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“I can’t believe it.”
“Your record has been wiped clean. He said after taking a look, most of it was bogus anyway.” Zegas just kept delivering good news.
I wasn’t exactly looking forward to seeing Captain, but I could avoid him. The guys were going to be shocked. Hell, I was.
“Thank you,” I said, still stunned.
“I hate to admit it, but if you’d talked to the man yourself, you probably wouldn’t have needed me.” He actually did sound like it pained him to say that.
“I appreciate the work you and Whitley put in.”
“Whitley didn’t do a damn thing. I do all the work. He’s around for the glory.”
What an odd pair they were. “You both got another win.”
Slowly, it sank in that I had my job back. I couldn’t wait to tell Pepper.
We hung up, and I fired off a text to her with the good news.
“Don’t go back.” My father had listened to every word. “Go flip burgers. Bum around. Just don’t go back to the fire department.”
I paused. That expression was still neutral, but his tone held a rare edge. He hadn’t demanded I work at Hollingsworth Properties. He was right. Hell had frozen over.
“It’s what I love.” I didn’t owe him any explanation, yet I’d been honest anyway.
“Loving something gets you killed.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Pepper
“Congratulations.”
I wandered down the street with Sadie, who was oblivious to the cold. She moseyed, which was fine because it gave me a minute to talk to Teague. I dropped my phone in my pocket.
“Thanks.” His voice warmed me through my earbuds.
I’d missed him while he’d been staying at the hospital, but I understood.
“You don’t sound excited.” I thought he’d be happy. Thrilled, really. Maybe the news hadn’t hit him yet.
“I’m just exhausted.” He sounded drained.
He couldn’t have been getting much sleep, not to mention all the stress he’d been under.
“What can I do?”
Sadie sniffed a light pole like hamburger, steak, and pepperoni were scattered around it. No amount of coaxing could get her to move on.
“You’re doing it.”
“I’m walking the most stubborn dog who ever lived. I’m not sure how that’s helping you.”
Sadie looked back at me over her shoulder, and I swore that girl smiled at me. Because she knew I was talking about her.
“That’s normal. So it helps.”
I longed for some semblance of boring and routine. Miss Adeline might like action, but I’d had enough of it lately.
