Page 1 of Against My Fire

Chapter One

? Bentley ?

This is it. My fresh start. My new life. At least I hope so. Things have not always been easy for me and the older I get the less I give a fuck about what anyone thinks.

My name is Bentley Cruz and I am starting as the probie at the Piper Falls firehouse 49. I transferred here from New Orleans and was too happy to make the move. I am the only daughter of Brock and Madeline Cruz. My life hasn’t always been the best, and considering I am only twenty-four years old. I still have a long way to go. I hope so.

I have been bouncing around in the system since I was twelve and have seen some shitty things. That was until I got to one of the kindest foster homes I think there ever was. Mrs. Anderson was the last one I was with before I turned eighteen. She had me for two years and made me who I am today. My parents did raise me to be who I am right now as well until the age of twelve. You see, I lost my parents when I was twelve. I still have nightmares about it and I am terrified of storms. It’s not something I like reliving.

Not when this is my new start. The day that Bently Cruz becomes a Piper Falls firefighter. This is the new me with the old me’s heart. I have trust issues and don’t ever get too close to anyone, not with my line of work or with my past. It’s like I said, my life has been complicated since my parents died, I don't even want to know where I would be if I didn’t have Mrs. Anderson.

“Hey,” a short red-haired lady waves as she stops beside me. “Are you the new tenant?” She points to the cute one-story house I am standing in front of. I fell in love with the house's layout and most of all the porch. I could see myself spending my days off on the porch swing with a good book. That was why I took this house. It is a two bedroom one bathroom, but I didn’t care about that. It was the right size for me. What also caught my eye was that the house was fully furnished.

“Yeah. I’m Bentley.” I hold out my hand for her to shake.

“I’m Shelby and Jolene is my roommate.” She points to a young black-haired lady with light brown skin. The lady waves at me and I lift my hand to wave back. “We both work at The Cozy Bean Cafe.” She beams as she speaks about her job. “So what do you do?”

I glance back at my house before I look back at her. “I’m a firefighter,” I answer as I walk back to my truck.

“That is exciting. We see a few come in at the coffee shop. I know most of their coffee orders by heart.” She follows behind me as she keeps on talking. Her bubbly personality is making me anxious. I don’t do well with others that I just met. I don’t trust and that means I don’t let them in. “You should tell me what coffee you like so I know what to send your way.” She grabs the suitcase I just unloaded.

“You don’t have to do that.” I point to the suitcase and she waves me off as she keeps on chatting away. I have to try, I know I do, but not on my first day. I just need to get used to it.

She walks towards my house without even waiting for me and I let out a small sigh as I follow her with some boxes as well. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to have a friend. I will just have to get used to her bubbly personality. She can be the buffer between me and all the other people.

I drive to the firehouse as I start my shift today. I had fun with Shelby and Jolene last night. Once you warm up to them, they aren’t that bad. I can see us being friends. Will I share my deepest darkest secrets with them? Probably not. But I will be open to spending time with them as my friends. Hopefully one day my heart and my trust can be rebuilt. Right now both are broken into millions of pieces and I have no desire to put them back together.

I pull up to the firehouse and park my truck in the designated area. I glance up at the firehouse and I take a deep breath. This is my fresh start. I get out of my truck and make my way towards the firehouse. I see a few guys moving around and getting ready as I walk in. They all nod as I make my way toward the Captain's office.

I knock lightly but don't see anyone there. I glance back at all the guys and my eyes land on a giant. To me, he is a giant with me being only 5’4. He looks up and locks eyes with me. I make my way over to him with what I hope is confidence.

“You must be Bentley.” He crosses his arms over his chest and his whole demeanor screams power. There is no mistaking him as anything else but the Captain.

“Yes, sir. Bentley Cruz.” I hold my hand out for him to shake. He takes it and shakes my hand. The other guys come closer and greet me as well. Captain Falcon shows me around the firehouse, explaining everything to me as we walk through the firehouse. It’s smaller and different from the one I used to work at, but it’s more inviting. They all seem close to each other and hopefully, I will fit in.

“Seeing as you are our new Probie, it’s your turn to make lunch.” Captain Falcon smirks as he points toward the kitchen.

“Any preferences or would cheesy pasta work for all of you?” I can practically see the guys drooling as I mention it. With a laugh, I head toward the kitchen.

It’s different here. Even though I have to make lunch it doesn’t feel like the guys expect me to do all the female duties as my previous Captain referred to it. In a short period, they have made me feel like one of them and not the short lady on the crew or the princess that can’t break a nail.

I feel that it was the right move. I needed this move.

Chapter Two

? Jaxon ?

One of the most beautiful things to me is the sunrise and sunset. It reminds me that I am still alive and ready to take a new day by the horns or get the rest that I need.

I’m Jaxon Walker, owner of Walker Estate located on the border of Piper Falls. My home town since before I was born. Hell, Dad always likes to tell me that I was conceived next to the lake. The same place that’s sporting our gorgeous local picnic spot.

I inherited Walker Estate the day Mom and Dad decided to do some traveling. I didn’t mind one bit, this is what I have been working for. I was ready to take over and to lay my roots down. That was until the only girl I thought I actually could have a future with disappeared one night without a trace. It’s like she vanished. We were fine when we went to bed and the next morning she was gone. All her stuff was gone which made me believe that she was planning it for a while and I never noticed her stuff being gone, because I foolishly believed that she loved staying on the ranch with me. That she loved Piper Falls. Now I own the Estate and will be alone forever. I can’t take that pain of a broken heart again.

Things have been peaceful until some big-shot corporate company bought the ranch that borders mine. I am not planning on selling my ranch not now not ever. This ranch has been part of Piper Falls for 100 years. It has been in the Walker family for a hundred years and we are still going strong.

We are known for our festivals and I have seen so many couples fall in love right here on the ranch, what makes these fancy pants think that I will sell to them? This ranch will stay in the family until the end of time.

I take a sip of my coffee as I watch a car drive up the dirt road toward the house. It’s too early for me to have to deal with some sales guy. I place my cup down before I walk over to where they are parked. I was stunned to see a lady get out of the car. She doesn’t seem very friendly as she gets out and leaves the door open a little. I have no idea who she is as she stalks over to me. Her heels sink into the ground and the black dress she is wearing will not be black when she leaves. Not with the amount of dust she’s kicking up.

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