Page 39 of The Problem with Fire
“Everett!” Leonard called for Kellen, so he slapped me on my shoulder and went to go see what Leonard needed.
My solitude hadn’t lasted long, though, as Daria’s voice hit my ears. “Trouble in paradise?” Again, with a station the size of ours, there were no secrets. My attitude has been mean and sullen, so that was a dead giveaway, too. And while my life was none of Daria’s business, even if Monroe and I were having problems, it was time to make shit clear between us since she hadn’t taken my earlier hint.
I stood up and looked down at her. “Look, Daria, I’ve never had a problem with you before. You’re a good station assistant and you know your shit. But I’ve already told you that my personal life is none of your business.”
“All that attitude just because I’m concerned?” she asked with false sincerity.
“No. Because you’renotconcerned,” I corrected her. “You play up your act because you think there’s a chance that I’ll let you ride my dick, but there isn’t. Even if I did find you attractive, I’m not into open buffets. And since you’ve already fucked Carl and Jake, that’s a no-go for me. Not to mention you actually had the nerve to hit on Lance, knowing he’s married and very much in love with his wife.” Her face turned pink. “At the end of the day, whether I have a girlfriend or not, I’m not interested you, Daria. Quit embarrassing yourself and wasting my time trying to force something to happen between us, because it’s not. Ever.”
“You don’t have to be an asshole about it, Sayer,” she snapped.
My brows shot up. “Because I’m being honest? Because you have no problem dicking down the firefighters as long as we don’t talk about and you can pretend you don’t?” I let out a dark laugh. “If you’re going to be a slut, at least be a proud one, Daria.” She went to swing, but I was quicker than she was, and stepped out of the line of fire.
“You bastard!” she screeched.
I stared down at this pretty woman who was ugly on the inside and knew I wasn’t going to be able to work here anymore. As the firehouse’s assistant, she was responsible for our lives just as much as we were. She kept us organized. She made sure we had everything we needed. She made sure none of our equipment was faulty. She basically took care of us.
But now that there’s been a line crossed between us, I didn’t trust her to check after my stuff. I couldn’t trust that she wouldn’t take her ridiculous crush and humiliating rejection out on me, possibly costing me my life or the life of someone else. I wasn’t going to ask Chief to get rid of her, but I was going to have to request a transfer, and when he asks me why, I’m not going to lie. And that drama with Monroe and the building inspection was enough to back up my claims.
There was also the fact that me and Monroe weren’t over. Sure, I fucked up. Sure, she was pissed as fuck at me. And, yeah, she deserved to make me suffer. But we weren’t over.
No way in hell.
So, with that, there was no way I’d continue to work with a woman who kept making a play for me, no matter how many times I’ve rejected her. I’d lose my mind if Monroe went to work every day with a guy who kept trying to get her into bed.
Lose. My. Fucking. Mind.
And trust between us was more important than it was with most couples. Monroe’s been hurt in the worst way imaginable. The man she had planned to spend the rest of her life with just decided he hadn’t wanted her anymore and had moved on. The second she had hit me with those details, I knew if I wanted to be with Monroe, I’d have to work extra hard to keep her feeling safe with me. That’s why this fuck-up was doubly hard.
Looking down at a seething Daria, I knew I’d give up anything for Monroe.
“I might be a bastard, but I’m not a lying one,” I said before turning my back on her. I needed to go get some air.
I stormed out of the side door, ready to pace the parking lot, wishing I smoked or something, when Garrett’s voice called to me. “Hayes!” I turned around and he was walking towards me. “I just-”
“Sayer!”
I was about to crack, I swear to God.
Daria was running up to me, passing Garrett up. “Sayer, hold up.”
“Hayes, man-”
Daria’s head turned back. “Just give us a second, Garrett,” she said. “Please.”
“But-”
“What do you want, Daria?” I asked once she was standing in front of me.
“I just wanted to say I’m sorry,” she said, surprising me.
“What?”
“Hayes, man-” I put my hand up, so Garrett could give me time to tell Daria to fuck off again.
“I just wanted to say I’m sorry,” she repeated, but then my entire body went into shock as Daria threw her arms around my neck, pressed her body to mine, and kissed me on the goddamn lips.
“Goddamn it!” Garrett hissed.
