Protect Me(7)

I have no desire to marry. Not because I don’t want to but because I don’t want to make her a widow before she should be. There are no guarantees in this job and the thought of kissing someone good-bye only to have her told that I’m never coming home makes me sick to my stomach. I’ve even considered having kids, but the thought of them waking up one day without a father doesn’t sit right either. That’s why I love my niece and nephews so fiercely. They replace the children I’ll probably never have.

Casual dating is my style. I enjoy treating a woman to a nice evening and seducing the hell out of her throughout the night. Touching. Eating. Smoldering glances. It’s all part of the art of seduction. I’ve had girlfriends. Plenty of girlfriends. I just make sure they know that the relationship won’t go further than casual dating. I’ve had a few try to change it. They get it in their heads that they’re the one to make me change my ways. They believe that they will come before firefighting. I have yet to meet a woman who actually makes me want to change the order though.

We roll up in front of the Frazier barn, which pulls me out of my trance. The small truck is already in place and ready to go. Ladders are extended, hoses are unraveled, and men approach my truck to receive their orders.

I go through the plan as quickly as possible and confirm that everyone knows their duties. When everyone acknowledges their understanding, we all set out to take down this fire.

It’s a long, grueling afternoon. It’s unbelievably hot under the intense August sun in full gear, fighting a blazing inferno, but when you do this day in and day out, you learn to cope with the heat and discomfort as long as you stay hydrated. The barn was pretty old; built by the original Fraziers who purchased the land in the early nineteen-twenties. All four horses were safely removed from the barn before it was completely engulfed, resulting in a total loss.

Though the loss of the building sucks, the fact that none of my men were injured, no animals were lost, and no further property damage was sustained is a plus in my book. As early evening starts to set in, we finish packing up our gear and equipment and get ready to head back to the station in Rivers Edge.

Once the equipment and all of our gear is back at the station, cleaned, put away, and ready to go for its next use, everyone sets out towards their respective homes. It’s Thursday evening and I could use a little unwinding after the long, tiresome afternoon. I slide into the Mustang, grab my phone and call Jake.

“Hello?” he answers after two rings.

“Hey, whatcha doing?”

“Getting ready to head over to the man cave. Maddox is finalizing the bachelor party for next weekend, and I think he clearly needs supervision,” he responds with a chuckle.

Maddox bought Avery her dream house which came with Maddox’s dream man cave. I frequently find myself dropping by and enjoying a cold beer with my brother-in-law in the comfort of his domain.

The bachelor party has been in the works for several months. Jake had planned a big, elaborate party for Maddox a year and a half ago, complete with a no-show stripper, and I think Jake is a little worried about what Maddox has planned in return. But, it wouldn’t be a true bachelor party without some naked ass dancing around, right?

“Are you in town? Wanna stop by for a beer?” Jake asks.

“Yeah, I’ll stop by. I just left the firehouse,” I say into the portable Bluetooth I stuck in my ear.

“Heard about the Frazier barn. Glad they got the horses out before it went down,” Jake adds.

“Me too. I’m nearing Ave’s now. I’ll see you there shortly,” I say.

“Yep,” Jake starts to say but then I hear Erin’s voice in the background. Jake’s conversation quickly steers away from me and focuses on his fiancée. I hear what sounds like kissing into the phone.

“Seriously, man? Don’t screw your almost-wife while you’re on the phone with me,” I tell him in mock horror.

Jake starts laughing. Bastard. “Sorry, but when the most beautiful woman in the world walks up and starts to rub against you like a cat, you tend to get a little distracted.”

“Gross. I really don’t want to picture Erin rubbing up against you next time I see her so keep that shit to yourself,” I respond as I turn into Avery’s driveway.

Jake throws a deep laugh my way as he says, “Suit yourself, brother. I’m heading your way in a few moments.” But the way his attention returns to Erin and the noises I hear coming through the phone receiver, something tells me that he will be a little late to Avery and Maddox’s place.

I don’t even answer as I click off the phone. I’m pretty sure Jake doesn’t even care about our lack of goodbyes right now anyway.