High Heat (Hotshots 2)

“So, your friend starts for me tomorrow, and then next week we’ve got that controlled burn. Looking forward to it?” Tucker leaned on Garrick’s desk, expression far more friendly than Garrick was feeling. But he’d been a dick to enough people that day, so he made himself smile.

“You know it. But what’s up with the weather? Rain all last week and wind this one. Are we going to be able to proceed?”

“Of course. Where there’s a will, there’s a way, right? Might have to improvise somewhat on ignition, but what would be the fun in things going according to plan?” Tucker had a jovial laugh, the kind that made others want to join in, and Garrick felt some of his tension slipping.

“Huh. You sound like Rain.” And it made Garrick think. Maybe Rain did have a point. Perhaps improvising could be more fun than Garrick had let it be thus far. And determination had gotten him this far. He wasn’t going to back down from a challenge, even if that challenge was trying to be the person Rain deserved. As Tucker laid out plans for the controlled burn, Garrick made some of his own, hoping ignition wouldn’t be an issue for either of them.

* * *

Rain was hot, tired, and utterly exhilarated after two days of orientation for his new job. He liked being outdoors, liked the prospect of regular income, liked his coworkers, and liked learning about forestry in a more hands-on way than his college classes. As entry-level technicians, they would be doing a lot of forest maintenance—brush hauling, debris removal, trail grooming—while they waited to be needed in case of emergency. He hated the dress code and wasn’t crazy about being dirty, but that was to be expected, and as he waited outside the headquarters office, he had plans to remedy that situation as soon as possible.

Even though his immediate crew boss as well as the Ryland guy who had hired him both knew he was friends with Garrick and giving Garrick a ride home, he didn’t want to overly call attention to their friendship, so he waited patiently, working another few rounds on his socks until Garrick appeared. Keeping his greeting friendly but professional, he helped him load up his bag, chair, and crutches.

“You look exhausted.” Garrick frowned. “I had this idea, but...you look too tired to walk Cookie, let alone be up for a date.”

“Date?” Rain perked up. “You want to go on a date? I wasn’t aware that we did that.”

“We kinda have a Friday night thing going,” Garrick pointed out. “And I had this thought, but it definitely falls under date territory, not a friends thing.”

“Keep talking,” Rain encouraged, mentally figuring out how much coffee he could get away with prior to dinner to make him appear sufficiently awake, because he truly wanted to know what Garrick had in mind. A date. Now that was new. And whatever had motivated it, Rain liked it, like Garrick sounding more energetic than he had the past few days.

“Okay. Well, I need to visit the pharmacy, and for reasons I’d rather not do that in town. If we go into Bend—”

“I am one hundred percent in favor of any evening that includes the pharmacy.” Rain hoped his smile wasn’t too lecherous, but he’d been worried that maybe Garrick didn’t want to try the new meds or at least not with Rain. It wasn’t that Rain wanted more sex—seeing Garrick on a daily basis, hanging out with him and the dog, making food together and working out, all of that was important and plenty fun too. However, he knew that Garrick wanted more from his sex life and Rain really wanted that for him too.

“Yeah, I figured you would be. And because I’ve been a major grump and it’s the end of your first week of work, I thought maybe I could treat you to dinner. I know a spot you’ll like—very inclusive and big vegetarian side of the menu. Way I see it, you’re probably itching to get out of uniform.”

“You know me too well. Yeah. Let’s get home, take care of Cookie, and let me shower and change. Then onward to the pharmacy and dinner.”

“And after...if you’re not too tired...”

“I’m not,” Rain lied, because he’d down a six-pack of energy drinks if it meant finding out what Garrick was being cagey about.

“So the restaurant is downtown, and right nearby is this...upscale adult shop. Boutique sort of place. Not skeevy.”

“You had me at adult shop.” Rain laughed, already liking where this evening was headed. He turned into their neighborhood, anticipation starting to gather at the base of his spine. “You want to add to your toy collection? I saved the notes in my phone about which frequency vibes the doctor said might help—”

“Well that, but also I want you to pick something for you. You like to show off, right?”