Page 11 of Kissing the Beach Town Fire Chief
Lost in thought, I don’t notice the fire truck pulling up until the siren blares. I jump, cursing under my breath. “Ethan, you coming?” one of the guys calls out. I nod, heading back inside. The next phase of the drill is in full swing; I’m in my element and need to stay focused and observant. The organized voices, the sound of the alarm blaring, people moving in a somewhat orderly fashion, it’s all second nature to me.
I direct people out of the building with calm, authoritative gestures, ensuring everyone is accounted for. “Alright, folks, keep it moving. Remember, stay low and follow the evacuation plan. We have got this!” I call out.
And, amid the commotion, I catch a glimpse of Ami standing to the side, arms crossed, watching me with an amused expression.What on Earth is she doing here?As the last few people trickle out, I make my way over to her.
“Something funny?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
"I just didn't realize you could be so... calm. It's a nice change from the grumpy control freak I’m used to," she replies with a smirk, teasing me once again.
“I’m no control freak.”
"Sure, sure. But you must admit, seeing you all calm and collected is a little weird. Where is Ethan, the guy who freaks out over every little thing going differently from the plan?" she asks as she leans over the wall.
“He is right here, making sure people don’t burn alive. You might want to take notes.”
“Oh, please. I think I’ll stick to my way, thanks. It’s more fun.”
"Fun? Do you think chaos is fun? Ah… Maybe that's why you're always in the middle of it."
“At least I am not a boring stick-in-the-mud. You should try loosening up once in a while.” “Loosening up? And end up like you? No thanks,” I shake my head. “Some of us actually have responsibilities.”
She can’t seem to let go and she continues giving me her always strong opinion. “Oh, give me a break. You act like you’re the only one who has a hard job. Just to bring you out of your bubble, Ethan, everyone has responsibilities. You're not special.”
I should just walk away but there is something about this girl, this woman, that drives me crazy, and I can’t stop with comebacks. “Yeah, well, at least I am not the one causing halfthe problems around here. Maybe if you took things a little more seriously, you wouldn’t be such a pain in my butt.”
“You know what, Smoke? Forget it. Keep being your grumpy, uptight self. See if I care.”
She turns on her heel and stalks off, leaving me standing there, frustrated and oddly exhilarated.
As the team and I continue, I can't help but wonder how things will play out with Ami. That drill's over, but the real battle's just beginning. And with her back in town, it will be a bumpy ride. She's never backed down from a fight, and I doubt she'll start now.
Chapter five
Ethan
The fire drill is conducted in a downtown building twice a year. It serves as an essential exercise to rehearse evacuation procedures in the event of a fire or other emergencies. Although it’s a routine for us firefighters, practicing with drills like these helps us stay calm and composed when facing the actual calamity.
While it is tiring, it is nothing beyond my capabilities. During such events, I discard the notion of it being a mere drill out of my head and let the adrenaline rush to propel me through the task with heightened focus and efficiency. After we finish the drill, I give a sigh of relief, grateful for my team to be able to accomplish it without any mishaps.
I walk towards the lockers to change into my clothes before I head back home. With only one task on our agenda today, I was looking forward to an early return home and a well-deserved break. As I step out of the building, a familiar voice cuts through the air, jolting me out of my reverie.
"Hey, where do you think you're going?" There stands Ami with a stern expression on her face. Her hair swaying with the cool breeze and her arms crossed defiantly over her chest.Why is she still here?
For a moment, neither of us says anything. Ami’s expectant gaze hangs in the air, awaiting a response. I pause, taking a minute to process the situation and gather my thoughts, not sure if I should answer her. "Home," I say curtly, sidestepping her, and start walking again. "Wait!" she steps in front of me again, making me stop. I exhale, running my hands through my hair, feeling frustrated.
“What do you want?” I ask in a low voice, cutting to the chase. “I want to talk about the elections. Why are you running?” Her voice is laced with genuine confusion.
“What do you mean why? I am running because I can.” I shrug, trying to brush her off, but she's persistent.
"But it's against my aunt, Ethan. You know she wants to be elected," she says, and then, in a low voice, she adds: “And besides..." she pauses as she looks around, not meeting my gaze. " You’ve never been interested in such stuff before, so why?"
A scoff escapes me against my better judgment. Something in the way she speaks puts me off, but I calm myself and tell her that I’m doing it because I believe I can bring change and help with development. I am aware that I am running opposite her aunt, but it's not like I declared war. And Aunt Maggie is like my family, I love her, but I do have to think about the future of this town and how I can help make this place better. “And besides, at the end of the day, it depends on the voters,” I add. I meet her stern gaze and then a smirk makes it way on my lips as I lean closer.
“Besides …” I pause, “what do you even know about me anymore?” I lock my eyes with hers, awaiting a reaction, and I get it when I see her expression falter for a mere second. Hereyes, previously filled with disappointment, now momentarily show discomfort and she moves out of my way. As I continue home, my mind whirls. This encounter has left me with more confusion than anything.And why did it feel so good to see her reaction when I got close to her?
***
It's late in the evening, and the gentle sound of the air conditioner is the only white noise accompanying me as I replay the fragments of the day. The highlight is undeniably her—none other than Amelia Brooks. Physically exhausted from the day, I stretch out on my sofa and immediately fall asleep.
