Page 22 of Aspen Heat
"Are you okay?"
"Not a scratch on me, thanks to you."
"Mel…"
"Aspen…"
We both have words to say, but his squad leader chooses that exact moment to come into the room.
TEN
ASPEN
My feelingsfor Melissa run deep and I can't wait another moment to confess this to her. I love her and I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I'm gathering my thoughts in order to tell her this when Barlowe, my squad leader, barges into my room with fire in his eyes.
"Miss Stone, I need a moment alone with Brooks here, if you please."
Melissa looks scared and I don't blame her. Barlowe is fuming mad and I'm thankful he was polite to her. I've seen him angry before and he's ruthless. As soon as Melissa leaves, he starts on me.
"What do you have to say for yourself?"
"I made a mistake, and it almost cost us our lives."
"Do you want to become a full firefighter? Work enmeshed together with the Hot Shots?"
"You know I do, sir."
"Then why do you keep going off on your own, doing what you know perfectly well you're not supposed to do?"
I think about saying these were extenuating circumstances, but that's a bad attempt at a joke and I don't want to enrage my squad leader any more than he already is. So I stay silent and he starts lecturing me on procedures and methods and strategy.
His voice is rather loud and I flinch every time he makes another good point in his speech. A speech I suspect he's been wanting to give me for the longest time. His tone is harsh and his words are very negative.
I might get thrown off the squad and I allow my mind to wander for a bit. It'll be hard to find as good a fit as firefighting was for me, but I'm sure I can do it. I have to if I want to build a future with Melissa. My thoughts run away with me and all of a sudden I hear my squad leader shout at me.
"Are you even listening to me, Brooks?"
"I am." I hurry to assure him.
There's a soft knock on the door and a nurse peeks her head in.
"You need to lower your voice Sir; this is a clinic."
Barlowe has the decency to look embarrassed and I think he's blushing, as he nods to the nurse. The door is almost closing when someone puts their hand in and opens it again. It's Melissa and she looks scared. She doesn't hesitate and comes to my bedside immediately and takes my hand and holds it possessively.
"I heard what you had to say to him, Mr. Barlowe, and I understand. It's not all his fault though. He probably hasn't told you it was my fault he got hurt."
"It doesn't matter what you did, Miss Stone. He's a firefighter and he knows procedure. At least I thought he did. It's brave of you to come defend him like this, but this might cost Brooks his livelihood."
I cringe at his words and am grateful when Melissa squeezes my hand in reassurance. I need to talk to her badly.
"Then it's time for you to go. He needs his rest. You've already said your piece."
My squad leader looks startled by the stern tone in Mel's voice, and he purses his lips, but doesn't say anything.
"I'll talk to you later, Brooks. Miss Stone."
He leaves the room and I breathe a sigh of relief. Mel leans down and places a gentle kiss on my lips.
