by J. L. Drake
“Walker,” I whispered and rubbed his back, “you need to go with your grandmother now. She’s going to take good care of you.”
“No,” he cried harder, “I want to stay with you.”
My heart melted for this kid. I was so lucky to have had a great family. All too often, we saw the darker side of life, and it just about gutted me every time. Walker and I had bonded, and it hurt to say goodbye.
“Remember our promise.” He hugged me again then looked over at his grandmother, who smiled warmly. She held out her arms, and Walker went with her. He continued to cry, but at least he wasn’t howling. A part of me left with him as he looked over his shoulder before they disappeared outside.
“Come on.” I shook Cook’s shoulder, and we headed to the parking lot.
“That was a rough one.” Cook sighed once we were alone in his truck.
“Yeah, that’ll leave a scar.”
I knew it would take a long while before I would be able to put that whole thing out of my head. I loved my job, but sometimes it took a heavy toll.
Chapter Four
Carter
“You better not out-dress me.” Cook cracked a beer and settled on my couch like he normally did.
“You say that like it’s hard.” I stopped myself when I heard him retort with…
“You know what’s hard?”
“Don’t.” I shook my head in the mirror. He was sixteen trapped in a man’s body. With one last look in the mirror, I figured it would have to do. I wasn’t big on dating. I was happy being the only person in my life. I was okay with that most of the time. Lately, however, I had felt a yearning for someone to share things with. The old attitude had scared most women away, and it wasn’t easy to change.
“Oh, come on,” Cook was suddenly in the hallway, “I said don’t out-dress me.”
“Jeans and a button-up shirt are not out-dressing you.”
“It’s your hair.” His hand buzzed around his head. “Your perfectly placed Ken hair.”
“What did I say before about referencing Barbies?”
“Whatever,” he pulled out his phone, “cab’s here.”
The restaurant was in full swing, and the live band helped fill the empty spaces in the conversation. Jenelle was nice and not hard to look at, but since the last time I saw her, she seemed a little preoccupied. More times than not she had her head stuck in her phone.
“Hey.” Cook reached across the table and snatched his cousin’s phone. “What could possibly be more interesting than me?”
“Cook, give that back!” She went to grab it, but he leaned back out of her reach.
“Who is D?”
Her face went red, and I could tell this was going to be big.
“Yeah, Jenelle, who’s D?” I couldn’t help but egg on the situation. It was always fun to get him in shit.
“No one.” She held out her hand. “Give it.”
“Naw,” he shook his head with a big, fat grin, “not until you tell me.” He dropped his head and went back to reading the messages.
“You may not…” She trailed off when Cook’s eyebrows pinched together, and something clicked, because when he looked up, I saw pure shock race across his face.
“I’m going to kill him.”
“Cook,” she tried to act calm, “please, it’s not what you think.”
“Isn’t it?” He pulled out his phone and snapped a picture of her conversation. “You know what Digger is like.”
“Wait, you’re dating Digger?” I tried not to laugh because I knew Digger was about to be dead. “You know he nearly broke your cousin.” It was true, Digger was only it in for the sex, and when he was finished with Cook’s sister, she was left in pieces.
“I’m aware.” She snatched her phone back. “Have you ever thought that maybe I just want a little fun?”
“Exhibit A.” Cook pointed to me, and I gave him the finger.
“Before I settle for vanilla, I need a little butterscotch ripple.” She glanced at me with a sincere expression. “No offense.”
“None taken.” Trust me. I was pleased to know Jenelle was looking for fun while I was looking for a someone.
“Thanks,” Cook tried to catch his breath, he was laughing so hard, “for ruining my second favorite flavor of ice cream. Really, did you just use a flavor with the word ‘ripple’ in it?” He shuddered like he was disgusted as he dodged her swat.
While Cook continued to harass his cousin, I found my eyes drawn to the bar where a familiar, beautiful girl was speaking to the bartender.
“Excuse me.” I grabbed my beer and hurried over. Her long pea coat hit just above her gorgeous calf muscles, and as my eyes ran farther down and I spotted her heels, I couldn’t help the grin. After all, it was snowy out, and here she was in six-inch heels. Her long hair was slightly curled, and when she spotted me, her tired face brightened. “Hey, stranger.”
“Hey, you.” As that smile stretched across her mouth, I was hit dead center in my stomach with something warm, and it spread throughout my whole body.
“How’s the tree?” I found myself wanting to know all about her day.
“Cheery.” She smiled that smile again, and my temperature went up instantly. “Jasper likes to pretend he’s outdoors.”
“Jasper?”
“Cat.”
“Oh, I didn’t see him before.”
“That’s because he sleeps twenty-three hours, lucky little runt.” She brushed her hair back. “And I am dead tired from a week of three never-ending projects.” She paused. “I work at an ad agency. So, while I know I should be at home resting along with Jasper, I’m here getting a much needed,” she paused again as the bartender handed her a cosmo, “drink.”
“Alone?”
“Yeah. Didn’t you hear that’s all the rage now?” She laughed, but I could feel the sarcasm behind it.
“I guess I missed the memo, because I’m here with some friends. Why don’t you join us?”
“Oh, no, I couldn’t.” She looked down at her outfit that was sexy as hell. Light pink blouse, with a tight skirt that stopped at the top of her knees. “You know what, sure, lead the way.”
“Good.” I carried her drink through the sea of people and pulled over a free chair so she could sit next to me.
“Another round for the lieutenant,” one of my men called, and everyone started cheering.
I gave a friendly nod and didn’t protest. I knew better.
“What is that all about?” She tried to question me, but I danced around the topic.
“Cook and Jenelle, this is my neighbor, Arizona.”
“Lovely to meet you.” Cook shook her hand and turned to look at me like he was connecting the dots.
“You as well.”
“You must be new to the building, because I don’t recall seeing you around.”
“I am. Thought it was time for a change.” She squinted at him. “I detect an accent. Nigerian?”
“Very good.” Cook beamed at me. Many couldn’t pinpoint where Cook came from, as his parents had changed his name when they arrived in America when he was seven. His accent was there, just not as thick as his parents’. “I was born in Sokoto, until my parents brought me and some of my family here. I have two sisters who are still there, and my two other brothers and older sister are here with me. Making money to send back home.”
“Really?” She leaned in to hear more, and I sat back and watched my best friend approve the girl I was finding myself interested in.
“Excuse me, sir?” A young man stood respectfully at Jenelle’s side. “I just wanted to say we all heard what happened, and I wanted to shake the hand of a hero.”
I pushed to my feet and gave him the respect he was showing me. Though I wasn’t one for public attention, I appreciated the gesture.
“Thank
you, but it wasn’t just me.” I gave his hand a squeeze and noticed a pint of beer was being placed in the center of the table as well as a replacement for Arizona’s cosmo.
“Us candidates wanted to buy you a round.”
“Not necessary, but much appreciated.” I glanced over at Cook to introduce him, but he was already pouring his glass.
“Have a good night.” He returned to his table of friends.
I eased back into the chair and caught Jenelle’s expression.
“What?”
“Nothing.” She shook her head, but I saw her glance my way again. I wasn’t born yesterday. I knew that look. It was a firefighter’s curse. The word hero got tossed around, and suddenly females emerged from the fog.
“I’m sorry,” Arizona pulled my attention to her, “what just happened here?”
Cook laughed. “Your neighbor,” he pointed at me, “is a living hero…ow!” He yelped when I kicked him in the leg. “She should know.”
“Yeah, I should know.” She matched his tone, and I rolled my eyes, happy they seemed to be hitting it off. “Cook?”
“Our last fire, he saved a boy’s life.”
“We both did,” I corrected.
“No, man,” his voice dropped, and what happened was right at the surface, “you heard him scream. I didn’t. You carried him out and then spent the night.” He held up his hands. “Well, we both did that, but you are the one who saved that kid’s life. And let’s not forget that leap of death.”
The only downside to having one of your crewmates as your best friend was you missed the signs for help because you were too close. I would address that later.
I raised my glass, and the others followed. “To the kid.”
“So that’s why you brought up the fire hazard with my tree.” Arizona laughed, bringing the lightness back into the evening. “Oh, my God, I’m so glad I didn’t make a dirty comment.” She covered her mouth and laughed harder. “You can’t blame me. I read a lot, and it just happens.” She sipped the last of her drink, and I very much enjoyed seeing that side of her. She had a great buzz on, just enough to let loose a little, but still was quick as a whip.
“I’m so happy I entertain you.” I winked with a grin.
“Me too.”
Jenelle handed her the second cosmo and scowled at her as she refused it.
“Thank you, but one was plenty.” She pushed it back to the center of the table. “I haven’t touched it if you’d like to have it.”
“Don’t need leftovers.”
Both Cook and I snapped our heads over to her.
“Okay,” Arizona just shook off her comment and reached for her coat, “though I still have a hundred questions, I really should get going. Thank you for the laughs and the information,” she grinned at me playfully, “and lovely to meet both of you.”
“Bye,” Jenelle whispered, and I shot her a look while Cook continued to chat Arizona’s ear off.
“I’ll walk you home.” I stood.
“No, please, this was your night out.”
“And now it’s over.” I waved at the table and ignored Cook’s smirk. I placed my hand on her back, and we both fought through the sea of people.
Once outside, she shivered in the breeze.
“I’ll get us a cab.”
“Honestly, the walk would do me some good.”
“Then we walk.” I looked down at her heels and saw her follow my gaze.
“What? I’m used to wearing them.”
My shrug made her laugh as she took my arm and we started down the street. I liked the way she tucked into my side. She was shorter than I was and had a small frame. It felt good. There was something about the way she was tonight, happy and light. It made me wonder about her past.
“Are you dating anyone?”
Her mouth flinched, and something dark raced across her face. “No, but I do have a complicated past.”
“Don’t we all?” I nodded to show her I understood that comment.
“So,” she slapped on a smile, “Jenelle seems nice.”
“She wasn’t tonight.”
“Not really, no, but I’m thinking I stepped on some toes.”
“No,” I shook my head, “believe me, you didn’t.”
She glanced up at me. “What would you think about getting some coffee?” Her eyes shifted over my shoulder, and I followed her line of sight. “To go cups?”
“Sure.” I wanted to spend more time with her, anyway.
We ordered, but we waited outside at a little table with a heat lamp above it. They needed to make a fresh pot, and it was crowded inside.
“So, a fireman, huh?”
“Yes.” I gave a nod.
“A lieutenant?”
I nodded again.
“I’m kind of shocked I didn’t know that. And that you were a hero.”
I mumbled something indecipherable and looked at the ground.
“Why so coy, Carter? It’s an amazing thing that you do.”
“Not coy, just cautious.”
“Cautious how?”
“There’s something called a fireman’s curse. Some bask in it, while others like me run like hell from it.”
A kid came out and handed us our coffees, and we continued on our way home.
“Explain this curse to me.” She waved her hand forward, wanting me to continue.
I hesitated to try to find the right words. “Well, as a fireman, we see a lot and do a lot of things that need to be done, as you can imagine. We are trained for it, and what we see as just doing our job others sometimes see something that isn’t there. They get all hero-worshippy.”
“Women, you mean?”
“Yes.” I helped her step down off the sidewalk to cross the street, throwing another look at her heels. “They send out all the right signals, they reel us in with their vision of who they think we are, and it can be good for a while, but the relationship doesn’t last long. Long enough for you to develop feelings for them, though. You see, once they realize you’re just a regular guy, and they see what you really do, it sinks in, and they leave. The fantasy is over, taking a piece of you each time.” I cleared my throat. “So, you watch for the signs.”
She took a long sip of her coffee and let what I said sink in. Then she looked up at me. “And what are the signs?”
I tilted my head and wondered what it would be like talking to her once I knew her well, when all the guards were down, and the ease arrived. Her eyes were intense and dared me not to lie.
“When a girl doesn’t have any interest in you, but then she hears the word ‘hero,’ and suddenly she’s all dewy eyed. Then in one night,” I held her gaze for an extra beat to make my point, then snapped my fingers, “you’re a magnet.”
“Have you ever had it happen to you?”
“Kind of,” I answered truthfully. “I try to avoid that type at all costs, but I’m human and make mistakes. But I’m a good guy, and most woman don’t see a good guy until they’ve been through enough bad. I’m the guy who comes along later.”
“I hate to say this, but you’re right. Woman don’t see it until later.”
We walked the last three blocks in silence, both of us chuckling as Otis jumped to open the door, a huge grin on his face.
“My, my, my, aren’t you out late, Ms. Lexington.” He rubbed his hands together. “Seems I don’t need to give you the speech this time about being all by yourself.”
“Not tonight.” She gave him a hug and laughed as he beamed like a happy father. “I ran into Carter, and he was kind enough to walk me home.”
“Such a good man.” Otis opened the door wider to let us pass. “Just love seeing such happy faces.”
Once in the elevator, Arizona continued to laugh.
“He really likes you.”
�
�I have a great father, but having him at the door makes my day.”
I couldn’t help but feel how much love she had inside of her just waiting to be shared.
We stepped out into the hallway, and I noticed she was struggling with something by the way she fumbled with her keys.
“Thanks for making my night fun.” She hesitated at her door. “I forgot how much I needed to get out.”
“I’m glad you were there. I was beginning to think you left in the night.”
“No, I just needed some time to realize I could go out.”
“Good timing on my part, then.” I pulled my own keys free when she leaned up and kissed my cheek. Her lips were soft against my light beard, and her hair smelled fresh and intoxicating. I found myself leaning forward as she very slowly pulled back.
“I should go.”
“Okay,” I painfully answered, and with all my might turned to the door to put the key in the hole.
“Carter.” She stopped me from stepping inside.
“Mm?”
“I’m glad I got to meet you before I knew you were a fireman.”
“Why?”
“The curse. You’ll never doubt me.”
My chest felt a zap. It was a fraction of a second, but it woke me up good.
“Night, Carter,” she whispered as she slowly closed the door.
Chapter Five
Arizona
I was up and out the door at seven, coffee in hand, ready to take on the day. I woke feeling hopeful. A sudden thought of Myles with Aubrey pushed through, and it nearly sickened me, but I shoved the painful image away. I would not let him hold me back anymore. I was sure the man hadn’t slept alone since I left, anyway.
I glanced at myself in the reflection of the cabby’s window and thought I needed another kind of a change. I made a quick call to the spa and decided to treat myself to a makeover.
Work was long, but it was better than sitting in my apartment. It had been nearly five months since I’d left and started my second chance at life, and things were going pretty well.