Tarlos

Special thanks to ChanceAre, for editing this piece, I didn’t give up because of you. I’m really grateful.

***

The endless sounds and smells of traffic on the highway made TK Strand’s head ache, and he felt more nauseous with every breath he took. He leaned into his seat and put on his headset to listen to a podcast, which gave him something to concentrate on and take his mind off the road.

“Whoa, hold a minute, Dad! My Oh My, what a fucking beauty!” TK screamed in wonder as his head swung back and forth to both sides of the road, while his father drove on casually. With an enormous grin splitting his face, he pressed a button to roll down the windows halfway except his, which was entirely down, to allow fresh air inside the car. He stuck his head out of the window, tilted his head to face the bluest sky, and breathed in the natural flower-scented air as the delightful breeze blew through his hair. He loved flowers and their amazing smell.

TK’s father, Captain Owen Strand, had earlier branched from the motorway to a deserted country road, but this wasn’t what TK expected. A few minutes’ drive down the road, they came across beautiful trees and shrubs, with gleaming red, green, orange, purple, and orange foliage, hemmed by the greenest zoysia grasses, which lined up at the left side of the road. On the other side were a swift river, waterfalls, and various radiant flowers.

“Dad, this is paradise. See the amazing colors of fall, I mean this is a rainbow on earth.” TK couldn’t obscure his excitement as he filmed the exquisite landscape with his phone. “It’s extremely awful that I can’t capture its divine fragrance on camera, air in this area hits differently.” He sulked as he took a picture of his father who was driving, with a magnificent waterfall in the background.

“I know right, it’s pleasing to see your cheerful face once again,” he ruffled TK’s hair while smiling down at him. Owen knew his son’s love for colorful flowers, so, when he sensed his uneasiness earlier, he decided to give him a treat. Branching to the country road prolonged their trip for an hour, but the lively look on TK’s face was worth it.

The 3 days road-trip-turned-sightseeing had been entertaining for TK, of course, when he wasn’t having motion sickness. He objected at first, when his father suggested it, but Owen coaxed him into accepting, assuring him of a gratifying journey. Being a man of his word, his father honored his promise, yet again. The drives through the states and cities TK only knew by name, and again, seeing some of the monumental things these places were popular for, had been educational, but the striking nature and landscapes he encountered topped them all. They differed from Manhattan’s skyscraper buildings, traffic, and noise pollution.

TK snuggled into his seat, and angled his head towards the window with his eyes shut, as he listened to the young crooner, Harry Styles’ fine line album. He smiled as a cool breeze blew through his hair, tickling his scalp while the warm July sun kissed his face. His father took his eyes off the road for a few seconds and took a picture of his son in that rare posture. He reluctantly fell asleep to the sun rays that mingled with the pleasant breeze to dance gracefully on his skin. No matter how hard he tried to stay up, he couldn’t cheat nature.

“Hoo hoo! Who is excited? Welcome to Texas, baby!” Owen Strand’s cheering as he pumped his fist on the steering wheel continuously, startled TK awake. “Sorry to disturb your nap, son, but look. Finally!” Owen pointed to something ahead of them as he grinned, oblivious to the glare on his son’s face. TK looked around, expecting to still be in paradise, but realized they were back on the hellfire of a motorway. He lifted his eyes, only to be greeted by the ‘Welcome to Texas’ sign.

Fuck! This is happening! Suddenly, TK’s heartbeat raced, and breathing labored; his chest tightened, and it seemed he was suffocating as he trembled. He felt lightheaded and gave into the dizziness.

“Son! TK! Open your eyes… please.” TK woke up shortly to his father’s trembling voice and gentle tapping on his face. He took in the scenery again; Owen had parked the car at a bus-stop, while vehicles sped off pass them. He realized his face was flushed and glistening with sweat, when he looked into the rearview mirror. His skin and shirt were dampened with sweat as well. “Fuck!” He groaned as he leaned into the seat and covered his face with his hands.

Owen passed his son a bottle of water, which he gratefully accepted, murmuring his thanks, as he gulped its content at a go. He waited for his TK’s breath to steady and asked, “Are you okay, son?” The older Strand’s worried gaze stayed on the younger’s face while he rubbed his boy’s back in comfort.

TK’s brows furrowed in a frown as he turned to look at his father with the glare of death, “I am over the moon glad Dad: I’m not a 26-year-old man who still needs rescuing like a lost puppy from his old guy. My boyfriend of 3 years said YES to my proposal and I’m to be married in six months. I didn’t almost die only to be saved by my father… again! And oh, my father is still the captain of ladder 252; he didn’t trash his 20 years of hard work to start afresh in a new state because of me. I didn’t just have a panic attack, so yes! I am okay.” he bellowed in one breath, got out of the car, and banged the door after him.

Owen heaved a sigh and went after his boy, who was rummaging through his suitcase for a shirt to change into. “Come here, son,” He took TK, who was then shuddering into his arms for a reassuring hug, and murmured encouraging words into his ears. He didn’t let him go until he felt a calmness in his son’s body. “We are going to make beauty out of these ashes, my boy, that’s who we are. We have always turned the worst situation to our good, and this will be no different,” Owen affirmed, as TK clung to him.

“It’s okay to be down at this moment, I’m running with this baton of faith on our behalf now. Who knows, maybe months from now, you’ll take over. Life is good, TK. At least you have me, and I’m not dead yet.” Owen added as he kissed TK’s temple.

“Trust Owen Strand to ruin the moment, what’s that supposed to mean, Dad? Never crack that joke again, it wasn’t funny,” TK admonished his father and broke the hug. He changed into the first shirt he laid his hand on.

I made the right decision to keep him in the dark about this cancer thingy. Owen flashed TK with a smile that did not reach his eyes as he helped him close his suitcase.

His doctor had diagnosed him with stage 1B of lung cancer the same day TK had relapsed. She assured him he could work as he sought treatment because he’s strong and the numbers are on his side. The doctor remained optimistic, but her facial expressions gave out what she didn’t touch on. If not telling TK would save him from another heartbreak, then so be it. He needed to get his son back on his feet if death was going to lay its icy hand upon him.

“Dad! You have spent enough time in space, it’s time to snap out of it and come back to earth. We still have over 200-mile journey to travel.” TK had called his name and slammed the car’s door to get his father’s attention but he didn’t flinch. He snapped his fingers in his dad’s face and he was back to reality.

“You’re exhausted, and it’s your fault. You turned this relocation into a road trip,” TK shrugged and snickered, “Less than 5 hours in the air and not spending three days on the road would have been delightful.”

“Admit it, TK, it was fun.” Owen winked.

“Well, it has been, Thank You, Captain,” TK agreed as he hugged his dad.

“Dad, I’m sorry about my outburst earlier; you know, pouring out my frustrations on you disrespectfully. You have been nothing but supportive right from the get-go, you didn’t deserve that,” TK apologized with a contrite face when they got inside the car.

“Hey, you can use me as your punching bag anytime, if that will make you feel better afterward,” Owen said as he tousled his son’s hair and kissed his temple.

“I’m grateful, dad and I love you so much,” TK said in a low voice with a smiling eyes.

”I know, and I love you right back. Now, are you ready to take Austin by its horns, TK Strand?” Owen’s hopeful eyes danced on his boy’s face.

“I think I am now, Captain Owen Strand.” TK smiled and shook his head at his dad.

Please Austin, be easy on me, TK prayed, as they drove in silence. It was always New York: born and bred there, educated and trained as well. Only a week ago, he was in the FDNY, station 252 to be precise. And oh, all his friends and ex-boyfriend, who was almost his fiancé, were Yankees as well.

***

They drove straight to the firehouse 126, when they arrived in Austin. Sympathizers had littered the sidewalks with flowers and pictures, obviously as tribute, in honor of the fallen firefighters. The inside of the firehouse seemed no different; it looked like a tomb. The place was exactly how they left it to respond to the call six months ago. The Austin Fire Department shuttered the 126 the next day after the unfortunate incident.

The fire they were trying to extinguish at a fertilizer company wiped the firefighters of the 126 out. They rescued the caller and were in the middle of putting out the fire when Grace Ryder, the 911 dispatcher, informed them about the ammonium nitrate fertilizer stored at that factory. She advised them to fall back, which they did, but it was too late. The entire factory exploded. There was a lone survivor though, Judson Ryder, the husband of the dispatcher, who was yet to recover from the trauma.

“Cap, just tell them you changed your mind; we don’t belong here,” TK blurted after they saw the state the station 126 was in. “We are the last thing the folks in this town need after what happened to this house. They are evidently still grieving and they don’t need city slickers invading their space,” TK continued to convince his dad to get them back to New York.

“I’m exactly what the 126 and ‘Austin’ need now… an outsider, someone they can blame. This is a challenge I intend to overcome. I did the same with the 252 over 20 years ago, and I will do it again here,” Owen countered with a frown.

“Fine! Suit yourself,” TK said, as he nodded his head and walked out of the firehouse when his persuasion failed.

It is my damn fault we are here, anyway. If I had not relapsed and nearly died, my father wouldn’t have accepted this job offer. An offer he had turned down but accepted a day later because of me, TK thought with remorse and settled to rally behind his father and help him build the 126 from scratch.

TK went back inside to give his dad his support. “You can count on me Dad, I’m fully in this one with you, but please, don’t go out of your way to prove the point, okay?” He pouted as he pleaded with his eyes.

“You know I always tread lightly, and thank you very much. This means a lot to me,” he responded with a sly smirk, and hugged his son.

That’s how, together with his son, Owen Strand went about recruiting the new 126.

Marjan Marwani- The Firefox, goes viral almost every day with her wild heroic displays on calls. A Muslim from Miami with 11 reprimands from a single year for insubordination and reckless behavior.

Paul Strickland- The badass Afro-American from Chicago. He was well known for his ability to assess threats; an ability he self-developed, when he was growing up as a transgender. He had learned to figure out people before they figured him out.

Last, the relentless Probie, Mateo Chavez from Austin. He has failed the written exams of the Austin Fire Department four times but always ace the field tests.

Together they are a crazy team, but TK was certain he would love this new family.

The entire process of recruiting and renovating the firehouse into an ultramodern facility took a month, and now they were ready to open for business.

***

”Reyes, you better have a good explanation for why you stood Cole up yesterday,” Ryan Baker questioned Carlos with his brows arched while they drove to the police station.

“Trust me, Baker, Cole is cool and all that, but I don’t think I’m capable of giving him what he deserves,” Carlos Reyes replied unbothered as he maneuvered his way through the crazy traffic.

“These people only respect the uniform, not the person wearing it,” He honked at a crazy driver who tried to cross him.

“Don’t throw me off this discussion, you sly fox. The traffic didn’t irritate you until I mentioned Cole. Just call the guy and tell him you’re not into him. It will save you both from a lot of stress.”

Carlos Reyes found a place to park the car, and he was immediately on his phone, typing profusely. “It’s done, and we are both free of each other,” He shrugged and looked at his friend with a straight face.

Baker’s brows puckered in a grimace. “Wait! Carlos, did you just break up with Cole by text?” His mouth gaped in astonishment, “I can’t believe this! Where are your manners, Bro?” he shook his head.

“A closed mouth catches no flies, mi amigo, and I mean that literally and figuratively,” Carlos said with a mocking laugh as he reached over to cover his friend’s parted lips. He yelped and broke out in laughter when Baker slapped his hand off with force.

Baker was still fazed, so Reyes added, “Why are you so mad over this, Ryan? No, I didn’t just break up with him, because he wasn’t my boyfriend to begin with. I just ended whatever that was before it escalated to the next level. And yes, I did that through text. It will save us both from unnecessary lengthy phone calls and drama. I believe Cole will understand. Come on, fix your face bro, you’re making me look like the devil’s incarnate.”

“When did you become so cold-hearted, Carlos?” As he expected, Reyes didn’t answer, so he sighed and added, “The rate at which you are breaking hearts, I’m certain Karma has packaged yours in a form of an aesthetic man you can’t resist, my friend.”

“Pfftt” Carlos rolled his eyes and waved a hand to dismiss Ryan.

“Ha! You don’t believe me, eh? Karma, The Great Equalizer, brutally act on your word in your law book, which says, ‘You will fall in love with someone who doesn’t love you, for not loving someone who did.’ You only have one job, Biggie K, fight the cause of all the hearts Carlos has broken,” Ryan crossed his finger and squeezed his eyes shut as he prayed dramatically.

Carlos pointed his index finger at himself, “Have you seen me, Baker, who won’t fall in love with me?” He shrugged and broke out in an unruly laughter, “I didn’t know you were a valedictorian in the Karma School of Law. Splendid speech, my brother, I wish I wasn’t confided in this car, I would have given you a standing ovation. Can I join, is it tuition-free?” Carlos stifled a laugh as he tipped off an imaginary hat to Baker, “Well done, bro, you made me proud once again.”

“Fool! You can make fun of me all you want, Carlitos, but trust me, when the time is precise, big K will deliver him right at your doorstep in a grand style. You will never see him coming for you to guard your heart,” Baker’s lips curled up in a sardonic grin as he poked his friend on the chest, “As your best friend, this is ever available for you to cry on.” He tapped his shoulder.

“Ha ha! Bring it on, Karma,” Carlos hollered. “Watch me beat big K’s ass as his proxy falls for me slowly, every single day. Are your shoulders available to big K too? Because he will be needing it, after I’m done with him and his proxy,” Carlos teased his friend with a smug grin on his face.

Baker couldn’t hold his laughter. “You know you are an asshole, right?” Baker couldn’t believe his friend as he laughed his ass off.

“You love me regardless,” Carlos stuck out his tongue.

”Unfortunately my friend, unfortunately,” Baker sighed, “You know why I go through all the trouble to get you boo’d up right?” His eyes riveted on Carlos, seeking his full attention.

He continued when Carlos looked up to meet his eyes. His voice softened, “You need something real in your life. Being gay is hard enough, but an openly gay cop… pfft. I have always admired you for your bravery, which you already know,” Baker acknowledged.

“How you came out even in our rookie days and matched up fair and square to the fuckers who tried to bully you! Michelle and I will always be there for you, but we don’t warm your bed at night, and we obviously can’t fill that emptiness in your heart and life,” Baker said, sounding genuine.

“You don’t fool me with the ‘I can do bad all by myself’ facade you have been parading in, all over Austin. Oh, and you will not be handsome forever,” Baker ended with a smirk.

“In a nutshell, what are you implying, Dr. Phil?” Carlos asked, raising a brow.

”Jeez, Carlos, you can be daft when you want to be. Fucking find someone to love and be loved right back. You deserve it. Do I have to spell this one out for you? You let all these guys go without lifting a damn finger,” Baker bellowed, throwing his hands in the air.

“Cupid Baker, how about you find me someone I connect with, and I promise we won’t be having this conversation again.” Carlos winced inside but laughed it off to mask the desolation he felt at that moment.

Baker had poked the bear and from Carlos’ demeanor, he knew he had hit where it hurts. Enough salt to your injury for today, Big Man, we live to add more another day. Ryan grinned smugly as Carlos drove to the station in awkward silence.

Ryan Baker has been Carlos’ anchor from the first day they met at the police academy, when he helped him fight off some bullies. They became good friends right from there and their friendship gradually grew to brotherhood. Luckily, they were both posted to the same station after they passed out from the Academy. They shared an apartment until Ryan married his beautiful wife, Kimberly Baker, and moved out. He had a rocky start with her, but progressively, she wormed herself into Carlos’ heart and became family as well.

Damn you, Baker, Carlos cursed his friend in his head for knowing him that well.

A dispatch call came through on the radio as soon as they got to the station, and from the location alone, Carlos knew it was her… again. “Go save the belle. Between you and her, I don’t know who is worse,” Baker exploded with laughter.

”Hey Michelle.”

”Hi Carlos.”

They exchanged pleasantries as he handcuffed Michelle and put her in the car.

“You can’t keep doing this to yourself; you’ve gotta get out of this rut, Chica,” Carlos admonished her as he drove.

”Happy to. Just find me a single lead on my sister and I will never step foot in this neighborhood again. If not, you will keep arresting me for violating the restraining order, because guess what Carlos, I will keep knocking on the door of the man who last saw my sister before she vanished from the surface of the earth,” Michelle replied, feeling angry and dejected.

Carlos knew better not to say anything that would sound like he was defending Dustin, her sisters’ boyfriend, so he kept mute and drove.

“Hey, can you just drop me at work? My shift starts in 20 minutes,” Michelle implored sadly in her naturally soft voice after a long silence.

Carlos rolled his eyes replied, “I’m not an Uber Michelle.”

“Good, who said I was going to tip?” Michelle quipped back.

Carlos shook his head as he drove to the 126 in silence, concerned about his friend.

Michelle Blake is the EMS Captain of Station 126, and a humanitarian, who volunteers at shelter centers to provide medical help to the needy. She is Reyes’ best friend. She and her sister, Iris Blake, grew up with Carlos, attending the same basic and high school. Iris disappeared three years ago, and all attempts to find her have been proven futile.

***

TK sat in the back seat of a cab, defeated, with his shoulders slumped and elbows propped on his thighs to support his lowered head. He couldn’t believe he was going to therapy again, all because of one stupid mistake that nearly took his life.

One month ago,

TK had returned from his father’s house earlier than usual from their Sunday’s hangout. He went straight to the kitchen, took a beer from his fridge, and drank half of it at once. Back in the living room, he slouched into his couch, feeling exhausted. Stretching his legs on the center table, he heaved a sigh as he massaged his temples, damn, I couldn’t tell him today either. While he reached for the TV remote to turn the TV on, he came into contact with a phone instead. He grinned and bolted to his bedroom with the speed of light. There he is, he beamed.

TK’s cock pulsed when he saw his boyfriend, Alex Hughes, spread out in the center of his bed. He was asleep on his stomach, with his naked-as-birth slender-melanin body entangled in the white sheets. He shed his clothes in a second and squeezed his throbbing cock with his gaze still fixed on his boyfriend.

How long has it been, Alex? TK asked himself as he nestled his body into his boyfriend’s side. He trailed his fingers tenderly from the nape of his neck, down his spine, and chuckled at how Alex squirmed under his touch. When he got to the small of his back, Alex stirred with a moan and wiggled until TK’s cock nuzzled in the cleft of his ass.

“Welcome back to earth, Hun,” TK whispered as he continued stimulating Alex’s body from his butt along his thigh to the sole of his foot. Alex twitched and giggled awake when TK kissed his body back up from his leg till he reached his nape again.

Alex reversed their position to have TK on his back and straddled him, “Hey, you’re back early today, what happened?” His lips inclined on TK’s in a slow, sensual kiss as TK kneaded his ass. “A little bird whispered to me you were in my bed so I teleported here,” TK replied as he kissed Alex’s neck while flicking and tweaking his nipples with his fingers.

Alex’s hand reached back and grasped his boyfriend’s throbbing dick, and squeezed the sensitive crown, which caused TK to squeal. “Fuck, baby, I missed you so much” He played with TK’s Balls as he stroked his lover’s pulsing cock. He circled his lips around his dick head and stimulated it with his tongue. When he felt Strand getting bigger in his mouth and heard him moaning, he stopped teasing and concentrated on the entire length. His head bobbed faster, sucking him till he was hard enough to fuck his brains out, “I’m so horny right now, and I can’t wait for you to plow me with your full cock.”

Alex reached for a pill in his backpack and popped it in his mouth. When he sensed TK glaring at him, he shrugged and winked, “It’s a vitamin.” He picked the lube and condoms from the nightstand and climbed back into the bed.

“You are so hard, baby, I bet it’s going to feel so good inside me. I want you to make me scream these walls down,” Alex said with a hoarse voice, as he rolled the condom on TK’s dick. He put it in his mouth again, and slurped it up, which made the firefighter moan. He got on all fours; with his face buried in a pillow, Hughes arched his back with his chest touching the bed. His hands reached back and spread his two round cheeks, presenting his ass in the air in full display to his boyfriend.

TK poured a generous amount of lube in the cleft of his ass and massaged Alex’s puckered rim. He pushed in a finger which met no resistance, so he added another, “Hey, you are already wet and opened.” TK frowned, adding a third finger.

“I fucked myself with a dildo, I didn’t know you’d come home this early. TK, enough of the foreplay, just fuck me already,” Alex moaned and writhed desperately, clenching his muscles around TK’s fingers. He was getting impatient, so he wiggled his ass back to align TK’s cock with his hungry hole.

“Get back on your hands and knees again,” TK slapped Alex’s ass and stroked his dick as he watched Hughes get into position.

Alex jiggled his ass desperately in anticipation of Strand’s dick, “I’m ready baby, please, fuck-”

TK lunged his dick in Alex’s hole in one go, harder than he had intended, which caused Alex to yelp as he fell flat on the bed, before he could finish his statement.

“Fuck Yes, Baby… that’s it,” he moaned as he squirmed on the bed, fisting the sheets. TK withdrew from Alex’s warmth and coated his erection with lube, which caused Alex to push his ass back, seeking TK’s cock. “Put it back in me, baby”

TK chuckled and plunged in the ass to the base of his cock, drawing an animalistic groan from Alex. He dug his fingers into Alex’s hips to hold him steady as he got used to the heat surrounding his dick. TK’s hips moved, thrusting his dick deeper but slower, rhythmically into his boyfriend’s ass in pleasure.

Alex was in a pure frenzy when he felt TK’s cock nick his prostate. He moaned and stroke his cock to the rhythm at which Strand was fucking him as he threw his ass back on TK’s dick.

The heat around TK’s shaft intensified as jolts of electricity sparked from his balls to his whole body. With his hands gripping Alex’s hips firmly, He slammed into him again and again in an excruciating pace, poking his prostate occasionally as Alex writhed and whimpered unintelligently.

The shuddering and the grunts that tore out of TK showed he was about to erupt, so Alex stroked his dick faster. They growled loudly as TK grasped Alex’s hips, pulling him close, and shot his load heavily into the condom, while Alex ejaculated into his hand. TK collapsed on Alex’s back, crushing him into the mattress, trying to catch his breath with his dick still in Alex.

They laid in bed all evening, chatting and laughing at all the memories Alex unlocked after they cleaned up. “What amazing years we’ve had, it has been one hell of a rollercoaster ride,” Alex kissed TK and got off the bed, gathering his clothes, he headed to the bathroom.

“All good things come to an end, huh?” TK asked Alex when he came out cleaned with his clothes on. TK laid on his side of the bed, with his head propped on his knuckles as his eyes followed Alex’s movements as he packed his bag.

“Unfortunately, yeah, I have to go now and prepare for work tomorrow,” He smiled. When he realized TK’s eyes were hooked on the backpack, he quickly explained, “I didn’t do laundry this weekend so I have to take these.”

He kissed TK goodbye and when he got to the door he turned to ask, “We are still doing dinner tomorrow, right? The Same location you sent, nothing changed?”

“You bet!” TK chuckled and winked. With a smile, Alex was gone.

TK retrieved the platinum diamond ring from its box which was locked in his drawer and smiled, Not all good things come to an end Alex, ours is about to begin. I couldn’t tell my father today but I will tomorrow, and later in the evening, you will be mine forever.

They were on call to rescue a window washer hanging from the 44th floor of the Chrysler building when he told his father, “I’m going to ask Alex to marry me today.” TK ground his teeth, expecting his father’s reply.

His father just nodded his head while looking down.

“Dad, just say nothing negative, ok? I already bought the ring,” TK pleaded.

“Ok, do you think marrying him now is a good idea? Why don’t you move in together first?” Owen cocked a brow.

“Grand gestures! Big swings! Isn’t that what you always say?” TK asked incredulously. He knew his dad was not a big fan of Alex, but he could cut him some slack.

“Yeah, I have also been divorced twice,” Owen countered harshly.

“Now TK, let’s get this poor window washer back on his feet again, that’s what we are here for,” Owen said to change the subject.

On their way back to the firehouse, Owen gave TK his blessings, masking the uneasiness he felt; “I’m happy for you son, I was just being a father.”

“I know, Dad, thank you,” TK said, and hugged his dad.

Alex walked into the restaurant 30 minutes after him, but he was there anyway, so it was ok.

TK greeted Alex with a ‘hi’ and a peck on the lips. Alex quickly apologized for being late, but TK brushed it off.

“This is nice, and you look nice too,” Alex said, while checking out the restaurant.

“Thank you, dear, nice was what I was reaching for; mission accomplished then.” He pulled Alex’s seat for him while smiling.

“What would you like to drink dear,” TK asked while he reached for the menu. The server came around and took their order.

Halfway through the meal, TK cleared his throat to get Alex’s attention. ”I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“So do I,” Alex also said.

“Let me go first,” TK said, reaching for the ring in his pocket.

As soon as he brought out the ring, Alex covered his face with his palm. ”TK, I am in love with someone else… my spin cycle instructor. I have been meaning to tell you weeks ago but couldn’t find the right moment. We are moving in together, I’m so sorry.”

TK’s stomach plummeted as his face fell, he felt lightheaded; as if Alex had punched him in his guts. Things had been weird between them lately, but he never thought it had gotten to this level. He had so many questions running through my mind that instant, but he didn’t know where to start, and which one to ask first.

“This isn’t a joke, right?” he said in a voice barely a whisper, after sitting there speechless for a while, waiting for the ‘I am kidding’ joke. Alex simply shook his head.

Strand let out a sharp, bitter laugh after an uncomfortable silence, “Ha! So, you fucked Mitchel before coming over to my apartment, huh? It wasn’t a dildo after all.” Alex didn’t reply, so he continued, with anguish in his voice, “While you are on a long and arduous quest in your hippocampus to reply to me, why don’t you search for answers to these as well… Was yesterday my final farewell sex? I mean, the memory vault you unlocked afterward. Come to think of it, you packed away the few things you had at my apartment before you told me.”

TK leaned forward with his arms on the table, as he regarded Alex, who avoided his gaze, with a wry smile. He fumbled with the ring between his fingers, while he waited for an answer.

“He dropped me at your place yesterday, one thing led to another, and…” Alex stuttered with his head hung low.

“… and he fucked you in my bed,” TK bent his head, his penetrating gaze searching Alex’s face as finished it for him. He nodded his head as he recalled how disheveled the bed was, the lube and condoms already on the nightstand, and how he found Alex on the bed with his clothes scattered on the floor. “How long have you been making a fool out of me, Alex?”

Alex lifted his eyes, which were filled with shame and misery, to meet Strand’s blank ones, “We fell out over a year ago, TK, and you didn’t even notice. We are not the same as we were back then… It wasn’t fun anymore. Mitchel came my way 6 months ago, and we clicked, more than I have with you in years. When was the last time you told me ‘I love you’ and vice versa, and now this?” Alex pointed to the ring in TK’s hands.

“Of course, we fell out when I sobered up,” TK snickered and nodded his head over and over. It all made sense to him then, Alex is still on drugs. He also didn’t miss how Alex’s eyes glittered when he mentioned Mitchel, something he’s not seen in a long time.

“This wasn’t how I wanted to tell you, but I couldn’t let you propose. I’m sorry TK.”

”It is what it is, Alex, but I would have appreciated it if you had told me sooner.” TK got up to go, but looked back, ”I am happy for you Alex, goodbye.”

Alex just responded with a smile, which did not reach his eyes.

The walk home took forever, as TK tried to figure out what had just happened, what he did wrong, and how many people had Alex been cheating on him with. He needed to be numbed tonight, and this was nothing OxyContin and alcohol could not fix.

TK had still not turned up for his shift, and his calls were going straight to voicemail, so his father panicked because that was unlike his son, ever since he had sobered up. He called Alex to inquire and tore out of the firehouse to TK’s apartment with firefighters and medics after Alex relayed to him the failed engagement.

They opened TK’s door with the battering ram to find him face down on the floor with drugs and liquid scattered everywhere. Owen ran to TK and turned him over.

“He’s in cardiac arrest!” he panicked and started with chest compressions. It wasn’t working, so he injected him with Narcan, including oxygen administration. They revived him in a few minutes.

He hugged his dad and both of them cried their eyes out with little being said. The paramedics took TK to the hospital for observation, and later in the evening, they released him in the care of his father.

“Did you try to kill yourself TK, Is this even your first relapse?” Owen’s eyes focused on the spot where they found TK’s unconscious body. His voice was full of sadness, with tears threatening to fall.

“No, Dad, I didn’t want to kill myself. I just wanted to numb the pain. Also, I have touched any pills in years.” TK blurted defensively, pleading inwardly for his father to believe him. He lowered his head to look at clamped hands on his lap.

He continued after his dad said nothing. “He is in love with another man, Dad, his spin instructor, Mitchel. That’s why he’s been acting weird lately,” TK said in barely a whisper.

Owen simply nodded, not surprised. “The department wanted to bench you for a while, but you’re good. I reported it as an accidental overdose. You will go to therapy twice a week and also a therapist of my choice. It’s tough love from now on. We do things my way. I am sorry things ended this way TK but in all sincerity, I’m happy you are not engaged to that prick.”

“They offered me a job in Austin, which I accepted, and you are coming with me. I will explain in detail later. Pack your stuff TK, we are moving to Austin this week.” Owen relayed sternly, and TK knew better than to argue. He hugged his son and murmured, “Everything is going to be alright.”

***

TK came back in enough time to join the team for their rainy 2nd call of the day. The Austin Police were already at the scene when they arrived. Carlos Reyes, the officer in charge, briefed Captain Strand about the accident. The firefighters then got to work to save the unconscious pregnant woman who was stuck the car.

Carlos watched on with Michelle and the paramedics as the 126 worked tirelessly to dismantle the car into parts to retrieve the lady. That was when he spotted him. His heart halted for a second, as his dick pulsed. His eyes followed the firefighter’s movements, and he did not focus on what he was doing, rather, how gorgeous he was, even when he’s draped in protective wears and drenched in the rain. When the gorgeous guy finally took off the roof of the car, he gave way to a female firefighter to take over. The Officer had to force himself to tear his prying eyes away, when the guy took off his helmet and ran his fingers through his hair.

He looked around to see if the guy affected all the bystanders, but it turned out he was alone in that situation. Everyone else was focused on what the firefighters were doing, not solely on one person. When he reverted his eyes to the firefighter again, he met his gaze. “Fuck!” he flushed with embarrassment and quickly glanced away. I can’t believe I’m getting aroused by a firefighter, who is working with all diligence to save a pregnant lady.

The firefighters pulled the lady out of the car and laid her on the stretcher. Michelle and her team assumed duty, and a few minutes later the lady was back to earth screaming her lungs out, asking about her 10-month-old baby who was in the car with her.

Officer Reyes, with the help of Paul Strickland, led the crew to assess the accident scene again. Lucky for them, it didn’t take long to hear loud cries coming from a tall tree nearby. The baby seat got tossed there when the rolling car hydroplaned into the guardrail, causing the door to fling open.

When Captain Strand rescued the baby, it was all cheers and joy. Carlos saw the smiling firefighter watching his captain in awe. He walked over to him. “Impressive guy, huh?” Carlos’ sexy voice boomed in TK’s ears.

TK turned to see who was behind him, but his heart stuttered to a halt before it surged back to life at a galloping speed. He is fucking hot! So this is the voice and face attached to the eyes that bore holes into me, huh? He felt someone’s eyes on him earlier at the scene, turned to catch the officer before he looked away.

“Yeah, he’s my dad.” TK mustered all the strength in him to answer impassively. He let his gaze linger on the cop’s face for a few seconds, before he stalked off to join his team, who were celebrating their successful first day. Damn, he smells so good.

“What an outstanding first day, and it calls for celebration, so I’m officially inviting every one of you to the Honky Tonk Bar for the welcome party of the new 126. You all may not turn down the request though,” Michelle announced, and both the firefighters and police officers at the scene accepted.

***

TK was sitting all by himself, sipping on his mineral water and observing, when the cop strolled into the bar as if he owned it. He didn’t miss how the officer turned heads, and the perfect pearl-white smile he had on as he greeted the folks in the bar, who acknowledged his presence.

The cop couldn’t see TK from where he was sitting, so he stared shamelessly at the sexy Latino man. He was nothing less than 6 foot tall with wide shoulders and a slender but well-refined muscled body, which wasn’t well hidden under the tight green T-shirt and jeans he wore.

His golden-brown skin glowed under the dim light. He had no cap on this time, so TK could see his low-cut dark curly hair cropped a little short at the sides and back. His face… God! Pink lips and a cute nose, He wished he could see the color of the captivating eyes, which he felt fixated on him at the accident scene, from where he was sitting.

They were so hazed with lust earlier. He is a work of Art and Masterpiece at that. God took his time with this one, without a doubt. He is breathtakingly handsome and perfect. TK thought, and couldn’t help but chuckle as he shyly looked down.

He looked up again, and some folks had flanked the cop and they were all laughing at something he was saying. Luckily, he tore his eyes away just in time before his father joined him.

Carlos Reyes finally spotted him, the ‘All-American Boy’. He was sitting by himself while the new 126 and the paramedics toasted to something.

His father joined him after that, and there were some smiles and despaired looks on their faces at one point, but the cutest moment was when the gorgeous guy leaned in to put his head on his Dad’s shoulder. They were in that exact position when Michelle said something to Captain Strand, which they all cheered at. His guess was right, they were going to join the boot scootin’ boogie line-dancing.

“I owe you one, Michelle,” Carlos muttered happily to himself.

Carlos came out of the shadows he lurked in and advanced towards TK haltingly, feeling anxious, not knowing how the guy would react. He had been waiting forever to catch TK alone since he spotted him.

”Hey,” Carlos greeted him nervously.

Not today devil, Stop tempting me! TK screamed in his head, but turned his face to look at the sexy cop and responded with a polite smile, ”Hey.”

TK’s focus was back on the dance floor, laughing as the crew danced. Apparently, the guy was not up for a conversation, so Carlos asked, ”Do you want to dance?”