Rhodes shoots me a proud grin. “Yeah . . . let’s see how that goes.” He chuckles. “Well, let’s get the introductions out of the way, then Marco can run you through everything. But don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for help if you need it, okay? Nobody expects you to hit the ground running like a Chicago lifer.”
“Thanks. And I will,” I reply as he leaves me standing beside Marco.
“Right, everyone. This here is Alex, our new firefighter transfer coming to us from Iowa. She’s not a rookie but she is a newbie for Firehouse 101. So if she needs help, help her. No giving her any shit either. None of that crap. Cap’s orders.”
I wouldn’t be surprised if that was my dad’s doing. I have no doubt he would’ve called the Captain when he found out what firehouse I was assigned to.
“Yes, sir,” the crew all reply without hesitation. It says a lot about the type of guys they are, and I’m totally here for it. A surefire way to tell you’re in a good firehouse is by the respect the crew has for their colleagues and their superiors.
Marco meets my eyes, dropping his voice low. “Don’t think you’re the type to take any crap, but don’t keep quiet either. All right?”
“Understood.”
“Good.” He waves his arm out, dismissing me, and I go stand next to Luca, who grins at me. Then it’s situation normal as Marco runs through the maintenance and errands that need to be done during the shift, and a few outstanding issues from the crew we’re taking over from.
Once we’re dismissed, we all get to work doing equipment checks and making sure everything is ready to go. An hour later, me and a few of the guys move to the kitchen for some much-needed coffee. Just as I’m watching the Keurig fill my mug, Scotty sidles up to me.
“Hey. I figure you might need a mentor. You know, since you’re new and all. If so, I’m your man.”
Oh God, save me.
I lean a hip against the kitchen counter, cradling my mug in my hands, thankful that I came in on Friday and got Cohen’s heads up about Scotty being a good guy deep down. “Appreciate the offer and all, but I’m only new to town. I’m not new to firefighting. I was pretty much born with a hose in my hand.”
“Really?” Scotty says, his eyes alight. “So you’re telling me you like playing with pipes.”
I roll my eyes with a groan. I walked right into that one. “Wouldn’t you like to know. But my dad was my old fire chief, and my twin brother and I entered the academy straight out of college then worked side by side ever since. Until now, obviously.”
“Wow. So is your brother here too?”
“Nope. Just me.”
“Does that mean you’re all alone in the big city? Well, you can think of me as your friendly neighborhood helper when you’re on-shift . . . and off-shift if you want. You know, if you need to be shown around the city and stuff.”
There’s no sleazy tone in his voice, thank God. But if there was one of these guys I’d pick as the type to like the appeal of a shiny new toy, it’d be him. And after being stuck in a predictable, boring, white-picket-fence-destined relationship for way too long, the very last thing I’m looking for is anything resembling a romantic entanglement—let alone a workmate with intentions.
“Thanks, Scotty,” I say as I catch Luca, Cohen, and another firefighter, Zach, coming toward us, their expressions curious, their eyes switching between Scotty and me. It’s as if they’re prepping to jump in if needed. “Do you like skydiving?”
His eyes jump wide and he shakes his head a bit before catching himself. “Um . . . never tried it. You do that?” He looks dumbfounded, like he could never imagine little ol’ me jumping out of a plane.
“Oh, for sure. I’ve got fifty jumps under my belt. Hoping to scout out some good local places.”
I have to bite my lip at his lost-in-the-weeds expression. Seems I have the station clown lost for words. One-nil to me.
“I could take you, you know. There’s no better feeling in the world than taking that last big breath at the open door of the plane before throwing yourself out of it. You’d love it. It’s such a rush. The wind in your hair as you embrace your mortality. . .”
I take pity on the man. Then again, in one simple conversation, I’ve made it clear as mud that I’m no wilting flower and that I can also hold my own when it comes to any of them. Perfect.
“I’d be up for a jump sometime,” Luca says. “Scotty, you’d love it. Barreling toward the ground, hoping and praying you’ve packed your chute right. It’s amazing.”
Scotty pales to a whole new shade of white before he mutters something about “stuff to do” and makes himself scarce.
Luca and Cohen start slow-clapping.
“You serious about skydiving?” Luca asks.
“Are you?” I ask Luca. “Because I haven’t gone in over a month and I’m getting itchy feet. I’m definitely keep for a jump soon.”
He bobs his head. “Sounds good. I know a few places not too far out of the city too. There’s also an indoor place that does the trick if you’re short on time.”
“I like that idea too.” I nod toward the door where Scotty escaped. “Is he going to be okay?”
Luca chuckles. “For sure. You just surprised the pants off him, and he’s not used to that. He’ll be making you laugh the very next chance he gets.”
“That’s good. Sometimes I can be a little too much for people. I try to tone it down, but at work . . .”
Zach grins at me. “Just be you. Better to be true to yourself in this place.”
Cohen’s expression matches Zach’s. “Knew we didn’t have anything to worry about with you,” Cohen says. “My wife is gonna have a field day with this.”
“Why?” I ask, scrunching my brows together.
“Cause Gio’s fucked,” he murmurs just as the bells start to ring over the speaker, and I lose the chance to ask what he means.
“No rest for the wicked. Let’s go, Iowa. Time to show us what you’re made of,” Luca says, emptying his cup in the sink and urging me to follow suit before rushing with me toward the garage.
I’ve imagined worse nicknames so if that’s the best they’ve got, you won’t catch me complaining. “Iowa, Hmm. That fits. I’ll allow it.”
“Good. Just be happy it’s not Peppa Pig. That was Scotty’s first suggestion.”
“Hey? What? I heard my name,” the man in question asks, coming up behind us as we reach the line of boots and turnout gear set up earlier.
“Nothing, Scotty,” the entire crew says in unison, including me, before we start laughing.
Good roommate. Good workmates. Dream job. Life doesn’t get much better than this.
So far, so good, Chicago. I can’t wait to see what this city has to throw at me next.
6
Gio
“Hey,” I say as I walk into the house but get no response, likely due to Tom Cochrane’s “Life is a Highway” blasting loudly throughout my home. Dumping my keys on the hall table, I move to the living room and call out again stopping when I come across Alex shaking her shoulders and hips in time to the music as she stirs something that smells delicious on the stovetop. I guess I did tell her to make herself at home.