Hot As Blazes (23 page)

Both vehicles were still mated by mangled metal. One firefighter stood at the driver’s door of a small SUV, and the other at the rear passenger door of a small Toyota.

Ray.

Shit
.

How had she missed seeing him when she arrived? Captain Brody waved to her. Fuck.

“Everyone’s busy, Mercer. Help Andrews and Myers.”

“Yes, sir.” She ran over.

The vehicle’s dash was nearly in the driver’s lap. He couldn’t have been much younger than she.

She tried to sound calm and reassuring. “They’re going to get you out. Just got to do a little trim work on your car.”

“Can you get in the space behind him while we make a third door.” Ray had already pried the metal away from the door hinges so they could be snipped.

She’d learned the term during vehicle extrication instruction. The man was large and they needed to cut an opening larger than the driver’s door because of the way he was sandwiched in the sedan. From the passenger’s side, she cleared the broken glass around the window then crawled through squeezing into what was left of the compact’s backseat.

Myers handed her a c-collar.

She slid it behind the man’s head, careful not to move him. “Just a precaution.”

“That’s good.” Ray lowered the face shield of her helmet and then bent to pick up the cutters. “Keep him still.”

“You trust him?” The victim’s voice rose to a panic as the pneumatic blades worked on the car. The background noise of the saw being used elsewhere on scene only added to the terrifying situation.

“With my life,” She attempted to calm him as well as her own nerves. She kept a hand on his shoulder.

“The next one is trickier.” Ray moved to the post behind the driver.

“Man, you’re inches from my head.” The driver started to fidget.

“And the reason you can’t move.” Ray took off his coat and handed it to her. “Cover his face, Jo.”

She glanced at Ray.

He nodded. “Only a few more minutes, then you’re free.”

She covered the patient and kept his neck steady, hoping he didn’t feel her hands trembling from the adrenaline pumping through her system.

“So you like this work?” he asked from beneath the coast.

“So far. I’m just a volly.” She laughed.

“What’s that?”

“Firefighter’s term for a volunteer.” She lightly squeezed his arm reassuringly.

“And the big son of a bitch who’s attempting to decapitate me?”

“Ray’s been around for a while. He’s bench press champ at his station. Lots of arm strength. Good for controlling the shears.”

“Hope you’re right.”

The scene quieted as the saw quit. About the time, Ray and the other firefighter peeled back the vehicle metal.

“Now for the fun part.”

“What now?” the driver asked.

“They’re going to pop your seat back.”

Ray angled the shears at the seat bolt. After a short squeal of the blades, the seat dropped in her lap. Waiting EMTs put him on a backboard.

“Thanks.” The patient waved as they hauled him out.

Ray pushed the seat forward and held out his hand for her. After helping her out, he disappeared amongst a sea of yellow coats.

She helped the other volunteers spread clay granule onto oil puddles. Along the way, she gathered bits of car parts and tossed them from the roadway. Two vehicles had already been towed off when a third tow truck arrived for her patient’s newly carved compact.

Jo latched on to Georgia as she closed the bins on the ambulance. “Hey, thanks. You were right.”

“You didn’t think you could do it?” She raised a brow and gave her a toothy smile.

“Did you?”

“Yes. But you needed to know. It’ll get easier.” She patted her shoulder. “Now what’s going on with you two?” She nodded toward Ray who stood across the road.

Jo shrugged, wondering if it was that obvious or only to Georgia. He seemed to be her favorite on the crew.

“Is he being a dick? You want me to give him a talking to?”

“We just have a difference of opinion. Don’t bring it up, okay?”

“Yeah, no problem.” Georgia turned for the driver’s door. “Work it out. I like Ray and I like you. You’re good for each other.”

“Yes, ma’am.” She headed for her truck parked at a nearby fast food franchise. A recently washed black Hummer sat a few spaces from hers. Its gleaming chrome made her truck look old. She nearly tripped over the curb. Of course, he had to be standing at his door. God, she hated clunky boots.

He maintained a stern expression through her clumsiness.

“You got called?” Why wasn’t he on the rig with his crew? Tomorrow began their four days off.

He leaned against his truck, having already shed his gear. His faded jeans hugged his lean hips and the blue firefighter’s T-shirt strained at the shoulders and chest. With his shades perched on top of his head, he gauged her with icy blue eyes.

“I’d already planned to take today off.” He glanced at his watch. “We would’ve been in Myrtle Beach by now. A few days to celebrate you passing the academy.”

She avoided his stare, the full weight of their relationship suddenly on her shoulders. “I’m sorry―”

He waved her off. “You held it together back there. I’m impressed.”

“It was a messy scene.” Like them. Yet he’d been her source of strength to get through it. He’d always been her tower of power, even in California. Just hearing his voice on the phone used to fortify her. When he’d been shipped to Iraq, she’d missed him more than she’d missed her father. She swallowed salty tears. “They were lucky. No one died. The guy freaked a little while you snipped the post, but I told him he could trust you.”

“Really? That’s not what I heard you say the other day.” He glanced to the remnants of the accident scene, and scratched his untidy beard. Lines etched the corners of his eyes.

“That’s not what I said, Ray.”

“Maybe you’d like to explain in a little more detail…or not.” He pushed off the truck, swiping a hand across his forehead.

“I don’t know what you want me to say. I guess you want to hear it’s okay you accused me of fucking around. Oh and sure, I’ll give you a piece of ass.” Although she loved him more than her own life, he’d have to admit his part in this fucked up situation.

Shaking his head, he reached for the door handle.

“I’m hurt by your mistrust, but you’re pissed.” He’d given up on them. Fear tore at her heart.

He faced her, working his jaw. Tensed, he appeared larger, more muscular. Like a fighter about to enter the ring. “You don’t think I hurt too, Jo? You’re ripping my guts out.”

“You called me a slut and left.”

“Jesus, that’s not what I said.” He clenched his fists.

“You might as well have.”

He looked at the ground. “What I said was out of line. You just don’t know him. Tell me how Harley can protect you from Vic, if that’s what’s really going on.”

“I’m counting on Harley getting word if Vic leaves Florida. At this point, I truly believe Vic is capable of murder.”

“Wouldn’t the guy just want to get back to his life?” He rolled his eyes.

“You’re not getting it. When he thought they were on to him, he set me up to hang for his drug trafficking. If I hadn’t had the insurance money dad left me and found a hotshot attorney, I’d be rotting in a California penitentiary. Killing you or Bobby would probably qualify as light recreation. He’ll want me to suffer until he’s ready to take me out.”

“That’s the most you’ve ever shared with
me
about him.”

Talking about it didn’t change anything and only reminded her of her stupidity. “You could have asked.”

“Thought you cared enough tell me. But it seems you only trust me to bring you to orgasm.”

“Really. That’s not true. I love you. I’ve always loved you. Right now, I’m afraid for you and Bobby to be near me. I was naïve about him before, but I won’t be again. He’d love nothing better than hurt those I love. Then he’ll hunt me down. Maybe not tomorrow or even next month, but he’ll have the last word.” She gave him her back with tears about to spill.

“You don’t believe I can protect you?” He stepped behind her.

Physically, Ray more than matched Vic, but her sly ex wouldn’t reveal himself until he knew he had the advantage. She faced him with the truth. “Yes, and you’d give your life for me. But when things got rough between us, you packed.”

He flinched and stepped back. “I see.”

“Harley is setting me up with a silent panic remote and a gun.”

“Christ, Jo. I hope you’re not just playing into another psycho’s hands. I’m not downplaying your problem, but it sounds like you’ve made your decision. You know how to reach me if you need me.”

He turned, flung open the Hummer’s door and backed out without another glance her way.

Ray slammed his fist on the dashboard. He’d taken the easy out she offered. Giving Harley the upper hand. Again.

He was such a fucking idiot. His anger and jealousy smothered common sense. Distance and time might help him come to terms with his warring emotions, but in the end, it proved him a deserter. Blaming the SEAL came easier than facing the sickening truth―she didn’t trust him to protect her or be there for the long haul. The ultimate slap.

Only she had the power to crush him with a word or a look. The motherless little girl who had seeped into his heart at eight years old while his own mother ignored him in search of another man. He and Jo had always connected on a deeper level, even over Bobby. The rest of the world he kept at arm’s length.

He turned his truck into the gym parking lot. Minutes later, he hoisted over three hundred pounds off his chest with an AC/DC song blaring through his ear buds. Lactic acid burned, increasing with each rep until his arms and pectorals screamed, dulling the cavernous ache in his heart.

Immersed in his workout, heavy metal massacred his eardrums. Sweat soaked, he moved to the next exercise. A vibration in his short’s pocket forced him to remove an ear bud and pause the music.

“Hey mom.”

“Hey, hon. I was wondering when you had a couple of days off.

His gut coiled. “You want to come home?”

“I’m sorry. You know, I thought this guy was the one. Maybe I’m just not supposed to have a man.”

Maybe she’d made it too hard for them. His father might have felt the same. “Yeah, no problem, I’m off the next few days. I’ll drive up tomorrow.”

* * * *

Jo stopped on the way home and bought a pregnancy test. One of her teammates in California had gotten pregnant after only missing her last pill. Her fingers shook as she swiped her debit card. Arguing with Ray left her clueless. What the hell would she do if the test was positive?

After arriving home, she fell into bed unable to make sense of anything. They were tearing one another apart. Her hot tears bled onto his pillow as she held it tight. His lingering scent cracked the rest of her armor. She sobbed.

Soon, the sun cast late afternoon shadows across her room. Hating her downward spiral, she sat up. On the dresser, her jewelry box sat with his old letter protruding from one corner. The one he’d written to her the Christmas he was in Iraq.

She slid the yellowed sheet from the envelope.

Dear Jo,

Merry Christmas, Dahlin’! My only wish was to hold you, kiss you, and tell how much you mean to me. I’m in love with you, baby. Always have been. It was impossible to tell you before now because of reasons you won’t understand. You might not feel the same. I was never sure, but I needed you to know. Hopefully, I’ll have the chance to tell you face-to-face when I get home.

I’ll never stop loving you,

Ray

He’d professed his love, considering that he might never have the chance if he died over there. The implication slammed home. Tears wet her cheeks until she fell into an exhausted sleep.

* * * *

Tami arrived with a six-pack in hand the following afternoon. “You look like shit.”

“Thanks.” At least her appearance and feelings matched. She’d woken with Ray’s letter clutched to her chest. Unable to stand the quiet of the house, she’d called Tami to see if she had some free time for a visit.

She dropped the beers in a small cooler with some ice and led her guest onto the deck. The cloudless sky and warm ocean breeze were like a healing balm.

“I love this place,” Tami said plopping onto one of the Adirondacks. She plucked a bottle from its icy home. The cap hissed at she cracked the top. “Ahh, it doesn’t get much better.”

“Yeah, I missed living at the ocean when I was in Cali,” She missed a lot of things. Ray, her brother, and the time to grieve.

“Was this the party house when Bobby and you were in high school?” She sipped her beer.

Jo sat down next to Tami. “Dad said he would rather us be here. If we wanted to have friends over and he was on shift, he’d have Ray’s mom or one of his buddies come over and house sit. Bobby and Ray were the football gods their senior year. All the popular crowd showed up.”

“How did that work for you? Did it get you hot dates?” Tami grinned.

“Right, the surfer sister?” She never cared that she didn’t have many friends, but she did expect loyalty from her family and people who claimed to care about her. “I didn’t find out until later, but dad and big brother made sure guys knew I was west coast bound. No need to get too interested.”

Tami arched a brow. “Geez. Is that why Ray and you never hooked up?”

She shrugged. “He says so, but I don’t know.”

“So what happened at the volly call in Whalebone? Angie and I were up in Virginia looking for her prom dress.”

“MVA with four vehicles. Extraction of two occupants.” Jo peeled the label of her untouched brew. The damned pregnancy test sat on her dresser in its taunting pink and blue box. “What color dress did she pick? Gawd, what’s in style these days?”

“Dark blue with a long slit up one leg, and no back. She’s almost showing butt cleavage. I’m not exactly a role model.” Tami glanced to her tight spaghetti tank and prominent breasts. “Jesus, Jo, she’ll be a senior next fall and Danny will be a junior. Time is flying by. I’m getting old.”