooting at the truck.
The dashboard lit up with the low tire pressure warning, and a beep dinged in response.
Glass shattered to Zack’s right.
He jerked the steering wheel and ducked.
The truck teetered to the left and Zack yanked the wheel the opposite direction. He couldn’t afford to overturn the truck. Not with the teens onboard and pedestrians all around.
A prick hit his cheek, but he didn’t have time to worry about what struck him.
The teens screamed.
“Get down,” Zack yelled to Karson, Carlos, and Andrew. “Move away from the windows.” Dear God, please don’t let any of these boys get hit.
The front two tires bounced from the loss of air.
Zack focused back on the road and hit the brakes. He turned the vehicle to the left to keep from hitting an older man who dashed across the crosswalk.
Trouble might as well be plastered on Zack’s forehead.
There was no way for him to hide from the shooter. Not driving in such an easy target.
A woman raced by, her purse slung over her shoulder.
Zack hit the horn, gripped the big steering wheel, and turned the truck toward the curb to avoid her and a cluster of people.
Lord, don’t let anyone die. This should have been a fun ride in the truck. Instead, he might end up killing someone.
The tires jumped up onto the sidewalk. Zack pitched forward, and his seatbelt yanked him back. On the front dash, the radio cord swung to and fro.
Zack’s ears rang.
His head pounded.
They weren’t moving anymore.
He clicked off his seatbelt and swiveled. “Everyone okay back there?”
All three boys stared back at him with wide eyes and open mouths.
Karson finally broke the silence. “Bro, that was wild. You just saved the day.”
Now it was Zack’s turn to remain speechless. “What?”
Andrew said, “I wish I got that on camera. I could use it the next time I’m playing those racing video games.”
“Any of you hurt?” Zack scanned them but couldn’t see any injuries.
The boys glanced at each other and shook their heads.
“All good.” Andrew gave a thumbs-up.
Whether the shock was keeping them from processing the extent of what had gone down or not, Zack was thankful they didn’t appear injured.
No more gunshots had come their way, but Zack wasn’t about to open the door and become an easy target. “Stay put guys. No one gets out until we get the all clear.” He peered out the window.
People congregated in the street, pointing. Two kids huddled in the grass, their mom rubbing their backs.
Basuto, Ramble, Trace, and Kianna jogged over to the truck.
Basuto rapped on the door, and Zack stepped out, scanning the area for anything that appeared off. “That’s one way to end a parade,” Ramble said.
Zack hopped onto the ground. “Is anyone hurt?”
“Negative.” Trace moved to the side, and lifted a brow. “Are you? You look like you’re gonna hurl.”
Zack figured that wasn’t far from the truth. He lifted his hand to his cheek and a splotch of blood covered the pad of his finger. “I’m fine. Make sure they’re okay first.” He pointed to the teens still huddled in the truck.
Ramble helped the teens out, and Trace walked over to the first kid while Kianna unzipped the medic bag.
Zack turned to Lieutenant Basuto. “Did you catch the person?” He wanted to hold his breath, but then he’d pass out.
“There’re footprints. But whoever it was had an escape route planned.” Basuto steeled his jaw.
Bile rose in Zack’s throat. “I can’t believe someone opened fire. And with so many civilians around.” He’d brought trouble into innocent people’s lives by investigating his parents’ case. Zack’s nerves still buzzed at the realization.
Bryce made his way over to him and Basuto.
“I could have hit someone.” Zack met Bryce’s gaze. What would his boss think? Zack swallowed.
“You reacted to the situation. Nothing wrong with that.” Bryce clapped Zack on the shoulder.
“They’re all clear,” Trace called out and gave a thumbs-up.
Bryce nodded. “It could have been much worse. But everyone is safe. You had no control over the situation.”
The teens’ foster parents, the Kirbys, now stood with the boys. Creases etched Alexia’s tanned brow, and her husband, Sam, ran his fingers along his beard. “We’re going to take them home now.” Sam escorted the boys back up the hill.
“Take the rest of the day off, man. We got it from here,” Bryce said.
His boss was right. What mattered was that everyone was safe.
He’d been ordered to take the rest of the day off, but Zack would rather stick around and help fix things. The two officers were already in conversation with Bryce, which made his standing there awkward. Much better to clean up the mess like they did after any traffic accident.
Zack grabbed his gloves.
The grass and sidewalk were littered with debris. He picked up some plastic water bottles and threw them in the trash can at the side of the building.
“Excuse me, sir.” A man in a hoodie and sneakers stepped up to him. A young girl with blonde pigtails sucked on a lollipop while her other hand was tucked in her dad’s. “You saved my kid’s life.”
“I did?” Zack furrowed his brow.
“Yeah, man. You stopped the truck before it could hit my daughter. You’re a hero.” The man’s face beamed. “Thank you.”
Zack stood up straight and smiled. Here he’d thought everyone would be angry, and this dad was thanking him. “Instinct kicked in, and I couldn’t let anyone get hurt.”
“We’re glad to have you on the first responder crew. The team in this town is amazing.” The dad extended his hand and Zack shook it.
He’d barely let go of the man’s hand before Izan, Eddie, and Ridge showed up.
“Thought you could make a mess and not worry about cleaning it up?” Ridge winked.
“Ha. Let you guys have all the fun without me?” Zack shook his head. “Not a chance.”
“That was something else.” Izan shook his head and slapped Zack on the shoulder. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
The way his buddies surrounded him sent a surge of pride through Zack’s veins. He’d invited the trouble that could have gotten them hurt. Yet, they didn’t see it that way. How had he been blessed with supportive and gracious friends?
Zack scanned the crowd. Naya stood at the edge of the sidewalk. When he made eye contact with her, she hurried over.
Eddie must have taken note of the brief exchange, because he smiled. “Get in here too.” He waved her over.
Eddie moved away from Zack, and Naya slid into the empty spot and wrapped her arm around Zack’s torso. The gesture sent heat up his neck, and given the guys’ faces, none of them missed it.
Her close proximity made him want to gather her in his arms and hold tight. Show her she would be safe with him. That no one would hurt her, and she wouldn’t have to worry about looking over her shoulder.
“Your cheek.” Naya leaned in and whispered to Zack. The smell of peppermint on her breath tickled his senses, and Zack took her hand in his and squeezed. “It’s just a scratch.”
“You sure you’re okay?” She stared at him.
He smiled. “Shaken? Sure. Hurt? No.”
The urge to kiss her built in him like kindling that had just lit a campfire. Sparks rose with the heat that worked its way up his arms. The coziness and security she exuded reeled him in, but one step too close would only get him burned.
Instead, he nuzzled his nose against the side of her face and placed a gentle kiss on her temple.
They needed to have a conversation first. Otherwise, he’d regret letting his emotions take the reins. She deserved respect, and that meant clearing the air after their argument.
Naya must have read his mind. “Can we talk later?”
“Of course.” Zack wrapped his arm back around her and looked at his friends. Colleagues. Family.
Just as his team would stand by him, he wouldn’t let her do this alone.
Everyone needed a partner. Someone to catch their blind spots and be their champion.
A speaker crackled to life and broke his train of thought. Someone tapped a microphone, then said, “Thank you to all our first responders and their swift action today. Because of their work, everyone is safe. We’d also like to thank you all for coming out to the New Blooms Spring Festival. Let’s give it up for our vendors and first responders. We hope you’ll join us again next year. On your way out, please stay on the sidewalks and let the cleanup crew do their job.”
“All right. Let’s get this mess taken care of.” Ridge broke away from the circle first.
“I’ll take the boxes back to the firehouse with me.” Zack pointed to their booth. “Clocking out for the day.”
“You sure? We can load it in my truck after we’re done here.” Ridge snapped on a pair of gloves.
“Nah. I don’t mind. I’m going to walk back. Let out some of the nerves from earlier.”
“Mind if I join?” Naya asked. “I parked by the firehouse.”
“I’d be happy to have the company.”
They gathered the bins, then he and Naya walked back down Main Street in silence. A dog barked, and two kids ran past them with cotton candy in hand. “You can’t take mine!”
“Wait up, kids.” The mom pushed a stroller. “Excuse me.” She wheeled past them.
They were half a block from the firehouse when Naya slowed her pace. “I didn’t realize you hung out with the boys the Kirbys are fostering.” When he looked over, she said, “I met some of them earlier.”
“I’ve taken a few of them under my wing.” He shrugged. “Want to show them they’re seen. Make sure they don’t get caught up in the wrong crowd.”
“They really admire you. And after today, it sounds like you’re the town hero.” She smiled. “I might just have to write a story about it.”
Zack laughed, but Naya raised her eyebrows.
“For real?” He shifted the box in his arm.
“Yeah. More people need to know how to help these kids. And you’re the perfect model to show them.”
“Well, I might need to take a few extra classes on that first.” Zack puffed out his chest and began to strut down the sidewalk. With his head held high, he took several strides before pivoting.
Naya laughed and clapped. “Bravo.”
He started walking again, but his foot caught on the sidewalk, and he stumbled forward before catching himself.
“You okay?” Naya’s eyes widened.
Zack smoothed his shirt and grinned. “Yeah.” He liked making her laugh. Actually, he liked a lot more than just hearing her laugh.
He liked her.
He needed to get a grip. She hadn’t told him she liked him. But her affirmation about his work was a good sign, right?
Zack cleared his throat. “I’d be happy to sit down anytime with you to share more.”
“Great. Speaking of stories, I need to fill you in on some details.”
“Let me set this box down, then we can chat.” Zack opened the firehouse door for her. “The lounge is right around the corner on your left.”
Zack dropped the container off in the storage room, then checked his mailbox. What might have been a tragedy today had ended with only property damage and a fire truck out of service. God had been gracious, and no one had been hurt.
He grabbed a folded letter from his cubby and opened it on his way back to the common room.
The black, boxy letters typed across the center of the page stopped him in his tracks.
If you want to see another day, stop helping that reporter. Or else you’ll end up just like your parents.