Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
DRAKE
Iwhistle as I make everyone’s coffee, moving around the firehouse collecting mugs.
“What’s got you in a cheery mood?” Bear asks, lowering the morning paper.
“Nothing.”
“I’m guessing it has nothing to do with Chief’s Yankee pot roast and more to do with his sister?” Hollywood grins, looking up from the phone desk.
Phoenix shrugs off his turnout coat. “How was it at the chief’s? Did you get roasted?”
“It was actually…” I press my lips together, watching the coffee drip into the mug, the aroma filling the space. “…it was like family.”
Phoenix wraps an arm around me and rubs his hand through my hair. “Chief’s favourite pet, huh?”
“Cut it out.” I shrug out of his hold.
The hiss of the coffee machine and the sound of Bear’s laugh booming off the concrete walls make the station feel alive. I settle onto the worn couch with my mug, hoping for five bloody minutes of peace, but of course, that’s wishful thinking.
Hollywood plops down beside me. “So, dragon boy, how’s the book club going?”
I frown into my coffee. “What?”
“Book club.” His grin widens. “Heard you spent last night reading in bed.”
Bear nearly chokes on his donut. “Is that what they call it these days? Reading?”
Phoenix leans against the lockers, arms folded with a guilty look in his eyes while suppressing a grin.
“You told them?”
He shrugs. “Didn’t know it was a secret.”
I glare at all three of them. “You lot ever mind your own business?”
Hollywood smirks. “Not when it’s this entertaining. The man’s got scorch marks on his cheeks.”
Before I can retort, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I fish it out, half expecting a school update. Instead, Ember’s name flashes across the screen with a text.
Pumpkin: Sorry I missed you at school this morning. I was running late. Still thinking about last night, dragon.
I choke on my coffee. The lads lean in like vultures. Hollywood reading the text at the side of me.
Bear bellows, “Well? Don’t keep us in suspense. Is it a sext? Tell me it’s a sext.”
I shove the phone back in my pocket. “It’s none of your bloody business.”
Phoenix quirks a brow. “Judging by that shade of red, it’s definitely a sext.”
“She was running late after dragon boy scorched her sheets last night by the sounds of it,” Hollywood says, earning himself a high five from Bear. “Oh, and she sent a fire emoji.”
The door swings open, and Chief Flint strides in, uniform crisp, his presence alone enough to suck the banter right out of the air.
“Coleman.” His voice cuts through the laughter like a jet hose. “Got a minute?”
The lads exchange looks behind his back, trying not to laugh. Bear coughs “future brother-in-law” into his fist.
I shoot them a glare before following Flint towards the office, my stomach tying itself in knots, wondering what this is about.
And all I can think about is the phone burning in my pocket, Ember’s text lit up along with my heart. Not even Chief can dampen my mood today.
Flint shuts the office door behind us with a click, leaving the laughter muffled on the other side. He jerks his chin at the chair opposite his desk.
I sit, palms braced on my knees like a schoolboy waiting to be told off. “Something wrong, Chief?”
His gaze flicks up from a stack of papers. “Depends. You want me to start with your conduct at my sister’s, or get to business first?”
Heat creeps up the back of my neck. “With respect, sir, nothing happened that—”
Flint raises a hand, cutting me off. “Relax, Coleman. If there had been a problem, you wouldn’t still be breathing.” His mouth quirks, but only for a second. “You’re too easy to wind up.”
He slides a paper across the desk. “We’ve got a handful of students who missed last week’s fire safety talk. The principal’s asked for a workshop today. School gym. One o’clock. You’re leading.”
I blink. “Me?”
“Apparently, Ember requested you. Told the head you’re good with the kids. They listen to you.” He leans back in his chair, folding his arms. “And don’t think I don’t know exactly why she requested you.”
I try not to let my grin show as I rise from the chair. “Yes, Chief.”
His eyes narrow. “And Coleman?”
“Sir?”
“Keep your hands respectful in the school, yeah? No public displays of dragonry in the gymnasium. I don’t want the PTA on my back because my sister’s boyfriend can’t behave.”
Walking to the door, I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. “Understood.”
“And Coleman.”
I turn in the doorway.
“I’m glad she has someone like you looking after her. You’re all right, kid.”
“Thank you, Chief.” I exit the office and pull out my phone to text Ember.
I’ll be flying by the school this afternoon. Guess you’ll be seeing your dragon in uniform. Apparently, you told them I’m good with kids. Just wait until I remind you what else I’m good at.
Back in the dayroom, the lads look up like a pack of nosy dogs. Bear’s got powdered sugar on his shirt from another donut, Phoenix lounges as if he’s been waiting to pounce, and Hollywood is back manning the phone desk.
“Well?” Bear booms. “You getting sacked, promoted, or married?”
“None of the above,” I mutter, pouring myself another coffee just to avoid their stares.
Hollywood grins. “So where’s the chief sending you?”
I take a sip, hiding the smirk tugging at my mouth. “School.”
Phoenix raises his brow.
Bear nearly falls off his chair laughing. “Oh, man. She’s got you doing extra credit!”
I ignore them, but the phone buzzes in my pocket again and their heads snap towards me like it’s a bloody siren.
Pumpkin: Kids get a fire safety demo at one… I want a private fire drill at twelve. Bring your hose, dragon.
Pumpkin: If you’re late, I’ll fail you for tardiness.
I check my watch. Not a chance in hell am I going to be late. I’ll use the lights and sirens if I have to.