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“It’s a saying.”
“That’s not a saying.”
“Sure it is,” he said stubbornly, walking towards the door. “I just said it.”
“You’re a fucking moron.”
“And, you’re a fucking party pooper.”
“I know life is a game to you,” I said. “But this job actually means something to me.”
Brent rolled his eyes. “You stand in front of buildings and spray them with water from a hose,” he said flippantly. “Hardly sounds like the great and noble calling you make it out to be.”
“Do you know how many firefighters die every year in this country?” I demanded. “Do you know how many sustain terrible injuries doing what we do?”
“No, but I’m sure you’re about to lay the answer on me,” he said carelessly. “Please tell me, or I won’t be able to sleep tonight.”
“Get the fuck out,” I said tiredly.
He started walking down the hallway, whistling as he went. “I’m just saying,” he said. “You used to be fun.”
I shut the door and took a deep breath. Brent could be a real ass when he wanted to be, but I knew that when I first met him and had decided to put up with it then. I felt as though it was too late now to turn back the clock. And I realized that I didn’t even want to…because of Megan. Brent had been my road to Megan, and that meant it was worth putting up with him every now and again.
That thought was what helped me make my decision. That thought was what sent me to my phone again. I called Megan, hoping she hadn’t already fallen asleep.
“Megan?” I said, the moment she answered.
“No, Stanley.” She laughed. “Of course, it’s me. What’s up? I didn’t expect to hear from you again tonight.”
“I need to ask you a question,” I said, coming out with it before I could change my mind again.
“Wow…must be important if you’re calling me again just to ask it.”
“I’ll let you be the judge of that,” I said.
“Okay…what’s your question?” she asked curiously.
“Will you go out with me?”
There was a long pause on the other line. “What?” she said at last.
“Will you go out with me?” I repeated again, but this time more slowly.
“Uh… I’m a little confused,” Megan said. “Are you asking me out on a date?”
“I am.”
“But you said you didn’t have room in your life for a relationship.”
“I’ll make room,” I said, with sudden conviction.
“What about my brother?” she asked. “You said you didn’t want to risk your friendship with him by dating me.”
“Turns out…he isn’t that great a friend to begin with,” I said. I heard Megan’s lyrical laugh and felt a little surge of hope. “Is that a yes?” I pressed.
“That’s a yes,” she said at last.
Chapter Eight
