Page 57 of Rescued Duty

He wanted to show Naya and the team what he had to offer. But he couldn’t do that if they got hurt in the process.

“Whatever happens, you aren’t in this alone.” Eddie propped his hands behind him and leaned back. “You care about people. They know it and care about you too.”

Without coming out and saying it, Eddie had still dug under the surface to what Zack was really processing. “You, Naya, the crew. You’re all my family.” Zack leaned forward, hands on his knees. There, he’d said it. And in the same moment, he wanted to tuck that statement under lock and key where nothing could strip his hope.

He was the goofy guy on the team. The one who got the job done and observed his coworkers from a distance, careful not to share too much of life.

He’d lost his family once.

The reality that something could happen again to those he’d come to love was like a dark storm cloud that hovered over him, threatening to open up at a moment’s notice.

Zack shoved his hands in his pockets and stood.

“Exactly. We’re all your family, dude. And we stick by each other through thick and thin. You’re one of us, and you can’t do anything to have it taken away. Isn’t that the gospel?”

Eddie’s rhetorical question prodded at the lies Zack held on to. Yet there was no condemnation in his friend’s demeanor. Only kindness. Trying to help him remember.

“You’ve been brought into God’s family because of His love. And you can’t do anything to get kicked out.” Eddie smiled. “I can’t speak for everyone else, but your true family won’t leave you, no matter what happens. And you’ve got at least one brother right here.” Eddie stood and slapped Zack on the shoulder.

A cheesy grin formed on Eddie’s face. Zack raised an eyebrow. “What’s that look for?”

“Since we’re brothers, I also need to state the obvious, dude.” Eddie shook his head. “You like Naya, big time.”

There was no use hiding the fact. “You say it like it is.”

“And you’re not denying it,” Eddie said.

“I want to be someone she can trust. Someone who reminds her of her worth.” Not because of what she did but because of who and whose she was. A daughter of the King.

“Then tell her that.” Eddie shrugged.

“Because of our past, it feels complicated.” Zack grabbed a roller, then sat on the mat.

“How so?”

“She’s already been hurt and let down by men. When I disappeared from her life when we were teens, I basically handed her a loss that settled deep in her veins. I becameanother statistic on her record.” Zack dug the roller into his leg muscles to work out the knots.

“Does she know the whole story?”

“No. But I’m not sure how much it would change. She hasn’t verbalized it, but I can see it in her eyes. She half expects me to up and leave again.”

“Give her a chance to hear the truth from you. Then she can make a decision.”

Zack didn’t want to entertain the thought of losing her again. But would telling the truth be worth it?

“Don’t be afraid to open up.” Eddie jabbed his finger in Zack’s chest. “You’ll figure out how to care for and protect her best.” His friend broke eye contact and stared at the wall, like he was preaching to himself.

In the meantime, Zack would help those who’d become his family. He would show up for them. Because that’s what family did. They stuck close by in adversity.

He might not have told Naya all the details about that long-ago day yet, but he’d prove to her he wouldn’t leave again.

He’d touch base with her and invite her to the spring festival tomorrow. Not only would it give him peace of mind that she would be nearby, but after the truck run, they could enjoy the festivities together. That was, if she wasn’t mad at him after their conversation earlier.

“I’m heading over to the Kirbys’ house to run through the plan for tomorrow’s parade with the guys.” Zack grabbed his duffel bag from the gym cubby.

Eddie waved to him, then started his own workout.

Zack changed and headed out to his rental car. He sent a short message to Naya about tomorrow before pulling out of the firehouse.

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