Page 112 of Chasing Callie

“Look at that, he’s all grown up.”

“He’s getting there, but as much as I don’t want one, he needs fire practice.”

Captain nods. “It’ll come, in the meantime, you’ve done a good job teaching him the ropes.”

“I had good teachers.”

We exchange smiles and Captain’s eyebrows lift. “That kid’s perception needs some work.”

Six feet on one side, two on the other. Not even close to centered. “But hey, at least he didn’t run into the building.”

“True enough. Hey, when is Callie’s grand opening? Anna Beth wanted to go.”

“Saturday at one.” She’s probably at her gallery now working to get everything ready, which is why as soon as she’s off, the guys and I are taking her out for dinner. She doesn’t know when to stop and take care of herself, but we’re happy to remind her.

“We’ll be there,” Captain says. “And hopefully my wife doesn’t spend more than we agreed on.”

I hide a smirk. Anna Beth loves shopping, and I hate to say it, but Captain is fucked. Callie has so many gorgeous paintings and prints, and I bet money Anna Beth will want at least three.

Josh’s feet hit the cement. “I did it!” he shouts.

“Kind of,” I shout back. “Pull it around and let’s do it again.”

“Do you regret taking the job?” Captain asks as we watch Josh start the fire truck once more.

“Not for a second. Why, do you regret giving it to me?”

He shakes his head. “I knew you were a lifer.”

My eyebrow lifts. “How? I didn’t even know.”

With a shrug, he says, “It’s a feeling. I can’t explain it, but when you know, you know. Anyway, I’m proud of you. Your dad would be proud too.”

His words catch me in the gut, and I force myself to keep my breathing even, to count to ten, to let myself feel the grief but not let it overwhelm me. “I think he’d be proud too,” I rasp.

Captain nods. “He sure would.” His eyes widen. “Aw fuck.”

Josh is somehow even more off center than last time, and the side-mirror is about to get clipped. “STOP THE ENGINE!” I yell, running toward the building with Captain hot on my heels.

The truck jerks to a halt, and I practically scale the side of it, clinging to the driver side mirror and shaking my head at the rookie. “Who taught you how to drive?”

“My grandpa?”

“That explains it.” His grandpa has taken out a few light poles. “Scoot over. Let me show you how it’s done before Captain here skins your ass.”

Josh blanches and scrambles to the passenger seat. Chuckling, I climb into the driver’s seat and nod at Captain. “I’ll get him squared away.”

“I know you will.” His trust in me fills my chest with pride.

It feels almost as good as when Callie tells me she loves me. Almost. But nothing can quite compare to having her in my arms, gazing up at me like I’m some kind of super hero. Not even the hard to impress balding captain saying he’s proud of me.

“Okay, from the beginning,” I tell Josh, settling into the role of mentor with ease. Turns out, Captain was right, I was made for this job.

BRAX

“Mr. Williams, can I go to the bathroom?”

Sighing, I look at the student who’s already made three trips. “Depends, do you need to go or are you trying to get out of reading.”