Page 13 of Instant Heat
This certainly was not the best way to start me first day.
Spinning around, I decided to head up to me office when tension suddenly curled around me spine. I felt compelled to look left and found Thatcher Brooks staring daggers at me from across the room.
Me sympathy with the dickhead only ran so far. He needed to get the hell over himself and focus on keeping the team running smoothly. A mixture of frustration and exasperation vibrated through me body, that little voice at the back of me mind all but yelling that I'd made one hell of a mistake coming here.
I dragged me fingers through me short hair just as the chief's palm connected with me shoulder blade. His softly-lined face filling me vision a second later."You've been doing this for a while, Gallagher," he said,"so you know this transition won't be easy." When I nodded, he continued,"I've spoken to your previous Chief and I'm aware of your situation. You have my sympathy, son, but that doesn't mean I'm going to go easy on you. We run a tight ship here at Sixty-Three, and I expect things to be no different than yesterday or the day before."
Squaring me shoulders, I clasped me hands behind me back."Of course, sir."
"Good." Crooking his fingers over his shoulder, he motioned for someone to join us."Brooks will give you the quick two-cent tour." With that, Chief Abbott stalked off to his office, leaving me alone with the one guy who probably wanted me head on a stick.
Before I could even say a word, Thatcher leaned forward and gritted out,"Just because the chief and Donald think so highly of you doesn't make you being here right."
I'd had just about enough of this guy."Listen, you arse weed, I'm here. I'm staying. So why don't we make this as easy as possible… You stay the hell out of my way, and I'll do the same."
Fury burned bright in his eyes. His nostrils flared. I dug me heels in and balled up me fists; if this dickhead was going to take a swing, best believe I was going to take one back. Thatcher opened his mouth then quickly snapped it shut again.
A small crease formed on his forehead, the only visible proof of how hard he was trying to compose himself. And when he spoke a moment later, I had no doubt the words were not the ones rolling around in his head."You can find your own damn way around."
Me gaze stayed on him as he stomped over to the rig to do his morning checks.
"I wouldn't pay too much attention to his temper tantrum." I turned me attention to the person speaking to me right."Nathan." He held out a hand, and I took it."Thatcher is a bit of a hot-head on a normal day."
What was I supposed to say? The only thing I came up with was,"Right."
Nathan chuckled and then started walking away before stopping and motioning over his shoulder,"C'mon, let me show you around."
***
With a heavy sigh, I dropped me bag to the floor and slumped against the door. The last twenty-seven hours had been anything but easy. I'd barely stepped foot into me new office when we'd received a medical call.
Anxiety attack and possible overdose.
Things could have gone smoother on the scene, but unfortunately, even the probies were hellbent on showing their disapproval with me new position. I ended up escorting the patient to the hospital alone. And then just to make sure I understood his big FU, Thatcher drove the rig straight back to the station instead of picking me up.
Leaving me to cover the five miles back to work on foot.
I'd contemplated writing Brooks up. His actions were not only disrespectful but insubordinate too. Thing was, it didn't matter that a piece of paper or a title on a door gave me authority over these men. If I wanted them to listen and respect me, I'd have to earn it. And I sure as shite wasn't going to do that by writing up Brooks.
I could only hope by the time we were faced with running into a burning building together, our crap would be sorted out.
Pushing off the door, I headed for the kitchen and found me phone on the counter where I'd left it. I swiped it to life and immediately wished I hadn't when I saw the text message waiting for me.
Ma Mildred:I won't pretend my heart isn't breaking because I didn't get to say goodbye. Heath says you need your own space to heal and I can understand that. Just know no matter where you find yourself, you'll always have a home with us. We love you just as much as we love Adam and Zoe. Don't you ever forget that. Good luck at the new station. And be safe.
Me heart turned over inside me chest. Bringing me hand up, I furiously rubbed at the spot. I'd been a dick to the people who loved me and still I couldn't bring myself to pick up the phone and give them the apology they deserved.
I hung me head in shame. Me ma and da did not raise me this way. With a sigh, I looked up; me eyes instantly landing on the pink note still stuck to the fridge. Walking over, I pulled it off and studied it long and hard.
It took all me willpower not to dial the number scribbled neatly at the bottom of the page. But I knew the moment I heard Rae's voice, I'd want to see her. Even though me day was at its end, hers had just started.
Still staring at the note, me vision became blurry, and a yawn worked its way to the surface. I needed to get some good sleep and then hope like hell Rae wasn't going to be pissed when I called her tonight.
7
GRIFFIN
Me lungs burned with every ragged breath I took. Smoke blurred me vision. And I felt the heat of the flames seep through me gear. Or maybe that was just me mind playing tricks on me.
