Chapter 9
nine
Denver
A few days later
Dylan, one of the guys on our rescue team, runs by me. JJ is barking orders as we make our way to the floor where the elevator is stuck. The call came through saying there was an elevator entrapment with the address across town. No injuries reported.
It’s fairly routine to be honest, but this time there’s a woman and her baby stuck inside.
“Denver, Jasper, and Dylan, head up to the floor and keep her calm,” JJ says as we nod and take the stairs. “The car is stuck. It looks like an electrical fault.”
The building engineer is already in the lobby, so JJ takes it from there.
Car number four is stuck between floors fifteen to sixteen, and it’s been forty-five minutes.
Not all of our rescues are complex or involve fires, but it always makes my gut wrench when kids are involved. The things I’ve seen over the years haven’t always been what you’d call a happily ever after. I’ve completed around sixty complex rescues, and in that time, I’ve seen people perish.
“You good?” I ask Jasper, who we all refer to as JC.
He nods in response, heading over to the elevator panel as I head to the car doors.
“How you doing in there?” I call out through the doors.
“Oh my! It’s really small in here,” the woman calls out. “I’m freaking out.”
“It’s gonna be okay. I’m Denver, and my buddies Dylan and JC here are gonna help you get out in a second, alright?”
“Uh, o-okay, but please hurry. It isn’t gonna plummet to the ground, is it?”
“Nope, nothing like that, I’ll have you out in a jiffy. What’s your name?”
“Julia,” she stammers.
“And your baby?”
“Lachlan. He’s still sleeping, thank goodness.”
“Just try to stay calm, we’re gonna wedge the doors open and then level the car with the floor so we can pull you out, okay?”
“O-okay.”
We also have Jake Lawson, our paramedic, on standby which is normal procedure.
I hear the manual release click and Dylan gives us the go ahead to wedge the doors open.
JC and I do just that, and I peer in.
“I see you!” Julia says. “Oh, thank goodness.”
“Hey.” I smile. “Just hang tight, alright?”
To say she looks relieved to see me is an understatement. “Okay. But if you think it’ll plummet to the basement, please take my son.”
I smile reassuringly. “It’s not going to, and that won’t be necessary. We’re just kicking in manual mode, and then we’ll be able to pull you free. Just another minute.”
“I don’t like heights,” she says.
In situations like these, it’s best not to think about it because you’ll only send yourself crazy, but I can’t tell her that. “Unfortunately, elevators are a necessary evil, especially on the sixteenth floor.”
“Taking the stairs with a stroller isn’t a great idea,” she says. “But now I’m rethinking that option. It could be good cardio.”
I chuckle. “It could be, but I don’t know if the little guy will agree with you.”
Right on cue, he starts to cry.
The manual release clicks again and JC and Dylan crack the wheel. The elevator begins to rise until it’s just enough to level with the floor. I shove the door even farther apart until it stays, then reach my hand in. “Let’s go, sweetheart.”
She’s cradling her baby in her arms as she tries to soothe him, then reaches a hand to me. I help her out, then go back in for the stroller. With a hand placed on her heart, she takes a few breaths to steady herself.
“Julia, are you okay? Talk to me.”
She fans herself, rocking the baby as he stops crying. “I’m just, I’m just hot, and tired, and stressed.”
“Can I call someone for you?”
“It’s okay, I can do it.” She drops her phone twice, then her purse falls off her arm.
“Here,” I say. “Let me take him for a second, if you’re okay with that?”
She looks up at me surprised. “Wow, you’re good with kids, too?”
I grin. “I wouldn’t say I’m great with them, but kids love me, plus I’ve never dropped one on its head, so that’s a bonus.”
She smiles, handing me her precious bundle. My cousins have kids, so it’s not the first time I’ve rocked a baby to sleep. I adore the twins, but they’re at that stage where they’re crawling around and getting into everything.
“Hey, bud,” I say as the baby looks up at me. He’s actually cute, and I say that with all sincerity. Not every baby is blessed with good genes, not that I’d say that outloud.
I don’t make him cry, so that’s a bonus.
Dylan shakes his head when he comes to check on us, then tells us he’s gonna head downstairs to let JJ know we’ve got Julia and the baby out safely.
Lucky for us it’s not a busy time of day, and another tenant was able to get the doors open and crawl out—not something I’d recommend, but people panic.
Julia talks to her husband, and from what I can hear, he sounds pretty frantic.
“JC,” I say as he heads my way. “Gotta get this stroller downstairs, you good to grab it while I help Julia down?”
“Sure, bud.”
She ends her call and I confirm with her that she was on her way down. “My husband was going to come home, but we’re going to meet him halfway,” she says. “He was pretty frantic.”
“I guessed as much,” I say. “We’re happy to get the stroller down for you, and anything else you need.”
“Thanks,” she says, then smiles at me as I go to hand back Lachlan. “You’re so good with him.”
“Well, clearly he’s a momma’s boy. Are you good carrying him down?”
She nods. “Thank you, all of you, so much.”
JC, always a man of few words, gives her a chin lift, then picks up the stroller like it weighs nothing and we head for the stairs.
“Anytime,” I say, tongue in cheek. “Not that we wanna be back here again, but the tech is downstairs, and they should have everything sorted out soon. The super will know more.”
When Julia is safely on the ground level with Lachlan, I check my phone while I wait for the guys. I smile at the incoming text.
Red Robin
My new friend from work asked if I wanted to go to a club this Saturday. You down for it, old man?
I laugh out loud.
Denver
Don’t tell me it’s Shadow and Sin
A few moments pass.
Red Robin
I just googled it. Wow, D, a sex club? I’d never have pegged you for it
Denver
I haven’t been there, but some of the guys have, and Crown and Veil, but that’s a gay strip club
Red Robin
Any secret kinks you wanna work out?
My eyes round.
Denver
If you’re referring to Crown and Veil, the answer is not a chance. I’m into chicks… Though, a friend of mine dragged me along one night and that was an experience
Red Robin
Aww, it’s cute you’re supportive of your friends
Denver
I can’t say I’ll be going back anytime soon
I smile. Hey, I’m all for the gay community, but getting hit on by men is something I should’ve considered before I took on the challenge of being my buddies’ wing man. It happens.
Red Robin
I wasn’t sure if you’re on night shift, you mentioned you sometimes stay at the firehouse
Denver
Not this week. I have Saturday off
I haven’t been clubbing in… well, forever. I’m too old for that shit. Then again, I’m only thirty-fucking-five, not an old man.
Denver
Which club?
Red Robin
I’ve forgotten the name, but there’s no dungeons or spanking rooms, I promise
My lips twitch at the idea, then I have the vision of Adi folded over my sex chair, her hands and ankles cuffed. Heat stirs within me. Holy fuck.
No.
The answer is no.
Clubs means dancing, and if I see Adi dancing I might just lose my shit…
Red Robin
You still there, hot shot?
I palm the back of my head, unsure how to answer. But I just go with the truth.
Denver
It’s been a while since I went to a club, not my usual scene
But I don’t exactly want to see you making eyes at other men…
A possessiveness inside me rises, even though I know it’s wrong.
Red Robin
Ah, you’re afraid I’ll out-dance you?
I smirk at her comment.
Denver
How did you know? That’s exactly what it is
Red Robin
I wouldn’t worry, you have that boyish charm that’ll get you out of trouble in a heartbeat
Denver
Are you flirting with me?
The second I hit send, I wince. Now we’re flirting via text? I can’t stop thinking about our kiss and how much more I wanted from her. How much I could give her.
Red Robin
Would little old me do that?
Denver
Why do I picture you batting your eyelashes?
Red Robin
Bc you know me. Also, you told my brother you’d look out for me
Denver
That sounds a lot like bribery
Red Robin
Are you sure you’re okay about the
I stare at the red lips on the screen. I clear my throat—as well as ignoring the pounding in my chest because that very kiss is at the forefront of my mind, telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth here would be a mistake on my part.
Denver
Of course
And that’s what I say. I could fucking kick myself.
“Denver? We’re headed out,” JJ calls as I look up from my phone.
I glance at him. “Okay, won’t be a second.”
Denver
Are you?
Red Robin
I’m not gonna lie and say it wasn’t good, D
Red Robin
And it served its purpose
Served its purpose.
That’s right, to give the middle finger to Hannah and her disciples.
Denver
I guess it did
Denver
GTG. Cap is calling
Red Robin
Let me know about Saturday, I’ll text you the deets
Denver
Will do. Later
I slide my phone back into my pants pocket and take a breath.
This is dangerous territory. Failing everything I already know—with her being my best friend’s sister constantly on repeat—there is no way I’m missing out on seeing Adi, even if it is at a club.
Some may say I’m a stick in the mud, but I can let loose when the time calls for it.
Okay, scratch that, I’m old, tired, and grumpy, but at least I won’t be coming off a ten-hour shift.
Anyways, the only way to keep Adi safe is to make sure I’m around.
That is my twisted way of thinking, and I’m sticking to it.
I just don’t want to think about her dancing with other guys, and having them put their hands on her.
Surely she wouldn’t invite me to come out if she was intending to hook up with someone else?
All things I do not fucking know.
Back at the firestation, Fifi from Rise and Shine Bakery has left her usual delivery of baked goods.
She insists on feeding all of us twice daily because we’re some kind of goddamn heroes to her, and the community, and honestly her food is fucking amazing.
The cinnamon rolls are to die for, but you can’t go wrong with anything she brings in.
Upstairs is the lounge area, along with a shared kitchen, dining room, shower rooms, lockers, and offices. The guys will play pool in the lounge area, or hang out in the TV room. There’s a large glass wall in the lounge area that overlooks the bays, so you can see all of the trucks below.
Downstairs is our workout area, along with our trucks and equipment, a storage room and work station.
We have two engines, two ladders and our rescue truck, so the area is very spacious.
I love this part of the South Loop. It’s next to Museum Campus and the historic Printers Row which brings in all the tourists who love jazz and the blues, as well as the old nineteenth-century mansions on Prairie Avenue that stood the test of time.
It’s lively, hip and yet somehow has old-world integrity.
I pass some of the guys as I head to the shower room before heading home. It’s been a long day, but all in all, no two days are the same at Firehouse 99.
I just hope there’s enough distraction to keep me from not thinking about Saturday night and if I leave things well alone.