Page 42 of Fire Fight
“I’m looking for a cake.”
Twenty minutes later,I pulled up to the fire station, and everything in me seemed to settle when I laid eyes on Crew.
He was out on the apron, clipboard in hand as a few of the other guys moved around the truck and called out things to him. None of it made any sense, though I had to guess they were taking inventory of their tools and supplies. Instead of approaching, I took a moment to lean up against the side of Black Betty and watch him work.
Crew had a natural charisma about him, and emanated that kind of big dick energy that alerted anyone around that he was the top dog, the alpha male, in any given situation. His men followed him without question, and I couldn’t blame them. Crew was physically imposing, of course. Tall, broad-shouldered, muscles for days. But he had an easy smile that disappeared quickly when things turned serious. Those sky blue eyes were able to cut through the bluster and bullshit. And to be firecaptain so young? Obviously, he was great at his job. There was a magnetism to him, impossible to ignore.
My inconspicuousness disappeared when one of those men spotted me.
“Well, well, well,” he said, grinning and socking Crew on the shoulder. “Look who was finally sprung from the joint.”
I rolled my eyes. “I wasn’t in prison.”
Crew smirked as he approached me. “Hospitals aren’t much better.”
“Food is probably better in prison,” I admitted.
His expression morphed into a wide grin, and I couldn’t help but match it.
“What’re you doing here?” he asked, instantly dousing my good mood.
Shrugging, I dragged my toe through the dirt, eyes darting everywhere but at his. Suddenly, I couldn’t look him straight on for fear he’d see all my weaknesses and anxieties written across my face in stark, black letters.
“I was bored.”
Crew chuckled. “I can fix that.”
Roughly, I cleared my throat and turned away, lest he see the blood heating my cheeks with the seductive promise in his words. I yanked open the passenger door of Black Betty and withdrew the cake.
“Actually, I wanted to bring you this.”
Crew accepted it, one of his dark blond brows curving in amusement.
“‘Happy birthday, Timmy’?”
I winced. “Sorry. It was the only one they had on short notice.”
“You mean to tell me you stole some little boy’s birthday cake for me? I can’t accept this, Aspen. That’s just…mean.”
“No!” I shouted, backpedaling, though his little smirk told me he was messing with me. “No, it’s not like that. Apparently, therewas a mix-up with the theme and his parents ordered a new one. They were going to throw this one away at the end of the day, so really, I was doing them a favor.”
“Lawless,” a deep voice said from behind him, and I glanced over Crew’s shoulder to see Chief Madden had joined his men outside. “It’s all good.”
Crew turned back to me with a grin, now aware of something that had gone right over my head. The guys chuckled as well, and I crossed my arms over my chest, waiting for someone to clue me in.
“Timmy is Chief Madden’s son,” Crew explained, taking pity on me at last. Then he jerked his head in the direction of the station. “How about we go inside and enjoy a slice?”
“Sure,” I said, happy to have something to do with myself that didn’t include wallowing and eager to spend more time around Crew. I knew coming here would be a good idea. This man had, after all, saved my life. It made sense I’d feel safe and calm in his presence.
Plus, nothing bad could happen to me at a fire station.
We headed inside and gathered around the long table that took up half the space in the common room. Plates and silverware were passed around, the cake was cut, and we all dug in our slices in celebration of Timmy Madden.
“So when did you get out of the hospital?” Crew asked quietly, leaning his head closer to mine. With his attention wholly focused on me, I felt like the only person in the room—hell, theworld.
“This morning,” I said around a mouthful. “Then I went to the sheriff’s department and spoke with your brother. Got my car back, got kicked out of my hotel…”
I added that last part as nonchalantly as I could despite knowing he wouldn’t let it go that easily. But maybe, deep down—ornotso deep down; Iwaseffectively homeless at the moment—I was hoping he’d find a way to help me.
