Linc, who had always tried to avoid management, was none too sure. “But Jacob? You guys actually asked for him?”
“Didn’t think you’d have an issue.” Garrick’s forehead creased. “Lord knows you were heated enough about him being here to begin with. And it’s not simply babysitting duty—he’s one of the fittest rookies. Did you see him rattle off his PT test yesterday? He’ll pass the pack-out, no problem, and he’ll pull his weight. Might be nice if he listened a little harder, but we’ll work with him, bust his ass when we need to, same as any other rookie.”
He wished he had even an ounce of Garrick’s confidence in this situation working out. And Jacob was far from any other rookie. Linc didn’t get this terror in his heart over other smoke jumpers, didn’t have the sense of crushing dread, and sure as hell didn’t have inconvenient dreams remembering what they sounded like, tasted like, felt like. Garrick’s approach made a hell of a lot of sense—keep Jacob as safe as they could for his mom—but nothing about how Linc felt toward Jacob made a lick of sense. And while he didn’t exactly relish the idea of Jacob being on a different crew, maybe with people Linc didn’t trust as much as Garrick and Ray, he sure as hell wasn’t up for months of the closest proximity possible.
“Are we going to have a problem?” Ray asked in a low voice. “Alder might let us switch, but...he’s already looking close at you, Linc. Might not want to appear too sensitive right now.”
Fuck. All Linc wanted was to make it through this season. One last season here. The idea of moving on had never been so tempting, get away from everything and start fresh. Damn Jacob. And damn Wyatt too, leaving him in this pickle. And sure, he could quit now, try to catch on with another crew at a different base, but Garrick was right—doing that wouldn’t keep Jacob any safer. At least he and Garrick could manage his load some.
“Nah. Like you said. We’ll make it work.”
“Good. We better decide who’s tandem jumping with him today. Ray, buddy, you probably need the optional PT run more than you need the jump.” Garrick rubbed his hands together, clearly anticipating the airtime. But for a whole host of reasons, none of which had a damn thing to do with Garrick’s jumping ability, Linc didn’t want Garrick strapped to Jacob for the tandem jump.
“I’ll do it,” he said firmly. “You see if Alder will let you jump solo, get you your fix.”
Garrick’s mouth moved like he was going to object, but then he nodded as he stood. “I’ll go try to catch Alder or Sims, talk myself into a spot on one of the planes. You can deal with our rookie.”
He left right as Jacob headed their way, firm tilt to his jaw and stubborn glint in his eyes. He was spoiling for a fight, but Linc wasn’t going to oblige him.
“I’ll take our trash.” Ray quickly scooped up both of their plates and cups before meandering away as Jacob came to stand right in front of Linc.
“So am I going to have to tell them we need a switch or are you?” Jacob glared at him.
“Neither,” Linc said evenly. “Have a seat, Rook.”
“You asked for this?” Anger flared in Jacob’s eyes even as he complied and took the seat Garrick had vacated. “Think I can’t hack it on my own? Think I need you and your crew playing guardian angel all season?”
“Simmer down. No, I didn’t ask for this.” He didn’t rat out Garrick, though, wouldn’t do that to a buddy. “But we’ll deal, you and I. We don’t want folks saying there’s bad blood between us. Don’t need that kind of gossip. And you know damn well I’m no one’s guardian angel.”
“Says you.” Jacob all but rolled his eyes at him. But then, that was always part of Jacob’s appeal, the way he insisted on seeing the best in Linc, even at his worst.
“It’s not your fault, Linc.” Jacob’s voice was raw but firm as he put his arm around Linc. “You did everything you could. I believe that. Mom believes that. May believes that. Only one doubting you is you.”
“You weren’t out there.”
“Didn’t have to be. I know you. This isn’t on you. Ray and Garrick, they said it was an accident. That’s good enough for me. Jump gone bad. Made worse by the fire and wind conditions. None of that’s on you.”
“I was the one who cross-checked his rig. Like I’d done so many times...” His voice went weak as his eyes burned.
“I know. Sometimes things happen.” Jacob rested his head against Linc’s.
The warmth of his skin and his words seeped into Linc’s soul, burrowing beneath the layer of ice that had formed over his heart in the past seventy-two hours. “Wish I could believe you.”