As Kirin and I rode the bus to our apartment, a fire truck rushed past us, siren blaring and lights flashing.
“Daddy, Daddy, that’s a fire truck.” He wiggled in his seat and clapped his hands. “Do you think Blaze was in there?”
I shook my head. “I don’t think so. He seemed to be off today, but those firefighters probably work with him.”
Kirin wiggled again before pressing his face to the window. “When I grow up, I want to be a firefighter, too.”
I rubbed his back, not sure how I felt about the idea of my son rushing into a burning building. First, he needed to grow up and learn to control his own fire. But I refused to crush his dreams. “I’m sure this city can always use more brave firefighters.” And I guess I had to find a way to see Blaze again. Or at least others in his profession.
Chapter Four
Blaze
“Gillinois!”
“Yeah?” I hadn’t expected my name to be called the instant I walked into the firehouse, but I turned toward the captain, wondering what he had in store for me during the shift.
“Stanfield says you like kids, so I want you with me, Makhail, and Franks today.” He handed me a box. “Put this in the engine then grab your gear to bring with you. It’s ‘Touch a Truck’ day at Vista Park, and we’re expected to be there to entertain the kids.”
I furrowed my brows, still trying to wake up while confused by the assignment. “Isn’t the 287 closer?”
“Yeah.” He turned away, talking over his shoulder. “But due to their call volume, we got asked to go. Now, get ready. The kids will be lined up waiting for us. It’s a popular event for them.”
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, not expecting to be swarmed by little ones first thing in the morning, as I’d been on Monday at the day care. My mind suddenly flashed to Ladon, and I wondered if I would see him there with his son.
Makhail slapped my back, pushing those thoughts away as he chuckled. “You got roped into this, too, huh?”
I nodded, setting the box in between the back seats of the pumper engine. “Second time this week I wished I could stay here and scrub toilets or do physical training.”
Makhail shook his head and snorted. “It’s not that bad. Lots of hot omegas and women will be there, if you’re interested. They always flirt with an alpha in uniform whether they’re mated or not. I suggest you lose the jacket and make sure your shirt is nice and tight. They’ll want to see your muscles.”
I hung my head, not wanting to be put on display like that. “I thought it was about the trucks.”
Franks laughed as he came forward with another box and a couple of full plastic bags. “For the kids, yeah, but who do you think brings them?” He placed his load in the ladder truck. “These are also the ones who regularly buy our charity calendars, so we gotta be nice to them. I’m sure they’ll expect your picture in next year’s.”
My cheeks warmed at the idea of what the omegas and women would do with a barely clothed image of me.No!I didn’t need to have that image in my head while their kids were around.
I needed to focus on the children, make sure they enjoyed themselves and talk up the job for those who aspired to be like us when they grew up. Nothing else. I wasn’t looking for an omega anyway. Not even the cute one from earlier that week. I couldn’t take that chance with my heart again and dreaded another move.
“Hey.” Franks squeezed my shoulder, bringing me out of my thoughts. “Can you grab an extra hat, coat, and boots with your gear so the kids can try them on? That part and the sirens are always a hit.”
I nodded, heading to the turnouts room to leave my stuff in my locker and grab the gear. I was representing this station and the city today. Letting my dragon and my own libido run free would not go over well and would only lead to more trouble. I didn’t need any more in my life.
By the time we reached Vista Park, our trucks loaded with our own turnouts in case of an emergency as well as stickers and coloring books for the kids and fire safety pamphlets for the adults, the lineup had started. At least twenty people waited behind the barrier. A regular ambulance as well as an emergency helicopter had already arrived when we pulled into the parking lot, with a couple police cruisers on the road behind us. We set up our handouts on the tables provided then prepared for the onslaught of people.
Makhail smacked my stomach as he passed, walking toward the pumper truck. “Relax, Draco. Most of them are here to see you. They love the idea of a dragon shifter firefighter.”
I wasn’t sure how that information was supposed to help me relax. At least I would have a table in between me and those attending the event as I handed out the stickers and coloring books to the kids.
There were so many of them, and Captain Lee dragged me out from behind the table, encouraging me to interact with those attending the event. That led to many smiles, winks, arm squeezes, fingers across my stomach, a couple numbers shoved in my pocket, and some pant and belt tugs from their kids. I couldn’t wait to get back to the station to have a shower with how dirty they all made me feel. Yet Makhail and Franks got even more as they stood by the engines to let the kids sit inside.
As the event began to wind down, there was a lull in visitors, and Makhail came over and took the bag of stickers I’d been using as a shield. “You’re up, Draco. I can’t lift any more kids. Stickers are about all I can handle.”
I headed over, stretching my arms and rolling my shoulders in preparation. I didn’t have time for that on Monday before lifting several of the day care kids and giving them airplane rides.
A couple more families came to see the engines, these ones with alphas, so the flirting from omegas was kept to shy smiles and the batting of eyelashes. The kids did love to sit in the trucks though and run their hands over the steering wheel as they pretended to drive and yell at pedestrians to get out of the way.
“Would you like to turn on the siren?” I asked, remembering all the kids wanting to do that earlier. That had left me wishing I’d brought earplugs.
