“He could tone that down,” Kevin admitted. “I do like having him fold the laundry, though. You two weren’t really probies, so you only did it sometimes.”
“We did still have that kick-ass rookie graduation party for Erin and Theo, which I think was a worthwhile trade-off,” Vanessa teased, remembering their late May fake graduation party.
“That was a fun night—the Thai restaurant and killing those six bottles of vodka,” Kevin agreed. “And Theo invited those guys from Firehouse 19. Too bad they were lady-free. But Erin, here, she hit the jackpot.”
Erin had gone home with a tall dark firefighter named Casey Jensen after a few drinks. Or a lot of drinks. She’d been drunk the first time. And the two times after that.
“It wasn’t a jackpot. It was okay. Like, barely okay.” Jensen hadn’t been talented, and she’d left his apartment without a second thought. The Chief seemed to be the type with skills. Hot, sexy, bedroom skills she needed to stop imagining. Erin moved the spotlight elsewhere. “Theo’s the one who hit the jackpot.”
“What did I miss?” Kevin asked.
“I went home with the maître d,” Theo said slyly. Erin had listened to plenty of stories about Theo’s new boyfriend, Drew.
“The White one or the Black one?” Kevin inquired, full of interest now.
“Theo likes it dark,” Erin sang. “Needs the brown sugar.”
“Nice.” Kevin gave her five and sang ‘brown sugar’ off-key with her a few times. Theo blushed to the roots of his blonde hair.
“Drew lives with his grandma,” Erin announced, upping the ante.
Kevin dropped his hand. “His grandma?”
“She’s eighty-five. He takes care of her and drives her to bridge club,” Theo hastily explained.
“And she’s cool with the loud sex you two are having?” Kevin wondered.
“She loves me,” Theo confirmed. “Even if she did say Democrats disrupt the natural order. Her name is Hester.”
“You thinking Drew has long-term potential?” Kevin was quite the inquiring mind when it came to personal station business.
“I don’t know. Isn’t it early? It’s only been two years since my husband died, so I’m not sure what I’m looking for yet.” Theo fiddled with the white gold wedding ring he wore around his neck.
“Not all relationships have to lead to marriage; none of mine do,” Vanessa said. “Sometimes you cruise Cherries lesbian bar and pick someone. It works. Their karaoke night is amazing.”
“Only because you’re a dude about sex,” Kevin reminded her.
“I am not. I have sex like me with ladies and gentlemen. I’d even consider both at same time if everyone knew the score so nobody got hurt,” Vanessa said.
“Yeah, I wish I knew the score too,” Aiden grumbled bitterly at Luna.
“You weren’t smart enough to know the score.” Luna tossed her long brown hair. “I’m going to go check on the probie. I’ll let you know if Elias comes by so you can say ‘hi.’”
Luna stomped down the stairs, and Aiden yelled, “I can’t wait! See if he brings your uncle!”
Everyone sat silently as they once again relieved the Christmas big breakup. As soon as Soto had announced his retirement plan, Aiden had decided to propose to Luna in front of her uncle and their team. When Aiden got down on one knee, Luna informed everyone she was more interested in applying for captain than Aiden’s wife. Her uncle was furious his two officers had been dating, yelled at both of them and told them he was washing his hands of the situation because he could not fathom that degree of betrayal on his own team. It didn’t last because he turned around and put in a late recommendation for Luna. Aiden, however, remained person non grata to Soto.
“Is it going to be like this forever? Hasn’t it gone on long enough?” Erin asked.
“As far as I’m concerned, humiliation might be eternal,” Vanessa smiled sweetly at Aiden. “It was exciting to watch. And sad for you since she’s been all over Rebound-Cop.” Luna’s boyfriend was her high school sweetheart and had stopped by the firehouse almost every shift since January.
“Thanks a lot, Nessie. I know you’re on her side.”
“There are no sides,” Kevin countered. He lived with Aiden, and Vanessa lived with Luna, hence the steady supply of gossip. “We’re a team here.”
“This is why no dating inside the firehouse.” Vanessa jerked her head downstairs. “You were half a step from being captain, and the probie let that cat out of the bag to the Chief.”
Aiden’s eyes flashed, and he held his forehead. “Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Luna gets a boyfriend, her uncle forgives her and not me, and Carver tells the big boss. You didn’t tell her about Carver spilling the beans.”
