Page 65 of From the Ashes

His expression is certainly blissful as he giggles, not taking his eyes off mine. I’m so stunned, words fail me. Surely he didn’t do that?

Sure enough, Mr. Ross is harrumphing again. “He’s delirious, just like you said. He has no idea what he’s saying. It’s pure nonsense!”

“Actually,” the younger woman—Portia—says, moving in closer now that the One-Thirteen have cleared a path. She’s still holding the wine bucket for some reason. “That’s exactly what he said.” She smiles knowingly at me. “Specifically, that I’m awesome. But also, the whole ‘I’m gay and I’m off to live my own life now’ bit, too.”

“See, baby?” Colt says. “No more hiding, I promise. I’m alllll yours.”

“Him?” Mrs. Ross shrieks. Of all the alarms and horns and sirens that have gone off in the past hour, that sound manages to hurt my ears the most. She’s looking at me aghast, and my heart sinks.

Of course I’m still going to be the issue.

“Yes,him,Mom,” Colt slurs before blowing a raspberry. “It’s always been him. So you’re not allowed to mean about him ever again, okay? It’s a new law.” He giggles some more to himself, but then his eyes land on me once more. “You’re my ocean, baby.”

“You’re my sunshine,” I reply breathlessly.

“Oh, hell fucking yeah,” Portia says. I turn to look at her and she sighs happily. “Who’d pick me when he’s already got you, huh?”

I don’t know who this woman is, but it’s clear to me she has Colt’s back, and that makes me want to open my heart to her as well. Before I can thank her or even look back at Colt, though, Mr. Ross is off again.

“This is wildly unprofessional behavior!” he bellows from under his dusty, trembling mustache, shaking a pointed finger at me and turning a rather alarming shade of purple. “I demand this man be removed from my son’s care immediately so he can be treated for his injuries without some hack encouraging his delusions!”

The entirety of the One-Thirteen goes very still, including our newest member, Drayton Hendrix. But the last thing I want to do is jeopardize Colt’s health. “It’s fine, I’ll just?—”

As I try to stand up, a small but very strong hand lands on my shoulder, keeping me in place. “Zahir Delacroix is our lead paramedic,” Lili says, sounding dangerously amused. “There’s no one better that could be treating your son, expect maybe his partner, Yara Ortiz. You know, the two people who just revived young Colt here.”

“Don’t go,” Colt whimper, pawing at me.

“I’m right here,” I assure him, because apparently, I’m not going anywhere.

Mr. Ross puffs up like a pigeon. “I don’t have any problems with the girl. But this boy?—”

“Thismanis a member of the One-Thirteen firehouse,” Captain Valentine says firmly. He removes his helmet as he steps forward to square up with Colt’s father. “The station that just saved your family’s life. If you have a problem with the service we’re providing, you are more than welcome to make your own way to San Clemente General.”

“I’m not leaving him all alone!” Mrs. Ross shrieks. “He’s upset!”

Behind me, Portia tsks. “He’s quite clearlynotalone, Mrs. Ross. And the only people upsetting him are you two. So either shut up or get out, because Colt’s in good hands, and he needs to get his injuries seen to ASAP.”

She crooks an eyebrow, not blinking until the Rosses lower their gazes.

“See,” Colt says in a sing-song voice. “Portia’s awesome. Oh! Portia! The Nemos! I?—”

“Right here, buddy,” she says warmly, holding up the mysterious wine bucket. “I’ll keep them safe for you. I assume you’ll want to take them home?”

“Belong to the restaurant,” he mumbles, looking sad.

She scoffs. “I’ll speak with the manager. If you want them, I’ll buy the place some new ones. I reckon these guys will have trauma bonded with you by this point.”

He blinks happily at her. “Zahir, I made a new friend, and I love her.” He frowns and looks back at me. “But I love you the most, I promise.”

I chuckle, and before I can stop myself, I lean down and kiss his forehead. If he’s going to repeat it, then I will as well. “I love you, too. Hospital, now. Come on.”

I can feel people shuffling behind me and speaking in low tones, but I ignore them all as Yara and I focus on rolling Colt onto the backboard so we can extract him. As we move him, though, he winces and jerks his hand to his left hip.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, immediately going to palpate the area.

But he smacks mY hands away. “That’s from before the earthquake.” He grins drunkenly. “It’s a surprise.”

“I’ve had enough surprises today,” I grumble. “Show me.”

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