Page 28 of His Virgin Romance Series

“Whatever you say,” he said. “So what are we doing?”

“Huh?”

“What are we doing now?” he asked.

“You want to do something now?” I asked, glancing at the time.

“Yeah, that’s why I’m here.”

“Listen, man; I have an early shift tomorrow. I should already be in bed.”

“It’s ten fucking thirty.”

“And, my shift starts at four fucking a.m.,” I shot back. “What do you want me to do?”

“Play hooky.”

“Are you serious?”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m not in ninth grade,” I said. “I have a real job, and it requires commitment. I can’t just call in sick because I want to go party with a buddy the night before.”

I saw Brent’s eyes narrow as he got off the sofa and walked around the center table. “What happened to you, man? You used to be fun…you used to be young.”

I rolled my eyes. “You need to grow up.”

“And you need to grow down.”

“I… What the fuck does that even mean?” I demanded.

“It’s a saying.”

“That’s not a saying.”

“Sure it is,” he said stubbornly, walking towards the door. “I just said it.”

“You’re a fucking moron.”

“And, you’re a fucking party pooper.”

“I know life is a game to you,” I said. “But this job actually means something to me.”

Brent rolled his eyes. “You stand in front of buildings and spray them with water from a hose,” he said flippantly. “Hardly sounds like the great and noble calling you make it out to be.”

“Do you know how many firefighters die every year in this country?” I demanded. “Do you know how many sustain terrible injuries doing what we do?”

“No, but I’m sure you’re about to lay the answer on me,” he said carelessly. “Please tell me, or I won’t be able to sleep tonight.”

“Get the fuck out,” I said tiredly.

He started walking down the hallway, whistling as he went. “I’m just saying,” he said. “You used to be fun.”

I shut the door and took a deep breath. Brent could be a real ass when he wanted to be, but I knew that when I first met him and had decided to put up with it then. I felt as though it was too late now to turn back the clock. And I realized that I didn’t even want to…because of Rachel. Brent had been my road to Rachel, and that meant it was worth putting up with him every now and again.

That thought was what helped me make my decision. That thought was what sent me to my phone again. I called Rachel, hoping she hadn’t already fallen asleep.

“Rachel?” I said, the moment she answered.

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