by Hope Ford
I nod and grab my gear before following the guys to the truck. I can feel Kent’s gaze on me the whole way. It’s been like that all week, but I don’t give him the satisfaction of noticing. If anything, I make sure I never look his direction the whole shift.
“All right, guys, what’s the deal? What’s Code Astor?” I ask them as I shut the truck door.
Porter shakes his head. “I think it will be easier if you just see for yourself instead of us explaining it.”
I almost tell them I hate surprises, but I just shrug it off. Andrew turns up the stereo, and I sit and watch the town go by as we drive toward the edge of Cherry Falls. This week I’ve been to two kitchen fires, a car accident, a fire in an abandoned lot, and worked the fireworks show down at Kissme Bay just in case of any accidents. All in all, it was a good week.
“We’re here,” Andrew says as he jumps out of the truck. I look around, and I don’t see any smoke or even any emergency lights or anything. If nothing else, it looks like they’ve driven me to a quiet part of town.
I get out and shut the door. “All right, guys, what is this, some kind of initiation? You drop me off and make me walk back or what?”
Porter laughs. “Would we do that?”
I nod emphatically. “Yes, you would.”
Andrew shoves Porter. “Well, that’s not today, but that’s definitely a good idea for another time. Today we are appointing you lead on the Code Astor.”
Before I can ask again what Code Astor is, I hear a woman hollering, “Come here, Astor. Come here, kitty, kitty.”
I look across the street, and there’s a woman staring up a tall oak tree. I look between the woman, the tree, and back at the guys. “Code Astor, I presume?”
They both burst out laughing, thinking they’ve pulled one over on me. I barely resist rolling my eyes. It’s a cat. How hard can it be?
I walk across the street and stop next to the woman with the walker. “Hey, there. I’m Ava Catlett with the Cherry Falls Fire Department.”
“Oh, thank you. I’m so glad you’re here. It’s starting to get dark, and I don’t want Astor to be stuck there all night. He likes to sleep all tight and cozy in his bed inside.”
I nod. “No problem, ma’am. We’ll – I mean I’ll get him down. Do you have a can of tuna or something?”
Porter interrupts. “He won’t come down for tuna.”
I know the guys see the shocked look on my face. What cat doesn’t come for tuna?
Andrew hits Porter in the side with his elbow and tries not to laugh. “Yeah, the only way to get Astor down is to climb the tree.”
I look up into the tall oak tree and then at the woman, who seems to be really worried about her cat. She nods. “They’re right. They usually have to climb up to get him.”
With both Porter and Andrew now fully laughing, I realize why they brought me. But what they don’t realize is that I was raised with two brothers. Do they think I’m scared to climb a tree?
I pull my sleeves up to my elbows, grab on to a branch, and start to scale the tree. I’m definitely slower than I was back in elementary school, but I’m proud of how fast I get to the large branch that I sit down on. I grab the cat and pet and coo. Both of the men are staring at me with their mouths hanging open. I hold the cat with one hand close to my chest as I scale down the tree. Once I get close enough, I drop and land on my feet. Still holding the cat, I follow the woman to help her get Astor back inside. Even though it was easy, I don’t want to chance my luck and have to climb it again.
Once we’re at the door, I am passing Astor over to her when the flash of Porter’s phone goes off, and a few seconds later, there’s a ding on my phone.
We tell the woman bye, and I follow Andrew and Porter back to the truck. “Really, guys, is that the best you got?”
Porter starts the truck. “Check your phone, Catlett.”
I pull out my phone and look at the text. It’s a group text that was sent to all the guys back at the station. Except for the chief, I don’t think he’s on there. I look at the picture and somehow the yo-yo’s got me smiling. I’m about to hand Astor to the woman, and amazingly, it’s actually a good shot of me if I do say so myself. But it’s the text with the picture that I start to smile about. She passed, guys. Not a scratch on her.
All three of our phones start to blow up with the guys back at the station congratulating me. Who would have thought saving a cat in a tree would be my way to fit in?
I shrugged. “I passed? Was that a test?”
Porter slaps the steering wheel. “Heck yeah, that was a test. Every time we come to get Astor, we get bitten or scratched.”
Andrew holds his arm back to show me a long thin scar on it. “See, that’s my battle scar.”
Porter nods. “I know, I hate getting the Astor call, but I can’t tell ol’ Miss Jamison no.”
I lean my head back in the seat and remember some of the calls I’ve been on back in the city. “Guys, that’s one of the easy calls. We should appreciate the easy ones. It’s the hard ones...” I sigh softly and stop talking.
Both guys are quiet for a minute before Porter agrees. “You got that right, Catlett.”
Kent
I’m staring at my phone and have been for the last ten minutes. I’m sitting in the bay trying not to look conspicuous, but I’m waiting for Ava to get back. When Porter dinged the station’s group text, I expected some goofy photo of him and Andrew but was surprised when it was a picture of Ava holding Astor. Everyone has been initiated with Astor, and it looks like Ava has found a buddy by the way she’s smiling. I save the image to my photos, and instantly I’m ticked off about it. I don’t want to like her... but it’s hard not to.
I sit on the chair looking up Alpha Avenue, just waiting to see the red fire truck. I try to look relaxed, but it’s easier said than done. I’ve been a knotted mess since the day Ava started, and it’s only gotten worse since she’s gone out of her way to avoid me. As soon as the truck comes into sight, I sit up straight and wait for them to pull in. They park outside the garage bay doors, and Porter and Andrew are laughing. “Did you get the text, man?”
I nod and search Ava’s face, but again she’s going out of her way to avoid me. I follow in behind them and stand to the side while they put their gear up. They’re laughing and talking the whole time, and for the first time, it’s bothering me that I’m more of an outsider.
“We’re going to Fireside for a beer. You want to join us?”
She chances a look at me but turns away quickly when she sees me staring at her. “Who’s all going?”
Porter shuts his locker with a slam. “Andrew and I. And a few of the others that are off will meet us there. C’mon, you have to come and meet people if you’re going to stay in Cherry Falls.”
I hold my breath and wait for her to respond. I don’t want her to go, but I definitely don’t have a say in it, and if I even tried to voice my opinion, she’s definitely going to do the opposite.
“Sure, I’m in. But I won’t stay long. I’m still getting used to these twenty-four hour shifts.”
They start to walk to the exit, and I catch up to them as they each get to their cars. Porter and Andrew are fighting over who’s going to drive Ava since she rode her bike into town. I don’t leave it up for discussion. I grab her bike and put it into the back of my truck. Ava’s the only one that notices. “What are you doing with my bike?”
I walk over to her, and Andrew and Porter stare at me open-mouthed. “I’m going with y’all.”
Silence. None of them say a word; they just all stare up at me with their eyes round and mouths hanging open. “I mean if that’s okay?”
Porter is the first one to say it. “Yes, sure man, we’d love to have you.”
I reach for Ava. “Great, I’m going to drive Ava.”
She takes a step back. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
I put both hands in my pockets. “Please. Let me give you a lift to the bar. I’m just trying to
apologize to you.”
“I don’t think...” she starts, but I don’t let her finish.
“Please, Ava. If we’re going to work together, we need to clear the air.”
She doesn’t want to go with me. It’s obvious by the stern way she holds her body and the way her jaw is clenched tight. But finally she nods.
I don’t give her time to change her mind. “See you over there, guys,” I tell Porter and Andrew as I walk toward my truck and hold the passenger door open for her.
As soon as she’s in, I run around to the driver’s side. Fireside Bar and Grill is across town, but I take the long way to get there. Down Alpha Avenue, onto For Keeps Way and up Bittersweet.
“Wouldn’t it be faster to just take Main Street?”
I slow the truck down even more. “Yeah, it would, but I’m not in a hurry to get there.”
I look over at her, and she has her hands grasping each other in her lap. She’s nervous to be with me, and it’s a sickening feeling to know that. “Look, I’m sorry for what I said to you the other day.”
She lets out a long, steady breath. “Okay.”
“Okay?”
She nods, but she still won’t look at me.
“I shouldn’t have treated you like that. I know I ruined your first day, and I’m sorry. If I could take it back, I would.”
I wait for her to respond or to ask me why I acted the way I did, but she doesn’t. “Okay,” she says.
I grip the steering wheel even tighter. I want her to yell at me... fuck, I want her to forgive me.
Because I can’t stall any longer, I pull into the parking lot of the Fireside Bar and Grill, and she’s out of the truck before I even get the gear into park. When I do get out, all I see is the back of her striding in the door of the bar.
I should go home. This isn’t my scene, and I know it isn’t. But there’s no way I can just leave her here, so I stride toward the door and pull it open. I’m just going to make sure she’s okay, and then I’m going to go home.
4
Ava
He apologized. He sincerely apologized.
And I know he’s right that I have to let it go if we’re going to work together. I should have told him I forgave him instead of just saying okay, but being in that small space with him almost took my breath away. I could feel the tension, and all I could think was that I needed to get out of there. I’m attracted to Kent Graves.
The rest of the guys are sitting at a table, and I join them. I no sooner sit down than Kent brings up a chair from another table to sit next to me. I turn in the stool to try and put my back to him. Everyone orders drinks, but I stick with water. I can let loose as much as the next person, but I feel like I need to keep my head tonight.
Kent’s voice is husky when he says, “I’ll take a water too.”
The guys are still talking about me and Astor, and I nod and laugh in all the right places, but my mind is completely on the man sitting next to me. The way his hands are clenched on the table in front of him. How when he shifts in his seat, I’m just a few inches from the apex of his thighs. I release a breath and remind myself to breathe.
“So, what’s your story, Catlett?” Porter asks as Andrew excuses himself from the table.
Instantly, I get defensive. Is this going to be another test? Is he wondering about my qualifications or what? “My story?” I ask.
“Yeah, your story. You have a boyfriend?”
At that moment, Kent leans forward, and the sudden movement has me glancing at him. He’s staring at me, and I pull my eyes away quickly. “No, no boyfriend.”
“So you want to go to dinner sometime?” Porter continues.
I look around the table, and all eyes are on me. I don’t want to shoot him down in front of all the guys. Porter’s a nice guy, but I’m just not attracted to him. “Uh...” I’m about to agree just to get the attention off me. I can break it off later and in private, but Kent interrupts me.
“Cut it out, Porter. I’m sure your girlfriend would have something to say about you dating other women.”
Porter has the sense to look ashamed, but I barely pay attention because Kent puts his hand on the back of my chair and I can feel the heat of it through my shirt. I jerk like I’ve been scalded and try to play it off when everyone looks at me.
“Wanna dance, Ava?” Andrew asks as he walks back to the table.
“Sure,” I say and jump up. Heck, I’d agree to anything at this point to get away from Kent. The whole way to the dance floor I remind myself that he’s a jerk. Yes, he apologized, but he still has a problem with women firefighters.
Thankfully it’s a fast song, and Andrew and I dance. Everything turns into a contest with him, and he’s doing moves and then having me do them. It’s fun, and it helps me get my mind off Kent with the brooding eyes.
Kent
This is a bad idea. I know it is. I should have apologized and gone home. But seeing her laughing and having fun with Andrew had me on the end of my seat with my fingers wrapped around the edge of the table.
Porter moves around the table and follows my gaze. “So I’m guessing she’s off limits?”
I nod. I don’t have any right to put a claim on her. I’m pretty sure I’m going to fuck this up, but just the thought of her with another man makes me physically ill.
Porter puts his hand on my shoulder. “I get it, and I’ll let the guys know, but let’s face it, Kent. She’s beautiful, smart, determined... men are going to be lining up...”
I stop him with a death glare. “I don’t want to hear this shit.”
Porter laughs. “Yeah, I know you don’t. But I also don’t want you to lose your chance with her and fuck it up. You deserve happiness, Kent.” I tense under his words, and he pulls his hand back. “I’m just trying to help, brother.”
I nod, and I barely make it through a song before I get up. I grab on to Ava’s water and walk to the edge of the dance floor. I’m a fool if I think I can just forget her. She already consumes my every thought. When the music changes to a slow song, I tighten my hold on the glass. She and Andrew are walking off toward me as she fans herself. She’s smiling... at least she is until she sees me standing here.
I let Andrew pass, and when she tries to go around me, I move in front of her, holding out the glass of water.
“Is that mine?” she asks.
I nod and watch as she gulps at the drink. When she’s done, I take it and set it on the table closest to us. “Dance with me.”
She’s still trying to catch her breath, and she shakes her head. “That’s not a good idea.”
She said no, and I should let her go, but I can’t. I need to have her in my arms. I soften my voice and bend down so I can search her eyes. If I’m scaring her, I’ll let it go. But it’s not fear in her eyes... it’s desire, and all I can do is hope that I’m the reason it’s there. I would hate to think I’m going to have to kick Andrew’s ass. “Please dance with me, Ava.”
She clenches her eyes and opens them. Nodding, she turns back to the dance floor. I put my hand on the small of her back and guide her across the room away from the prying eyes of the guys.
When we get to a small space, I move my hand around her waist and turn her into my arms. She looks everywhere but at me, and I want her eyes on me. My hands tighten on her waist at the thought she may be looking for Andrew. “Do you like him?”
She blinks and finally looks at me. “Like who?”
I pull her hips in closer. She inhales sharply, but at least she doesn’t pull away. “Andrew. Do you like him?”
She clenches her hands on the front of my shirt. “He’s nice to me.” I stop breathing until she continues. “I like him as a co-worker and a friend.”
I push a stray blond hair from her face and tuck it behind her ear. “I promise I’m going to be nice to you from now on.”
She’s fighting this attraction. I know she is and to be completely honest, I’m not completely ready for it, either. But it’s undeniable that
the feeling is there, and I can’t not act on it. “I really am sorry, Ava.”
She shakes her head. “You were honest and told me what you thought. I never would have pictured you as sexist, though. I know I’m not the first firewoman you’ve worked with.”
I stop swaying. “I’m not sexist.”
She stutters. “So it’s just me you have a problem with... not the fact that I’m a woman.”
“Yes... No!” I say when she tries to pull away. “Let me explain.”
“You’ve apologized. It’s over. Are you done because I think I’m ready to go home now.”
I hold her tighter, afraid she’s going to leave. I’ve totally messed this up, and I have to fix it. “I’m not done, Ava. You’re driving me crazy. I can’t think, I can’t work. Everything I say is wrong. All I think about is you. I didn’t say all those things because I’m sexist... I want you.” I cup her face and move my thumb across her cheek. “And that scares me.”
Her hand goes to cup mine that’s on her face. She feels it too. I can see it in her eyes. It’s a scary feeling... wanting someone and sharing myself again, but in my heart, I know Ava’s worth it.
Her fingers wrap around mine, and she pulls back suddenly. She holds on to my hand and looks at it and then at me with shock on her face. Disgusted, she asks, “You’re married?”
I look at the ring on my finger in shock. I’d forgotten that I still even wear it, but seeing it with her in my arms sends a tremble through my body. Guilt, need, desire... I’m feeling it all, and I stand here speechless as her face crumples. She runs from me, and I have no choice but to let her go. I stand in the same spot, not moving, watching her run away from me.
5
Ava
He's married. That's all that keeps going through my head as I run out of the Fireside Bar and pick up my bike out of the back of Kent’s truck. He's married, and I'm attracted to him. I'm not that kind of woman... no matter what, I won't let myself be. I hate it, but the tears fall down my face, making my vision blurry all the way home. I ride as quickly as my legs will take me, afraid that he's going to follow me, and I know that I'm not gonna have the strength to turn him down. There's a sadness inside of him, and he's obviously not happy. I know that I could be the one to make him happy. The attraction between us is undeniable, but I can't do it - I can't be the other woman.
