“I’m getting married.”
He squinted at her, puzzled. “Congratulations? That’s great news. Why is that a problem?”
“That’s not the problem. The crew is the problem. I’m getting married to a woman. I’m bisexual, as you probably know.”
“Didn’t know, don’t need to know.”
She shot him a skeptical look, then continued. “I’ve dated men and women, but then I fell in love and now I’m getting married.” Her chin was raised, as if she expected him to argue with her.
“Still not seeing the problem, or at least a problem I can solve. I’m happy for you.”
“Right, because some people won’t accept me and Lisa, and you can’t do anything about that.” She lifted her eyebrows at him. When he stared back blankly, she said, “You’re the fire chief now. You set the tone. You lead the way.”
“Right. Of course. I’ll make sure no one pulls any crap. If you have trouble with anyone, you tell me.”
“No, Jason. I need more than that.” She shifted her position and propped her elbows on her knees. “I wouldn’t ask this of any other boss, but I trust you. Lisa agrees. We want you to perform the ceremony.”
“Me?” He goggled at her. “I’m a fire chief, not a—”
“Can’t fire chiefs marry people? Just like ship captains and anyone who gets a license on the internet. If you marry us, the rest of the crew will fall in line.”
“Have you met our crew?” The volunteer firefighters were a motley and diverse bunch who loved nothing more than to tease each other mercilessly. As one of the few women, Colleen had dealt with everything from secret love letters to a midnight ukulele serenade. Some of the single guys were going to be crushed to learn she was off the market.
“A little teasing is one thing. I can handle that. You know I can. I can’t handle…” She paused, twisting her mouth to one side. “Outright rejection would hurt, that’s all. The crew is like another family, and my own family…”
She broke off again, swallowing hard. He wondered if he should go around his desk and give her a hug. But Colleen was a tough, capable firefighter who probably wouldn’t want to be babied.
“We’re not going to reject you, Colleen. You’re one of us. I’ll make sure everyone in this firehouse behaves professionally. And yes, I’ll marry you.”
“Whaaaat?” A shocked voice sounded from the direction of his office door. Brent was hovering just outside. “Jason’s getting married to Colleen!” he yelled toward the common room where the firefighters gathered.
Within seconds, his office was filled with what felt like half the department.
“Congratulations, man!” Erwin Brown crowed. “But damn, I owe Gavin some cash.”
“Right?” said Donnie O’Neill. “I had it all wrong. Fuck me. Happy for you both, but I’m gonna need a second job to pay up.”
Poor Colleen slumped in her chair. Every time she tried to open her mouth, someone else talked over her.
“When’s the wedding?” … “Where are we gonna do it?” … “My wife makes upcycled wedding dresses, I’ll give her your number…” Until finally Jason planted both of his hands on his desk and rose to his feet.
“Enough. Colleen and I are not getting married.”
Quiet fell over the group, but only for a moment. Then cacophony broke out again. Erwin Brown had the most powerful voice, so his won out over the others. “Then who lost the bet? I knew it wasn’t Jason. My money was on Lisa.”
“I said Lisa too,” said Donnie. “Put a hundred dollars on it.”
“A hundred? How do you have a hundred extra dollars, don’t you have like, ten kids?”
“Four, but I get your point. That’s why I cut myself off at a hundred. But I knew it was a sure bet, the way those two look at each other. I could have won even bigger.”
Jason met Colleen’s gaze, and watched her eyes slowly fill with tears. The other firefighters weren’t rejecting her; they were betting on her love life in typical firehouse style.
Donnie’s hand settled onto her shoulder. He was a former truck driver who’d quit his job to stay home with his kids and help his wife sell candles on Etsy. He’d joined the volunteer fire department to get out of the house more.
“Well, what do you say, Colleen-girl? Did I lose my shirt again?”
Colleen tilted her head to look back at him. Then she bolted to her feet and threw her arms around the pot-bellied older man. “You didn’t. You’re right. Me and Lisa are getting married.”
Donnie patted her back and let out a long whoop. “Three-to-one odds, bay-beee!”
Colleen pulled away, rapidly blinking back those tears. “You guys were betting on me this whole time?”
“You know how we roll,” said Erwin. “Anything worthy of a bet, gets a bet. You’re going to have some pissed-off firefighters around here, I’ll tell you what.”
“Not because you’re getting married,” said Donnie quickly. “Congratulations on that. Some people had Annie Ryan on their bingo card.”
“Annie Ryan? We never even dated.”
“I know, but you know how some guys are. She’s hot, and so are you, and that’s about where it ended. Lisa’s hot too,” Erwin added. “Don’t get me wrong.”
“Wait wait wait.” Colleen waved her hands in the air. “Are you guys telling me no one put a man on their bingo card?”
Donnie frowned. “Dick Spoon might have, just because no one was taking those odds. Everyone else kind of saw it coming. Seemed like you were done with men.”
“So done,” Colleen agreed. “Except for all of you here. You’re the best.” She blew kisses to every man in the room. “And you’re all invited to the wedding, which will be conducted by our very own fire chief, Jason Mosedale.”
Jason sketched a bow as the crew broke out into applause. Then he motioned for everyone to pipe down. “I know it’s a big day, but is there any chance we could try to get some work done? Maybe restock the paramedic van? Polish up the ladder truck? Clean the kitchen? Who’s up on that chore list? Wait, where’s everyone going?”
They were all backing out of his office, bumping into each other, clearly trying to avoid getting their name called. “I guess I know how to clear my office,” he called after them. “Donnie, don’t act like I don’t know you’re on kitchen duty!”
Then he sank back down into his chair and picked up his phone.
Kendra had texted him. Just heard some hot gossip at the bar. Hint: wedding bells.
Way ahead of you, he texted back. Hint: how can I acquire an online minister’s license?
A moment later, a link popped onto his phone.
He skipped past it. He’d deal with that later.
Kendra texted, I still can’t believe the firehouse gets more gossip than the bar. That’s all kinds of messed up.
Life event, not gossip. *Scoldy-face emoji*
Are you making up emojis now?
He chuckled at that one, then sent the fireman emoji, along with a flexed bicep and a flame. Then he drew in a steady breath, and texted, Wanna be my date for the wedding? Give the town something to talk about?