Page 128 of Sweet Hate
I know it’s selfish to want to tie her to me forever when, doing what I do, any day could be my last, but I’ll dedicate my life to making sure her every day is perfect to make up for it.
So long as she gives me a chance.
The damn reports aren’t going to write themselves, so I lose myself to work for the next few hours, until the guys being obnoxiously loud outside my office distract me.
They’re probably arm wrestling or whatever other stupid shit they get up to while we wait for callouts. I’m not going out there so they can drag me into a tie break round, which happens a lot more than you’d think.
Beckett suddenly bursts through my office door with a maniacal smile on his face. It’s fucking disturbing.
“Yo, Bossman, you might wanna get out here.” He ducks his head back out of my doorway before turning back my way and making his eyebrows dance.Is he having a stroke?
“No can do, Fox. Gotta tie up these reports.” He leans casually against the doorframe, kicking his leg up behind him. I can already tell this is going to get annoying quickly.
“Ohhhhh I don’t know. I think you really,reallyshould come outside.”
“Beckett, come on, dude. I am not getting dragged into another topless arm wrestle. That shit was bad enough the first time.” He doubles over in laughter giving zero fucks I’m trying to get some work done.
Cap chooses that exact time to walk past him into my office, giving him a sidelong glance. “You OK, Fox?”
Beckett snaps upright so fast he bangs his head on my wall.
See, now that shit is funny.
“Sorry, Cap, all good.” His rigid posture and bright red face are almost enough to set me off roaring with laughter myself.
I catch Beckett side-stepping quietly out of my office in my peripheral vision, making my lips twitch, and Cap shakes his head, with a smile. Cap’s all business ninety percent of the time, but he loves to laugh as much as the next guy. He’s just careful about who he does it with, so the other guys rarely get to see this side of him.
After Dad died, he took me under his wing. We were already close because he was always with Dad and I was always with them if I wasn’t with Haven. I’d made it my mission to learn how to be the best fireman I could be from the age of three when I’d decided I wanted to be Fireman Sam.
The level of respect I have for him as my captain and as a man makes the thought of his retirement fill me with sadness and anticipation. It’s the end of another era. I just have to hope I can do him proud and make captain.
“Cap, what can I do for you?” I look at where he’s standing with his arms behind his back. Every inch the firehouse captain, he exudes calm and respect.
Unexpectedly given our whereabouts, his craggy face breaks into a wide smile. Has someone pumped laughing gas into our AC units? That's got to be it.
“Lieutenant, you have a delightful visitor waiting in the engine room.”
Uh, what now? My blank expression makes him chuckle before he brings one of his hands around, and my gaze zeros in on a cupcake with a little firehose on top.
“You didn’t tell me my favorite girl was back in town.”
I jump up from my seat so fast I send it careening to the floor before I leave Cap laughing in my office. I run out to the engine room like my pants are on fire before I skid to a stop.
Sure enough, my girl is standing there, laughing, surrounded by my squad. Beckett, the twat, has his arm slung casually around her shoulder.
She looks incredible, her pink hair hanging loose around her shoulders, a dark pink sweater dress hugging all her curves, and her black floral combat boots showcasing her sexy legs. The sight of her makes me realize I’ve been lowkey pining for her.
How has it been less than twenty-four hours and I’ve missed her this much?
Max letting out a sharp laugh spurs me into action. These guys might be my brothers, but I don't want them leering at my woman, and I sure as shit don’t want them touching her.
I prowl like a lion across the forecourt toward the group and glare at Beckett, who arches a brow at me and whispers something to Haven.
So, this asshole wants to get dead.
Her aqua eyes flash to me, and her smile brightens, hitting me square in the chest.
Fuck the rules.
