In the Clear Read Online Free Page B

though blood rushed through him, hot and insistent, urging him to look harder, move faster, be better.
    It was one thing to be careful in his own life, to avoid the everyday risks for fear of losing everything. When he was out on a rescue, none of those truths applied. Out there, risks were the only way to survive.
    Lexie’s eyes widened. “How long have you been doing this stuff? Does Sean know? Did you even sleep last night?”
    He shifted uncomfortably and decided to tackle her incredulity one question at a time. “About six years. He suspects but has never asked directly. A little.”
    “Well, you should go take a nap. You look like crap. I mean . . . ” She waved her hand over his attire. The jacket was too tight across his shoulders and he could have gone for a few more inches on the pants hem, but it wasn’t as though he was winning any beauty contests anyway. She stopped, as if just noticing him sitting there. “You’re wearing a suit.”
    “My boss thought it might sell more cars.”
    Her lips twitched, and she reached over to take a drink from his milkshake. “Did it work?”
    “Nope. It turns out I don’t have a face people can trust.”
    “That’s ridiculous. I’d trust you with my life. You’re the most dependable person I know.” She paused, her lips pursed where they hovered above the straw. It was amazing how animated she could be even when she wasn’t moving. “It looks good, though. Dashing. You should suit up more often.”
    He couldn’t help a warm feeling of pleasure from creeping over him, but he quickly tamped the feeling down. The last time he’d gotten too flushed in Lexie’s presence, she’d decided he had a fever and offered to check his temperature just like Mom used to . Which, apparently, was code for a quick kiss to the forehead, soft, dry lips gauging his health.
    The only thing that could have made that situation any worse was if her mom had also been fond of rectal thermometers.
    “I’m sorry, Lexie.” He was unsure what else he could say. “I didn’t set out intending for my Search and Rescue work to be a secret. It just seemed easier that way.”
    Her hurt expression flashed again, but she quickly hid it under a smile. “No, I get it. Quiet salesman by day. Superhero at night. Telling your friends about it would only ruin the fun.”
    “I don’t do it for fun.” At least, that wasn’t how it had started. He’d joined thinking it would be a good way to work through his anxiety issues and squeamishness over blood, that putting other people first might wipe away some of his social inhibitions. It had worked, but only as a temporary fix. In the middle of a rescue, it was easy to forget everything but the task ahead of him.
    Unfortunately, he was still himself once the adrenaline wore away. Hence the poorly fitting suit and the EMT application hiding in his desk. And the woman sitting across from him—a woman whose friendship he was so afraid of losing he’d put her up on a pedestal made of eggshells.
    “Then why do you do it?” Lexie leaned over the table, drawing near enough to send his pulse skittering. “I have to say, Fletcher, we’ve known each other for practically ever, and this is the last thing I’d expect you to volunteer for. Staying up all night organizing mobile libraries, sure. Maybe even helping out at an animal shelter. But Search and Rescue? I’m impressed. That’s kind of a big deal for someone who hates the sight of blood, isn’t it?”
    He hoped there was more compliment than insult in there, but he doubted it.
    “Can we talk about something else for a while?” Maybe if he got the whole story out, they could get back to familiar footing. “I don’t think anyone has said a single word to me today that isn’t related to that poor woman. Her name is Jean. She went for a walk and thought the ice on the lake was thicker than it was. She got out pretty far before she heard the crack and, wisely, decided to stay put and call for help