Page 2 of Dueling Flames

The second truck pulled up as Thorne lifted the end of the hose I’d just installed and nodded to me to crack open the hydrant to let the water run. Out in the field, we worked like a well-oiled machine, but in any other setting, we clashed. The irony wasn’t lost on me.

I nodded back and put the wrench on the top nut of the hydrant. “On three,” I said.

It took two hours to put out the fire. The other crews checked the rubble for hidden fires while I began unhooking the hoses from the truck. It had run out of water a while ago.

The ashes smoldered under the remains of the old house. The only thing left was the old brick chimney fireplace that stood tall and stained black with soot.

Thorne followed suit and picked up any tools left on the ground. Movement from the corner of my eye caught my attention. I turned to see the old chimney sway, then begin to collapse. We were too close.

“Thorne,” I yelled and pointed. He looked up. We both ran. I heard the thud of all the bricks landing when a sharp pain ran down my arm. I turned back and saw Thorne on the ground with a pile of bricks on his foot.

I watched as the paramedics on the scene ran toward us. Lacey Rogers, one of the paramedics, stood next to me. Her dark brown hair covered her eyes while she inspected my elbow.

“Thought we were getting off easy with no patients. Nope, had to give us work, huh?” she said with a smile.

“Just trying to share the wealth,” I said while watching the others work around Thorne.

“Your elbow is probably just bruised, but we’ll take you in to get an X-ray just in case,” Lacey said while she walked me to her ambulance. The other crew lifted Thorne onto a stretcher.

“Think he’ll be okay?” I asked.

She looked over. “He’ll be fine. The chimney didn’t fall on his head.”

“That might make him better,” I quipped.

Chapter 2

9 Days Ago

Lissa

I bit my lower lip and clenched my fists in order to keep my job. Captain Grayson Cole continued to tell me exactly where I messed up today during training. The worst part was that he never yelled. Just his quiet, steady scolding. I could feel the heat of my anger crawling up my neck. None of this would have happened if Thorne didn’t play around so much.

I had worked as a firefighter for eight years, five at this very location, Firehouse 99. No one had ever dressed me down like Captain Cole did now.

“You are both lucky that none of the hydraulic tools broke.” Captain Cole finally sat down with a sigh. The state issued a list of training required by all firefighters in order to stay current. This month’s training exercise was a refresher on all the lifesaving hydraulic tools. “Is this what you call getting along?”

“We don’t get along,” I answered quickly. Probably too quickly based off Captain’s raised eyebrow. “He rubs me the wrong way. The only reason I haven’t said anything is because he normally knows how to do his damn job and cooperates on a run.”

“Funny, Thorne said you two were close and that your friendly competition went a little too far.”

I took a deep breath in through my nose. That’s what Thorne called friendly competition? I can’t even imagine how he reacted to the captain’s lecture. He probably brushed it off as soon as he left the office.

I breathed out and uncurled my hands. “Again, I’m sorry for my part. I’d like to formally ask to work with a different partner.”

He studied me long and hard. “Honestly, you two work well together. I’m surprised to hear your request to move. That being said, I really can’t move people around right now. It was hard enough getting the schedule we have to work. I’ll let you know if something changes.” The captain stood up. “In the meantime, try to get along with your partner. Maybe find a common interest, like cleaning up the mess you both made out back.”

“I’m on it. Play nice and clean up.”

The captain shook his head as I left his office and walked down the hall into the lounge area. The lounge was equipped with tables, chairs, and a few couches, as well as a pool table off to the side. A large glass wall overlooked the bay where the trucks parked downstairs. Thorne headed straight for me as soon as I entered.

Thorne strolled over to me with that perpetual smile on his face. His black hair wasn’t long enough to reach his dark blue eyes so he couldn’t use that as an excuse to not see my anger.

“Can you believe the captain thinks we don’t get along?” he laughed and patted my shoulder.

“We don’t get along,” I gritted through my teeth.

Thorne’s eyes widened. “What?”