817 Fireman Ln. (Cherry Falls)

I have a whole internal debate going on about Kent Graves, and when the chief’s door slams, I look up and straight into the eyes of the man that has been consuming my thoughts. His eyebrows dip, and he looks quickly away... almost guiltily. I look between him and the chief’s door. Was he complaining about me? Oh hell no.

I stomp over toward the big guy and stand right in front of him. I’m mad, it’s obvious to anyone. I’m not trying to hide it. I want to poke him in the chest for more effect, but instead I clench my hands into fists at my side. “Do you have a problem with me?”

His nostrils flare as he looks at me. His scrutiny of me is like a caress as his eyes move across my face, down my neck, to my chest and back again. I hold completely still to hide the tremble that wracks through my body. I search his eyes, and for an instant I think he’s really checking me out, but just as quickly, it’s gone. In its place is fury and something so strong he looks like he’s barely hanging on. His jaw is tight and his words terse. “Not with you personally, no. I have a problem when a new hire weighs a buck thirty and puts me and the rest of the crew in danger because you have daddy issues and feel like you have something to prove.”

My mouth drops, and my body starts to shake. The attraction I felt for this man seconds ago is replaced with straight-up fury. I’m so mad I can feel the tears pooling in my eyes. But I take a deep breath. Never let them see you cry. I learned that from my dad, and I know he’s right. Never show weakness. I take a deep breath and force a smile on my face. “Thank you for the compliment. But I weigh a buck eighty.”

Then I grab my gear and stalk away. A breather. I need a breather. I walk out the big garage doors and around to the side of the building. Not until I’m out of sight and see no one around do I let out the breath I’ve been holding and sag against the brick wall. I take a few deep breaths in and out and try to ignore all the thoughts in my head. But one keeps coming back. Kent’s right; I do have issues with my father. He’s the fire chief for Syn City and has been a respected firefighter for the majority of his life. He talks and people listen. When he put me on desk duty, I lost my shit. I quit the department, leaving my father and brothers behind. Coming to Cherry Falls was supposed to be a new start. I knew I would have to prove myself, and I don’t have a problem doing that, but I didn’t expect to be straight-up attacked on my first day either.

I stand up and pull my shoulders back. You’re better than this, Ava. You’ve dealt with men like this before. Albeit, they definitely didn’t look like Kent Graves, but I’ve definitely dealt with assholes that have a problem with women as firefighters.

Shake it off, I tell myself, and literally I shake out my shoulders and arms. I’m just about to walk inside when Porter comes around the side of the building. “There you are. C’mon, the rest of the guys want to see the person responsible for bringing down Andrew.”

I laugh and walk next to him. “You act like it was hard or something.”

Porter stops, and I do too. He’s serious when he says, “Andrew’s never lost. Literally. We use him when we do field days and events against other crews. He never loses.”

I try to contain my smile. It’s already been a roller coaster of a day, and my shift just started. Before we get inside, Porter slows down. “Don’t let Kent get to you. He’s not a bad guy. He’s had... well, let’s just say there’s a reason he is the way he is.”

I nod, not wanting to talk about Kent Graves. I walk over to the crowd of guys that are still ribbing Andrew. I join in and even talk a little smack because it’s sort of expected of me. But no matter how hard I try, I can’t ignore the dark brown eyes that are watching me from across the room. Don’t do it, don’t do it, I tell myself. I know I shouldn’t look, but I do. I lift my head as the guys around me are all talking. I stare straight into the dark brown eyes of Kent Graves. If anything, that small zap of connection yards away seems to put him in another tizzy. He jerks his head and stomps off, slamming the back door as he goes.