Patrick chuckled, a laugh that Simon really liked the sound of. “It’s not that bad. C’mon, you got to admit it’s kinda fun to watch the kids.”
“I’m not sure what kind of fun you’re used to, but spending hours trying to get the kids to remember lines and songs is not my idea of a good time. It’s like herding cats. They’re wild and uncontrollable.”
Patrick looked at Josh before leaning across the table toward him. “Don’t listen to a word he says. I’ve seen him rehearsing and loving every minute of it,” he stage-whispered.
“Hey, don’t give away my secrets.” Charlie laughed and threw a fry at Patrick. “I’ll tell you what. If you play nice, I’ll let you be my assistant. You can have a go at directing the little munchkins and see how much fun it really is.”
As Charlie and Patrick started making jokes about who should play Dorothy, Simon’s gaze lingered on Patrick. He was so animated as he laughed with Charlie. Simon glanced around the table and met Josh’s eyes. Josh waggled his eyebrows, before looking pointedly at Patrick.Shit, am I that obvious?
Thankfully, the server arriving with pizza provided a good distraction, and they all focused on eating. As much as Simon was enjoying the time spent with friends as they laughed and joked, and shared a few drinks, he wanted a chance to talk to Patrick. Simon finally got his wish when the others went to play a game of pool, leaving Simon and Patrick alone. Patrick smiled across the table and initiated the conversation, surprising Simon, who’d thought he’d be shy.
“So, what’s it like being a paramedic? Charlie’s told me some of the things Josh had to deal with and it sounds horrendous. You must be a pretty gutsy to face that day after day.”
Simon shrugged. He hated it when people tried to put a hero label on him. There were guys who deserved that title much more than him. “I’m just doing my job.”
“C’mon. It’s no ordinary job.”
“I guess not,” Simon conceded. “But a lot of the time it’s pretty mundane. Just paperwork, dealing with bureaucracy, and making sure we’re ready for when we get called out.”
Patrick chuckled. “Aside from the saving lives thing, our jobs sound pretty similar then.”
“But you love your job?”
Patrick grinned again, and pushed a lock of his dark-blond hair behind his ear. “Oh, yeah. I do. I think it’s being surrounded by kids all day and being kept busy. Although I could never do what Charlie does and teach.”
“You work in the office?”
“Oh, does he ever.” Charlie plonked himself back down at the table. “Let me tell you a little story about my friend Patrick here.”
Charlie hooked an arm around Patrick’s neck, and Patrick rolled his eyes. “Not the story about the sporting supplies—”
“No, no, the one about the principal’s wife,” Charlie said.
“Oh, God,” Patrick groaned, “do you have to?” But he was still smiling despite Charlie’s vigorous nod.
Charlie proceeded to tell a story about Patrick taking a call at the school from a woman asking personal questions about the principal, Bob Peterson.
Simon couldn’t help the laughter. “So you really told the principal’s wife that her husband’s personal life was none of her business?”
Patrick’s gray eyes twinkled. “I don’t know why I always have to be the one to put my foot in my mouth, but in my defense, I didn’t know who the hell she was, and if I’d had any idea she was Mr. Peterson’s wife then I wouldn’t have said anything.”
“The best part is, Bob found the whole thing hysterical,” added Charlie. “He always thought his wife shared too much personal information with Betsy—she’s the administration assistant Patrick’s replacing—and he gave Patrick a pat on the back.”
“So, all good then?” Simon asked.
“I’m still shitting myself at the thought of meeting Mrs. Peterson face-to-face.”
“You’re not looking forward to the staff morning tea next week, then?” Charlie asked.
The look on Patrick’s face was priceless.
“Just teasing, buddy,” Charlie admitted.
Patrick elbowed Charlie, but he smiled wide. Simon watched as they engaged in friendly banter. Given Patrick had only been working at the school for a few weeks, he assumed they’d only been friends for a relatively short period, but they got along really well. Patrick was bubbly and obviously comfortable enough to share stories of his not-so-stellar moments.
Simon hoped this would be the first of many occasions when he’d get to see more of Patrick.
Simon leaned forwardin his seat when Josh mentioned an idea he wanted to discuss. “Do tell.”
