Wild Card

by Elsie Silver

His voice rings through the small studio as my train of thought turns fuzzy. Because what does that mean?

I don't think I want you as my firefighter bc youre having a whole ass argument after being called in to work

So in the past several months, I’ve had to come to terms with the fact that my mom is a manipulative liar and that the man who fathered me did actually give a damn, but I missed years with him because of whatever fucked-up family dynamic I have. I tried to tell you. I wanted to tell you. But the timing was never right. Now I find out you’re…what, dating my ex?”

well this is a shitstorm

“Tripp, I’m… Fuck. I’m sorry. If I had known⁠—” “You wouldn’t have fucked my ex-girlfriend?”

nope still would've done that

That’s your takeaway from all of this?” Tripp replies, looking absolutely shocked.

well what's your takeaway.....

Wow. This is really something else. Un-fucking-believable if I think about it. It’s one thing to be betrayed by some girl I dated for a blink of an eye. It’s entirely another to be betrayed by you.”

I'm sorry youre being really fucking dramatic. you have known Gwen basically the same amount of time you've known your bio dad??

Don’t touch me,” he bites out, marching away. “And don’t follow me. I can’t even look at you.”

men.

“I hope you two are fucking happy together. Have a nice life.”

slay. they will maybe I'm the toxic one

“I hate having to leave you like this, but I have to go.” A quick glance at my watch tells me I’m cutting it close.

the Forest is already burnt down at this point my dude

The job doesn’t take as long as I expect it

most of it probably burnt down bc you were yapping.

Gwen and Tripp are seated at the small metal table and they’re embracing. His arms are wrapped around her, his face is buried against her neck. And she’s holding him back.

go eavesdrop. if this leads to a third act breakup I'm coming after the both of you.

I want to believe that there’s a good explanation, that this is a positive thing. But I’m overtired and seeing them out together has every dark, ugly insecurity that I carry with me rearing its ugly head.

nuh uh don't start

I don’t want to be that guy. I don’t want to accuse her of those things, so I give them a very dry “Surprise!” “Oh boy,” Clyde grumbles. “Trouble in paradise. I’m getting the fuck out of here.” He moves past me with a slap on the shoulder and then disappears down the hallway.

Clyde is me

You just run along to the next stop? Guess you did warn me you don’t stay in one place for long.”

oh my god shut the fuck up

We both know what we have is real. This is it for me and nothing is going to change that. But you still need to reach out to your son and make amends with him. We hurt him, and yes, it needed to be done, but that was a god-awful way to find out. So rather than acting like he wronged you, put your heart in your hand and go talk to him.”

oh she's an ICON

Dude, you’re fucking terrible tonight. You’re like the new Rhys of the team,” West teases.

poor rhys

And when I finally realize that I can’t lie here doing nothing, I get out of bed and do something profoundly stupid instead.

at least you're aware it's stupid

My focus is single-minded—and it’s not on the job. It’s on Gwen.

guarantee she's at Clyde's house

My limbs feel like lead and I find myself praying for another miracle. Eyes scanning frantically, fingers gripped tight. I draw closer, and I see it. Her truck.

flipping told you

Hi. I’m Beau. Here to help you out. What do you say we get the hell off this mountain?”

HI BEAU

You’re a fucking wild card.

name drop

I can tell he’s about to respond when I hear Beau’s voice from behind me. “Ma’am, do you have marijuana plants in the back of your truck?”

stay in your lane eaton

“I owe you both an apology.”

At least youre self aware

My eyes slice in his direction. “Fuck off, Dupris” is all I give him, which only makes him laugh and back away with hands up in surrender. I can hear a chorus of chuckles from our table. Ford, West, Rhys, and Clyde (who is here as our self-proclaimed “coach”) sit and watch. Hell, even Tripp came into town to watch this all go down.

you better not lose

That’s my daddy!” West shouts as he practically launches himself at me, knocking me backward with the force of his hug.

I love him

When he pulls back, he looks her over, grinning at us both as she lays a splayed hand over her growing bump. “Baby Rousseau’s first plane ride!” “Honestly, the morning sickness killed my vibe, and now I’m a little concerned the harness isn’t going to fit properly.

what the hellyonce