Page 38 of Under Southern Stars
“It’s what we do,” I say simply.
“Yeah, but Troy didn’t get it. Most people don’t.”
“Trust me, Troy doesn’t get much.” I shift closer. “How bad was it? The accident?”
“I’ve seen worse, but not by much.” His voice goes distant. “Kids were trapped in the back. Kept trying to get Mom to wake up, but she was unconscious…” He stops. “The fuel leak was getting worse. Could smell it. Battalion Chief kept yelling at me to wait, but those kids…”
“You saved them.”
“Wesaved them. Rodriguez was right there. So was Medic 5, Medic 16, Engine 18, Engine 4. Hell, the staties were even directing traffic. It was a whole team effort.”
“The news made it sound like you were Captain America.”
He laughs softly. “Hardly. Just saw what needed doing and did it.”
“Jack.” I put my hand on his, gently. “C’mon. I saw you on TV. And I’ve seen a lot in the ER. You’re a hero.”
He shakes his head. “I’m not a hero, Sophia. Just a guy who—”
I lean in and kiss him. Can’t help it. He tastes like Thai food and exhaustion and something uniquely Jack. After a moment of surprise, he kisses me back, gentle despite everything.
When we break apart, we’re both breathing differently.
“That was—” he starts.
“Overdue,” I finish.
He grins. “Was going to say brilliant, but overdue works too.”
An alarm blares through the station. “Medic 402, Medic 402. Respond to cardiac arrest…”
Jack starts to move, but Rodriguez’s voice booms from the hallway. “McKENZIE! You were called in! So you’re technically off duty as of—” he checks his watch dramatically “—an hour ago. I’ve got Kollman. Go home, hero.”
“But—”
“That’s an order. You’ve done enough today.” Rodriguez appears in the doorway, already in his gear, grinning at us both. “Besides, I’m not cockblocking the charge nurse. The entire emergency department would murder me.”
He’s gone before either of us can respond. We hear him jogging down the hall, then the bay doors opening.
Jack and I stare at each other in the sudden silence.
“So,” he says softly. “I’m officially off duty.”
“And Madison’s at her friend Chloe’s for the night.” My voice sounds breathier than I intended.
“Your place?”
“My car’s outside.”
He stands, favoring his bruised shoulder. I grab the leftover Thai food, and we walk through the empty station. The energy between us has shifted—charged, inevitable.
In the parking lot, he catches my hand. “Sophia, are you sure? We can just—”
I turn, pressing him not-so-gently against my car. “Jack. I’ve been sure since you first said ‘Kia ora’ over the phone.”
His eyes darken. “That was months ago.”
“I know.” I kiss him again, deeper this time. When we break apart, we’re both breathing hard. “My place.Now.”
