Page 3 of Embers of You
I walk outside with Bennet sticking close to my side on his leash when suddenly a siren rings out in the air making me jump. I look over to the building next door to the salon where a fire truck is pulling out and driving off. That’s when I realize the window by my station inside looks directly toward the fire station. It looks like a typical brick building; one I didn’t even notice until now. I just hope the sirens don’t scare me while I’m grooming.
Or at least that I’ll get used to it.
My new homeis a small mix between a cabin and a cottage just outside of the main area of Amity. It’s hidden by some trees and is only a short walk from the beach so I’m not complaining about the small size. It’s essentially a glorified studio. There isn’t a separate door to the bedroom which could be considered more of a den.
Good news is I have a place to stay for the foreseeable future. Bad news is it has no furniture.
I love it.
The outside resembles a log cabin, but the inside has simple white walls and wood floors. The kitchen isn’t big, but it has full sized appliances, and I’m glad I have the option to cook again.
I end up going to the local store in town to get an air mattress, pillows, blankets, and some food. The amount of money from my savings that I’ve burned through in renting this place stresses me out, and I just know I’m going to have to use more to get furniture. But I’ll take that one day at a time, because at least I’m not in a hotel anymore.
This is the place I’m going to be able to start over.
CHAPTER 2
Jameson
“HeyChief,”my coworker, Parker, says sarcastically as I walk in for my shift.
“Shut up, I’m not the chief here.”
I adjust the heavy bag slung over my shoulder, its weight a familiar presence as I make my way toward my locker. I spin the combination lock and pull open the door, the metal creaking slightly. I shove my bag in, and take a deep breath, knowing the next forty-eight hours of my shift will be unpredictable.
I just got back to Amity a couple of months ago after being away for the last ten years. During that time, I became the fire chief in Tampa where I moved when I was twenty-six and wanted to get away from this small town.
Then my life got flipped upside down with a single phone call from my mom, and I knew I needed to come back to be here for her. Even though she insisted I didn’t need to uproot my life and move. My dad still hasn’t forgiven me for leaving in the first place, and it seems like he couldn’t care less that I’m back. But I didn’t come back for him. I came back for her.
She’s the reason I voluntarily stepped down from chief back to a firefighter, and my sudden return back to the station I started my career at as soon as I was able to. The biggest adjustment to coming back here in comparison to Florida is that since we’re a slower station, we work forty-eight hours on, ninety-six hours off. Back in Florida it was twenty-four on and forty-eight off.
“Not yet,” Parker says, following behind me. “Old man Gary will retire soon, and you’ll take his spot.”
I shrug. “I don’t even know if I want that again, it’s kind of nice to not have as much responsibility.”
“Suit yourself. Though I’m sure you’ll miss having that nice cushy office job.” Parker slaps my shoulder before walking back out into the common area of the station.
“I like being a part of the action.”
I go out to the common area with him, the familiar hum of the fire station’s daily rhythm filling the space. I notice three other crew members are doing various activities ranging from laying on the couch, cooking, and organizing equipment. Some of my coworkers are meticulous when it comes to how the equipment is arranged. Josephine, or Jo as we call her, always likes to make sure everything is in perfect order. She’s also notorious for hating how Gerald on the other shift has all the gear set up. It’s probably one of the longest running feuds I’ve seen on the job.
“Did you hear about the newbie in town?” Parker asks from the couch. He’s the youngest at our station, only twenty, and always likes to know what’s going on around town and sharing with the rest of us. Even if we don’t care. Especially me.
“Girl or guy?” Dave asks from the kitchen.
“Chick,” Parker answers easily.
I go into the kitchen to grab some water and try to tune out this conversation because I really don’t need to know about some new girl coming into town. I have enough to worry about.
“Heard she’s working over at Trish’s place and looking for a place to stay. Maybe I should go over there and offer up my bed,” Parker says, and I know he’s joking, but I throw a towel at his head for it.
“Don’t be a douche, Parker, show some respect,” I scold him.
He holds his hands up in surrender, but he’s still chuckling.
“This is why you’re single,” Jo calls from the other room. She’s the only woman on our shift, and I know it can be annoying dealing with all this testosterone all the time.
“I’m single by choice,” Parker announces, which results in a few different reactions. Mostly chuckles, snorts, and various mumblings. “Okay, fuck you guys,” Parker snaps.
