The Problem with Fire - M.E. Clayton Page 0,40

lives just as much as we were. She kept us organized. She made sure we had everything we needed. She made sure none of our equipment was faulty. She basically took care of us.

But now that there’s been a line crossed between us, I didn’t trust her to check after my stuff. I couldn’t trust that she wouldn’t take her ridiculous crush and humiliating rejection out on me, possibly costing me my life or the life of someone else. I wasn’t going to ask Chief to get rid of her, but I was going to have to request a transfer, and when he asks me why, I’m not going to lie. And that drama with Monroe and the building inspection was enough to back up my claims.

There was also the fact that me and Monroe weren’t over. Sure, I fucked up. Sure, she was pissed as fuck at me. And, yeah, she deserved to make me suffer. But we weren’t over.

No way in hell.

So, with that, there was no way I’d continue to work with a woman who kept making a play for me, no matter how many times I’ve rejected her. I’d lose my mind if Monroe went to work every day with a guy who kept trying to get her into bed.

Lose. My. Fucking. Mind.

And trust between us was more important than it was with most couples. Monroe’s been hurt in the worst way imaginable. The man she had planned to spend the rest of her life with just decided he hadn’t wanted her anymore and had moved on. The second she had hit me with those details, I knew if I wanted to be with Monroe, I’d have to work extra hard to keep her feeling safe with me. That’s why this fuck-up was doubly hard.

Looking down at a seething Daria, I knew I’d give up anything for Monroe.

“I might be a bastard, but I’m not a lying one,” I said before turning my back on her. I needed to go get some air.

I stormed out of the side door, ready to pace the parking lot, wishing I smoked or something, when Garrett’s voice called to me. “Hayes!” I turned around and he was walking towards me. “I just-”

“Sayer!”

I was about to crack, I swear to God.

Daria was running up to me, passing Garrett up. “Sayer, hold up.”

“Hayes, man-”

Daria’s head turned back. “Just give us a second, Garrett,” she said. “Please.”

“But-”

“What do you want, Daria?” I asked once she was standing in front of me.

“I just wanted to say I’m sorry,” she said, surprising me.

“What?”

“Hayes, man-” I put my hand up, so Garrett could give me time to tell Daria to fuck off again.

“I just wanted to say I’m sorry,” she repeated, but then my entire body went into shock as Daria threw her arms around my neck, pressed her body to mine, and kissed me on the goddamn lips.

“Goddamn it!” Garrett hissed.

“What the fuck?” That was Kellen’s voice.

I jerked back to reality and pushed Daria away from me. “Are you fucking-”

“Sayer!” Kellen yelled, and I was with a bout of confusion so severe, I had no fucking idea who to address.

“What?!” I yelled as I watched Kellen and Garrett rushing towards me, both men looking pissed. Then tires screeching against asphalt grabbed my attention, and I turned just in time to see Monroe’s car speeding out of the parking lot.

My chest felt like it’d been kicked in, and my knees almost buckled.

When all the pieces started falling in place, I whirled around on Daria. “You fucking bitch!” Garrett and Kellen had me in their hold, and I let them because it was scary how angry I was at this female standing before me. This was the first time in my life I’ve ever wished harm on a woman.

“What’s going on?!” Chief roared, coming out of the side door, the sound of booted feet telling me he wasn’t alone.

“I’m fucking done!” I spat.

Chief was standing in front of me now, and I noticed Daria had stepped back, hovering near the firehouse building. “What’s going on?” he repeated.

“I’m putting in a transfer,” I told him, my voice straining with the need to call Daria every name in the book.

“What?” he balked. Then his head swiveled around. “What in the fuck is going on here?!”

I shook Kellen and Garrett off, passed a quiet Daria and dumbfounded Lance, Jake, and Demarcus, and headed towards my locker. I needed my car keys, and I didn’t care if it was a dick