Chapter 26
twenty-six
It takes everything in me not to switch into full caveman mode. I’m not sure why it bugs me so fucking much that Dave’s face is so close to Reyna’s.
Technically, I could check her out. I’ve had some EMT training. All the crew has. I’m pretty sure my other EMT has a thing for Brex. I’ve caught Dave checking him out on numerous occasions.
But that doesn’t mean I want his hands all over her. No one else other than Brex gets to touch her like that. I’m also pretty sure he’s been sneaking into her room at night. They try to hide it. But I have caught them sneaking glances at each other more than once.
I shift my weight and step back to lean against the wall.
Dave’s fingers are gentle as he examines the scratch on her cheek. He’s leaning in, his face mere inches from hers as he checks her pupils with that damn penlight.
“Pupils are good,” he announces, straightening up. “Follow my finger.”
As he moves his finger from side to side, Reyna’s eyes track it perfectly.
“Good,” Dave says, giving her a warm smile. “Any dizziness? Nausea?”
“Just a little headache,” she admits, voice soft.
My stomach knots. She shouldn’t be hurting. Shouldn’t have been in danger in the first place. I should’ve put her on a different team, or better yet, kept her at the station doing paperwork where she’d be safe.
“I’m going to check the bump on your head now,” Dave says, his fingers moving to the back of her skull.
Before I can stop myself, I lunge. “I’ll do that.”
Dave blinks up at me, confusion written all over his face. “Cap?”
Quickly releasing his wrist, I clear my throat. “Shit. Sorry.”
Brex snorts, a knowing smirk playing at his lips as I shoot him a glare that could melt steel.
Dave stands, taking a couple of steps back. “No worries. She’s all yours.”
I move to stand behind her, fingers trembling slightly as I carefully part her damp hair, searching for the injury. When I find the small, tender bump at the back of her skull, a protective growl rumbles in my chest.
“It’s not too bad,” I barely manage to say, voice gruff. “No bleeding.”
“I told you, I’m fine,” Reyna huffs, but I catch the slight wince when my fingers brush over the spot.
“You could have a concussion,” I tell her, reluctantly stepping back to give Dave space to continue.
“Let’s check your range of motion.”
As Dave guides her through the ROM test, I can’t tear my eyes away as I remember what Lizzy said to me earlier on the phone.
“Don’t let the past rule your feelings. For once, just trust what your heart is telling you.”
But how can I not be afraid? She almost died today. If Brex hadn’t been quick enough...
“Captain?” Dave’s voice pulls me from my dark thoughts. “She’s showing no signs of concussion. I’d recommend rest and monitoring. Other than that, she should be just fine.”
Relief floods through me, so intense it makes my knees weak.
“Good.” I scrub a hand over my face. “That’s good.”
Giving me a curious look, Dave packs up his equipment as he speaks to Reyna. “If you experience any dizziness, nausea, or vision changes, let someone know immediately. Otherwise, take it easy for the next twenty-four hours.”
“I will,” she says, offering him a grateful smile. “Thanks, Dave.”
Brex is still leaning against my desk, watching the exchange with an infuriating smirk.
“You should go rest,” I say, trying my damnedest to keep my tone professional despite the way my heart is thundering in my ears.
“I’m fine, really.” Reyna stands, wincing slightly.
Before I can stop myself, I’m at her side.
She quickly takes a step back. “I’m a big girl, Captain. Trust me. I’ve been through much worse.”
I almost don’t catch the last part she mumbles over the sharp sting of rejection. What the hell does that mean, she’s been through much worse?
“Logan’s right,” Brex chimes in, pushing off the desk. “You should take it easy for a bit. Plenty of people to cover for you if anything comes up.”
The way he says it—all casual and shit, like he has every right to make decisions about her well-being—makes me do something I hardly ever do with him.
“I’ll be the judge of what she needs,” I snap, immediately regretting my tone when Reyna’s eyes go wide.
“Christ, Lo.” Brex shakes his head. “I was just—”
“I know what you were just.” I step up close, lowering my voice. “But this is my fire station, and she’s my responsibility.”
Something unspoken passes between us as Brex holds my gaze. “She’s more than just an employee, and you know it.”
The truth of his words hits me hard. I want to deny it. Maintain the professional facade I’ve been clinging to like a leech. But the image of a tree crashing down on top of them, Reyna trapped beneath it, flashes through my mind again.
“I’m… gonna go.”
I whip my head around to see Reyna gripping the doorknob.
“Reyna, wait.” I take a step, but she holds up a hand.
“I’m tired, Logan. I just want to lie down for a while.” Her eyes bounce between me and Brex, filled with something I can’t quite read. “Can we just... can this wait until later?”
The vulnerability in her voice makes something in my chest crack open.
“Of course,” I say softly.
Eyes cast to the floor, she nods, slipping out of the room without another word.
The silence that follows is deafening. Brex and I stare at each other, air thick with unresolved tension.
“What are we going to do about her?”
Brex shrugs. “I know what I want to do. The question is… do you?”
I frown, shoving my hands into my pockets.
“Come on, Lo. You can’t keep pretending you don’t have feelings for her.”
I turn to stare out the window at the rain that’s started up again. “She’s my employee. It’s complicated.”
He moves to stand beside me. “It doesn’t have to be.”
“This is... She’s...”
“Special?” he finishes, voice softer than I’ve ever heard it before.
“Yeah.”
He tilts his head, a knowing look in his eyes. “So, what are we going to do about it?”
“We?”
“Yes. We.”
I turn away from the window, gripping the back of my neck. “I don’t know. She’s not like the others.”
“Clearly,” Brex snorts. “You’ve been moping over her for the better part of a year.”
“I have not been moping,” I growl, though we both know it’s a lie.
“Whatever you say,” he quips, heading for the door. “We both want her. Maybe instead of fighting over her, we should see if she’ll accept us both.”
The look on his face is different from what I’ve seen before, but there’s something else. Something in his eyes that tells me he’s dead serious about what comes out of his mouth next.
“Maybe she shouldn’t have to choose.” His eyes meet mine, challenge flaring. “Think about it.”
Then he’s gone, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the steady patter of rain.
My mind spins as I sink back into my chair, Brex’s words echoing in my head. Could it work? The three of us?
My phone buzzes.
IZ
So? Is Rey okay?
She’s fine. Minor bump on the head. Dave cleared her.
IZ
And how are YOU doing?
I hesitate. My twin always knows when I’m not telling her everything.
Not great. Brex suggested something crazy.
IZ
What?
I stare at the phone. How do I even explain this? My sister knows some of my past. I’ve hinted at what Brex and I get into sometimes.
He thinks we should pursue her. Together.
Three dots appear, then disappear before my phone rings, Lizzy’s name lighting up my screen.
I shake my head, swiping up to answer. “Hey.”
“Like... a throuple?”
“Yeah.”
I can almost see the grin on my sister’s face when she asks, “And how to you feel about that?”
“I told you. It can’t happen. Not with my job.”
“You didn’t answer my question. How do you feel?”
The truth is, the idea of sharing Reyna with Brex makes my stomach twist in a way I can’t quite identify. Not jealousy exactly. Something more primal. The voyeur in me is at war with wanting to watch him take her and me wanting to keep her all to myself.
“Not sure yet.”
“Fuck that. You’re just scared.”
“Am not.”
“Then why haven’t you talked to her about what happened between you two?”
When I don’t answer, her heavy sigh cuts through my silence.
“Just… talk to her. If anything, it’ll help clear the air. Maybe make it not so awkward between you two now that you’re working together.”
Deep down, I know what she’s saying is true. Now I just need to find the right time to do it. Not to mention my fucking balls. I’m going to need them.
Hopefully, I won’t lose them again in the process.