✓ [18+] WHEN YOU SAY NOTHING AT ALL

V. Hey Girl, Let Me Wrap Myself Around Your Finger

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V. Hey Girl, Let Me Wrap Myself Around Your Finger

CARTER

"Allen!" Chief Wittmore yells for me from the bay of the garage.

"Yes Chief?" I address him with respect.

"Help Sanchez wash down the buggy," he grins at me and pats me on the shoulder.

I nod my head with a returning grin and make my way out back to help Sanchez, the rookie, wash down the 'buggy.' Buggy being a fire fighter's term for the Chiefs vehicle.

Sanchez may be the rookie but in a sense, so am I. At least to this particular station. I've been a firefighter for the last two years, but back in my hometown.

I moved to Clinton Hills a week ago for a transfer. I had to get out of Hotchkins, ND. I was constantly reminded of the shit childhood I had growing up with an alcoholic of a father.

I'd moved out to California for college when I turned eighteen and didn't return home until four years ago when I came back to take care of my dying father. The drinking finally caught up to his health after all those years. Thankfully though, he found God after the tough news and I will say we were able to rekindle a decent father and son relationship before he passed.

I spent the last two years after he passed in a rough relationship with the spawn of Satan herself. That was a large part of why I left Hotchkins. There was just no reason to stay anymore. I don't know why I put up with her shit for as long as I did but I'm glad I finally saw the truth and left when I did before she trapped me in a lifelong commitment.

Not that I hate marriage or children, I just didn't want that with her. I don't want that until I find the one. Yeah I know, what man thinks that way? This guy does.

I watched my mom for years put up with my dad until she passed away from cancer. Dad wasn't as bad when she was alive. He only got worse once she died but I never witnessed love in my home growing up. Luckily it didn't deter me from marriage altogether.

I just didn't want to jump into marriage or family without being completely certain. I don't want my kids to grow up from a broken home. Is that too much for a guy to ask?

Sanchez is hosing down the SUV when I walk up and grab one of the soapy sponges from the bucket near the left front wheel. I begin to scrub the vehicle when I catch Sanchez staring at me. I cut my eyes at him and grin. He quickly looks away as he turns off the hose and grabs the other sponge.

I can't help but laugh to myself.

I'm the new guy and I know I can be quiet intimidating. At just a little over six foot tall and being a big muscular guy, I know I can be scary to a smaller guy like Sanchez. Plus it doesn't help I've got full sleeved tattoos that are showing since I'm wearing my short sleeves.

I've also been told I've got a menacing glare about me. I don't mean to look that way and usually their opinion of me will quickly change once I smile or start talking. But I've definitely been judged cruelly in my life from first appearances for sure.

"So do you like being a fire fighter so far?" I ask him, engaging in conversation.

"I like it. It's definitely a change from EMT work the last couple years," he laughs and I can understand that. Yeah you're busier as an EMT but people don't understand how physically demanding fighting fires can be.

"Yeah. It's like that at first but you'll get use to it. Just give it time," I smile, encouraging him. He nods his head and we continue washing the Chief's buggy.

When we are in the middle of towel drying it, the alarm sounds throughout the station and we quickly rush to our personal equipment. I go through the motions fast of putting on my gear and listen to the Chief as he explains there's a small fire at Miller's Bar & Grill at the other side of town.

I swiftly climb into the back seat of the engine. The call that came in said it was a kitchen grease fire that got a bit out of control. When we arrive, there's a few guys standing out front with beer bottles in their hands.

Apparently the owner Elena had everyone evacuate the building so they didn't inhale the smoke. Chief walks over to her where she's got her arm wrapped around a woman who's sitting on the tailgate of a truck with her face in her hands.

I walk past them and into the building to assess the situation. When I get into the kitchen and see the scene I'm shocked it didn't spread worse than it did. The whole top of the stove caught fire, along with the ventilation up top and the backsplash tile on the wall. The Chief walks up next to me and shakes his head.

"Apparently a grease fire caught and the young lady that was working back here threw water on the fire," he runs his hand over his face.

Sadly that's very common with grease fires. Most people know not to throw water on a grease fire, knowing it'll only ignite it more and make it spread. But there's the few cases, usually regarding children or elderly people, that will throw water on one. It usually never ends well.

"They're lucky it didn't spread worse than it did," I input my opinion and lean back against the kitchen island.

"Yeah they are. Apparently the cook was back here with her and put it out with the fire extinguisher. If she would've been back here alone, it would've been bad for her. She's out front right now," he looks around the kitchen, checking for any other signs of damage.

"The one that's on the tailgate of the truck with the owner?" I ask curiously.

"Yup. Heather Daniels, cute little thing. I've known her and her brother for a long time," he smiles and nods his head at me.

"Why don't you go out there and check on her? Make sure she's okay," he winks at me and I grin and shake my head. Do I really scream 'single man?'

When I make my way back through the establishment and outside. I look in the direction of the truck she's sitting on and when she finally moves her hands from her face, my breath catches. Our eyes meet and I nearly fall to my knees as I gaze into her beautiful green eyes.

I never believed in love at first sight, but as I looked into the eyes of Heather Daniels, I knew right then and there, I was fucking hooked. If she really wanted to, she could have me wrapped around her finger in a heartbeat.