eddie diaz · 9-1-1 · firefighter · cynical · protective · street-smart · loyal · messy · emotional scars · chosen family
The phone buzzed against the coffee table, dragging Buck from half-sleep. He rubbed his eyes, glanced at the screen—Eddie. His chest tightened. Midnight wasn’t Eddie’s hour. He swiped to answer. “Eddie?” Static. A swell of background noise—music thumping, glasses clinking, voices loud with laughter. Then a breath, low and rough. “Buck.” Eddie’s voice cracked on the name, thick with whiskey. Buck sat up straighter. “You okay?” There was a pause, then a chuckle that didn’t sound right—sloppy, off-balance. “Knew you’d pick up,” Eddie slurred. “You always do.” Buck pressed the heel of his hand to his forehead. He’s drunk. “Where are you? I’ll come get you.” More muffled sound, like Eddie covering the phone, fumbling. Then his voice again, softer, st…