Page 1 of The Spark Between Us

Chapter 1 - Grant

The alarm blares at exactly 5:15 AM, the same as every morning. I shut it off before it hits the second ring, a habit drilled into me from years in the military. My apartment is silent again, just the way I like it.

Routine is comfort. Routine is safe.

I roll out of bed and drop to the floor for my usual hundred push-ups. The discipline keeps me centered and keeps the nightmares at bay. Most nights anyway. Last night wasn't great—flashes of sand and blood and screaming. But the morning ritual helps wash it away, at least temporarily.

By 5:55, I'm showered and dressed in a plain black t-shirt and jeans. My uniform waits in my locker at the station. I grab a protein shake from the fridge and down it while checking my phone. No messages except for our station group chat where Max is sharing pictures of his girlfriend's kid's birthday party from yesterday.

The kid's face is covered in chocolate cake, grinning like he won the lottery. Max looks happier than I've ever seen him.

"Good for you, man," I mutter, typing a quick thumbs-up emoji before pocketing my phone.

The drive to the Cedar Falls Fire Department takes exactly seven minutes. I know because I time it every day. I pull into my usual spot at 6:15, forty-five minutes before my shift officially starts. The early arrival is another military habit I can't shake, one that Chief Brock appreciates. Speaking of whom, his truck is already in its designated spot. He's always here before me.

The thought of Chief Brock sends my mind where it shouldn't go—to her. To Ellie. To his daughter. To the woman I have absolutely no business thinking about.

I shake my head hard, trying to physically dislodge her from my thoughts. It's been easier the past few months with her away at college, finishing her senior year. Out of sight should be out of mind, but somehow, it's not. Not completely.

I grab my gym bag from the passenger seat and head inside. The station is quiet this early, just how I like it. I nod at Ollis, who's finishing his overnight shift in the control room. He looks different these days—happier, more settled since he started seeing Evelyn. Another one of our crew finding their person.

"Morning," he says, raising his coffee mug in greeting. "Chief wants to see you when you get in."

"Everything okay?" I ask, instantly alert.

Ollis shrugs. "Seems fine. Just said to send you his way."

I drop my bag in my locker and head straight for Brock's office. The door is open, and he's behind his desk, reading glasses perched on his nose as he reviews what look like budget reports.

"You wanted to see me, Chief?" I stand at the threshold, arms at my sides.

Brock looks up and smiles, that familiar crinkle around his eyes reminding me of someone else. "Grant. Come in, close the door."

Something in his tone makes me wary. I do as instructed and take a seat across from him.

"Everything good?" I ask.

"Fine, fine." He removes his glasses, setting them on top of the paperwork. "Got the schedule for the summer safetydemonstrations at the schools. Wanted to know if you'd take point on coordinating them this year."

Relief washes over me. Just business. "Of course, sir. Happy to."

"Good man." He leans back in his chair. "And for God's sake, we've known each other fifteen years. When are you going to stop calling me 'sir' when it's just us?"

I smile slightly. "Probably never... sir."

He chuckles and shakes his head. This is our usual dance. Some habits are hard to break, especially when they help maintain important boundaries.

"How's the shoulder?" he asks, nodding to where I took a piece of ceiling debris two weeks ago during a warehouse fire.

"Good as new," I lie. It still twinges when I reach overhead, but it's nothing I can't handle.

He gives me a look that says he doesn't believe me but won't push it. That's our way—respect each other's boundaries, trust each other to know our limits. It's worked for us since Afghanistan, and it works for us now.

"One more thing," Brock says as I stand to leave. "House is going to be a bit lively this weekend. Thought I'd give you a heads up since you're coming over to watch the game Sunday."

"Yeah?" I'm already mentally preparing my excuse to cancel, sensing what's coming.

"Ellie's coming home. Graduated last weekend. Taking some time to figure out next steps."

---