22. The Hero Again – Cameron
Chapter twenty-two
The Hero Again – Cameron
I pulled up in the parking lot at the Brewery, and of course, Everett’s car was there.
Operation Get Everett to Relax had taken a turn for the worse, but I was determined to get back on track.
I parked next to him. He was really working too much, and that nonsense about me trying to sabotage him probably came from his overstressed brain.
Jackie said Alfred was going to help him put in a new security system.
I needed to find out what warranted that.
If he was being sabotaged, I wanted to know about it, if nothing more than to be sure he’s safe.
Plus, I didn’t want to leave our relationship up in the air from our earlier conversation.
I needed to get back on good terms with him.
I got out of the truck, and the hot, chemical scent hit me. Smoke billowed out of the roof on the back side of the building. “Shit.” Everett was inside.
I ran to the door, and thankfully, it wasn’t locked, but that worried me on a level I couldn’t pause to think about. Pulling my T-shirt over my nose, I held it there and ran through the building, searching for Everett or anyone else who might be inside.
The door to his office was shut, and when I went to open it, it was locked.
I kicked it, breaking the lock. He wasn’t in there—what the fuck?
I circled his desk to make sure, then ran out.
The worst of the fire was toward the back, and someone was on the ground between me and the flames, but they were flickering closer.
I raced over to find Everett unconscious.
I pulled him up, threw him over my shoulder, and made for the front door.
Once we were far enough away from the building, I placed him on the ground and called the fire department.
The firehouse was down on Main Street, so it would take them a few minutes to get here, but I heard the sirens wailing in the night air before I even hung up the phone.
Then I checked Everett. He was breathing, but shallow. “Ever. Ev.” I tapped his cheek.
“Wh…where am I?”
Firefighters showed up as he stirred and sat up. “There’s a fire.”
He jumped like he was going to get up, but I held him down. “No. I have to go.”
“There’s nothing you can do, Ever. They have it under control.”
“Fuck me.” He covered his face with his hands, and I wrapped my arm around his shoulders.
“We need to get you checked out.”
Everett shook his head. “Not going to the hospital. I’m fine.”
“Shannon will be here in a minute. He can check you out.”
“What? Who? No. I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not.” I turned to see if I could spot the ambulance and Shannon Oakes.
He hadn’t been around long but seemed like a really nice guy.
Kendall was directing the guys around to the back and the side of the building, and I thought I spotted Roger as well.
All great guys and very competent. They’d have the fire out in no time.
I waved Shannon over as soon as I saw him, and he started checking out Everett.
His hands went all over my man. My brain said he’s a medical professional and I needed to chill, but my heart pounded furiously with jealousy.
I didn’t want anyone touching Everett but me.
I’d never felt that way before and it startled me.
I wasn’t one to get growly or emotional over anything.
But this was a whole new ball game. I was already in over my head and very attached to Everett.