Above and Beyond (Twist of Fate 4)

So when I’d arrived at the aviation center for my SAR course, my usual nervous stomach had been compounded by the gut-gripping fear that I’d fuck up in the class and my dads would discover my deception via a phone call from a first responder. It was only the slow breathing exercises I’d picked up in counseling that were keeping me from completely freaking out. I knew the exhilaration I’d feel at the end of the day would make these nerves pale in comparison.

I’d taken a seat in the front row and concentrated on breathing until I’d seen Tag walk in. The thrill of finally being able to get started on the training had been instantly obliterated the second I’d noticed the man beside him.

My heart rate had shot through the roof and it had taken everything in me not to start throwing questions at Zach.

Had he had any more migraines or PTSD episodes?

Did he hate me for the stunt I’d pulled when I’d tried to make him jealous in his hotel room?

Did he miss me even the tiniest bit?

But before I’d even been able to greet Zach with polite, professional detachment, he’d begun barking at me again like I was a child.

And there had gone my own professionalism. I had no clue what it was about Zach’s arrogant demands that always had me pushing back, because he was one of the only people I ever seemed to do that with, but when he’d threatened to not let me participate in the course, I’d had to give in. I’d followed him outside, frantically trying to come up with a way to convince him to let me stay in the course since I needed this certification and there weren’t many programs that offered it. I felt bad about using his PTSD against him, but I’d be damned if I was going to let the controlling asshole keep me from pursuing my dream. If he didn’t want me in his life, fine. But then he didn’t get to have a say on how that life was going to be lived.

I regretted my desperate attempt to pretend like I was interested in the guy I assumed was our straight pilot the second the man disappeared back into the hangar, but as soon as I returned my eyes to Zach and saw the way he was standing with arms crossed and jaw hard, my mouth opened of its own volition. “Single?” I asked.

“Stay away from him,” Zach growled.

“He’s cute. I wonder if he has his own place, or—”

“Stay the fuck away from him.”

I tilted my head and studied Zach. I was still blown away by the knowledge that he wanted me and even if it made me a bad person, I loved knowing he was jealous. Unlike the last time I’d needled him about being interested in some other guy, there was something lighter in him this time. Yeah, he was pissed, of course, and he looked like he wanted to strangle me, but it was more a throw-his-hands-up-in-frustration kind of thing than the dark, don’t-do-this-to-me quality that had driven our last encounter together. It was that knowledge that had me responding with, “I’ll make you a deal. You let me stay in the class, and I won’t offer the sexy ski bum my ass. Sound fair?”

Zach made a choking sound and sputtered as I turned on my heel and headed back to the classroom without looking back.

I was sure I heard Zach call my name in that no-nonsense tone of his, but I ignored the desire to turn around and spar with him some more, even if it did give me more of a thrill than any adrenaline-charged rescue ever could.

When I took my seat again in the classroom, Tag shot me a questioning look. I returned it with a smile and a thumbs up. Despite Zach’s momentary lapse in decorum, I knew the last thing he’d want was to make another scene, especially now that he’d seen I wasn’t about to kowtow to him. He could try and humiliate me all he wanted but I’d give back as good as I got. There was no way he was going to physically remove me from this program, and that’s what he’d have to do to keep me from it.

I opened my notebook and pulled out a pencil, ready to start the class.

Sure enough, a few minutes later, Zach made his way to the front and began speaking. The only sign of his previous anger at me was the slight tic in his jaw. I remained tense, however, until it was time for our first test flight. There was still the chance he’d refuse me entrance on the helicopter.

But he didn’t. He ignored me as if I wasn’t even there.

Johnny’s charm was on full blast while helping me with my harness, but I noticed he was like that with several other students too. I was pretty sure that it was just his nature rather than any potential attraction he might or might not have toward me. It was fine. I didn’t want Johnny. No, I was the idiot more in love with the gruff, asshole training director.