“So?”
He chuckled and looked down. “Naomi really hasn’t told you anything.”
I pointed to the door. “Get out.”
He held up his hands. “Just … hear me out. You’ll be glad you did.
“The Complex is home to dozens of doctors and scientists from all over the world who are number one in their respective fields. We have Dr. Shaurya Patel. He’s the leading cardiothoracic surgeon in the world. Dr. Anna Phillips is our hematologist. We also have the leading epidemiologist, Dr. Jerusha Farooq, and the most published and experienced biophysicist in modern medicine, Dr. Andrew Cohen.” When I didn’t respond, Peter sat on the corner of the bed and clasped his hands together. “We have an entire team to treat you. Tests and trials can be completed in the Complex that can’t be done anywhere else. No constraints. No red tape. Dr. Patel and his team could heal you.”
“Heal me,” I repeated.
“I’ve spoken to Dr. Patel. It’s possible. He’s treated thirteen patients successfully to date. The treatments are tough I hear, but he feels you’re a strong candidate.”
“And how much would that cost? I’m guessing your voodoo doctors aren’t part of my insurance plan.”
Peter sighed, nodding. “That is a concern. Once you’re better, you can bid for a contract to work on the Complex’s Deep Echo Fire Department for three years to cover the cost. That’s a high security area with no access to the outside. Your necessities will be covered.”
“So that’s the catch. I’m healed or at least better, but I’m out of your way for three years.”
“Not out of the way. You’ll both work for the Complex. You’ll be in a restricted area undergoing controlled tests, so there’s that small detail.”
“And Naomi is security, so she’ll have access.”
“Her clearance runs up to Deep Echo.”
“What is that? You keep mentioning it.”
“Where you’ll be.”
I swallowed. I didn’t wake up thinking I’d be doing a deal with the Devil.
“But you’ll be healed, ideally in a handful of weeks. Heart condition gone. You won’t just be better, you’ll be better than before.”
I grit my teeth. “Naomi’s done with you, Peter.”
“Maybe. Maybe not.”
“If you’re lying to me…”
“Naomi would never forgive me.”
I shook my head. “No. No fucking way. You don’t give a shit about me, Peter, and you’ll never convince me you do. I don’t think you truly love her either. She’s going to owe you something after this, right? That’s what you want, isn’t it? You think I’d ever want to do that to her?”
“It’s true. I don’t care for you, and I’m totally indifferent to your state of well-being. But Naomi won’t speak to me. She blames me for your split—I suppose rightfully so. I’ve tried everything else. This is a last-ditch effort for me, absolutely. I’m attempting to get back into her good graces again, and that’s the truth.”
“The truth. You think I’d believe anything that comes out of your mouth?”
“You don’t have that luxury. The offer is on the table now. Once I leave, it’s rescinded.”
Shaking with anger I looked away, fantasizing that I had the strength to tackle him to the ground and beat the shit out of him. Naomi was the toughest woman I knew, but if I wanted to be with her, I couldn’t put her through another funeral. She deserved better.
Peter’s offer felt like the only way. After talking to my doctors, ironically it was Peter who offered me any hope. I didn’t want to sit at home, missing Naomi, waiting to die. The only thing I wanted more than to be with Naomi was to protect her the only way I was able and stay away.
“If I said yes, what’s the plan?” I asked.
Peter relaxed. “You’re to call no one. Pack a small bag, because again, all of your necessities will be covered for the duration of your stay in Deep Echo. Come with me. I’ll drive you to the Complex, get you registered, past main Complex and Deep Echo security, and you’ll be immediately evaluated by doctors. Then, treatment will begin. Once you’re cleared, you’ll start for Deep Echo Fire.”
“You admit you’re just doing this to get me out of the way.”
“Freely.”
I looked down, anger flowing through me. The helplessness itself helped me make the decision. “You’re a bastard, Peter—a real low-life. You want me to just disappear for the next three plus years?”
“You’ll see her at work after you’re well and can explain then.” He crossed his arms. “Take it or leave it, Zeke.”
I stood, Peter’s eye line following me. He scrambled to stand, seeming nervous.
Leaving Naomi without saying goodbye. Every time I weighed what that might do to her, I replayed Peter’s promise that we would still see each other at the Complex. Technically, I’d see her more, and I would be well.
“I’ll start packing,” I said.
“I’ll wait for you in the hall,” Peter said.
The door closed behind him, and I stared at my phone, wishing I could warn Brad and Jenn and my brothers and sisters… Naomi. I knew exactly what she’d think. But I had to get better. Going with Peter was my only chance.
chapter thirty-five
gone
Naomi
T
he Complex felt different. The walls made unfamiliar noises, the water leaking from the walls sounded louder, the smell danker. I hadn’t slept much, but I was alert enough to notice. Trex and I walked the corridors. He yawned, then I would too, both of us tired for very different reasons.
“You okay?” Trex asked, yawning again.
“Yes, quit that. That shit is contagious.”
“You’re not okay.”
I pressed my lips together. I was afraid if I talked about it, I might cry. “Not right now. Maybe later.”
We kept walking, passing the stairs to Peter’s office. Peter stepped off the last step, barely acknowledging me as he passed.
Trex walked until we could no longer hear Peter’s footsteps, then stopped, grabbing my sleeve. “All right, talk. Peter just acted like he didn’t know you.”
I looked toward the end of the corridor, feeling my throat tighten. “Please, not now. Later, okay?”
He narrowed his eyes and leaned forward. “Are you gonna cry?”
I frowned then punched Trex in the arm—hard. “No. Fuck off,” I said, walking.
“I know that look,” he said. “And I know that punch. Did you and Zeke get into it?”
“You could say that,” I said. “Remember that favor I owed Peter for letting us go get the Alpines? He called it in. He was sure if I kissed him I’d remember my feelings for him. He didn’t care that Zeke was standing right there.”
Trex turned, walking the other way. “I’ll kill that motherfu—”
I grabbed his arm and yanked him back. “Zeke knew the circumstances. It was just an excuse. He was going to dump me anyway. That’s why he went out and drank himself into oblivion. Peter being there was a convenient way to pick a fight. After the kiss, Zeke wanted to throw a punch but realized he couldn’t. That was all he needed to walk away. He wouldn’t return any of my calls or texts yesterday.” I swallowed. “It’s over.”
“Damn it, Nomes. C’mere.” He tried to hug me, put I pushed him away. “Not here.”
“What can I do?”
“Not mention it at work? I’m struggling to keep it together here.”
He nodded. “Copy that. Let’s check the end and hassle the new guys. Deep Echo transition was today.”
“Aw, man. I kind of liked those assholes.”
“Well, now we have new assholes.”
The metal grid beneath our feet echoed with each step until we were stopped by the huge blast door that led to Deep Echo. The same alarm chirped, but a different guard spoke through the speaker. I could see through the glass that he seemed anxious; fidgeting and blinking
his eyes a lot.
“Step back, Mr. Trexler,” he said.
Trex made a face. “It’s just Trexler.”
“Step away from the door, Trexler. You have ten seconds.”
“What’s your name?” Trex asked.
He hesitated. “Gibbs.”
“Gibbs,” I said, nodding. “What kind of name is that for a soldier?”
“Five seconds,” he said, clearly at the end of his patience.
“Have a great nine months, asshole,” I said, smiling and waving as we walked away.
“Hey. Hey!” the guard said through the speaker.
We turned.
“I’ve heard about you. I’m not Lieutenant Dean. I’ll hog tie your asses and throw you in the brig. I don’t care if you’re main house’s head of security.”
Trex smiled. “I’d like to see you try.”
We kept walking, staying silent until we were outside of earshot.
“He’s Navy or Marines,” Trex said. “Air Force and Army call holding a stockade, not the brig.”
I nodded once. “Caught that.”
“I’m thinking the next nine months at the blast door won’t be as fun as it used to be,” Trex said.
“I don’t think anything is going to be as fun as it used to be,” I said. “I’m going home to an empty house tonight. My boyfriend, possibly ex-boyfriend, is trying to drink himself to death, I had to let Peter put his tongue in my mouth, and I still don’t know what the hell is going on in Deep Echo.”
“I got three hours of sleep last night, but I got to rock my daughter to sleep twice, so that’s pretty cool.”
We passed Peter again, and again he kept his head down.
“He’s avoiding you,” Trex said under his breath. “Did you bite his tongue off or something?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. He said he was stressed about the Deep Echo transition, but something’s up.”
When we packed up for the day and headed out, I checked my phone as soon as I had service. Nothing. I clicked my most recently-dialed number—Zeke’s—and listened to it ring through my speakers. This time, instead of his voicemail greeting, a series of three tones blared into the confines of my FJ, then a woman began speaking. “We're sorry; you have reached a number that has been disconnected or is no longer in service. If you feel you have reached this recording in error, please check the number and try your call again.”
I yanked the wheel over, slammed on the brakes, and dialed again.
Same message.
I hit the steering wheel. “What the fuck?”
The FJ stayed in place until I could harness my emotions long enough to figure out what to do next. I drove straight to the hotel, waving to Darby on the way in. She was holding Maddie, but I didn’t have time to chat.
“Sorry, I have to run upstairs really quick.”
“Why? For Zeke?” she asked. “Because he checked out yesterday.”
I stopped, returning to Darby. “What do you mean he checked out? Where did he go?”
She shrugged. “I’m sorry, Naomi, I wasn’t here. The day employee, Ander, checked him out. He said Zeke was looking pretty rough.”
I walked away from her, interlacing my fingers on top of my head, blew a dark strand from my face, then returned. “Has he ever mentioned to you where he’d go if he left?”
She shrugged with a smile. “He talked about moving in with you. The rest, he wouldn’t really talk about anymore. Is everything okay? Are you okay?”
“Fine,” I said, staring out the glass entrance doors. I let my hands fall to my thighs. “I guess that’s it then.”
“What’s it?” Darby asked, swaying with Maddie.
I smiled at her, touching the top of Maddie’s head, and said goodbye.
“Come by for dinner this week!” Darby called after me.
“I might! Thank you!” I replied, breaking into a jog once I was outside.
I called Watts, but he didn’t answer. His voicemail greeting was new, now saying he was in Estes Park. Of course. It’s May. Fire season.
With a full tank of gas, I set off from the Springs and drove all the way to Estes Park and into the Rocky Mountain National Forest until I found the duty station and barracks, or whatever the hell they called; the huge shit brown dorm they lived in when they weren’t out fighting fires.
They were doing drills and only stopped for a few minutes while Watts and Sugar answered my questions.
“He’s not here,” Watts said, deflated. He was soaked in sweat, filled out more than he was at the end of last year’s fire season. So was Sugar.
“Do you know where he is?” I asked.
“Last I knew, he was at the hotel. We had to report for duty today.”
I sighed, closed my eyes tight, then wiped my face in frustration. “He didn’t tell me,” I said.
“Tell you what?” Sugar asked.
“That today would have been his first day back if he wasn’t ... you know.”
Watts rubbed the back of his dirty, sweaty neck. “Because it wasn’t going to be, and he knew it. He’s been quietly spiraling, Naomi. Don’t feel bad. None of us could’ve done anything.”
“His phone is disconnected. Do you know anything about that?” I asked.
Watts and Sugar looked at each other, then back at me, shaking their heads.
“Damn it,” I said, turning to punch the air.
“He’ll come around,” Sugar said.
I hung my hands on top of my head again. “I don’t know. I don’t know if he will. What he hasn’t lost he threw away.”
The chief called Watts and Sugar back, so I waved goodbye. The FJ seemed lonelier when I hopped back in, so I buckled my seat belt and mentally prepared for the ride home. The drive was beautiful but long. The sun had already set behind the mountaintops. Soon, it would be dark, and I’d be alone with nothing to focus on but the road and my thoughts.
chapter thirty-six
animal
Naomi
“Y
ou look like shit,” Sloan said from across the table.
I poked my fork at the food on my plate, feeling bad that I had no intention of eating it. It had been nearly five weeks since Zeke left. I didn’t have his mother’s number, and Watts and the rest of the guys had been busy in California. I missed him. I missed him the way I missed Matt. Going home to an empty house was torture. My bed smelled like him for a while, breaking my heart all over again. After his scent went away, I cried myself to sleep every night for a week.
He’d left a T-shirt behind, and I’d put it on almost as soon as I got home. I was barely existing. If it weren’t for food delivery, I would have starved.
“Naomi,” Trex said.
I looked up. “What?”
“I was giving you shit just now,” Sloan said, his mouth full. “You didn’t answer, and it hurt my feelings.”
“Oh,” I said, sitting up. “Sorry.”
The team traded glances.
“Okay,” Martinez said. “It’s time to tell us what’s going on.”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” I said.
“Too bad,” Sloan said. “That’s what we do. We talk about shit.”
I narrowed my eyes at him.
He pointed his knife at me. “Don’t you come at me, Nomes. I’m not in the mood.”
“Okay, everyone, calm the fuck down,” Trex said.
I dropped my fork, letting it clang against the sectioned plate. “He’s sick. He has a heart condition. He doesn’t want me stuck with an invalid the rest of my life.”
Kitsch stroked his beard then frowned. “Is he that sick?”
I shook my head. “Not yet. But it could become more serious if he doesn’t seek out treatment soon. They wouldn’t let him re-up with the Alpines or anyone. He appealed, but they don’t want him having an episode in a remote area and dying before they can get him out.”
“That’s possible?”
Harbinger asked.
I nodded.
Harbinger’s brows shot up. “Damn.”
“He’s angry,” I said. “Things hadn’t been great. We’d been fighting a lot.”
Trex wiped his mouth with a napkin then threw it on the table. “If you ask me—”
“I didn’t,” I said.
He grimaced. “Let me rephrase. Men are intimidated by you. He was okay with it before, but now he’s not—for obvious reasons. He’s fought for you once, right? It’s gotta bother him that he can’t do that for you or anyone ever again. You make him feel even weaker.”
“That’s why I didn’t ask you,” I grumbled.
“This could be good news,” Harbinger said. “He could come around once he comes to his senses.”
“He’s lucky,” Kitsch says. “If he wasn’t sick, I’d beat his ass for doing this to you.”
I reached across the table and held Kitsch’s hand. “I know you would.”
“Hey, Caroline is talking about grilling out tonight. I can get extra if you all want to stop by.”
We all nodded, never a group to turn down a meal.
“Uh, there’s one thing,” Harbinger said, clearing his throat. “She got on really well with Senator Bennett. She asked if I’d invite him too.”
“It’s not my party,” I said with a shrug.
“You sure?” Harbinger asked again.
I nodded.
“Okay, see you after rounds then around six thirty tonight.”
***
I parked in front of Harbinger’s house, noting that everyone else—including Peter—had already arrived. I brought a pie into the house and set it on the kitchen counter.
“Hi, sweetie,” Caroline said. She hugged me with her free arm, cradling Maddie in the other.
“Wow. She’s bigger already,” I said.
Caroline grinned. “That’s why you enjoy every second.”
“Do you want me to do anything?” I asked.
Caroline looked around. “Everything’s almost done. I just have to finish up a few things. If you’d just take Maddie,” she said, carefully transitioning her into my arms.
The Edge of Us (Crash and Burn Book 2) Page 27
