Hot and Bothered

Ch. 6: Olive Branch

When it's officially seven, I stand up and go to shut the door right as she comes barreling down the hallway. She's flustered and rushing, and reaches for the door right as I do, but I pull it from her.

"Sorry. Class started two minutes ago."

Her face falls. "What? You can't be serious. It's two minutes."

"I was pretty clear last week that I don't tolerate tardiness." I press my lips together. "And by missing this class, you'll fail the whole course. They'll offer another in the spring, though. Maybe you'll take it more seriously a second time around."

"Wait. You can't..."

Without another word, I shut the door and get the rest of class started. Through the window, I can still see her standing there, in shock about what just happened. Her cheeks are rosy, eyes wide as she tries to collect herself. She runs her fingers through her wavy, chocolate hair before finally turning and disappearing down the hall. If nothing else, I'm a man of my word and Anna seems to think that rules don't apply to her.

What luck! Now she'll be someone else's problem to deal with and I can get through the rest of this session in peace.

Class goes by much quicker this week, and I pack up after dismissing everyone. I say a few goodbyes to the second shift guys, and I'm headed out to my truck when a voice stops me.

"Brooks?"

I turn to see Anna standing in front of the station, illuminated by the glow of the street light as she gives me a sheepish look.

"Anna? Have you been here this whole time?"

She nods. "I was hoping I could talk to you for a second."

"I've been on shift the last two days and I have to be back here first thing in the morning, so I don't really have..."

"Two minutes." She bites her lip. "I promise."

"Fine." I let out a heavy breath. I know exactly what she's after and as much as I might like to see her knocked down a few pegs and groveling at my feet, I'm exhausted. "What is it?"

"I know that I was late tonight and I know you have a no tardiness policy, but I was hoping there was some kind of extra credit or something I could do to make it up."

"Extra credit?" I burst out laughing. "Anna, this isn't middle school, okay? There's no extra credit. I'm sorry that you have to start over, but I think you'll be happier with a different teacher anyway."

"No, I don't need a different teacher, Brooks. I need you." She clamps her mouth shut, realizing what she said and immediately backtracks. "I mean, I need the class. This session."

"Then I guess you should have been on time."

"My car got repossessed." Anna blurts out. "I had to take the bus, and that's why I was late. It got repossessed because I can't pay for it. Just like I can't pay for my degree, which is why I so desperately need the scholarship that Dr. Prescott is going to take away if I don't complete this stupid safety course."

I hesitate, running my fingers through my hair.

"Look, I know you think that I'm just some dumb, irresponsible college girl who doesn't care about how my choices affect anybody else, but that's not true. It's the exact opposite, actually. I have worked my ass off to put myself through journalism school, and last week I was exhausted after having to work my three jobs just to have something to eat. That's why I forgot about the curling iron. I was tired and distracted, and I know that's no excuse, but you need to know that I didn't do it just because I'm careless."

Jesus, what am I supposed to do with that? She's right, it isn't an excuse but it makes the whole thing a lot more understandable. She could be making the sob story up just to get what she wants, but the sincerity in her voice makes me think she's telling the truth. She's almost choked up about this, and the smallest part of me feels sorry for her.

"Anna, I can't change the rules just for you."

"Please, Brooks. I'll do anything."

Her desperation strikes a chord with me, and I can't believe that I'm actually considering giving her another chance. Especially after she's been nothing but a pain in my ass and I finally had a valid excuse to get rid of her. Maybe I'm getting soft in my old age, or maybe I can sympathize with her situation, but I'm about to go against my better judgment and offer her an olive branch. A white and black polka dotted olive branch.

"This weekend is the annual fire muster and we need volunteers. You can make up the two hours you missed tonight by helping out."

"Done." She readily agrees. "Thank you so much. I swear, I won't let it happen again."

"Don't make me regret this." I sigh. "Be here at 9AM on Saturday morning and Ill get you hooked up with our volunteer coordinator."

"Great. Do I need to wear anything in particular?"

I stifle a laugh. "Don't worry. I've got that covered."

"Okay." She nods. "See you Saturday."

"Wait–"

Anna turns back to me.

"If you don't have a car, how are you getting home?"

"The same way I got here. The bus."

I let out a sharp laugh, glancing down at my wristwatch. "A city bus at ten o'clock at night? No you're not. SDC is on my way home. I'll give you a ride."

Anna gets on every one of my last nerves, but that doesn't mean I'm about to let her put herself in danger.

Her eyes slant skeptically. "I don't need you to give me a ride. I'm perfectly capable of–"

"Slow down there, Ms. Independence." I roll my eyes. "I'm doing this for me. If I let you take the bus tonight and something happens, I don't want that on my conscience."

Anna presses her lips together, and stands completely still in defiance. "I've ridden the bus before. This really isn't necessary."

"It is necessary."

"Why do you care all of a sudden? You've hated me since the moment we met and for all I know, you could be just as dangerous. I think I'll take my chances on the bus..."

"Jesus Christ, Anna. Our paramedics respond to calls every night on public transit. Assaults, overdoses, stabbings. You name it. It's not a place for a pretty college girl at night."

Anna arches her eyebrow at me as we both realize what I said. "Pretty?"

"Just get in the damn truck." I groan, beeping the fob to unlock it as I bite back my embarrassment.

Thankfully, her resolve fades and she climbs up into the cab. She sets her bag between us as if she wants some kind of physical barrier.

Fuck, I've never had to work so hard to get a woman to go for a ride with me before.

This girl is something else.