Suddenly, Hawk’s voice crackles over the radio. “Drive faster.”
Kurt and I look at each other and then towards the fire line. Shifting winds send orange, red, and gold columns of flame barreling in our direction. The narrow, tree-lined road leaves no wiggle room or possibility of turning around. Out of options, I gun it.
“Can’t this thing go any faster?” Kurt asks as the glowing wall of flames lick the vehicle’s passenger side. He instinctively leans in my direction, and I grimly wonder if he's about to crawl into my lap. The air heats, and the car sizzles. I lift up a silent prayer, white knuckling the steering wheel.
“I’m giving her everything I’ve got,” I growl through gritted teeth. This is too fucking close for comfort. After the shit I’ve seen and done as a Hotshot over the past six years, though, it’s also another day on the job.
Please, Lord, give me a little more luck.We race through the flames as they cross onto the road, reaching the black—the burnout area and safety—at the last possible second.
Kurt and I both let out sharp exhales, looking over our shoulders. Relief washes over me. As a Hotshot, rule numberone is remaining cool under pressure. But I know this memory will stick with me, making me sweat for years to come.
“Fuck,” Kurt growls, laughing as he nods towards his door. “The damn side mirror melted.” I glance to my right, confirming his observation.
“I hope you’re not going to take that out of my paycheck,” I tease, trying to suppress the shake in my voice.
“Considering you kept me from melting, we’re all good. And look at it this way. You can tell Faith you drove through fire to be with her. Once she’s back in working order, I imagine you can get a little extra tail out of this story.”
I fight the urge to punch him in the face. I know this is just careless locker room talk, and I’ve been as guilty as the next man of running my mouth in the past. But Faith brings out a protective, possessive side of me I’ve never felt with another woman.
I take a deep breath, shrugging my shoulders and trying not to freak out on Kurt. After all, if it weren’t for him, I’d have no hope of getting to the hospital in time.
Black, burned-out plains have never looked so welcoming, our shield from the raging firestorm behind. In the distance, I see Hawk’s helicopter touch down. Breathtaking blue sky and clean air greet us, and I open my window, gulping deep, refreshing breaths, before parking a safe distance from the chopper.
Kurt claps his hand on my shoulder. “Looks like your coach is waiting, princess.”
I nod, another wave of adrenaline hitting me.
“You okay, Trav?”
“Yeah,” I answer breathlessly. I’m not big on telling white lies, but I don’t have time to sort out or explain the roiling tangle of emotions inside. Hell, I’m not sure I can find the right words, either. Although, lingering anger over Kurt’s comment, anxiety, fear, hope, and concern all vie for top spots.
I’ve read the most popular pregnancy books and should feel prepared. The thought of Faith in pain puts an acute ache in my chest, though. If I could swap places with her, I'd do it in a heartbeat. As I have for months, I also wonder if I’ll be enough for her and the baby. I know one thing, though. I'll do everything in my power to become the man she and baby Ryder need. No matter what it takes.
As if reading my mind, Kurt reassures me, “You’re going to be a fantastic dad. I don’t have a doubt in my mind. It’s time to go, though.”
“What about you? I hope you’re not going back the way we came.”
“Hell no. The service road up ahead will loop me back to the main.”
“Alright, then. Good luck and thank you again.” I shake his hand before hopping out of the vehicle and jogging towards the helicopter.
“You look like shit, dude,” Hawk tells me as I climb into the seat next to him. “And you smell like burnt meatloaf.”
“Thanks, bro,” I reply. “But if we’re being honest this whole fucking place smells like that. Or a barbecue gone wrong. Fuck, you don’t know how good it feels to breathe a little fresh air again.”
“You call this fresh air? Wait until we get into Ophir City. It was all clear skies and a beautiful late November day when I left earlier. You ready to become a dad?”
His question reminds me to pull out my cell phone and text Birdie and Faith that I’m on my way. I’d prefer to call, but the helicopter’s too loud for that. I take a swig of the water bottle Hawk hands me. “It’s crazy, you know? It doesn’t seem like that long ago we were the kids.”
“And a bunch of trouble. Weren’t we?”
“Hell yeah,” I reply, sinking into the seat.
“The craziest part is that Maksim and Alex got this wholebaby party started with Dmitri, and now you’re up. Weird how our family skipped right to the youngest brothers first. Well, except for Wolfe and Izzie. But you can hardly call our nephew and niece babies anymore.”
I can tell by the softness in his voice that there’s a hint of envy. It’s not surprising. Hawk has always struck me as the kind of guy who wants a family. But then again, my conversation with Wolfe showed it’s what I’ve always wanted, too. Even if I refused to admit it.
Once we’re off the ground, the rhythm of the helicopter gets to me. Despite the adrenaline surges I felt earlier with Kurt, I start nodding off, feeling the weight of the past few days consume me. The last thing I remember is Hawk turning up his radio a little more.
