Page 6 of Mouth to Mouth

“Hey.” Josh’s hand landed on Brad’s shoulder and squeezed.

Brad shook his thoughts away. He was there to do a job. To accomplish the next task in his professional career. Thinking about Luca or ever having a boy of his own was merely a waste of time. “Sorry.”

“Nothing to apologize for. I should have been a better friend. I didn’t realize this was bothering you so much. I know Luca can be mean but⁠—”

“Nah,” Brad said. “It’s not that. I got lost in my thoughts. Let’s get this swim done. I have a shift this evening.”

“You sure are putting in the hours.” Josh patted his shoulder then removed his hand. “Don’t forget to take a few days before the craziness begins. You don’t want to get burned out before the weekend.”

No, Brad didn’t want to have too much time on his hands. “Does that mean you have big plans tonight?” he asked instead. Having the schedule memorized, Brad knew Josh wasn’t on shift at the firehouse that night with him.

Josh looked away before rubbing the back of his neck. “Uh, I, yeah, I’m hanging out with James and Luca.”

Brad tried not to let the fact he hadn’t been invited, even though he had work, bother him.

“It’s just—” Josh sighed. “We’re hanging out with James’s boyfriend. Not a big deal.”

The professor. Brad had started working with James around the same time that James had started to date Jacob Lambert. Everyone in town knew who Jacob Lambert was. Not only was Jacob a professor at Surf City University, but he was also rich. Like really rich. And Jacob’s new relationship with James had the gossip at the firehouse buzzing.

Normally Brad didn’t care to listen to gossip or rumors, as bored firefighters often filled the long hours between calls by making shit up about one another. Yet there was something about the way that James was guarded when he spoke about his partner that had all Brad’s Daddy instincts on high alert. There were times that James slipped from the cocky firefighter into a shy and sweet boy.

A boy.

Brad learned James was a boy and Josh a Daddy after hearing several conversations that should have been private. Not his business, although he understood since the dynamic was new for James. James was excited to begin exploring. Since Josh seemed more experienced, James often peppered him with question after question.

He’d had to bite his lip to keep from offering his own advice. Brad wanted to help James as well, yet he didn’t, couldn’t, allow himself to be pulled back into that world. Even if Brad missed it.

Back to work.

Brad needed to stay focused on what was really important. The plan.

“Are you ready?” Brad asked Josh. It was time to get on with his training for the day. Not think about what Josh, James, Luca, or anyone else did in their private time. Work. Brad just needed work.

“Let’s do this,” Josh said, pulling out a stopwatch. “Whenever you’re ready.”

Standing at the edge of the boat, Brad calmed himself before diving into the clear water.

Even in his wet suit the shock of the cold nearly stole Brad’s breath away. He broke the surface before starting his swim.

He’d be timed.

Brad set out at a steady pace to the first bright floating cone. At least this would keep him from getting lost in his thoughts. And maybe by the time that Brad was on shift that night he would figure out what he needed to do about the sassy little barista that Brad couldn’t get his mind off of.

CHAPTER TWO

Luca

Banging on the back door pulled Luca’s attention from his very yummy snack as James jumped up from the table. They were expecting Josh, and James’s twin Scott, might stop by. The banging wouldn’t be done by Scott, who hardly made any noise, ever.

James’s Daddy, Jacob, sighed as James nearly sent his plate sliding off the table. Jacob caught the edge of the plate as James ran for the back door. “No running,” Jacob ordered.

James cackled, still running as he yanked open the back door. “Josh!” he practically shouted.

Pressing his lips together, Luca held back his amusement. James was such a brat. At least when James was with his Daddy. Luca loved seeing his friend so free and relaxed. Before getting together with Jacob, James had seemed to carry the whole world on his shoulders. Jacob had taken that pressure off, showing James a better way of dealing with life and responsibility. A little kind of way.

“Hey, brat,” Josh greeted. “Grab some of this stuff before I drop it.”

“What’s all that?” James pointed instead of helping.