One thing my parents always instilled in us kids was punctuality, which is why I’m up with the birds and walking through the firehouse doors half an hour early for my shift on Monday with a huge smile on my face.
Last night, I had the best night’s sleep I’ve had since arriving here. Not being in a hotel room had a lot to do with it, but it was also nice to be in a bed of my own, in my own space, excited for my shift today in a job where I’m not known for my last name. I’m not weighed down by expectations—either self-imposed or from my family—and can just be.
“Hey, Alex,” Marco says as soon as I enter the big open-plan living area of the station. “You’re nice and early.”
I shrug. “I like being on time, and I figured I could get settled in and packed away before our shift starts.”
“Good idea. I’ll show you to your locker then.” He nods toward the hallway I’d walked down on Friday, and as we pass the outgoing crew members, he stops and introduces me. Five minutes later, we reach the locker room. He stops in front of an empty one halfway along the row. “Here ya go.”
“Thanks,” I say, dumping my bag down on the bench and opening it up while Marco takes a seat.
“So, did you get settled into Gio’s okay?” Marco asks.
“Yep. And thanks for that, and the furniture. Kinda makes up for not telling your brother about me.”
The Lieutenant throws his hands in the air by his head, his eyes full of amusement. “In my defense, that was more Luca’s doing than mine. Besides, sometimes G needs a bit of a spark in his life.”
“He seems pretty low-key and down to earth,” I reply as I place my toiletries bag in my locker beside a plastic container full of snacks that I always like to keep stocked up. When you’re working twenty-four hour shifts, snacks are life.
“He is. But he’s all work and no play.”
“Nothing wrong with that.” It’s just not for me. I spent far too many years working and living a humdrum life because that was what I thought was expected of me—by my parents, the townsfolk, my ex-boyfriend . . .
“Not at all. But having recently met my reason for living, I can definitely see the upside to having a life outside of the job. That’s something my little brother is yet to learn.”
“Is this a big brother talk? ’Cause I have one of those, and I guess if Gio is anything like me, he doesn’t much like taking brotherly advice.”
“Pretty much.” Marco chuckles as he moves to his feet. “It’ll just be good for him to have someone else around the house—that’s all I’m saying. Anyway, I’ll leave you to it. Meet us in the garage in twenty and I’ll run through the start-of-shift procedures with you.”
I open my mouth to tell him it’s not necessary, but he beats me to the punch.
“I know you’re not a rookie. You’ve got a few more years in your boots than others on this shift, but it’s a new station, new crew, so if you can humor me for half an hour so I can do my duty as your lieutenant, I’d appreciate it.”
“Sure thing, Marco. And thanks. I guess things are gonna be a bit different in the city.”
He waves me off. “Pfft. Just bigger and maybe better equipment. The basics are still the same. See you soon.”
I finish what I’m doing and after a quick bathroom break, I wash my hands and stare at myself in the mirror, my brand-new navy-blue shirt looking crisp and bright and ready to be dirtied up. “You’ve got this, Alex,” I say to myself. “You’ve been training for this your whole life.”
With my affirmation cup full, I tighten my ponytail and head toward the garage, ready to dive headfirst into this new opportunity.
I was expecting to have to line up when I got to the garage. I figured things would be more formal and regimented in the big city. Instead, I find the crew of all guys milling about, talking to each other. That’s until my presence is noted, and it feels like my first day at school as everyone’s attention turns my way.
Rhodes steps forward and shakes my hand. He’s the other lieutenant who I met in the Captain’s office the other day. “You’ll be the new shiny toy for a while.”.
“’Cause I’m a woman?” Everyone I met on Friday seemed nice and friendly so I never considered that 101 wouldn’t be welcoming of a female firefighter. I didn’t think I’d have to.
“God, no. And definitely not going to bite on that one. I just meant because you’re new here. Nobody cares what gender you are,” he replies.
A sigh of relief escapes me and I square my shoulders. “All good then. I can deal with being shiny and interesting for a while.”
Rhodes shoots me a proud grin. “Yeah . . . let’s see how that goes.” He chuckles. “Well, let’s get the introductions out of the way, then Marco can run you through everything. But don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for help if you need it, okay? Nobody expects you to hit the ground running like a Chicago lifer.”
“Thanks. And I will,” I reply as he leaves me standing beside Marco.
“Right, everyone. This here is Alex, our new firefighter transfer coming to us from Iowa. She’s not a rookie but she is a newbie for Firehouse 101. So if she needs help, help her. No giving her any shit either. None of that crap. Cap’s orders.”
I wouldn’t be surprised if that was my dad’s doing. I have no doubt he would’ve called the Captain when he found out what firehouse I was assigned to.
“Yes, sir,” the crew all reply without hesitation. It says a lot about the type of guys they are, and I’m totally here for it. A surefire way to tell you’re in a good firehouse is by the respect the crew has for their colleagues and their superiors.
Marco meets my eyes, dropping his voice low. “Don’t think you’re the type to take any crap, but don’t keep quiet either. All right?”
“Understood.”
“Good.” He waves his arm out, dismissing me, and I go stand next to Luca, who grins at me. Then it’s situation normal as Marco runs through the maintenance and errands that need to be done during the shift, and a few outstanding issues from the crew we’re taking over from.
Once we’re dismissed, we all get to work doing equipment checks and making sure everything is ready to go. An hour later, me and a few of the guys move to the kitchen for some much-needed coffee. Just as I’m watching the Keurig fill my mug, Scotty sidles up to me.
“Hey. I figure you might need a mentor. You know, since you’re new and all. If so, I’m your man.”
Oh God, save me.
I lean a hip against the kitchen counter, cradling my mug in my hands, thankful that I came in on Friday and got Cohen’s heads up about Scotty being a good guy deep down. “Appreciate the offer and all, but I’m only new to town. I’m not new to firefighting. I was pretty much born with a hose in my hand.”
“Really?” Scotty says, his eyes alight. “So you’re telling me you like playing with pipes.”
I roll my eyes with a groan. I walked right into that one. “Wouldn’t you like to know. But my dad was my old fire chief, and my twin brother and I entered the academy straight out of college then worked side by side ever since. Until now, obviously.”
“Wow. So is your brother here too?”
“Nope. Just me.”
“Does that mean you’re all alone in the big city? Well, you can think of me as your friendly neighborhood helper when you’re on-shift . . . and off-shift if you want. You know, if you need to be shown around the city and stuff.”
There’s no sleazy tone in his voice, thank God. But if there was one of these guys I’d pick as the type to like the appeal of a shiny new toy, it’d be him. And after being stuck in a predictable, boring, white-picket-fence-destined relationship for way too long, the very last thing I’m looking for is anything resembling a romantic entanglement—let alone a workmate with intentions.
“Thanks, Scotty,” I say as I catch Luca, Cohen, and another firefighter, Zach, coming toward us, their expressions curious, their eyes switching between Scotty and me. It’s as if they’re prepping to jump in if needed. “Do you like skydiving?”
His eyes jump wide and he shakes his head a bit before catching himself. “Um . . . never tried it. You do that?” He looks dumbfounded, like he could never imagine little ol’ me jumping out of a plane.
“Oh, for sure. I’ve got fifty jumps under my belt. Hoping to scout out some good local places.”
I have to bite my lip at his lost-in-the-weeds expression. Seems I have the station clown lost for words. One-nil to me.
“I could take you, you know. There’s no better feeling in the world than taking that last big breath at the open door of the plane before throwing yourself out of it. You’d love it. It’s such a rush. The wind in your hair as you embrace your mortality. . .”
I take pity on the man. Then again, in one simple conversation, I’ve made it clear as mud that I’m no wilting flower and that I can also hold my own when it comes to any of them. Perfect.
“I’d be up for a jump sometime,” Luca says. “Scotty, you’d love it. Barreling toward the ground, hoping and praying you’ve packed your chute right. It’s amazing.”
Scotty pales to a whole new shade of white before he mutters something about “stuff to do” and makes himself scarce.
Luca and Cohen start slow-clapping.
“You serious about skydiving?” Luca asks.
“Are you?” I ask Luca. “Because I haven’t gone in over a month and I’m getting itchy feet. I’m definitely keep for a jump soon.”
He bobs his head. “Sounds good. I know a few places not too far out of the city too. There’s also an indoor place that does the trick if you’re short on time.”
“I like that idea too.” I nod toward the door where Scotty escaped. “Is he going to be okay?”
Luca chuckles. “For sure. You just surprised the pants off him, and he’s not used to that. He’ll be making you laugh the very next chance he gets.”
“That’s good. Sometimes I can be a little too much for people. I try to tone it down, but at work . . .”
Zach grins at me. “Just be you. Better to be true to yourself in this place.”
Cohen’s expression matches Zach’s. “Knew we didn’t have anything to worry about with you,” Cohen says. “My wife is gonna have a field day with this.”
“Why?” I ask, scrunching my brows together.
“Cause Gio’s fucked,” he murmurs just as the bells start to ring over the speaker, and I lose the chance to ask what he means.
“No rest for the wicked. Let’s go, Iowa. Time to show us what you’re made of,” Luca says, emptying his cup in the sink and urging me to follow suit before rushing with me toward the garage.
I’ve imagined worse nicknames so if that’s the best they’ve got, you won’t catch me complaining. “Iowa, Hmm. That fits. I’ll allow it.”
“Good. Just be happy it’s not Peppa Pig. That was Scotty’s first suggestion.”
“Hey? What? I heard my name,” the man in question asks, coming up behind us as we reach the line of boots and turnout gear set up earlier.
“Nothing, Scotty,” the entire crew says in unison, including me, before we start laughing.
Good roommate. Good workmates. Dream job. Life doesn’t get much better than this.
So far, so good, Chicago. I can’t wait to see what this city has to throw at me next.