Page 56 of Hot Shot

I wink at Cricket.

“I’d better get inside and make sure everything’s safe inside. See y’all later.”

Everyone waves. One calls meFireman Winfield, which draws a noisy laugh from me and Cass. With a final smile at her, I set my back straight and my chest high and walk into the school, hoping she’s watching.

Listen, I’m well aware of what the lot of us strutting around in bunker gear does to women. In fact, I’ve used it to my advantage enough times to be able to say I know its effects with certainty. And I am not afraid to use it for personal gain. Especially not when it comes to her.

Hell, these suspenders might even be my ticket in.

The boys are already walking up the hallway toward the front office, goofing off a little—my best friend and lovable asshole Tate kicks the rookie’s back foot at intervals to trip him.

“All taken care of?” I ask.

“Yeah,” Tate answers. “Chief already had the alarm unjammed. Some kid stuck a pencil in there so far, we had to take the plate off to get it out.”

“Determination. I like it.” I head back out and give the principal the all-clear. Within a few minutes, the kids are filing back in.

Chief Anderson walks my way. For an old guy, he’s pretty spry, his belly trim and his mustache white. He has no hair to speak of.

“I still don’t think you needed to roll up with the sirens blaring,” he snarks.

“Oh, come on, Chief—had to impress the kids.”

One of his brows rises. “The kids or your wife?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, sir. I’m all business.”

He harrumphs. “Married. Never would have thought. But if it was gonna be anybody, I can’t say I’m surprised it’s her. And a kid! You’ve had a busy couple of weeks, son.”

“Yessir.”

But his cheer softens. “I hate to hear about the girl’s mother. It’s a shame to lose someone so young like that. I hope they find the bastard who started that fire and put him away.”

Shock sends gooseflesh racing across my skin. “It was arson?”

He nods, his frown worried. “They’re in the thick of investigating, but it was no accident. I don’t know why anybody thinks starting a fire with gasoline won’t get you caught. Gas doesn’t burn off—there’s always a trace. But still, they try.” He shakes his head. “What they don’t know is whether or not the woman was targeted or if it was some accident.”

The vision of Trent, desperate and furious, flashes in my mind, leaving me uneasy. “You’ll…” I scratch the back of my neck. “You’ll tell me if you hear anything?”

“Of course. Of course. In the meantime, let’s get back to the station, hm?”

“Yessir. Oh—do you still have that pencil?”

“Sure.” He digs in his pocket and hands it over, clapping me on the shoulder as he heads for his department Suburban.

The guys are piling into the truck, and I climb up onto the passenger side runner, hanging onto the window frame.

“Hey, hand me that bag of suckers, would you?”

Tate rolls his eyes, reaching for the bag. “Hurry up, dude. It’s hot as shit out here.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I mutter, jumping down and heading back into the school through the still-open door, closing it behind me. “Hey, Gloria,” I say as I approached the front desk. “Is it okay if I give some of the kids candy?”

She gives me a look, though she’s smiling. “You mean some of Cassidy’s kids?”

I shrug. “Maybe so. Think she’d mind?”

Gloria’s cheeks flush, and she laughs. “You know she won’t. Go on—just be quick and don’t cause any trouble.”

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