Page 11 of Crash (Crash & Burn Duet 1)

“If anything changes let me know. I’ll come by and pay the bill tomorrow.”

“Will do. And this one’s on the house.”

“Thanks.”

I hung up and tossed my phone in the cupholder. No sooner than it landed, “Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves” began. The guys at the station thought it was funny to change my ringtone to different Cher songs all the time.

“What’s up, big brother?” I answered as soon as I saw the caller ID.

“Were you in that fire up on West Twenty-ninth? I heard there was a firefighter hospitalized.”

“I’ve got a hot nurse by my bed right now giving me personal attention, but you interrupted.”

“That’s not funny.”

Maybe it wasn’t, especially given that Cassano was the one in the hospital, but joking was the only way I knew how to cope.

“She says she’ll dowhateverit takes to make me feel better.”

“Teague.”

My older brother had always been the serious sort, then again, he’d had to be. And I didn’t know what I’d do without him. Lincoln had supported me all my life. While he didn’t particularly like that I’d chosen a career where I had to risk my life, he had my back.

“The ceiling collapsed. A bed pinned Cassano down, but I got him out.”

“Are you okay?” Laced in my brother’s stiff words was worry.

“Yeah.” I debated for a minute whether or not to tell him the rest. He’d want to swoop in to fix things, and I appreciated that, but I didn’t need him to do my fighting. “Captain suspended me for a week without pay.”

“Why?” The anger on my behalf pelted me in the ear, and I was grateful for the support.

“I went back in alone and got a dog out.”

“So you saved Cassano’s life and a dog, yet you’re punished? I’ll have him suspended without pay and see how he likes it.”

“Don’t.”

I had no doubt as soon as we were off the phone, my brother would have me reinstated. Hell, I might even be chief by the time he was done.

“The suspension will go on your record.”

Along with a few others you don’t know about.

“Since my week just opened up, want to hang sometime?” I changed the subject and prayed he’d let it go.

“Dad wants you to come to dinner on Friday,” he said quietly.

“He can want in one hand, shit in the other, and see which fills up first,” I snapped. It wasn’t fair to my brother who was always in the middle, but he knew what an ass our father was. He had to work with him on a daily basis.

“Beau’s coming.”

“Is she back?”

Playing the sister card was a smart move on Lincoln’s part. She’d been in London for five years and rarely came to New York anymore. The three of us were close. I couldn’t help but be a little hurt she hadn’t told me, especially since I’d just talked to her a couple days ago.

“Only for the weekend.”

I scowled at how short her trip would be.

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