“Nah, I’ll grab something down at the station. I’ll just take a piece of fruit for now.”
Ryan closed the fridge and tossed an apple my way. I caught it and took a bite, then gave a nod.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I’ll be here.”
I grabbed my jacket and made my way to the front door, but just as I opened it, I heard my name.
“What is it, GQ?”
“I just wanted to say that I’m glad nothing’s weird between us this morning.”
Ah, so he’d been thinking that too. “Why would it be weird?”
“I don’t know, because of what we did.”
“You didn’t like what we did?”
He chuckled. “I’m pretty sure you know otherwise. It’s just…you always said we’d never…you know.”
I walked back over to him, grasped the back of his neck, and pressed a hard kiss to his lips. “Guess I was wrong.”
Ryan touched his mouth with his fingertips and grinned. “I’m glad.”
I stared into his eyes and could see the truth of his words, and that was why I needed to tread carefully here. “Me too.”
“So now what?”
I knew what he was asking but didn’t have any answers right now. So I did what I do best—I deflected.
“Now, I go to work.” I walked back to the door and winked. “See you tomorrow morning, GQ.”
“See you then.”
Chapter 24
Jameson
“HEY, CLARKE? YOU out here?”
I turned from where I was checking the nozzles and hydrant connection adaptors on the side of the truck to see Olsen. It was coming up to dinnertime, so I had a sneaking suspicion this was the usual invite, but tonight, I planned to beg off.
We’d been slammed all day today, one call after another, and once I got through my checklist, I was going to wash up, grab the sub I’d ordered at lunch and never gotten to eat, then put my feet up for a few.
“What’s up, boss?” I shut the compartment door and turned to face Olsen.
“You nearly done out here?”
Here it comes. “Nah, it’s going to take a little longer than I expected. You guys should go ahead and eat without me.”
Olsen scoffed. “I’m not out here to invite you on a date, Clarke. You know the door’s open, and the guys want you there. Now it’s up to you to make an effort.”
Aaaand there was the guilt trip. He knew it too, judging by his smirk.
“I’m actually here to let you know I volunteered you for career day down at the local high school in a couple of weeks.”
Shit. High school kids? I didn’t know how to talk to high school kids. I’d barely made it through high school myself.
“Don’t look so happy about it. I thought it could be fun.”
“Fun?” I scowled. “Was high school ever fun?”
“I liked it.”
I crossed my arms and eyed his grinning face. “Of course you did.”
“Don’t worry, I’m not going to send you on your own. Brumm’s going to go with you.”
“To talk to high schoolers?” I thought of Brumm’s loud mouth and my penchant to scowl. “You sure we’re the best option to represent CFD?”
“No. But you’re the most entertaining. Brumm will make them laugh, and you’ll make them pay attention.”
“How do you figure that?”
“You’re good-lookin’. The girls will love you and the guys will want to be you.”
My mouth fell open at Olsen’s matter-of-fact reasoning.
“We used to send KB all the time. Worked like a charm.” He clapped me on the arm. “So, brush up on your talking skills. Get Ryan to help you—he works with the top news anchor in the country. If anyone knows a good speaker…”
Actually, that wasn’t such a bad idea.
“You should invite him down here sometime.”
“Who?”
Olsen chuckled. “Ryan.”
“He’s already been here.”
“Yeah, for work. You should bring him to meet the guys, you know, on a personal visit.”
“A personal visit?” I narrowed my eyes. “Why would I do that?”
“Oh, come on. You’re not fooling anyone. It’s obvious you two are getting closer. The guy looked after you when you couldn’t lift your head to answer your phone.”
“Yeah, because we’re friends.”
“Uh huh, well, I know how hard it is for you to make friends, so he’s obviously someone special.”
“You know, I never took you for a gossip, lieutenant.”
Olsen chuckled. “Oh, it’s lieutenant now. I’ve struck a nerve.”
“No nerve. I just know myself, that’s all, and I don’t really do relationships.”
“Why?”
“Just prefer to keep things simple. That way there’s no—”
“Expectations? You really should think about what I said the other day and try opening yourself up a little. You might even enjoy it and, I don’t know, have fun.”
I thought about that for a second. Olsen might have a point, and if I was going to let anyone in, it would be Ryan. But my track record with relationships usually ended in disaster, and that was always there in the back of my mind.
“Okay, Dr. Phil, are we done here?”
“Yeah, we’re done.” Olsen turned to head back inside. “Enjoy your dinner!”
After I’d finished up outside, I walked into the dorms to wind down for the evening. The truck was all in order for our next call, and I’d grabbed that sub and a pack of chips before heading to my bunk.
I propped a pillow up behind me and stretched out, trying to rest up before another call came through. I was halfway through my sandwich when my phone vibrated on the stand beside me. I glanced over to see who it was and scooped it up.
GQ: This is the longest Saturday night EVER.
I chuckled and typed back: Here too. Day flew by, but it’s dragging now.
I took a bite of my sub as I waited for Ryan to write back.
At least you have the guys to talk to.
I looked around the empty dorm, and typed: Not with the guys right now.
No? Where are you?
I opened my chips and popped a couple in my mouth, then brushed off my hands and settled down in my bunk. I’m in my bed.
I stared at the screen, wondering how Ryan would respond, and a few minutes later, I got my answer.
No you’re not, otherwise I’d be in there with you. I’m allowed to say that, btw. You only said MY bed was off-limits.
Fuck. I didn’t know why I’d assumed Ryan would be the shy type when it came to sex, but I’d been wrong. I’m curious… When did you think up that workaround?
The night you agreed to live with me.
Sneaky… So you had a plan all along, huh?
To get in your bed? I mean, it was more a hopeful dream…
I chuckled and found myself looking at the time. Jesus, I still had a little over twelve hours until I could head home. Ryan was right—this was the longest night ever.
I was about to tell him that maybe we could work on making his dream a reality, but before I could type out the words, the alarms began to blare throughout the station.