High Heat (Hotshots 2)

“Oh, we all dig.” Bosler laughed. “But they see more real action for sure. You got a taste for the front line, kid?”

“Someday, maybe. I applied all around but didn’t have enough experience yet, I guess. This job will help.”

“Well, they’re hiring hotshots for the second half of the season down in the LA area. Those jobs sometimes last into November. My brother’s a crew chief down there. You want me to pass him your application?”

“You’d do that for me?” Rain hadn’t been under the impression that Bosler liked him that much, but the older man nodded.

“Sure I would. You’ve got that look about you. Hungry. You’d do well. God knows you’ve been spending your summer getting ripped. How many pull-ups you up to now?”

“Did a personal best of ten the other day. I could probably pass the fitness test for a hotshot crew, yeah.”

“You train with Nelson, right?” Zeb asked. “I need to find me a personal trainer. Next season, I’m gonna make a hotshot crew here for sure. Not California, though.” He gave a comical shudder. “Couldn’t pay me to leave home. Gonna marry my girl, stay local. California, that’s too far.”

“Nah. I’ve done seasons all over the West.” Bosler gave a dismissive gesture like he was older than dirt, which wasn’t too far from the truth. Rain worried about him some, long hot days like this. “It’s a good crew my brother’s got going there. You let me know, Fisher. I’ll put a word in for you. Hard worker like you and a thirst for the big city life—you’d probably be happier with their culture for sure.”

“Thanks.” Rain wasn’t entirely sure whether Bosler meant the area’s lack of nightlife or a more subtle reference to him being queer, but he also seemed perfectly willing to help Rain get a prime chance at career advancement, so Rain wasn’t going to question his motives too closely. Instead, he thought about the chance at a hotshot crew the rest of the shift.

A few months ago, he would have leaped at it, for sure. Excitement? Danger? New place? Closer to a city? Yes, please. Sign him up. But now...

Everything was different now. Confusing. Brain muddled, he finally made his way home, stars already out and twinkling. Garrick’s living room light was on though, and Rain could see the shadow of the TV. Even dragging as he was, he still wanted to make sure that someone had seen to Cookie, so he sent Grandma a fast text that he was at Garrick’s place.

Already in bed, dearest. Food in the fridge, she texted back as he crossed the street.

“Damn. You look like crap.” Garrick shook his head when he answered the door.

“Gee. Tell it to me nice, will you? I do have some ego, you know.” And okay, Rain could admit it, he’d wanted to see Garrick, too, not simply check on Cookie. Garrick’s welcoming smile was better than any post-work drink.

“I know, baby. And I’m happy to see you, I am. But you look about ten seconds from falling over. Have you eaten?” Leaning heavily on his crutches, Garrick had clearly been home longer than Rain. His hair was damp, the scent of his shampoo filling the night air, and he’d changed into sweats.

“Snacks. I’ll get some food. Just wanted to see if Cookie needed a w-a-l-k.” He spelled out the word since she was right there, looking eager.

“You need dinner more than she needs out. Come on in. Let me feed you.” Garrick headed toward the kitchen, leaving Rain and Cookie to follow. “My dad was here. We took her out for some nice exercise. And guess what he brought?”

Garrick grabbed a short rope from the counter, tossed it to Rain, who examined it. “Leash?”

“Not just any leash, it’s a specially designed wheelchair lead. He said your brother gave him the idea. We tested it out and she did pretty good. Now I can take her out on my own! Isn’t that great?”

“You’re not going to need me anymore?” A strange, empty feeling opened up in his chest. He hadn’t realized how much he counted on their twice-daily interactions until that moment.

“I’m always gonna need you.” Garrick gave him an affectionate look, but Rain wasn’t convinced. “This is just for in a pinch. Nights like this one, or if you get called to work a fire camp. Backup plan. And since it looks like Cookie isn’t going anywhere, I need to make sure we don’t impose on you forever.”

“Okay. That was nice of him.” It was the right thing to say, but Rain still couldn’t seem to shake his unease. Garrick admitting Cookie was his forever should have had him smiling, but he couldn’t seem to manage that.

“Tell you what.” Garrick studied the interior of his fridge. “I’m going to make you a nice big cold drink—you need to hydrate—and you’re going to go shower off fast and climb into the hot tub. I’ve got a package of that tofu brand you like, and I’m going to scramble that and make you some toast.”