Page 33 of Horn in My Side

Sure enough, once Ven and Mal joined the others, Jim started them on rapid dress drills.

While it seemed simple enough, the bulky gear was tricky to put on, and it took Mal a few tries to get everything in the correct order quickly.

He felt like a fish out of water, and he envied how the others got their gear on in under two minutes while he struggled.

“Don’t worry,” Nick assured him with a grin. “It just takes practice.”

After a few more tries, Mal succeeded in getting the gear on properly, though it still took him more than five minutes.

Then, the real work began. For the next two hours, Jim had them doing hose deployment skills—unloading and loading the hoses, pulling and laying them out, connecting them to the hydrant, advancing, and other techniques in how to properly handle the hose.

Mal first stayed on the sidelines to observe how it was done, but eventually Jim had him joining in.

“The only real way to learn is to do it,” the chief said.

Being the new guy, he did get some razzing from the others, but Mal understood it was all in good fun, and a way to release the tension. Jim didn’t let them take it too far, though he did get in a few jabs himself.

“That’s a wrap. Great job, everyone,” Jim said at the end of the night. “And we’re happy to have you onboard, Mal.” They all cheered. “Thanks for being a good sport, even though we gave you a hard time. It only means we like you.”

“Sorry I called you butterfingers when the nozzle slipped from your hands.” Sterling patted him on the back.

“And that I said you were slower than two sloths fucking,” Ven said.

“It’s all right.” It wasn’t Mal’s first time to be the new guy, and on tight-knit crews like this, he knew that you had to have thick skin to earn respect.

“So, now that we’re done,” Ven said with a long sigh, “should we all head to the Salty Dog?”

“Of course,” Nick replied. “Mal, you should join us.”

“Join you?” he asked.

“Yeah, we go to this bar called the Salty Dog after training for drinks.”

Mal shook his head. “I don’t think—”

“C’mon, man, just one drink,” Nick countered. “It’s a tradition.”

“But—”

“Helps with team bonding, right, Chief?”

Jim nodded. “I’m not forcing you or anything, but getting to know your fellow firefighters outside of the firehouse is an important part of boosting morale and building the team.”

“You gotta come,” Ven added. “Please?”

“Ian’s our designated driver,” Nick said. “He’ll drive you home after.”

Mal grunted. “All right, one drink.” It was early still, and besides, if he went home now, he’d probably just spend the evening looking at Jasmine’s window.

After a short drive to a strip mall not too far from the fire station, they all arrived at the Salty Dog.

It was a standard sports bar that served beer, alcoholic drinks, and a variety of bar food.

The staff seemed familiar with the fire crew and a waitress ushered them to a corner table and quickly took their orders.

Mal squeezed in between Ian and Rafe, as he observed they were the most reserved among the others, while the rest tended to be talkative and loud.

Still, the rest didn’t ostracize the two and even included them in the conversation.

The pair of them chimed in with nods or grunts, or in Ian’s case, an occasional roll of the eyes.

When the waitress came back with their drinks, Jim spoke up. “I wanted to welcome Mal once again. And of course, let’s raise a glass to Vrig. He wasn’t just part of our crew, but also our friend. To Vrig.”

Everyone raised their glass. “To Vrig.”

“Hey, do you guys remember that time when Vrig had to climb up that tree to rescue that cat, only for it to turn out to be a kite?” Sterling said.

“I would have been pissed at the old lady that called it in,” Ven replied.

“But Vrig took it all in his stride.” Nick clucked his tongue. “That was Vrig, though. Cool and calm, never let anything bother him.”

“He loved doing the parades and the school visits,” Ian chimed in.

“Which you’re glad for because that meant you could stay inside the truck and not interact with anyone,” Nick said.

His twin huffed. “I still don’t know how you talked me into doing it. But yes, Vrig was happy to entertain the kids.”

“Yeah, and they loved him,” Ven added. “He had a gentle soul.”

A sense of pride went through Mal, and partly remorse that he hadn’t thought of his uncle more in the past few years.

While he never had a chance to get to know him when he was a kid, as an adult, Mal could have picked up a phone or even hopped on a plane to see his uncle anytime.

It would, perhaps, be one of the greatest regrets of his life.

“So, Mal,” Jim began, “you’re taking over the shop for Vrig?”

“Er, kind of,” he said. “For now.”

“That shop is so cool,” Ven said. “I took one of my nieces there for her birthday. She got a water horse. Say . . .” He looked around slyly. “That hot lady manager still working there?”

Mal’s blood pressure shot up and he ground his teeth.

“You mean Jasmine?” Nick interjected. “Yeah, I saw her during the Founding Day Festival.”

“Damn, I wish I had gone to Main Street, then.” Ven pouted. “My mother kept me busy entertaining guests at home. Wouldn’t even let me join the parade.”

“That mother of yours . . .” Nick shook his head. “Not that it would have done any good. Jasmine’s way out of your league, kid.”

“You’re not even playing the same sport,” Sterling joked.

“Aww,” Ven sulked. “She’s so nice too. Great with kids.”

Mal took a sip of his drink, trying to control his annoyance. But he could hardly blame Ven, as Jasmine was, indeed, hot.

“Must be nice working with a gorgeous woman all day,” Nick said with a laugh. “Not that you’d try anything, right, Mal? You’re much too professional for that.”

“Actually, we are seeing each other,” Mal stated. “We’re going on our first date tomorrow.” He supposed there was no use denying it, as he was planning to take her out on a very public date.

“Whoa!” Ven nearly choked on his drink. “Sorry, man, didn’t mean to say . . . I didn’t . . . She’s hot, but . . .”

“It’s fine.” The kid hadn’t known, after all. No one had.

“You actually asked her out?” Nick’s expression was that of surprise, and maybe a hint of envy. “Good for you.” He slapped Mal on the back. “Jasmine’s a great gal.”

“Cares a lot about the creatures,” Sterling added. “And a lovely person.”

Ian and Rafe didn’t say anything, only nodded their agreement.

“Great worker, from what Vrig said, and he had good instincts,” Jim added. “I hope things work out for you. A good woman is hard to find these days. After I lost my Rebecca, I didn’t want to date anyone.”

“Believe me, we tried,” Nick said.

“Not your fault,” Jim added. “No one could replace her in my heart.”

“Maybe your luck with the girls will rub off on the rest of us.” The satyr gestured around him. “In case you didn’t notice, we’re the perpetual singles club over here.”

“It’s tough out there for us non-humans, even here in Dewberry Falls,” Sterling sighed.

Rafe just huffed.

“I don’t particularly care for dating these days,” Ian said in a dry tone. “And, Nick, you change girlfriends like you do your underwear.”

Nick winked at Mal. “What can I say, no one woman can pin me down. But, anyway, good luck on your date tomorrow. Where are you planning on taking her?”

Mal pressed his lips together, contemplating what to say, but Ian spoke first. “Oh, leave him alone. He’s under enough pressure already.”

“Hey, I wasn’t—” But he was silenced with a look from his twin. “Fine. It wasn’t like we were going to show up or anything. You are one lucky orc, Mal. Jasmine’s a treasure and Vrig really did trust her a lot.”

Mal didn’t know what to say so he took a sip of his beer, praying that someone would change the topic.

Thankfully, Ian started to tell another story about Vrig, and everyone’s attention shifted away from Mal and his date.

He caught the satyr’s eye and sent him a grateful look, which he returned with a nod.

The conversation around him faded away as he stared into his beer, anticipation building as he realized it was less than twenty-four hours before his first date with Jasmine.

Finally, Friday came and, as Mal promised, he let Jasmine leave early.

She had fussed over Clawdia, but Mal assured her the hatchling would be fine and he’d feed her dinner and play with her before settling her in for the night.

Neither of them had had to stay with her in the shop after that initial night, and once they’d set up a brand-new, non-griffin-smelling pen for her, she seemed content by herself.

As for the old hatching tank, Mal planned to rebuild it and repurpose it as a showcase piece for the shop.

Jasmine could do what she had originally planned for the carcinos egg but with another reptilian or egg-laying creature.

Mal’s hearts pounded loudly in his chest as he made the quick walk to her doorstep. He knocked on her door, throat tight with anxiety and excitement.

“Jasmine,” he burst out as soon as the door opened. “You look beautiful.”

That didn’t even come close to describing her right now, but using words were becoming increasingly difficult.

Her hair fell in shiny waves down her shoulders and back.

He didn’t know much about makeup, but he could tell she wore just enough to complement her already gorgeous features.

The red dress she wore wasn’t particularly revealing, though the color suited her tawny skin.

“Thanks.” A shy smile lit up her face. “You look nice too.”

He gave the hem of his jacket a self-conscious tug. “This is the only suit I own.”

“I’m glad you ditched the tie.” Her eyes fixed on the exposed skin where he’d left the top button open, then quickly looked away. “I mean, I didn’t dress for a formal occasion or anything like that.” Her throat bobbed. “So, where are we going?”