Chapter 14
Dane
Resting was going to be tricky.
Morgan and Courtney arrived in the early evening, with takeout containers for dinner and as soon as I saw the black bags with the white wiener logo, my mouth began to water. Inky Pot made the best chili dogs in Rochester.
“I’d marry you both if I wasn’t already madly in love,” I said as I watched them for signs of surprise.
None appeared. Morgan handed over a bag of deliciousness while Courtney drew the curtains more tightly.
She’d taken a tumble last year on a call and had suffered a concussion, so she knew too well how aggravating sunlight could be.
“Don’t you want to know who I’m in love with? ”
“Chip,” they both said in unison. I paused while gently easing my chili dog and spicy fries from the bag.
“We’ve known ever since he brought in cupcakes,” Morgan said, taking a seat on the empty bed beside me as Courtney plunked her backside down in a chair. “You’re shit at hiding your feelings.”
Hmm. Was I? “Well, I do love him. I told Sully about us.”
That got an arched brow from Courtney. Morgan said nothing, just unwrapped dog one of what would be four if I knew him. And I did know him well. “He’s going to turn it over to IA, and they’ll look into it.”
“You’ll be fine.” I glanced at Morgan. He nodded as if he had the wisdom of the ancients then took a massive bite of his dog. A bean rolled down the front of his duty shirt.
“I swear I can’t take you two anywhere. He can’t eat without making a mess of himself.
” Courtney waved a napkin at Morgan. “And you can’t go to a simple cleanup without being blown into New Hampshire.
” I chuckled. It hurt, but it also felt good.
Dark humor kept us going at times. “You okay?” she asked after the runaway bean had been located then thrown into the trash by our lieutenant.
“I’m going to be fine. Couple of weeks off for my brain to heal. Should be back on duty before you can miss me.” I tore open a packet of mustard with my teeth and then coated my dog with it. “Any more information on the fire?”
“Not really. Fire Marshall’s still investigating the scene.
Lots of superficial burns and contusions at the nearby EDs, but so far, no loss of lives reported.
” Courtney looked up from her chili dog to pin me with her gaze.
“We got a few seconds to duck into an alley before things blew up. Thanks for that. The other departments are probably going to contact you when you get home and… oh, I forgot.” She dug into the back pocket of her slacks and presented me with my phone.
“Figured you’d like this so you can sext with Chip. ”
“I’ll be on limited screen time,” I replied.
“Best to do as the docs say. Get you back on your feet sooner,” Morgan interjected before demolishing his second dog.
“Does your wife never feed you?” I asked.
He flipped me a finger coated in cheese and chili.
We all had a fast laugh, then the door opened once more.
Tim stood in the doorway wearing an expression I’d only ever seen on a scolded puppy.
I looked from Tim to the other two. All humor had fled their faces. “Tim,” I said in way of a greeting.
“Dane, I was home, and then I thought… look is there any chance I could talk to you for a few minutes?” he said, staying planted in the doorframe as if he thought he’d be told to leave.
Given our past, I probably should tell him to fuck off, but he seemed to be not quite himself.
The boastful set of his shoulders was missing.
“Sure, they were just heading off to find me a Coke to drink,” I said with a pointed look at my friends.
Both mumbled slightly but gave us some privacy, leaving their food behind to indicate they would be back—and soon.
Once the door closed, he gave the room a fast, cursory check before easing closer to the bed.
Just a foot or so closer. “You can sit down. I promise the gay won’t infect you. ”
He winced. “That’s justified.” He headed over to the seat Courtney had vacated then sat down with a huff. “I met your boyfriend in the elevator this morning.”
The bite of chili dog I’d just taken clogged up in my throat. “If you say one bad thing—” I warned around a mouthful.
He held up a hand. I chewed and swallowed roughly.
“I’m not. Look, I know we’ve not exactly been what you’d say close, or even, buddies. I’ve been a dick.”
I blinked. Was my injured brain not working well? Did the ringing in my ear cause me to mishear what seemed to be a confession of asshole behavior? Maybe I needed to stay here for another couple of days just in case…
“Forgive me for being cautious here, but what is happening right now?” I laid my half-eaten dog on the paper wrapper it had come in atop the rolling tray. The sound of a doctor being paged floated into the room.
“I’m just trying to apologize. For being a jerk about you being gay.”
“Oh-kay.” Yeah, I was hallucinating. Had to be.
“Maybe that crack on the head jarred something into place.” He tenderly rubbed at the knot on his brow.
It was going to be an ugly thing. “I had some time to think, you know, about life, about how if you’d not taken the worst of the blast instead of me, how things might have been different.
I have this family history of… ” He blew out a breath.
“Not important. I was raised in a shitty house saying shitty, stupid things. Even with the training, I was still clinging to those shitty things because that was how it’s done in my family.
But those shitty things are just wrong. You saved my life. ”
His sight met mine. The humble firefighter inside me wanted to brush it off, but something told me to just let him say what he had come here to say.
“You’re a good guy.”
“Okay, what the hell did you do with Tim Pegg? Are you some kind of alien clone monster that took over his brain?”
That made him snort in amusement. “Yeah, maybe. I don’t know.
I think I just kind of had a moment of reflection or saw God or whatever people want to call an epiphany.
Things have been upside down since the blast. I think in a good way.
No, for sure mostly in a good way.” He stood, took a step, and offered me his hand.
“Thank you for what you did. Sorry I’ve been an asshole. I’m going to try to do better.”
“That’s all we can ask from anyone.” I placed my hand in his, mindful of the IV cannula, and found a truth in his gaze I’d never seen before.
The door swung open. Morgan and Courtney entered, holding cold cans of cola, their eyes narrowed at first, then flared.
I released Tim’s hand. “Looks like the drinks are here. You’re welcome to stay.
I’m sure Morgan has at least a half dozen dogs in his bag.
” Morgan gasped as if I’d offered to give away one of his dogs.
“No, thanks, I have some shit to do at home. I’ll see you in a few weeks.” With that, he dropped my hand, nodded at our fellow firefighters, and left.
As soon as the door swished closed, Courtney was in my face, holding the can of Coke out of reach. “You only get to drink dusty, warm water if you don’t fill us in on everything that just happened with him.” She jerked her chin at the door.
“I’m not really sure what’s happening with him, but he apologized for being a homophobic ass.” They both gaped. “Yeah, go figure. Can I have that Coke now? I’m injured and weak from saving lives.”
“Oh, my God, what a drama queen you are,” Courtney teased before handing over my soda and a straw.
“You going to finish your dog?” Morgan asked as he eyed my wiener with lust.
That made me laugh out loud. It hurt, but again, it felt great.