Fire Escape

by J. R. Tate

  Fire Escape - Book Three: The Troubled Heroes Series

  By J.R. Tate

  This book is a work of fiction and is for your personal enjoyment only. Any similarities to names, places, or events are coincidental. This book may not be resold or given away to another person. It may not be transmitted in any way without written permission from the author.

  Copyright © 2014 by J.R. Tate. All Rights Reserved

  Cover art by: J.R. Tate

  Edited by: Jm JMK and J.R. Tate

  Chapter One

  Michael felt like he was going to vomit - literally throw up every last bit of the expensive food he had just eaten. He had planned this night out for over a week and it still felt like things weren’t going right. He was so nauseated that he had to excuse himself from the table and leave Eva alone. He almost knocked down two servers in his mad dash to the restroom. Pausing at the sink, he looked up at his reflection in the mirror. What was the problem? They had talked about this before. He didn’t take people seriously when they said they felt like this right before. Now he was living proof that it happened.

  Cupping his hands, he splashed water over his face. It was a cool evening but he was sure if he took his blazer off that he would have pit stains. Michael felt like a wuss. Of all the things he had done in his life, this task seemed to be the most challenging and terrifying. Taking a deep breath, he glared at himself. If he didn’t do this now, everything would be ruined. He was certain Eva was on to him. It was time to finish his plan. No backing out now.

  “C’mon Michael. You can do this,” he said to himself, drying his hands with a paper towel before finding his way back to their table.

  Eva was sipping on some tea and smirked at him as he sat back down. There would be no way he could hide his uneasiness. He just couldn’t calm himself down. “I thought you fell in or something,” she said, eyeing the dessert menu. “You up for some dessert?”

  Michael held his hand up, feeling another bout of nausea course through him. “Not right now. Order something if you want.”

  He gulped down some water and studied her from across the table. Maybe she was oblivious to what this night was about. How could she be, though? It wasn’t every day that they got dressed up and came to ritzy restaurants that required reservations. Her black dress fit her perfectly, accentuating her curves in all of the right places. Her hair was pinned up with a few strands flowing down on her neck. Michael was enamored with everything about her. He wanted her all to himself and no one else, forever. It was time.

  Reaching in his pocket, he double-checked to make sure that it was still there. He fingered the velvet box with a bit of reassurance that this was all going to turn out okay. He continued to tell himself over and over that they had discussed this before.

  Standing up, he looked around at all of the people occupying the dining room with them. The band played some piano version of a classical song title he couldn’t remember. How many people would witness this possible humiliation? Sighing, he knelt down, finally able to look up at Eva. Her hands were up at her mouth and she was smiling. Definite good sign.

  “Oh my God,” she whispered, leaning forward.

  “Eva Crisante, we’ve been through so much together in our relationship. You’ve stuck by my side when you didn’t have to and have been one of the greatest supporters in my life.” He pulled the box out and opened it, revealing a diamond ring. “Will you marry me?” He hoped that she didn’t notice how much he was shaking. He had the guts to pop the question. Now it was time to hear her answer.

  Tears fell down her cheeks. “Of course I will, Mikey. Of course.”

  It felt like a million tons of bricks had been lifted off of him. Smiling, he nodded his head. “Yeah?”

  “Yes, I’ll marry you.” She laughed through her tears and held her hand out. “You’ve been back from Texas for a month and you finally ask. I was beginning to think you weren’t serious when we talked about it down there.”

  Michael slipped the ring on her petite finger. It was a good fit and looked perfect on her. He leaned forward and kissed her, savoring her smooth lips against his. The proposal felt like a roller coaster. All of the fear, anticipation, and nausea from before was washed away by a natural high. She said yes. Eva was his forever. The kiss grew deeper and he suddenly remembered they were in public. Pulling away, he wiped away one of her tears with his index finger, unable to stop smiling.

  “Sorry it took so long.” He went back to his seat and finished off his water. “I just wanted it all to be perfect.”

  She grabbed his hand. “It is, Mikey. It’s been a great evening.”

  “I love you, Eva.”

  “I love you too. Oh my gosh, you’re my fiancé. My fiancé, Michael. I am the future Eva McGinnis.” She giggled. “So cheesy, but say it! It feels great!”

  Her excitement was cute and it made him laugh along with her. “My fiancé, Eva.” She was right. It was a whole new feeling he couldn’t explain. A feeling wrapped with fear and excitement all in one. It was one of the few times in Michael’s life where he could honestly say that the future looked bright. He was ready for the journey. After everything they had endured, the only way to go was up.

  After paying for their meal, they both walked into the cool air, brushing past people on the street. Michael’s thoughts raced between what had just transpired, to everything they had coming up. His adrenaline was pumping, and it was an invigorating feeling he was enjoying. Glancing over at Eva, it made him feel like the luckiest man in the world to see her holding her hand out, admiring the diamond he had just placed on her finger. The diamond that claimed her as his, and he as hers. He knew that he wanted her for the rest of their lives, but this was now official. The mixture of emotions was overwhelming.

  “So, what do you wanna do?” he asked, clasping his fingers around her small hand.

  “What time is it?”

  Michael glanced down at his watch. “A little after eight. I really don’t wanna go home yet. I’m too keyed up.”

  “Me too.” Her grasp tightened around his fingers. “Let’s just go for a nice walk. The weather is perfect.”

  The small breeze was a bit chilly, but it was tolerable. They weaved in and out of other pedestrians, finally making their way to a park off on a side street. Remnants of his injuries from the wildfires in Texas were still present, but he was healing up nicely and almost back to one hundred percent. The sun was setting behind the high-rise buildings surrounding them. Michael leaned against a nearby metal fence, taking it all in.

  “Penny for your thoughts,” Eva said, nudging him.

  He shrugged and put his arm around her waist. “Several things. Of course, the main one being you.” He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, taking in her scent.

  She cupped the back of his head, her fingers running through his hair. A chill shot down his spine, and again, they were engrossed in a deep kiss that made them oblivious to their surroundings. Her lips tasted sweet and it was all he could do to not allow his hands to wander to various places. Eva finally broke the kiss, but her hand remained on his neck.

  “What else are you thinking about?”

  Michael looked down at the sidewalk, not wanting to turn the mood cumbersome. “Casey. Getting back to work. The usual stuff.” He pressed his forehead against hers. “But that’s stuff we don’t need to talk about right now. Tonight is about us.” He placed his hand on the small of her back and pressed his body as close to hers as it would go. “The outside world will just have to wait a few hours,” he whispered.

  “Sounds like a damn good plan to me,” she replied as both of them stayed in their tight embrace, literally allowing everything else to fade away.

  They got back to the apartment an hour later, and Michael didn’t remember
much of the walk back. He was busy allowing Eva to chat away about everything, savoring each second, knowing soon he’d go back to work and they’d go back to opposite shifts, rarely seeing each other again. He followed her up the stairs and noticed the sway of her hips, the way the dress stayed clung to her so nicely, and her long, tan legs that looked so smooth.

  As Eva unlocked the door, she turned around, pulling him in by the collar of his shirt. Kicking the door closed behind them, Michael let the world outside fade away. They were now in the comfort and security of their own home. Eva kissed him and her lips trailed down to his neck and back up to his lips.

  Michael pulled away, flashing her a smile. “Damn it, I love you Eva.”

  She returned the smile and pulled at his belt, leading him to the bedroom. “Damn it, I love you, Mikey.” She pushed him down onto the bed, her kisses moving quicker. He closed his eyes, the pleasure heightening as she pulled his shirt over his head. Her long hair fell all around them, accentuating her beautiful features.

  “This is the best night of my life,” he said as she took his breath away.

  “Just wait. It’s gonna get ten times better.” She nibbled at his ear as her hand trailed to the waistband of his pants. He let out a deep moan, knowing without a doubt that she was a woman of her word.

  ***

  “What time is your appointment today?”

  Michael rolled over and held Eva against him, wishing they could stay in bed all day. Her skin against him excited him again, but it was already late and she had to get up for her shift. “I think ten or so.” He moved her hair aside and nuzzled her neck. “Let’s just cancel today and stay here.”

  “As much as I’d love to, I gotta go to work. We’ve got a wedding to pay for now.” She got up out of bed and Michael admired her naked body as she walked toward the bathroom. “And you better find out when your appointment is. Kind of an important one, I’d say.” She flashed him a smile as she shut the door and turned the shower on.

  He buried his face deep into the covers, taking a deep breath. Eva was right. It was the doctor appointment where he could possibly get the okay to go back to work. He had visited the firehouse several times since coming back from Texas and it all seemed the same, all of the guys were doing well and giving him a hard time for being out of work again, just like when Viper had injured him in the warehouse fire. If he hadn’t literally experienced it all, he would’ve considered it all some huge tall tale, conjured up out of boredom.

  Shaking his head, he kicked his legs over the side of the bed and grabbed a pair of sweats from the dresser. He had to get a grasp on things. The events of last night came flooding back to him. He was now an engaged man. Raking his hands across his face, he said it to himself again. Committed to the same woman for the rest of his life. He never thought he’d live to see the day, and he was certain others would have the same opinion, including Casey and his mother. He couldn’t wait to break the news to either of them, and made a mental note to call Casey later that night when Eva would be home. Since Texas was an hour behind, it would be perfect timing.

  It was odd having him live so far away, but Michael was glad he decided to stay there after rehab and not come back to the life he had known before getting clean. Staying away from his old friends and atmosphere was proving to be the best thing he could have done for himself.

  “Get your ass in the kitchen and make me some breakfast.” Eva came out of the bathroom, her hair wrapped up in a towel and her dripping body covered with another.

  “You know, seeing you standing there like that does incredible things for my imagination.” Michael winked at her as he stood up.

  “I bet it does.”

  ***

  “Everything is looking very well, Michael. I’m thinking take the rest of this week off just to make sure, and you can go back, guns blazing on Monday.” His doctor scanned over his chart. “How are you feeling?”

  Michael sat back in the chair, choosing his words wisely. “I feel great. I’m ready to get back on the truck.”

  “You’d say that if you were two inches from death, wouldn’t you?”

  “I guess you’re right,” Michael replied, standing up. “I appreciate it, Doc. Thanks for letting me get back to work.”

  He scribbled a note out and handed it to him. “Just give that to your captain and you should be squared away. I don’t want to see you back here for a long time, you hear me?”

  Nodding, Michael put the note in his pocket and shook his hand. “You got it.”

  “Stay safe out there and thanks for all you do, McGinnis.”

  “Same to you, Doc.”

  He walked out into the reception area. His next course of action was delivering the news to all the guys at the firehouse. It was only a few blocks from where he was, so he took the quick walk down, enjoying the crisp air. He wasn’t sure if Eva would be around, so he sent her a quick text message telling her he was on his way over, and that he had been cleared.

  The guys had the rigs all pulled out of the garage and were busy spraying them down when he got there.

  “Well hell, look what the cat dragged in!” Gregg Walsh dropped his rag and walked up to him. “What’s the verdict?”

  “Free and clear, starting Monday.”

  “Thank God. The probie’s coffee is about to kill us all.”

  Michael laughed, suddenly feeling nostalgic for all of the firehouse banter. “Seriously, though. Thanks for helping Eva out when I was down in Texas. She told me about the support and stuff. You didn’t have to do that, but we appreciate it.”

  Gregg held his hand up. “It was nothing. We take care of our brothers and their families. Speaking of which, you just missed her. They stopped by a few minutes ago but got called out to a wreck.”

  “I’m looking for Rooker. Gotta give him this doctor’s note. I feel like a damn kid in school again.”

  “He’s in his office.”

  Michael was razzed by several of the other men as he walked through, but finally made it back to Captain Rooker’s office. He held his fist up and hesitated before knocking, finally rapping his knuckles against the door.

  “Come in!” His voice was booming and he sounded agitated.

  “Hey sir, I just wanted to bring this by.” Michael held out the note.

  “Well aren’t you a sight for sore eyes, McGinnis!” He snatched the paper from his hand and read over it. “I definitely needed to hear this today. Be here bright and early Monday morning.”

  “You got it, Captain.”

  He turned to leave, but Captain Rooker spoke again. “You sure you’re ready?”

  Turning on his heel, Michael didn’t even hesitate. “Always.”

  “You’re a good man, McGinnis. I can always count on you, unlike all these damn young guys coming in, looking to get quick fame and throw around the term hero like it’s easily earned. What you did down in Texas is admirable. I’m sure the people down there are appreciative of the time you volunteered for them.”

  Michael wasn’t sure how to respond. He felt his face heat up at the attention, the mood suddenly becoming awkward. “Thank you, sir. It’s what I felt I had to do.”

  “I’m glad you made it back safely. I look forward to seeing you back on the truck Monday morning.”

  Michael felt a sense of pride rush over him. “Yes sir.” He closed the door behind him, letting out a deep sigh as he made his way back out to the other guys. Regardless of his years on the job, his palms were sweaty and his stomach fluttered. He felt like a kid on Christmas morning.

  ***

  “So you’re all clear?” Eva asked as she walked through the door of apartment, setting aside her duffle bag as she walked into the living room. She looked to have had a busy day. Her hair was pulled back in a loose pony tail and she seemed tired, but still managed to have a smile on her face as she sat by him on the couch.

  “Yep. I get the weekend off and then it’s back at it again.” He turned the volume down on the TV and looked at her.
“Figured we’d need to tell our families soon. You know how pissed my mom will be if she hears it from someone other than us.”

  “I’m off this weekend. We can make all of our stops on Saturday if you want.”

  Michael nodded, trying to hide his uneasiness. “Yeah, I guess so. We’ll just have to call Casey, I guess.”

  “What’s wrong, Mikey?” She played with the hair that curled around his ear, causing him to make a mental note that he needed to add a haircut on to his to do list before Monday.

  Shrugging, he sat forward on the couch and set the TV remote down on the table. “Just thinking about your family. I haven’t really met any of them, and I didn’t exactly ask your dad for permission before I proposed. That’s kind of a big deal for some men.”

  Eva smirked and continued to mess with his hair that was shooting out from under his baseball cap. “He’s traditional, yeah, but I think you’re fine. He’s heard me talk about you and everything. Just be yourself. He’ll love you.”

  “Just crazy we’ve been together for as long as we have and I’ve never been out to Staten Island to meet them.”

  Eva pulled her ponytail loose and her long hair fell around her shoulders. Even after a long day of work, she looked absolutely stunning. Her reassuring smile calmed his nerves. “I think you’re excused, with everything that has happened. Hasn’t exactly been a great time these past few months. Hell, this past year, if you want to put it into perspective.”

  “I guess you’re right.” She had a good point, but he still could see things from her dad’s point of view. If they ever had a daughter, he would want to make sure that the man pursuing his kid was the right one, was respectful, and knew how to make her happy. Hopefully, he was all of that for Eva, and with luck, her father would see it in him.

  “I’m starving. Let’s go down to that corner pizzeria and get takeout,” Eva said, pulling him from his daydream. “Then we can celebrate your improving health and your work clearance.” She arched her eyebrow and leaned in for a kiss. “Maybe have a repeat of what happened after we got home last night.”