Chapter 28

It had been a long drive back to the station after his last day with Desiree, or as she called herself these days, Sarah. Burke didn’t mind the drive itself so much as the fact that it was carrying him continually further away from her. His thoughts wandered to the future, and he was seized with a wild notion to move to Colorado. He was a solitary man; few friends, no local family, and not much to do on weekends besides order pizza and play video games. His coworkers invited him to strip clubs and bars on occasion, and he would always go, but he wasn’t known for over the top carousing or endless late nights. He wondered what Desiree would think of him moving to her town. She’d probably think he was moving too fast.

In a way, he thought they were moving too fast. He had this nagging guilt in his head telling him he shouldn’t have slept with her so soon. They barely knew each other, and what he knew about her wasn’t exactly good. On the other hand, there was an unmistakable magnetism between them. Something about her always called him back. She was the reason he had been at the diner the day the boiler had exploded, and he was still glad of that. Who knows how he’d be feeling right now if she’d been killed in that accident.

Burke steered his pickup truck off the exit ramp and onto the familiar city streets. Traffic was thinner this time of night, and he knew without looking that his eyes were bloodshot from his extensive drive. He’d probably regret shaving his time so close when he had to get up for work in less than five hours, but for now, it seemed worth it.

He felt happy. Satisfied. For now all he wanted was a hot shower and to flop in bed and sleep till the alarm went off. He grabbed his bag from the bed and jogged up to his apartment, eager to be home again.

He unlocked the door and tossed his duffel inside, locking the door after himself. He strode into the bathroom not even bothering to check his message machine. He doubted anyone important had called while he was gone.

The hot water soothed his weary muscles, and Burke stood for a full ten minutes longer than usual, just letting the spray fall on him. He got out, toweled off, and headed straight for bed in the buff.

He was asleep in minutes, and in a matter of hours, the unforgiving alarm clock buzzed him awake.

“Suck,” Burke mumbled, fumbling to turn it off. He dragged himself out of the bed and grabbed the clean clothes on top of his dresser. The firefighter’s uniform hugged him comfortably as always, and Burke pulled on his boots. Fully dressed he grabbed his keys and took off for the nearest coffeehouse.

Now was not the time to skimp on caffeine.