“I ask myself that question every, single time we have to go out on a call involving alcohol.”
“It’s so fucking senseless, and now a little girl is gone. I shouldn’t wish bad things on people, but I hope that asshole who was behind the wheel of that boat feels so much guilt it eats him alive for the rest of his life.”
Maybe what I’m saying is taking it too far, especially as a professional, but this is Grady I’m talking to. I feel like I can have a moment of ugly honesty with him.
“I’m sure that it will when he is finally able to understand the gravity of what has happened.”
The driver, or who we assume was the driver, wasn’t conscious when the ambulance took him away from the scene. We haven’t, and likely won’t, know much more about him or about exactly what happened.
That’s not our job. We respond. We don’t investigate or follow up. That is also something I’ve always struggled with. Especially since LA.
“I wonder if I’m even the right person for this job anymore,” I admit in a moment of vulnerable honesty.
“Don’t start that shit, Black. You’re the best fireman I know, besides me, obviously.” He raises his arms up and back, then links his fingers behind his head with a grin on his face, and when he sees I’m not smiling, he sighs. “Talk to someone about all of this. We have resources for it. Use them. There isn’t any shame in that.”
“Says the man who pushed back on that for months.” I glare at him.
“Do as I say and not as I do. Isn’t that the saying?” he replies, as he claps a hand on my shoulder. “Are you still seeing that girl? Isabelle? You should get out of the house tomorrow and put this out of your head.”
Fuck.
Isabelle has been calling me for a week now and I haven’t been returning her calls or texts. A certain teacher has been occupying my mind, and I haven’t felt like an asshole about it until right now.
“Actually, I think there might be someone else.”
“That tone makes me think the uncrackable Isaac Black is starting to wear thin when a pussy is concerned.”
“Considering I haven’t slept with her; your theory doesn’t hold any water.”
“Who is she?”
“No one you’d know.” I tell him, even though he did meet her briefly at the career fair at Sunnyville High.
I want to keep Sawyer to myself for now, as much as I can, at least until I see where it could potentially go.
Grady and I chat a bit longer as everyone descends into the truck bay, kitchen, and communal rec areas, but I don’t stick around much after that.
I stop by my locker and check my cell phone, finding a text message from the same number that has repeatedly called me wanting to interview me about the wildfire anniversary.
The story is going to run regardless. We’d love updated input from you, Isaac. Call me.
God, these people don’t give up.
I head up to shower, letting the water rush over my head and drown out all the noise so all I can hear is the whoosh in my ears.
With my eyes closed tightly and my hands pressed into the wall, the horrific scene I saw today drowns away and is replaced by Sawyer in a blue sundress, smiling and happy.
I never expected to feel much toward her, because if history is any indication, I never feel much for anyone.
But… is Grady right?
Has Sawyer Westbrook managed, in such a short time, to make herself a home in my heart?
I’m not sure I have an answer to that yet, but what I do know is I crave her presence and the more I’m with her, the more I want to be around her.
So that’s what I’m going to do.
Chapter 10
Sawyer
I’m not sure I’ve ever deep cleaned this house as much as I am right now. I’m cleaning shit I didn’t even know existed. I refuse to let him see even a speck out of place, even though at the end of the day, I’m a pretty messy person.
Not “eww, you’re gross” messy, but I’ll just leave the laundry piled in the basket and use it all until it just ends up in the washer again. It’s a cycle that works for me, and what’s the point in changing things now?
I’m proud of this home and everything I’ve done with it. I fell in love the moment I stepped inside with its open floor plan, expansive windows, and hardwood flooring. So much light is allowed in and that added vitamin D in my everyday life has made settling in Sunnyville easier than I could have imagined.
The knock on the door sends my heart rate through the roof. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. It’s not like I’ve never been around him before.
It’s just different with him being inside of my home. It’s like… another level.
With one quick glance in the mirror that hangs in my entryway, I pull the door open to find the most delicious version of Isaac I have ever seen.
He is wearing dark, navy blue slacks with a white collared shirt that hugs his biceps in the most incredible way. His hair is a bit messy, but it looks intentional, and his sneakers are pristine white. He has this swagger about him that makes it hard to remain upright.
“Hello, beautiful,” he says in that caramel-like voice, with his hands in his pockets, casual as ever.
“Hi.” I lean against my doorframe and just take him in for a moment, because it would be a shame not to gawk, at least a little bit.
“Hi,” he repeats, then leans forward to press a kiss to my forehead. “Can I come in or are you going to stand here and stare all night?”
“What’s so bad about that?” I joke then step aside. “Come on in.”
He walks by
