Page 12 of California Wild

“You talk to him?” Jesse finally asked, voice low.

Heath didn’t pretend not to know what he meant.

He nodded, slow. “Yeah.”

Jesse flexed his fingers, waiting.

Heath exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “He’s not convinced.”

Jesse let out a humorless laugh. “No shit.”

LPO Colson Shaw was done with him. And even worse, Platoon Chief Adam Carrington had wanted him gone. Not just benched—off the team, permanently.

The moment Jesse had hit rock bottom—the worst night of his life, the night he’d rather forget—Adam had made it clear.

No more of this guy.

Didn’t matter that Jesse had gotten help. Didn’t matter that he was sober now.

Adam didn’t trust him.

And Jesse had spent the last year fighting tooth and nail just to prove that he was still worth something.

Heath watched him carefully. “I told him you’ve been clean a year. That you did the work. That you’re ready.”

Jesse’s throat felt tight. “And?”

Heath hesitated. Then—“He doesn’t think it changes anything.”

Jesse went still.

A slow burn crawled up his spine, anger curling low in his stomach.

“Son of a bitch,” he muttered, jaw clenching.

Heath held up a hand. “Look. You know how Adam is. He doesn’t take risks with this team. And as far as he’s concerned—”

“I’m a risk.” Jesse’s voice was flat. Final.

Heath didn’t confirm it. Didn’t have to.

Silence stretched between them.

Jesse stared at the floor, chest tightening with frustration he couldn’t shake.

“I shouldn’t have told you this,” Heath admitted, voice lower now. “But I need you to know I’m fighting for you.”

Jesse exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. “I can fight for myself.”

Heath gave him a pointed look. “Yeah? And how’s that been working out?”

Jesse’s teeth ground together.

Heath sighed, standing up straight. “You’re gonna get back on full ops soon. You just need to keep proving it. No more hotheaded shit. No more going rogue.”

Jesse scoffed. “You sound like him.”

Heath smirked. “Bullshit. I’m way more likable.”

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