From Air (Wildfire)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

CALVIN

“She’s a goddess,” Travis says, pausing the swing of his Pulaski to glance at the fire for a second.

I keep digging, but not without a slight chuckle. “You call every fire a goddess. I don’t know if one this size deserves such a grand label.”

“Fitz, you know she has potential. All the small ones have potential when there’s no fucking humidity in the air, and it’s eighty-five goddamn degrees in September.”

By the following day, the six of us are ready to pack out, and Travis is trying to get a cell signal. “Laney’s due any day. If I miss the birth, I think she’s going to leave my sorry ass.”

My back gives me a little protest when I slide well over a hundred pounds of equipment onto it. “You didn’t plan that well. Sex in February. Babies in December.”

“Sounds like a guy who doesn’t have a wife or a girlfriend.” Travis hikes his pack onto his back. “Some of us like to have sex during all the months of the year.”

“You’re a dumbass. You know that, right?”

“Speaking of getting your dick wet, I heard you visited Jamie in California.”

“I visited my grandma. And I don’t know what you do with your granny, but mine doesn’t get my dick wet.”

Travis laughs. “But does a certain nurse do it for you?”

Fuck yes.

Her hand sliding into the front of my briefs.

The grin she gives me, as if she’s surprised I’m so hard for her.

Her nipples brushing my chest when she grinds against me.

Her hair in my face while she hovers above me, waiting for me to lift my head and steal her soft lips.

“Just keep your head in the game. If you spend too much time thinking about Laney at home, you’ll fuck up and not make it home.”

“What awaits you at home?”

I grunt. “Nothing. That’s why I always make it home.”

We scatter like quail for the pack out. The trek to the pickup spot is rarely a team activity. It’s alone time for reflection. This is the life. It’s easy to be with Jamie and think of the future I’m missing, but I feel at peace—at home—when I’m in this quietude, a mere speck among trees and fissured earth trails.

It’s six miles to the lake, where a boat awaits us. When we return to the base, not only is Laney not in labor, she’s there, waiting for Travis.

“I’m all dirty, baby,” he says when she throws her arms around his neck, body angled to accommodate her baby belly.

“The doctor said he’ll induce me in the morning if I don’t go before then, so we don’t have to worry about you missing the birth.”

Travis hunches in front of her, resting grubby hands on her belly. “Did you hear that, Scooter? Tomorrow, you get to meet your dad.”

“Stop!” Laney giggles. “We’re not naming our child Scooter. Anyway, I think we’re having a girl.”

Travis kisses her belly. “Doesn’t matter. We’re naming her Scooter. Scooter Mooder.”

I shake my head and grin, as does Gary and a few of the other guys.

“I remember when Evette used to greet me after a fire. There’s nothing like returning to a woman who’s dying to see you and so glad you’re alive. Best sex of my life.”

“What happened?” I drop my gear.

“She started fantasizing about my life insurance more than she fantasized about me.”

“That’s why I don’t have one of those.”

“Life insurance?”

I shrug off my shirt. “A wife.”

“I’m not buying it. And you should text your girlfriend to let her know you’re back and alive.”

“I don’t have—”

Gary’s gone before I finish.

I’m not messaging anyone. I wasn’t even gone for two days. No close calls. No need for anyone to worry.

Standing my ground, I make it home and finish half my dinner before I pick up my phone and stare at it. “I’m not telling her I’m safe and alive,” I mumble to myself, since I’m alone tonight. “I’m just being a good friend. Seeing how she’s doing.”

Fitz: My scars haven’t changed and my nuts are still chafed. I need a refund on that ointment

She doesn’t text me right away. She’s probably still working. It’s almost midnight before my phone pings and wakes me up.

Jaymes: Thanks for letting me know you’re okay. Night xo

“Dammit.” I toss my phone back onto the nightstand and grin.

After a short night’s sleep, I text her at four o’clock in the morning, her time, just to prove I’m still an asshole.

Fitz: Laney and Travis are having their baby today

It takes her five minutes to respond, just enough time to cuss me out.

On cue, as I get in my truck, she texts me back.

Jaymes: If u die today I won’t cry immediately because I’ll be too sleep deprived

Jaymes: And I already sent a baby gift yesterday after Evette told me they were inducing today. Don’t worry, the gift is from both of us

She can’t be serious.

Fitz: We’re not a couple

Jaymes: Love u 2. Have a great day!

“Fuck my life.” I toss my phone into the passenger seat and back out of the driveway.