“I’d imagine he’s just wantin’ to know where Remi is, or if I know when he’ll be back,” I finally offer. My throat’s dry all of the sudden. To be fair, it’s a valid suggestion. Remi left about fifteen minutes ago to pick up some groceries for the station. Hollis very wellcouldbe here to see Remi.
Her lip twitches as she sits forward. “Captain,respectfully,you can cut the crap.”
My eyebrows shoot up my forehead. “Excuse me?”
“You and Hollis areclearlya thing.”
My breath catches. “I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about, Chandler.” Sweat breaks out over the back of my neck, the temperature in the room too hot for comfort.
Chandler breathes out a small chuckle, rolling her eyes. “Okay, look… I wasn’t goin’ to say anythin’ because I figured you would when you were ready, but come on.” Giving me a look that makes me want to squirm in my seat, she says, “My tent was right next to yours when we went campin’.”
Oh no…
My face heats, and I don’t have to look to know it’s quickly becoming a deep shade of red. Chandler doesn’t need to say anything more; the insinuation is loud and clear.
She heard us.
Chandler heard Hollis and I…in my tent…fooling around.
Jesus Christ, this is bad.
“Chandler, I—” Clearing my throat, I’m at a loss for words. What do I even say? I can’t lie.Fuck.
“I thought it was maybe just a one-time thing, and I can’t say that I blame you,” she says with a chuckle. “I’m gay as hell, and evenIsee the appeal in Hollis. But that was months ago, and now, seein’ him show up here for you, when he’s never stopped by the office any time he’s come to visit Remi, I’m thinkin’ it’s a lot more than a one-time thing.”
Huffing a breath, I scrub my hand along my jaw, my heart thrashing against my ribs. “Chandler, I’m sorry for whatever you heard that night. That was completely inappropriate and severely unprofessional.”
“Stop.” Chandler holds up a hand. “Those campin’ trips are never meant to be professional, and don’t worry about it. Was I a little shocked to hear that comin’ fromyourtent, out of all of them? Yes.” She chuckles. “But it’s about damn time you do somethin’ for you that makes you happy.” Then, with a shrug, she adds, “Besides, Britt and I found it quite entertainin’.”
“Oh, Jesus Christ,” I mutter, pinching the bridge of mynose. I’ve never wanted to crawl out of my skin more than I do now.
“What I don’t understand is why you two are keepin’ it a secret? Why not just come out with it?”
My jaw is tight, every muscle is my body tensed, as I look at my firefighter across the desk. As I think over her question. It’s a simple one, really, so answering it should be easy. But it’s not.
“It’s…complicated,” I say.
The truth is, I don’t know why we’re still keeping it a secret. I don’t think either of us thought it would last this long—I know I didn’t—but it kind of seems like neither of us really wants it to stop either.
Or maybe that’s wishful thinking on my part.
“It’s probably not as complicated as you’re makin’ it, Cap.” Before Chandler can say anything else, a call comes through for a motor vehicle accident. She’s out of her seat, running for the door in the blink of an eye. “He’s all yours,” she shouts over her shoulder as she sets off toward the engine. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out who she’s talking to.
My stomach twists as Hollis saunters into my office, closing the door behind him. A smirk curled on his lips, and a well-worn cowboy hat on his head, he’s a sight for sore eyes.
“Howdy, Cap,” he drawls as he sits, not in the chair, but on the corner of the desk right in front of me. “Miss me?”
Yes.“What are you doin’ here, Hollis?”
He shrugs. “Was workin’ and figured I really could use a little midday break, if ya know what I mean.” And as if that weren’t clear enough, he waggles his brows.
“Yes, Hollis, I know what you mean,” I deadpan. “But that is not happenin’.”
Wrinkling his nose and furrowing his brows, he says, “Why not? Nobody’s here.”
“They’ll be back.”
“Yeah, but not for a while. They just left.” Rubbing his leg against the side of mine, he says, “Come on, Cap… Looks like you could use a little stress relievin’.”
