Page 38 of Trucker
“That was entirely too easy.” Trucker smirked. “I like my women with a little fight.”
“If you want to fight, Mayson Calhoune, we can fight.” I licked my lips. “And we don’t even have to go outside.”
Trucker licked his lips and smiled.
“I like the way you think, Taji.” Trucker leaned in to breathe against my right ear. “In the dirt. On the front steps. On the hood of my truck—God, especially on the hood of my truck.”
I sighed.
“Be safe getting home, Sprite.” He stepped back. “Call me if you need anything.”
Winking at him, I allowed him to open my door for me, paused to pat his chest then allowed myself to fall into the seat.
As I drove away, I knew he was watching me.
For some reason, I felt sexy, and I had no way of explaining why.
And though I knew the news was probably all over the town already, I couldn’t help not really caring.
The moment I got home, I wondered what he meant by calling me Sprite. I knew what a Sprite was but why would he call me that?
I giggled and covered my face like a high school girl with her first crush.
Overwhelmed, I giggled.
MAYSON “TRUCKER” CALHOUNE
“You have to get the basics.”I called to the cadets. “Afterward, you will all have my contact if you need anything else from me.”
For a moment, I glanced around.
“Even at my age and level, I’m still learning. Your training never stops.” I continued. “There is always more to learn, new skills, new findings, new technology. If that’s not something you’re open to, you shouldn’t be here.”
“Yes, Sir!” They chorused.
“Stop that.” I flushed. “Take tomorrow off for a long weekend to rest. I can see that your bodies need the break.”
“We can do this.” Andi called.
“I know.” I told them. “But it’s not a shame to ask for some time off—to take that time off. Your team will suffer if you don’t take care of yourselves. Trust me, your team will be stronger for it.”
Though they looked sad, they nodded.
After dismissing the cadets for the day, I watched them go. Their heads were down their shoulders were hunched as if they were carrying the world.
Still, I was proud of them.
They were exhausted but all through that, I saw how hard they worked. I saw it in their eyes every day they came in and geared up.
They were fighting more for this town, ignoring their pain and pushing through.
They were soaking in what I was teaching them. They needed all the practical knowledge they could get to ensure their team went home intact at the end of the day.
It was never easy having to haul someone you cared about out of a fire. It was especially worse losing someone on a call. I wanted to protect them from all of that—though death in our line of business wasn’t an if.
It was a when.
I needed them to be prepared for those moments too.
