“You’re something else,” he says, brows up high as he shakes his head in disbelief.
Being at my old firehouse was too hard for me. I tried, but with every inch of that place holding a memory of Krystal, I couldn’t do it. It was like having the wind knocked out of me over and over until there was no more chance of catching my breath. Call me crazy, but I like being able to breathe.
Saying goodbye to my team was rough, but they understood. They miss her. I know they do. Just not in the same capacity. In a way, they were our family too. Sitting here watching this interaction between Billy and the chief fills me with a sense of nostalgia and something close to comfort. Even though my chest aches for what will never feel the same again, I know this will be good for me.
I hope.
It’s better than drowning in grief and drinking away the memories. Which doesn’t work anyway.
Billy stands there looking like the proud winner of a spelling bee.
“I know. That’s what all my foster parents used to tell me.” He leans back, crossing his arms, and nods his head toward me. “Now, you gonna introduce your right-hand man to our newest Probie or not?”
I was wrong, the man didn’t even need to look over his shoulder at me to know I was here, that’s a skill I’m sure comes in handy. He turns his shiny white smile on me, and Ialmostlaugh.
“Did he just call me a probie?” I ask, a smirk tugging at my mouth as I shoot Chief a raised brow.
“Mm-hmm. Sure sounded like it, Captain,” Chief drawls, amusement thick in his voice as his gaze flicks from me to Billy. He catches on to the game instantly, settling into it with a grin only a man who’s seen every dumb stunt in this department can pull off.
Oh yeah, I’ll fit in just fine here.
Billy’s green eyes bulge wide, and his jaw drops before he grabs the back of his neck and shrugs. “Oops.”
Chief rolls his eyes, and I stand to shake his hand.
“Captain Levi King,” I say firmly. In other words, I’m his head of command.
Recognition crosses his face, and I’m reminded of what Tom said about most of these guys being friends of theirs. Which means that they, of course, know exactly who I am and why I’m here. Realization follows recognition, and the air shifts the moment he remembers. If only I could forget.
“I’m uh, Billy, Billy Tyler,” he stammers before regaining his composure.
I can understand why. Being around death or the idea of our immortality makes people uncomfortable.
“I’m one of the engineers. Angela is our volunteer engineer, whom I’m sure you’ll meet too at some point.” He shakes my hand firmly.
The engineer is the person we trust behind the wheel and to have the rig ready to roll out at a moment’s notice. They’re the pump operator, in charge of equipment readiness, water supply, scene support, and safety and communication. They’re calm under pressure and detail-oriented, which makes his being so observant make sense now. It’s one of the most important roles and responsibilities, telling me there’s much more to Billy than just being thejokesterof the crew.
“I’m really sorry about what happened, but welcome to the crew.” He gives me a nod that I return before sitting back down. This time, the chair isn’t as comfortable as it was minutes ago.
“Billy here was just leaving to help Mark hose down the rig.”
Billy’s serious demeanor switches back to what I’m assuming is his default factory setting.
“What?” he groans, running his hand through strawberry blonde hair. “Oh, c’mon. Mark’s the probie now, not me. You’re just mad because I’m hilarious.” Billy glances my way as if I’m going to save him, but this is too good to get involved in.
“Good, then you can laugh all the way to the soap buckets.” Chief leans back in his chair, bouncing it back and forth, practically daring Billy to keep pushing, but it’s clear he’s won.
The Chief has a way about him that I already respect. Subtle ways to keep his team in line and on task without swinging his weight around like an asshole. By the way these two interact with each other, it’s obvious they’re friends, but while at work, he’s got boundaries set to remind him that he’s also his boss.
Billy deflates a little but is still smiling when he leaves us to get back to business and work out a schedule to fit me in. By the time we’re done, I’ve got my “forty-eight hours on and three days off”schedule worked out and a start date. I can’t tell if the tightening in my shoulders is from anticipation or dread.
Now or never, I remind myself, but that little voice in the back of my head is even louder, reminding me, with a sickening jab to the gut, that it should be her standing here. Not me.
“You want to get the grand tour?” Chief asks, standing up.
I look up at the clock on the wall and see that my hour is almost up.
“I’d better take a raincheck on that,” I say, not missing how his one brow twitches down, clearly thinking it’s odd since I’m already here. “I was told I only have one hour, and that hour is almost up.”
