Chapter 14 #2
I glance at him, still clearly harking on the same path he was in the rec room. He may be quieter than the others, but he has that all-seeing look in his eyes, like nothing gets past him.
I kick my head into gear. “Guess I’m writing about Savannah, so she’s definitely getting a little more of my attention. She’s got skills.”
He chuckles. “You surprised?”
“Why would I be surprised? I hadn’t even thought about it to be honest.”
“Sure.” He dips his weight back into his heels, all casual and unassuming. “What’s the story between you two anyway?”
“There isn’t a story. I didn’t choose for Savannah to be the subject of the feature. That’s all on the cap.”
“But I’m sensing there’s history between you.”
I hesitate. Is this some kind of test? “We knew each other a while back.”
He nods, slowly. “And here you are, fate conspiring to bring you back together.”
I nearly choke on my own spit. “I never said we were together.”
“You didn’t need to.” He winks. “Come on, brother. You might not be allowed to run the front of the drill, but I can show you how to handle a line like the big boys.”
Great. Way to go with really hammering home my inferiority.
I follow him to the opposite end of the quad, where the apparatus is parked.
Savannah appears next to us. “What’s going on, Trip?”
“Talking Brodie through the drill. Might be good for his article.”
She plants her hands on her hips. “Just talking. Nothing else. You heard the cap.”
“Aye.” Trip nods and begins walking me through each of the steps. He’s actually a great teacher. Methodical. Calm. Clear. And I’d probably be a top-of-the-class student if I wasn’t distracted by the heat of Savannah’s blue eyes watching my every move like a hawk.
“You catch that, brother?”
I blink over at Trip. Pretty sure he said something about the way to safely retain hold when the hose is active. I nod. It’s not the first time I’ve been told this shit. It may have been fifteen years ago when Dad taught me how to work a hose, but it’s all coming back. “Got it.”
“Good.” He turns to Savannah. “How about Brodie runs the drill with me, but I do the rollout? That’s not breaking Cap’s rules.”
She raises an eyebrow, clearly torn. “I don’t know. It’s—”
“I’ve got this, Sav. I won’t get hurt.”
She gives a resigned shake of her head. “Fine. But don’t do anything stupid.”
Trip gestures to Romeo, who lights the vehicle. “Let’s do this, brother. You’re at the rear.”
Choke holds up his stopwatch. “Okay, on my count.”
I glance from him to Trip and then to the rest of the crew.
My eyes land on Savannah.
She’s wandered back to Brock, still watching my every move, but then he leans down, oh so close, and whispers something to her.
She glances up at him and laughs, just like she did with Romeo in the rec room.
And then her hand lands on his bicep. It’s playful rather than affectionate.
More like she’s swatting him for something he’s just said.
But all I see is the connection. I clench my fists, another spike of jealousy gutting me.
This time feeling all the more personal.
How is it that Brock, walking grudge and all, can get that kind of easy, playful response?
The thought hurls my head into a blur just as Choke begins his countdown.
“Three. Two. One.”
I don’t think. I just act.
Launching to life a fraction quicker than Trip, I take his place at the front. Grabbing the nozzle, I do my best to mirror the steps taken by Mullet and Savannah, tugging hard and racing forward.
However, it’s way more challenging than I anticipated.
The hose is heavy, but my strength isn’t the issue; it’s more my spatial awareness in full turnout gear. I falter, nearly tripping over my own feet.
Focus, goddammit.
I keep going, gaining some momentum. My muscles burn from the exertion, but it’s fine. I’ve got this. No different to punishing myself in the gym. Not much further now.
I hit the final mark and steal another glance at Savannah.
I don’t know why. Because I’m a total dick and want to see if she’s impressed with my hose control?
Whatever the reason, it’s about the worst thing I could have done because right at that moment she goes to chase after me only to be stopped by Brock, grabbing her by the wrist.
I don’t know what’s worse. Savannah thinking she has to intervene because I’m not capable of handling this, or Brock being the one who’s now laying his hands on her.
My reaction is instant, pulling the metal release that opens the nozzle.
Problem is, I’m not holding the hose correctly.
Or standing in the right position.
Or remotely prepared for what’s about to happen.
What I am, however, is a total prick who needs his ass handed to him on a plate. Which a split second later is precisely what I realize is about to happen.
And it’s too late to do anything about it.
The water spills from the hose at a force way stronger than anything I remember as a kid. I’m immediately knocked back a few steps, and then I’m no longer standing. And worse, the hose is no longer in my hands.
Instead, a tsunami is heading straight at my chest.
I’m instantly winded, floundering, struggling for air.
In among my panic, I’m vaguely aware of boots hitting the concrete around me, voices yelling commands, and then all of a sudden, the chaos stops and everything stills.
I blink, water catching in my eyelashes as Savannah launches herself at me almost as violently as the water. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
Before I have a chance to answer, another voice bellows out, “What the hell is going on?”
Savannah jumps back, and the boots shuffle out of the way, leaving me sitting alone on the concrete, soaking wet from head to toe as Kendall steps into the melee.
He looks from me to Savannah. “I thought I made it clear that Brodie was not to handle the fucking line?”
She doesn’t speak.
Kendall practically growls. “Well? What have you got to—”
I splutter out a cough and do my best to sit up. “It’s all on me, sir.” My voice is hoarse, not even a decent whisper. “I’m sorry.”
“What do you mean it’s all on you?”
“I… I just ran with it.”
“Jesus wept, Brodie.” Kendall jerks his hand through his hair. “Are you hurt? Anything broken? Any pain?”
I shift my position, stretching and testing my limbs. “Only my pride, I think.”
“You’re damn lucky if that’s the case. You could have cracked your fucking ribs apart. I wasn’t telling bedtime stories when I said it was dangerous.” He steps back, fists clenched like he’s fighting to regain control.
I hear the sound of the hose being reeled in and glance at the crew. No one’s making eye contact, and Romeo and Brock are squirming in their efforts not to laugh.
Kendall grits his teeth. “Trip, Springer, get this mess cleaned up. Brodie, get yourself dry. East, go with him. When you’re satisfied he’s being honest that nothing’s broken, I need to see you in my office.”
Everyone remains rooted to the spot.
“Move. All of you. Now.”