Saxon's Savior (Protect and Serve #3) - Pandora Pine Page 0,12
come and sit with him tonight so the rest of us could get a good night’s sleep.” Ozzy helped himself to a bowl of soup, sitting opposite me at the island.
“How do we fix what happened this morning?” I asked. We needed to have this conversation before our mother arrived and before Saxon woke up. I had the timer set on my phone so I would know when it was time to wake him up for his next wellness check.
“I’m not sure there’s anything to fix.” Ozzy slathered a roll with butter and took a bite.
“What do you mean? We bullied Saxon without knowing a thing about him first-hand.” I knew what Ozzy was trying to say. One heroic call-out didn’t instantly make Saxon’s past disappear.
“We need to make sure he can do the job he was hired to do. Going all maverick on us today doesn’t prove he’s got the skills to do this job, it just proves he’s reckless. Wasn’t that what Toby Whitmer warned you about?” Ozzy took a bite from his roll.
“Toby Whitmer is an oversexed son of a bitch,” Saxon said from the door to the bunkhouse. He was propped up against the door jamb, looking unsteady on his feet.
“For Christ’s sake. Can anything go right today?” I whispered to Ozzy.
“I have a headache, Dallas. I’m not deaf.” Saxon made his way to the kitchen island, sliding onto the stool next to mine. “Toby did everything he could to get into my pants, aside from forcing me against my will. Thinks he’s God’s gift or some shit. When I wouldn’t give him what he wanted, he started spreading rumors about me.”
“What kind of rumors?” I shot Ozzy a worried look. Toby had never treated me that way, but then again, I’d been a willing participant.
“Neither of us were out to our firehouse. Place was filled with a bunch of homophobic assholes, so Toby did what he could to cause a stir at work. He knew I wouldn’t risk him possibly exposing my secret.” Saxon rested his head in his hands.
“You’re saying the shit he told me about you being big man on campus was a lie?” I shot Saxon a dubious look.
Saxon snorted. “No, that’s totally true. Only with women.” He straightened up. “Look, I’ve got ten years’ experience as a paramedic. I’d like to go to med school someday. I might be a cocky bastard, but my work is solid.”
“He said you’re not a team player.” I hated saying the words out loud, but I supposed Saxon deserved to know what had been said about him behind his back.
“What better way to muddy the waters on my first day here.” Saxon shook his head. “No wonder the two of you read me the riot act this morning. I can tell you I am a team player until I’m blue in the face, but neither of you have any reason to believe me. I guess you’re going to have to take a chance on me, or not.”
“You know we’re a brotherhood,” Ozzy began.
“I do know that. I just wonder why you chose to come at me like you did.” Saxon’s brain might be scrambled, but he was on point.
“The man you’re replacing was one of a kind,” I said.
“Hal Rossi.” Saxon’s eyes grew misty. “We’d taken some classes together over the years. Nicest man I’ve ever known. I’m sorry for your loss.” Saxon’s words were heartfelt.
“Yeah,” Ozzy agreed. “It was my job to replace him and I didn’t want to, so command made the decision for me. I didn’t handpick you, Saxon. I’m sorry. I should have taken my head out of my ass long before today.”
“I would have had a hard time moving on too.” Saxon looked back and forth between Ozzy and me. “All I can tell you guys is that I’m here to work. I wasn’t trying to prove anything out there today. I did what needed to be done to save our patient and my boss. I’d do it again in a heartbeat, only I’d try to get out of the car a damn sight faster. This concussion sucks.”
“What are you doing out of bed, young man?” a familiar voice shouted from the top of the stairs.
Saxon shot me a stunned look. He began to ease himself off his stool, looking ready to bolt. I set my hand on his, keeping him where he was. “Saxon, this is my mother, Hurricane Mandy. Mom, this is Saxon James.”