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Firefighters arrived at the Woodvalley Movie Theater on Castle Street at six twenty-five local time after receiving reports of heavy smoke coming from the roof of the building.
An evacuation is underway to get everyone out as quickly and safely as possible. However, as many as ten casualties have already been reported, including two firefighters.
We’ll keep you updated as we learn more.
Libby watched in horror as the news reporter disappeared from her television screen. She was out of her seat a second later, phone shoved into the pocket of her jeans and keys in hand. She couldn’t get out of there quick enough. Before she knew it, she was buckled into the car and pushing down on the gas.
The drive over to the movie theater was a blur. She was on autopilot. She knew if she stopped to listen to what was going on in her head, she never would have made it.
It was chaos when she arrived. Police, ambulances and terrified locals hovering behind police tape. Smoke clouds penetrated the air as black ash filled her nostrils.
Squeezing her way through the crowd she finally reached the tape, and started scanning. Libby knew the chances of seeing Zach were pretty damn low, but it didn’t stop her heart from hoping. He was the only person she wanted to see.
Just when she thought she’d have to do something drastic, she spotted Cody. She’d actually forgotten he was a cop. She only had to yell out his name a couple of times before he noticed her. Despite his puzzled expression, he made his way over.
“Libby, what are you doing here?”
“Is Zach okay? Please tell me he’s okay. I saw on the news two firefighters are hurt ... just please tell me he’s alright?” If Cody hadn’t already seen the desperation pouring out of her, he would have heard it in her voice.
“Shit. Come on.” Cody lifted the tape and guided her under it. He then took her arm and started to lead her off to the side. “Zach’s fine.”
She finally let out the breath she’d been holding. He’s okay. Thank God.
“We’re short on EMTs so he’s been helping out. Look, things are still pretty hectic. By the looks of it, they will be here for a while. You sure you want to wait around? I can pass a message to him if that’s easier?”
Pass a message. Was he joking? “Yeah, I’m sure. I’ll wait however long.”
He turned to face her, a wary look in his eyes. “Listen, Libby, I know you’re worried about him. I get that. But I know what went down with you two ... so I wouldn’t be a good friend if I didn’t say my peace. Especially now, with all this going on.” He gestured to the commotion behind them.
“Say what you need to say, Cody.”
“He loves you.” Even hearing those words from someone else hit her hard. “I’m not gonna lie, watching him this past week has been fucking painful. The man’s a wreck. So, I’m not sure seeing you right now is gonna do him any favors. Two of his crew are down, Libby. He’s probably worried sick as it is, and I don’t want any added stress put on him. You get what I’m saying?”
She got it alright. Loud and clear. But that still didn’t mean she was leaving.
“I need to see him, Cody. I promise you I’m not here to hurt him. Or to stress him out. I’ll wait as long as it takes. That being said, why don’t you put me to work. I can help wherever you need me.”
A stare down commenced. Libby defiantly crossed her arms over her chest and waited him out. She wasn’t going anywhere. The sooner he realized that, the better.
It didn’t take as long as she thought it would, because only seconds passed before he was letting out a frustrated groan. It seemed he’d got the message.
“Follow me.” He turned and she quickly followed behind him. Damn, the man walked fast. “We’ve established a safe zone for people being evacuated. Until everyone can be checked out they’ll need blankets, water and we have oxygen for people who need it. I’ll show you where everything is.”
She nodded even though he couldn’t see her and dutifully followed him until they reached the supplies.
“Keep an eye out for open wounds and issues with breathing and flag them to the nearest EMT, okay?”
“Okay. Yes. Got it,” Libby agreed as she rolled up her sleeves.
“Okay. I’ll be around if you need me, alright?”
Her head bobbed up and down again.
Satisfied, Cody made his way back toward the crowd.
Time flew by as she tried her best to help. Before she knew it, it was pitch black and there were no longer any evacuees around to assist. Although the fire had been under control for a while now, she still hadn’t seen Zach. And Cody hadn’t been by to check on her for at least an hour.
Not sure what else to do, she started gathering the discarded blankets and empty water bottles. It was the first chance she’d had to really think since she’d arrived, and she wasn’t sure if she liked it. She was beginning to doubt herself. Without adrenaline and fear pumping through her veins, the decision to drive out here no longer seemed like such a good idea.
You can’t run forever. You know exactly why you’re here. Suck it up.
Bending down to pick up yet another blanket, she heard footsteps approach from behind. Upright again, she whipped around, expecting to see Cody, only it wasn’t him.
“Zach,” she whispered, her breath catching in her throat.
She didn’t know whether it was the soot covered uniform, the sweat covering his brow or just the fact that she really fucking missed him, but he looked hotter than ever. She realized then why she hadn’t had a glimpse of him yet. He’d gone back in. That would explain the soot and the messy dark blonde hair now sticking up in all directions.
“What are you doing here?” There was a coldness in his voice she hadn’t heard before.
Oh. God. I did that to him.
“I-I came to see you.” Deep breaths. You can do this. “I heard about the fire on the news, and I came straight down.”
“Why?” Ice cold.
Libby could feel her lower lip trembling. Actually, everything was trembling. “I was worried. I thought ... I was worried something had happened to you. I-I had to see for myself that you were okay.”
“Well, now you’ve seen. Goodnight, Libby.” He turned away and for a moment she couldn’t breathe.
The blankets on her arm hit the ground a second later as she willed herself to move. To go after him. To stop him.
This cannot be how it ends.
“Wait,” she shouted after him.
But his boots were still hitting the pavement, moving him further and further away from her.
“Goddamnit, you’re really gonna make me run, aren’t you?” she mumbled under her breath as she picked up the pace.
When she finally reached him, she had to pull at his arm to make him stop.
“What, Libby?” he snapped. “What do you want from me?” He spun around, giving her an up-close look at the anger feeding his frown lines.
“You,” was all she managed to say.
“What?”
You can do this. Come on, spit it out.
When she didn’t reply, he got ready to walk away again. She couldn’t have that. “I want you,” she blurted. Or more like shouted.
Those blue eyes narrowed on her, mistrust hitting her right in the gut.
“What do you mean you want me, Libby? If you’re looking for a quick fuck, I’m not interested.”
Ouch.
“I guess I deserved that.” Tucking her hair behind one ear, she tried to gather her thoughts. The words she’d had in her head for days were all disjointed and out of order. She’d have to dig deep and hope for the best that she made sense. “You were never a quick fuck, Zach, and I think you know that.”
“Do I?”
Voices that had been in the distance were getting closer. She recognised at least one of them. Cody. The nearer they got, the faster her heart rate pounded. She hadn’t been prepared for an audience. Hell, she was barely prepared for this entire conversation.
As she glanced over Zach’s shoulder, she watched almost in slow motion as Cody, Hunter and Luke came to an abrupt standstill mid-stride as they finally noticed the scene playing out before them.
Fuck it.
Her attention was back on Zach, those ocean-colored eyes drowning everything else out.
“I’m sorry, Zach. I really am. You were right. Everything you said. Things between us ... it was, it was always more. And I knew it. I felt it, I really did. I was just being a coward.”
Witnessing the man before her visibly soften was all the fuel she needed to carry on.
“I was so scared of getting my heart broken. I had no idea it was already too late.” She tried her best to fight back the tears. It was bad enough her voice had already begun to tremble. “When you walked out that door, it was like you took my heart with you. I’ve never felt like that before. I felt empty. I still do. It’s like you left this huge, gaping hole in my chest.”
She was clutching her chest now, like she could physically feel it. In all its glory. And with every second that passed, it was getting bigger.
“What are you trying to say, Libby?”
Fuck, this is hard.
“It took me a while to figure out why. Why I felt as broken as I did. I’m not exactly an expert at this type of thing so it probably took me longer than most people.” She shook her head, a humourless laugh leaving her lips. “Rachel came over and we talked. I watched a lot of really bad reality TV and I’m pretty sure I ate my bodyweight in takeout, but then ... then I had one of those lightbulb moments. You know from the cartoons, with the bulb that— Yeah, uh, you know. So, it turns out that I, uh ... that I love you.”
Did I actually just start talking about cartoons while declaring my love? Jesus Christ, you’re bad at this, Libby.
Turns out her face was just as embarrassed as her brain, which was why her hands immediately shot up in an attempt to cover herself.
Oh God. This is going so badly.
But she didn’t stay hidden for long. She felt thick digits begin to uncurl her hold. Soon, her face was free again. When she’d gathered enough courage to meet Zach’s eyes, the mortification began to melt away.
“Princess, did you really just tell me you love me and then hide?”
“Yes.” A smile tugged at her lips. “Did it work? Did I win you back?”
His chuckle was music to her ears. “Is that what you were trying to do? Win me back?”
She nodded vehemently. “Did it work?”
Oh no. The serious expression was back. “That depends. Are you really ready to do this with me, for real? I’m not just talking about you calling me your boyfriend. I’m talking about planning a future together. ‘Cause I’m telling you right now, in the not-so-distant future, I’m gonna want us to move in together. Get married. Maybe squeeze out a few kids. Are you ready for that?”
Do not hyperventilate.
“Uh.” Seriously? Now you freak out? “Look, I’m gonna be honest, I’m still really frigging scared. That won’t just go away overnight. Those are some really serious things you’re listing off right there, but ... I really do love you. This whole loving someone thing, it’s still all new to me. It’s even newer to think about stuff like marriage and kids. But, you make me want those things. Things I’ve never wanted before. You might have to bear with me, but yes, I’m ready. I’m ready to do this for real.”
Zach’s lips crashed down onto hers. At the same time, the helmet he’d been holding hurtled to the floor. She had her answer. It worked. She was home.
Wrapping her hands around his neck, she pulled him closer. But evidently it wasn’t close enough for him. She felt his hands drift downward until they were gripping her backside. With a move smoother than she could fathom right now, he hauled her up and helped her to fold her legs around him. All the while, never breaking their kiss.
She faintly heard cheers in the background, no doubt his friends. But nothing could distract her from this moment. The smoky taste on his lips, the musky scent short-circuiting her brain and the fire building in her belly as she became lost in his touch.
The risk was worth the reward. If it gave her a shot at a lifetime with this man, then what was a little fear?