PLAYING WITH FIRE

Chapter 37: Home Part 2

Carina stifled a laugh, amused by the banter between the two women. She knew Maya wasn't in the mood for Amelia's playful jabs, especially not in her exhausted state.
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Amelia shrugged, feigning innocence. "Hey, I'm just stating facts. You do have that 'perfect firefighter' vibe going on... blonde hair, toned muscles, all that."

She gave Maya a thorough once-over, her eyes lingering on her abs beneath the hospital gown.

Carina said "Amelia stop looking at my girlfriend abs."

Amelia chuckled, backing away a step. "Hey, can you blame me? Those abs are worth looking at. I'm just appreciating the view."

Maya grumbled something under her breath, her pride slightly wounded but too exhausted to retaliate further.

Carina interjected, her voice firm but laced with amusement. "Eyes off the abs, Shepherd. They're reserved for me and me only."

She gave Amelia a mock glare, her hand possessively squeezing Maya's shoulder.

Maya couldn't help but let out a quiet chuckle, appreciating Carina's protective gesture. "Yeah, listen to my girlfriend, Shepherd. These abs are not for your viewing pleasure."

Amelia raised her hands in mock surrender, backing away another step. "Fine, fine. I get it. No ogling the abs. I'll just admire them from afar."

She flashed a sly grin, her eyes still lingering on Maya. "But I still think you look good in a wheelchair, Firefighter Barbie."

Maya grumbled again, her patience wearing thin. "Stop calling me that, would you? And can we get out of here already?"

Carina rolled her eyes, pushing the wheelchair a bit faster. "Come on, Shepherd. We've got to get Ms. Grumpy to bed."

Amelia chuckled once more, relenting. "Okay, okay. I'll stop calling you 'Firefighter Barbie'. But only because you look so darn cute in a wheelchair."

She winked at Maya before bidding them farewell. "Alright, you two lovebirds have a good night. Try not to have too much fun in that apartment of yours."

Maya grumbled yet again, her cheeks reddening at Amelia's remark. "Trust me, fun is not on the agenda for tonight. I just want my bed."

Carina shook her head, amused by Amelia's audacity. "Goodnight, Shepherd. And good riddance."

As Carina continued pushing Maya's wheelchair towards the exit, she couldn't help but chuckle at Maya's grumpy demeanor. "You know, you're awfully cute when you're all annoyed and tired."

Maya huffed, her eyes still half-closed. "I'm not cute. I'm tired, and I just want to go home."

But despite her words, there was a hint of a smile on her lips, betraying her attempts at being grumpy.

Carina smiled, realizing that Maya's crankiness was just a facade hiding her fatigue. "Right, right. You're not cute. You're just a giant, sleepy, adorable firefighter in a wheelchair."

Maya rolled her eyes, but the corners of her mouth twitched upwards. "I hate you sometimes, you know that?"

She tried to sound annoyed, but the exhaustion in her voice betrayed her affection.

Carina laughed softly, knowing that Maya didn't really mean it. "No, you don't. You love me, even when I tease you about being adorable in a wheelchair."

Maya huffed again, the truth in Carina's words evident. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Just get me home, my love."

She was too tired to argue, and part of her knew that Carina's relentless teasing was her way of showing affection.