Page 50 of Striking the Match (Redwood Bay Fire #3)

When I look back to the summer, it feels like I was a different person. And it’s not just that I’ve now qualified from being a probationary officer to becoming a fully-fledged firefighter. It’s not that I have a boyfriend and I’ve moved out of my parents’ place.

It’s that I know myself well enough now to realize being an adult isn’t about constantly proving I can do everything by myself.

It’s trusting that I’m stronger when I work with those I love.

It was childish to think it was weak to ask for help, especially when I’ve committed my life to aiding others. I see that now.

If I can, I try and look in the mirror every single day and simply tell myself, “I’m grateful.

” Because what kind of insane life is it that I lead?

I’m dating the guy I grew up crushing on.

There are still pictures of Cassius inside my locker, it’s just now they’re photos of us we took at the beach instead of magazine cut outs.

And most people probably tolerate their work colleagues or make casual friends with them, but I’m lucky enough that these misfits really are my family.

I look around for my friends at all the stalls and activities our community has pulled together. We’re hoping to raise some of the funds needed to not only get us that helicopter but pay to train whoever’s going to be flying the thing.

It’s a shame Drayton isn’t with us permanently.

Rumor has it he was a pilot with the Australian Maritime Border Command before he moved to America.

But of course he was off as soon as Del got back from his honeymoon, moving onto his next assignment.

Last we heard, he was somewhere up in Oregon, enjoying the much colder winter surfing.

For someone who’s only subbed for us a short while, I do miss him.

He fits in well with the team. If he was here, I wonder what he’d be doing.

As Christmas is only a couple of weeks away, Captain Valentine made the sacrifice to sweat his ass off in a Santa Claus outfit so all the little kids can tell him if they’ve been good this year.

He’s so patient and attentive with them, it makes me wonder if he’s ever going to be interested in having children of his own someday.

Gene’s here with his whole family. Him and his wife have set up a station making Hanukkah latkes for people while the four older kids run around exploring all the games and activities.

Del’s new husband, Colt, has the youngest Haskell bouncing on his hip as he chats with his friend, Elizabeth. Her two kids are currently waiting in line for Del to paint their faces with bright colors and glitter. Honestly, I had no idea he was such a talented artist.

Lochlan and his boyfriend Dario are currently in charge of the bobbing for apples game. Their dogs, Rocky and Queenie, are helpfully chasing any fruit that goes astray.

Anton is with his ex-wife, Meagan, and her new husband, Brent, as they talk to Gus and Paisley at the shelter’s information booth.

I have a sneaking suspicion that Anton and Meagan’s daughter, Becca, is going to be getting a four-legged surprise under the tree this December twenty-fifth.

She’s currently the one in Del’s chair, and he’s making her face look like a zombie’s, much to her friends’ delight.

I love that when Anton came out, Meagan was his number one supporter and that Anton was the best man at hers and Brent’s wedding.

They all co-parent Becca Bean together in what I think is a fantastic example of a modern family, especially when ‘Uncle’ Sawyer is in her life almost as much as they are.

In fact, it’s unusual that he isn’t by Anton’s side as well, involved in such a big decision as adopting a pet. I look around the front lot of the firehouse through the crowd of people, wondering if he’s just inside the house or perhaps helping Mrs. Bloom with her cake stall.

Eventually, I see him slightly away from the hustle and bustle of the crowd. He’s leaning against one of the rigs, a beer bottle dangling between his fingers, simply looking in Anton’s direction.

I swear his expression is one of absolute heartbreak.

But then it’s as if he senses my attention on him, and he smiles my way so fast I wonder if I even really saw what I thought I saw. He was probably just lost in thought or tired from a night with one of his countless paramours. Nothing to worry about, I’m sure.

“Probie!” he cries in delight as he practically skips over to us. “Shouldn’t you be litter picking or something?”

“Not the probie anymore,” Cassius and I say together in amusement. By the way Sawyer cackles, I assume that was exactly the reaction he was hoping for.

“Hey, dude,” he says, giving my boyfriend a salute. “Where’s that cute PA of yours?”

“Washing his hair,” Cassius says automatically, making me laugh again. “Also, calm down, Casanova. Bryan’s off limits, all right?”

Sawyer holds his hands up, attempting to look innocent. “I didn’t say a thing,” he assures us with a devilish smirk. Cassius hums, not entirely convinced.

“He loves organizing these things,” I explain to my Lothario colleague.

I doubt he’s actually interested in Bryan.

However, he has an image to maintain. “But he doesn’t attend them unless he really has to.

I promised I’d take care of Cassius, and Padilla swore she’d make sure no one got into trouble, so he’s probably home with a book.

” I love how close the two of them have become in a slightly unlikely friendship.

But the fact he’s branching out by himself shows that this is Bryan’s home just as much as Cassius’s now.

We wave at the police captain where she’s handing out leaflets for a self-defense class that’s starting in the new year.

Klaus, the sniffer dog, is sitting patiently by her feet, a hundred times better behaved than Rocky or Queenie.

Apparently, he’s going to be retiring soon.

I wonder if he’s got a home lined up to go to or if the shelter will help with that.

“Okay, real talk, then,” Sawyer says, frowning at Cassius. “Now…this is an important question, so I need you to give it actual thought before you answer.”

I groan, knowing almost certainly what’s about to happen. But Cassius looks at my colleague seriously. “Fire away.”

Sawyer snaps his fingers and points at Cassius with a grin. “Favorite dinosaur, go!”

“You don’t have to answer that,” I assure him with a laugh.

But I haven’t even finished speaking when Cassius says, “Compsognathus!” with confidence.

Sawyer and I both blink at him. “Deep cut, man,” Sawyer says respectfully.

“What’s a comp…”

“Compsognathus,” Cassius says again proudly. “Thought to be one of the smallest yet fastest dinosaurs to have ever existed.”

“Like anything about you is small,” I mutter into Cassius’s ear, making him snort.

“Carnivore, too,” Sawyer says obliviously with a nod. “Speaking of which, I need to get me some ribs. I’ll catch you guys later!”

He scampers off toward Lili and Rico, leaving me with Cassius.

Just the way I like it.

“What’s your favorite dinosaur, baby?” Cassius asks, kissing my cheek.

“Brontosaurus,” I tell him, not needing to think about my answer, having played this game with Sawyer many times. “Sturdy, dependable, majestic.”

Cassius hums and nibbles my ear. “I can see that. Long neck, too. Good for swallowing.”

I groan and wonder if we can possibly sneak off without anyone noticing. It’s doubtful, but I catalogue all the ways I plan on driving my boyfriend wild when we get home later.

My boyfriend. My home. My life.

This really is my reality. On paper, it looks like a complete fantasy. My dad always says to be careful what you wish for, but now I know better.

Sometimes when you wish upon a star, all your wildest dreams come true.

Thank you so much for reading Teddy and Cassius’s story!