Did he feel silly? Absolutely. James was doing this though. He opened the small package and pulled out the candle of Superman. Cape and all. James placed the candle in the middle of Jacob’s half of the cake and nodded.
Had James ever had a themed cake like that? He couldn’t remember. There had always been cake and presents on his and Scott’s birthday. Michael had made sure of that. Even if it had just been something silly from the dollar store, Michael made sure that his and Scott’s births were celebrated.
Even though Michael had been eighteen when he’d technically gotten custody of them, he’d always been the parent. Unlike the actually parents who’d spent more time drinking than looking after their children.
When he’d been a child, James hadn’t understood what was happening. He’d known they were different than other families. Michael had shielded them so well that even though James now knew they were neglected, he didn’t feel any certain way about it.
Michael had suffered. James had seen the way that Michael would hunch into himself when their parents drank. Heard Michael’s nightmares after their deaths. His brave, loving, and self-sacrificing older brother deserved the happiness that he’d found with his two partners.
They might not have had fancy cakes with superheroes or decorations but they always had one another.
James didn’t feel like he missed out on much. He just couldn’t help but wonder if maybe the reason Michael regressed,James’s inability to relax, or Scott’s drive to be the best at everything didn’t stem from some sort of trauma that he wasn’t even aware of.
He wrapped up the cake before removing his cape. He stuffed both the cape and his new action figure into his backpack then slipped it over his arm.
With everything he needed for the night, James exited the apartment. There was no noise coming from the main house. James hadn’t seen or heard Jacob all day. Not even when he’d made the quick trip to the store.
Setting the plate with the wrapped cake on the back step, James backed away. He hoped that Jacob understood the offering James was leaving. He headed to his bike to get to the fire station on time.
The ride to the station was easy with low traffic. He parked next to Josh’s jeep, wondering if it was fate that they would be working together. Josh was both a part-time firefighter and the head of the water rescue team. Once the weather warmed up a bit, Josh would be spending most of his time on the rescue boat out in the ocean. Josh was spending more time at the fire station during the winter but soon it would be uncommon to be on shifts together.
A lot of the guys worked in two positions with multiple certifications.
James was happy as a firefighter, like his mentor and friend Cal, but since their station was small, many of the men utilized that as getting more qualifications.
Stepping into the bay where the large engine truck was being washed, James spotted a new face.
He tightened his grip on the strap of his backpack as the guy turned. Shocking blue eyes met his. James had gotten used to being surrounded by attractive men and women. Hell, with the coffee shop across from the beach, their patrons rarely wore more than their swimsuits in the hot summer. This guy, whoever this stranger was, he was fucking hot.
“Hey, man!” Josh poked his head around the engine truck. “Come meet our newest crew member.”
Fuck! By the smirk on the stranger’s face, he knew James had been checking him out. Not that James was interested in dating a co-worker. That was a recipe for disaster.
Shuffling forward as he adjusted the strap on his shoulder again, James kept his gaze on Josh and not the new guy.
“James, this is Brad Addison, part-time firefighter and part-time paramedic,” Josh introduced.
Great, another overachiever with more than one certification. James dipped his head in greeting before looking back up.
“Welcome to the crew,” James said.
Brad offered his hand. “Thanks. Josh is filling me in on you all. He speaks highly of you and how hard you’ve been working.”
James shook hands with the gorgeous stranger even as his face heated. “Yeah. I’m…yeah. Welcome.”
Brad gave his hand one more squeeze before releasing him.
James had to blow out a long breath. It wasn’t attraction that he was feeling. If they’d brought Brad in, did that mean theyweren’t looking to keep him full-time? James cut his eyes toward Josh.
Josh’s smile fell.
“I asked to transfer here from LA to work on my third certification,” Brad told him.
James returned his attention to the new guy.
“I’m wanting to add water rescue to my résumé. Josh’s program is one of the best in the country. I’ll fill in as a firefighter when needed but mostly I’ll run the ambulance with you all,” Brad explained. “Not after your job, man. I just want to be a part of it.”
“Thanks.” James smiled. “I have six months of probation left but I want to stay here.”
