12. Collins #3
The minute we clock in, we receive a call about someone who has been hurt on the football field.
We transport him to the hospital, his head needing a couple of stitches.
Then we get a call about an elderly woman who is feeling lightheaded.
When we arrive, the windows are closed, and she has a small fan running.
Next, we respond to an accident on Main Street, right in front of the bakery.
The driver refuses to be transported to the hospital, so I make sure he signs off that he is leaving against our wishes.
We head back to the firehouse after that. When I get out and round the rig, Theo is leaning against his truck in the parking lot. All three garage doors are open, and a couple of the older guys are sitting outside in lawn chairs, shooting the shit.
“I’ll be right back,” I tell Roman, whose eyes dart in Theo’s direction. I don’t stay around for him to ask me questions. I walk over with my head down, knowing the guys are going to be watching my every fucking move.
“Hey.” I stop in front of him. “What’s up?”
“Not much.” Theo pushes off from his truck. I can see he’s got some paint on his shirt, and his pants look like they have dirt on them. “Was in the neighborhood, and thought if you weren’t busy, we could get something to eat together.”
I hesitate and look over my shoulder. The guys’ conversation has stopped, and they’re watching me. “I don’t know how long I have.”
“How about we stay here and eat?” He motions with his chin toward the picnic table on the side of the house, in the shade. “If you have to go, then you go. And if anyone asks you, you can say I’m going to be fixing your house.”
“What?” I shake my head, not sure I heard him right.
“You can tell them I’m here to give you a quote or something.”
“Um.” I think about it and then look back at him. “Okay, give me five minutes.” He nods, going to the side of the truck and grabbing a takeout bag. “Wow, you were so sure I would say yes.”
“No.” He chuckles. “If you didn’t eat it now, I figured you’d eat it when you got off.”
I give a sigh of relief when I find the guys have moved inside, so we won’t have an audience.
I run up the steps and spot Roman sitting at the table, eating chicken parm.
“I’m going to eat outside with Theo. I called him about fixing a couple of things in my house. ” He nods. “I’ll have my radio on me.”
I rush back outside, where Theo waits at the picnic table. His eyes are on me, and a sly smile is on his face. “What is with that look?” I ask him.
“You’re fucking hot.” I feel the blush come to my cheeks. “Like, you’re gorgeous for sure, but just that much more.”
“Have you been smelling paint fumes?” I put one foot around the bench and then turn to sit. “I think they’ve gotten to your head.”
He throws his head back and laughs. “Nope, fully sober, not a paint fume in sight.”
“Okay, what are we eating?”
“Mediterranean chicken,” he takes the cover off, “with couscous.”
I look into the container, impressed. “You made this?”
“Fuck no. I know someone who does prepared meals. Called her up, and boom, picked it up, and it was as if I cooked it.” He hands me a fork and an ice-cold bottle of water from the bag.
“Not sure how long it’s going to stay cold in this heat.
” The bottle has already started to develop little drops of moisture on it.
“This smells incredible,” I remark, grabbing a slice of chicken and tasting it. “Okay, I was wrong.”
“About?” He takes his own bite.
“This morning, I thanked the baby for not making me throw up. I said the burger was the best thing I’d ever tasted in my life.” I take a forkful of the couscous that has tomatoes and feta crumbles in it. “I was wrong.” I look at him. “What are you smiling so big for?” The smile shifts to a smirk.
“So far, you’ve had two of the best meals of your life with me.” He points his fork at me as I roll my eyes. “That’s got to count for something.”
“Or not. I might have just been starving my whole life,” I retort, making him laugh.
“I don’t care how we got here. The fact is, we got here.
Me, you, and . . .” He looks down at the table that covers my stomach.
His voice goes low so no one can hear him say, “Our baby.” I know if it was up to him, he probably wouldn’t give a shit.
But he knows I’m not okay with it, and he’s respecting me enough not to let people overhear.
“I can sort of tell you how we got here,” I say, trying to lighten up the conversation.
“Oh, I know exactly how we got here. I was thinking about that the other day. I think it might have been round two.” I burst out laughing, turning my head to the side.
That’s when I see him, between the trees, lurking. My body goes stiff. I glance at Theo, hoping he didn’t notice the change in me. He’s focused on his plate. When I look back at the trees, he’s gone.
I don’t have a chance to process it because a call comes through. “I have to go.” I toss my fork down. “Thank you.” I grab my water bottle and head inside, knowing that now he’s seen me with Theo, he’ll be showing up again before long.