After We Fall (Take the Fall, #3)(7)

“Hit the shower,” he says.

“Aye, fire captain.” I shuffle off to the back of the room. Once I’m feeling mostly human again, I exit the shower, towel off, and pull on a pair of athletic shorts.

“Where’s Cortez?” I ask, referring to the medic who’s always on staff.

“Busy with Franz, but you’re in luck. Owners hired more staff.”

Hayden glances at my face, chest, and hands before motioning the second medic over. While Hayden is trained to take care of minor injuries, it’s not his job here at the Laboratory. “I’ll be right back,” he says.

While the new medic examines me, I lean back against the chair and watch as Hayden speaks to another manager. They leave, presumably to settle things up.

“How many fingers am I holding up?” the medic asks.

I lift my gaze. “Three.”

“Good.”

While she checks my vitals, I scan the room. The locker room is tricked out like one at a professional sports team arena. The owners have absolutely no problem shelling out major bucks for top-of-the-line employees and amenities for us.

“Just a sprain,” the medic says. I don’t know her name because she’s new.

“I’m Hunter and you are—?”

She smiles at me. “Nora. Nice fight tonight.” Grabbing her bag, she searches through it and produces some antiseptic as well as Band-Aids.

“Thanks. First day?”

“No. Second.”

Laughing, I reply, “You’re practically a veteran now.”

Her smile turns into a grin. “This is going to hurt.”

I hiss a little at the first sting. “You’re not kidding.”

“It’s a nasty little gash on your arm—looks like he cut you with something, which is illegal as hell.” Blowing on the wound for a few seconds, she gives me this long, slow look. “Will you be okay?”

“Yeah,” I all but grunt. “I’ll get my manager to check things out for me.”

The light catches the red in her hair. She’s pretty, capable, and knows about fighting. “Do you think your manager would mind if I took you out for a drink later?”

Fraternization isn’t against the rules here, and if I didn’t have Evangeline taking up so much space in my head, I would gladly let Nora buy me a drink. Apparently, the no I’m about to give Nora shows on my face.

“You’re seeing someone, aren’t you?”

“I’d like to, but she’s…reluctant. Bad relationship before me.” That much is the truth.

“Take things slow with her. Show her you’re not an * like the last guy.” Nora quickly cleans me up. “Damn shame we can’t have drinks, but since I find it sexy as hell that you’re loyal to a woman who’s reluctant…how about you give me your number and I’ll text you in a month to see how things are going?”

“More relationship advice?”

Nora’s friendly smile turns into a siren of a smile. “More like an offer to help you get over her.”

There is no way in hell I’ll give Nora my number. I’m not chancing an oops text that I’ll have to explain to Evangeline should things go my way. “I really appreciate that, but since we’re practically colleagues…how about we talk in a month? I’m sure I’ll have something for you to work on.”

“Fine, but don’t think this is the last of me,” Nora says with a flirty wink.

Chuckling, I nod. “I won’t.”

Hayden joins us. “Is he cleared to go?”

“Unfortunately, I can find no reason to keep him in my care,” Nora replies before she leaves.

“Let’s go, Romeo.” Hayden helps me to my feet to be on the safe side and we head for the exit. When we get to the public area of the building, he lets go of me. Can’t look like I need help in front of the fans. Appearance is everything.

They chant my name and I wave while trying to lengthen my stride so we can get out of here faster. It’s not that I don’t appreciate the support, but the older I get, the less I want the attention. Give me my share of the purse and I’m set.

Basically, once I’m done, all I want to do is Netflix and chill. For me, that means a cold beer, my foster dog Jake at my side, and propping my feet up on the sofa for the next twelve hours while I binge-watch The Leftovers.

On the ride home, Hayden drives and I check my email. The first one that pops up is from Forrestville Animal Shelter, informing me that they have found a forever family for Jake.

“Shit.” I want my dog to be happy, but I also want him with me. Except my hours are nowhere near what would be acceptable for a single guy to have and take care of a pet—full-time, at least.

“What’s wrong?”

“Forever family for Jake.”

“Maybe they’ll change their mind like the last family and you can keep him longer.”

His comment is exactly why we’re friends. He gets me. “Yeah, but that’s not exactly fair to Jake.”

“Jake is well taken care of,” Hayden points out.

“My hours are—”

“And you work with that. Stop beating yourself up. You’re a good foster…dad.” I can hear the smile in his voice.