Page 46 of Up In Flames
“Knox wai?—”
I don’t hear him finish his sentence because I throw my hat on the floorboard and leap over the side, breaking the surface just in time to see the guy’s jet ski go airborne and its driver thrown twice as high.
Shit.Even the volunteer firefighters are trained as EMTs at our station, so I already know, at the very least, this guy has a concussion, if not a broken neck.
Thanks to the breakaway cord, the jet ski lands in the water and bobs up and down, lifeless, instead of continuing its mission.
I raise my fist in the air and make circular motions, knowing Jake understands I want him to protect this asshole by circling him with the boat so no one runs over him.
Fucking tourists.
“Goddammit,” I growl, spitting water as I swim toward the idiot who’s trying to die in my lake.I just wanted a day on the water with the guys.
When I’m within ten feet of him, I realize he’s face down, and my heart stops in my chest because even though I can’t see his face, I’d recognize him anywhere, in any state.
Great, now we’re both at risk of drowning.
I roll Taylor onto his back, while carefully cradling his neck, and lightly tap his cheeks, trying like hell not to let my rising panic take hold.
“Taylor. Hey. Come on, baby. Wake up for me.” I check his pulse, which thankfully is strong.
I try placing the back of my hand next to his nose and mouth to see if he’s breathing, but I can’t tell, so I move my cheek next to his face. The relief that pummels through me when I feel a light exhale against my skin is so fucking dangerous.
Now that I know he’s alive, the rest of the world comes into focus a little bit more, and I look up to see Jake circling us slowly with the boat.
Aw, hell. The guys are on the boat…and Taylor’s in my arms.
Taylor’s eyes begin fluttering, like he’s clawing his way back to consciousness.
“Atta boy,” I whisper practically into his mouth as I swim us toward the ladder Hudson just threw down.
“Oh shit. I died, didn’t I? Livvy is going to besomad at me,” Taylor says, his eyes closing again. I’m not sure he realizes it’s me who’s holding him.
“What? No, Taylor. You’re not dead.”Thank fuck.
“Yes, Iam!” he wails dramatically, and I can’t help my smile.Thisis more like the guy I first met. Not the somber, serious man who climbed onto my lap while I tried to drink myself into oblivion. But then, I guess there are layers to everyone.
We make it to the side of the boat, and I look up at Phoenix and Hudson. “A little help here, fellas?”
I hoist the limp, wet noodle up as much as I can. Thankfully, my boys are strong, and once they have Taylor’s life jacket, he’s as good as on the deck.
I climb up after him, Phoenix already guiding him to the bench seat, supporting his head and neck, and taking him through a mental-status exam, trying to assess for a concussion. Once you’re trained as a first responder, you never reallystopresponding, even if it’s no longer your job.
Taylor is slow to answer and confused about the date and time, which isn’t a good sign, but he’s not fighting us, and he seems aware of his surroundings.
As I climb on board, I hear Taylor tell Phoe dreamily, “You’re a hot doctor.”
I groan. Everyone thinks Phoenix is hot.
Phoe pops a perfect white smile at Taylor. “Not a doctor, just a retired firefighter.”
Then Phoe swings his gaze to Hudson, and I feel my skin grow warm. “He look familiar to you?”
Before I can answer, Hudson laughs. “Oh shit! It’s him, isn’t it?”
I’m saved from having to confirm or deny when Taylor’s jet ski partner races toward Taylor’s abandoned jet ski bobbing upside down in the water.
“TAYLOR!” she screams in total panic.
