Page 5 of Survival Game

Shift finally over, Eric and Aaron travelled back to the Shoreditch station. Both paramedics were permanently stationed there, called having a “line,” which was highly sought after. Eric was pleased he and Aaron didn’t have to move between stations anymore.

“Can I just say I’m glad you were the attending on this one?” Aaron said with a grimace. “I couldn’t face paperwork and reports right now. Honest, I’m so damn tired I couldn’t even find my dick to pee.”

Eric laughed tiredly. “Me too. I hate paperwork, but some poor sap’s got to do it.”

“I’ll stay and help you if you want, after we clean the truck up.” Aaron’s grudging response made Eric smile. He knew if he accepted the offer, Aaron would stay. But Aaron had other responsibilities.

“Nah, you get off. Your grandma will be looking forward to seeing you. God forbid I

should detain you from your regular dinner visit. She’ll circumcise me herself.”

Aaron laughed loudly. “Now there’s a thought.” He visited his grandmother often to check on her health, often with Eric in tow. He liked Aaron’s spitfire of a grandmother, and the feeling was mutual.

“She’ll probably force-feed you matzo ball soup and freshly made challah.” Eric’s mouth watered at the thought of food prepared by Aaron’s bubbie, Norma. Eric had eaten there many a time, enjoying the warm yet biting sarcasm of the spry seventy-five-year-old.

With his own family living in another county, he loved the old woman as much as Aaron did. And despite Norma’s overprotectiveness and constant belabouring to bring a young man round to meet her, she felt the same about him.

“Yeah, in between her telling me to find a good Jewish woman and settle down to give her great-grandkids,” Aaron grumbled as he navigated into the parking garage.

Eric chuckled and they fell silent as they parked the truck. At least we don’t have to restock, he thought tiredly.

There was a company that came in to replenish the vehicle with what the next team would need for the following shift.

He backslapped an exhausted Aaron. “Come on. Let’s get Betty cleaned up and then we can blow this joint.”

Betty was the affectionate name for any truck they manned, named after Betty Rizzo from Grease, whom Aaron adored. Eric had been more into Danny himself.

Aaron grinned. “Yeah, let’s do it.” He looked at his watch. “Shit, it’s eight am. A twelve—make that thirteen—hour shift never seemed so long. Thank God we’re both off now for a couple of days.” He patted Eric on the back.

“Grab your mop, partner. I’ll get the bucket.”

An hour later, the two tired men laid down their gear and smiled at each other in exhaustion.

“See you in forty-eight hours, buddy.” Aaron rolled what were obviously aching shoulders. “I think I might just sleep it away.”

“See you, mate. Enjoy your time off.” Eric gave Aaron a bro hug then watched him walk away. He heaved a deep sigh and walked into the small, crowded office to finish his paperwork. He thought sleeping in most of today had a good ring to it. Then perhaps later tonight he’d go by and see if his friend Ryan Bishop wanted to go for a drink.

Truth be told, Ryan hadn’t been looking so good lately. Normally a bundle of energy, the man seemed to have something on his mind. Perhaps tonight might be the night Eric got to drag it out of him.

He grinned to himself as he powered up the computer. Of course, if Ryan’s partner Mango was back in town from eco-warrioring, Eric might not be welcomed. Mango had a streak of jealousy a mile long when it came to him. It was no doubt a remnant of the days Eric and Ryan had tried dating but it hadn’t worked out. Ryan had still been too crazy in love with his burly eco-warrior.

Still, there was a silver lining. Perhaps that cute, sexy manager at the club, Kyle, would be there tonight.

The last time Eric had seen Kyle, he’d seemed quite taken with him as well. The young man’s beautifully coloured eyes had drifted over in his direction more than once during the conversation.

“Unfortunately, assuming he is gay and interested, a paramedic and a nightclub manager isn’t the best match,” Eric muttered to himself as he titled his head from side to side, trying to ease the kinks out of his neck. “Chances are we’d never get any time together with the hours we work. Fucking government cutbacks.”

He finished his report and powered down the computer. Time to go home, sleep, and then see what the night brought. Assuming when he woke up he still had the energy.

Chapter Four

“Sooo…” Lucinda Drake reached over and stole the last two remaining scallops from Kyle’s plate. His indignant “Oi” didn’t seem to hold much sway as she popped them both into her mouth. “No new beau on the scene then? No sexy piece of ass in the picture?”

He snorted as he picked around the remaining lettuce on his plate. “Not bloody likely. The blind date I had last night turned out to be a real creep. I have this knack of choosing the wrong people.” He didn’t want to tell the full extent of what had happened or he’d be subjected to Luce’s sympathies and probably be hauled in between scented lady bosoms.

She ran a perfectly manicured hand through her hair. The polished red tips clashed with the strands of bright electric-blue hair that swung down to her shoulders. “Baby, don’t say that. You’ll find the right guy one day. Just have to pick the truffles out of the pig swill first.”

He made a face. “Ugh. Way to go with that analogy. I feel sick right now.”