MRS. WEST

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟙𝟙

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I decided to take the day off today. I couldn't handle being in the workplace after that- and plus, there's no more work for me to do.

It's better for me to stay here than to be somewhere I'm not wanted.

I'm on my laptop, productively replying to business emails.

All of a sudden, I'm stopped by a small buzz.

I check my phone beside me, but I soon realize the noise isn't coming from there.

I look around the room, then get up, and walk into the parlor.

I see my second phone ringing on the table.

I pick it up and it's no other than Cameron.

"So, you've gotten so desperate you decide to call me on my other phone." I snap.

There's a bit of noise coming from his end before he replies.

"Hey," he says, a little breathless. "I just wanted to let you know- uh- we got called in."

My stomach drops. Suddenly all the irritation in my system leaves, now replaced with dread. "For what?"

"Fire," he says quickly. "It's a small house, older woman inside. We're heading there now."

"How late are you going to be?" I ask, sharper than I mean to. My grip tightens on the phone. There's a pause, someone calling his name faintly.

"...probably late," he admits. "Maybe around- like- 11:50? Midnight-ish."

My heart sinks further. That's hours. Hours of him being out there, in danger, like it's nothing. Like I'm just supposed to sit here and-

"Okay," I cut in.

"Dix-"

"I said okay."

I can hear him breathing on the other end. "Alright. I'll call you when I-"

I hang up. Just like that, the screen goes dark and my reflection stares back at me again. Back in my world. This was on him. Wasn't it? He's done countless fires before, why was I so worried? Suddenly, I hate him more than anything.

And I can't figure out why.

~

I grip the wheel tighter than I need to; my eyes fixed on the road ahead as the truck barrels forward. Red lights flash against buildings, pavement, glass, everything turning into quick, distorted reflections.

My mind isn't on the road. It's on her. Like it always is. I exhale through my nose, jaw tight.

"Yo, Cap," Hunter's voice cuts in from the passenger seat, casual as ever, like we're not speeding toward a burning house. "You good?"

"Yeah," I answer automatically.

I'm not.

Brody leans forward from the back, elbow resting on the seat. "You don't look too good."

"I said I'm fine." They both exchange a look, I can catch it out of the corner of my eye.

"Mm," Hunter hums. "That sounded real convincing."

I don't respond because if I do, it's going to turn into something I don't feel like getting into right now.

Brody snorts lightly. "Let me guess. Wife problems?"

I tighten my grip on the wheel slightly, my knuckles turning white. "Drop it."

"Oh, come on," Hunter says, grinning. "We're about to run into a burning house, at least give us some entertainment first."

I shoot him a quick glare. "You got enough entertainment in there. Focus."

He chuckles. "Nah, seriously though, what'd you do?"

"What makes you think I did anything?"

Hunter raises an eyebrow. "Because you look like someone who did something. That's why"

"I didn't do anything, Hunter." I sigh.

"Yeah?" Brody leans back slightly. "Then why do you look like you just got dumped over the phone?"

I don't answer that one.

Hunter whistles softly. "Damn. It's bad, huh?"

I shake my head slightly. "It's nothing. She's just stressed."

"Dixie is always stressed," Brody says lightly. "Hey, she still pretty hot, though."

"Watch your mouth." My head snaps toward him for half a second.

"I'm just saying—"

"No," I cut in, voice low now. "You're not 'just saying' anything. Chill the hell out."

Hunter lets out a quiet "okayyy," raising his hands slightly like he's stepping out of it.

Brody huffs a laugh. "Relax, man. It's a compliment."

"I don't joke about my wife." I turn to him

The truck goes quiet for a second. They both sit there, engulfing the silence.

Then Hunter clears his throat. "Aight. My bad."

Brody nods once. "Yeah, big man."

I don't respond- my throat is dry. Something small and stupid sets me off right now. Everything does, especially when it comes to her. My Dixie.

We pull up to the location pretty quickly. The house isn't fully engulfed, but smoke curls thick and heavy from the windows, dark and suffocating. Flames lick up one side, sharp and hungry.

People are outside. There's a woman pacing, crying and panicking all at the same time.

"Mom's still inside! My mom and my daughter- they're still in there!"

My stomach drops. It was only supposed to be an older woman in there. Now there's no way I'm letting them die.

"Let's move!" I bark, already grabbing my gear.

Hunter calms the mother down while Brody follows me inside. Inside, it's heated, the smoke is thick enough to choke if you're not careful. I cough, moving fast and low. I check rooms, corners, places I would hide if I were in a fire.

"Fire department!" I shout. "If you can hear me, call out!"

There's nothing at first. For a moment, I feel my heart drop. Then there's a cough coming from deeper inside. Bathroom. I move toward it quickly, forcing the door open. There they were.

An older woman, curled slightly against the wall and a little girl beside her. She's small, all wide eyed. Looks about five.

Five. That's how old she was. Same size, same- nevermind. Focus Cameron.

"You're okay," I say immediately, my voice steady despite the way my chest twists. "I've got you. You're safe, alright?"

The little girl stares at me, her eyes glossy, clutching the older woman's arm.

The grandmother coughs weakly. "We couldn't get out..."

"I know," I say, moving closer. "You did the right thing staying low."

I kneel slightly, making sure I'm at the little girl's level.

"What's your name?" I ask the girl gently.

"Rosie," she whispers.

"Hey, Rosie," I say softly. "I'm going to get you out of here, okay? You just gotta stick with me."

She nods slightly. I lift her carefully, holding her close against me while helping the grandmother up with my other arm. "Stay with me, guys," I repeat.

~

The second we step out, the mother rushes forward. "Oh goodness- Mom! Rosie!"

She grabs them both at once, pulling them close, crying and thanking. I step back slightly, pulling off part of my gear, breathing heavier now. The little girl looks at me over her mom's shoulder, and for a second- I see her. I see Jordyn.

It's as clear as day. It hits me- what could have been, what isn't and what will never be. It hurts a grown guy like me.

Loss is terrible.

My chest tightens hard. I look away quickly, swallowing to get the lump in my throat out.

"Thank you," the mother says, turning to me suddenly. "Thank you so much- you saved them."

I nod once. "I'm just glad they're okay."

She chuckles slightly. Her arm is wrapped around Lily now, the little girl tucked into her side, calmer but still clingy. The grandmother is sitting on the curb, being checked out, but her attention is still boldly on me. She has long black hair with bangs, and kind almond eyes.

"Well... I'm really glad you did what you did," she says, a small smile forming. "I'm, uh- I'm Rachel."

I nod again, giving her a firm handshake. "Name's Cameron. Head of the team."

Her eyes flick briefly to my face, then down, taking me in.

"You know... I was thinking," she starts, a little lighter now, "maybe I could thank you properly. Like maybe brunch or something?"

I blink, taken aback. For a second, I think I heard her wrong. "What?"

She smiles a little wider. "Just brunch. Or lunch. Whatever works best for you."

"I'm married." I lift my hand, showing her the big rock on my ring finger- just enough for it to catch the light.

Her smile falters as she glances at it before looking back at me. "I'm sure your wife wouldn't mind a thank-you lunch."

"No." I say, firm and immediate.

"Yeah, no. That won't work." I repeat.

"Cameron, right?" she says, brushing a piece of hair behind her ear.

I nod once, keeping my tone polite. "Yeah."

"I still think you deserve something more than a 'thank you.'"

Here we go again. "You don't have to-"

"No, I want to," she cuts in quickly. "Like I said- brunch, whatever. Somewhere nice. My treat."

"As I explained, I'm-"

"I saw," she says lightly. "Doesn't mean we can't have lunch."

I blink at her. "Yeah, it does."

She laughs softly, like I made a joke. "I'm not trying to steal you," she says, tilting her head. "Just trying to thank you properly."

I don't respond right away.

"Ma'am-" I start.

"Rachel," she corrects gently.

"...Rachel," I repeat, firmer now. "It's not necessary."

Rosie tugs her mom's hand pointing at me, smiling slightly. "See? Even she agrees, Cam."

She's started with the nicknames already. I huff out a quiet breath, running a hand over the back of my neck.

"Kid's got good instincts," Hunter mutters behind me, stepping up with Brody beside him.

"Yeah," Brody adds, smirking slightly. "Cap's a real hero."

I shoot them a look. Rachel's attention flicks to them briefly, then back to me.

"So?" she presses again. "Lunch?"

I shake my head again, slower this time. "I already told you-"

She pulls out her phone quickly.

"Just take my number," she says, already typing. "You don't have to decide right now."

"I'm not taking your number." I look at her, a little weirded out.

She looks up at me, eyebrow raised slightly. "Why not?"

"Because I'm married."

"And I'm grateful," she counters smoothly, stepping closer and gently taking my hand and pressing her phone into it.

I stare at her dumbfounded, then at Rosie. Something about her reminds me so much of Jordyn- I just couldn't put my finger on it. And that's what makes this so much harder than it should be.

"Rachel," I say, calmer now but still firm. "Listen to me. I'm not going to lunch with you."

Her smile fades just a little.

"Wow," she says lightly. "You're really serious about this whole marriage thing, huh?"