Page 41 of Courageous Demands

Honestly – it’s been a little slow, and I’m kinda glad. It means people are behaving themselves.

Or someone is behind at the processing desk.

He chuckled, imagining her rolling her eyes, and his soul already felt lighter. Sometimes, these things never bothered him, and other moments, it left him feeling gutted. Maybe it was because the kid’s eyes made him think of Willow, or perhaps it was because his mom was so pushy about kids and emotional lately, but for the first time in forever, he was thinking about the future again and what it would look like. Admittedly, he was very gun-shy regarding the ‘M’ word because it blew up in his face before, but he did want a family someday, the whole picket fence, everything.

Um, do you wanna do something stupid and domestic the next time I’m off?

My two favorite things

It’s really domestic and silly…

(last warning)

I’m in!

I have to make something for a fundraiser that I volunteered for several months ago, and well, I need to make a pot of chili. I don’t do the cooking at the station, so I’m kinda planning to follow a recipe online and winging it.

I’ll get the ingredients and corn chips (‘cause I’m having some!) Chili date night – and charity work together? I’m definitely on board with this, and I think it’s great.

You don’t mind? I mean, it would keep things quiet for us

Then I guess you don’t want me to bring you something to the station?

Wait! You wanna come by and see me?

I thought about it.

Come by and text when you get here.

Alec heard the alert go off just as the engine was starting to back into the station – and all five men groaned in awareness, listening for the location of their next run.

I gotta go – got another call.

Be careful!

Thanks!

“Are you done gawking at your phone and smiling like a dork?” Lance asked bluntly, causing Colton to chuckle from his seat knowingly. Alec just made a mocking face, shoving his cell phone into his shirt pocket before adjusting his gear. “Actually, I’m happy for you two.”

“Oh?” Colton perked up questioningly.

“It’s nothing,” Alec grumbled, wanting to keep his private life quiet in case things backfired.

“Wait a second… Are you dating someone?” Chad asked bluntly, quickly spinning the wheel of the truck to get them to make a sharp right toward their destination.

“No, guys – I’m just talking to somebody, and I don’t know if it’s going anywhere,” he fibbed easily because admitting it would come with a lot of questions, teasing, and then if things went south…?

Yeah, he was keeping quiet about their budding relationship.

* * *

Hours later, Alec had just gotten out of the shower when he heard his phone go off. Jerking on his clothing quickly, he ran down the stairs in a rush to see Willow walking up towards the station. She looked slightly intimidated and a little nervous.

“I got this,” Lance blurted out, before taunting him. “Ohhh Romeooooo, your lady love is here…”

“Keep going, buddy. The mice only get bigger and meaner looking from here,” Alec retorted and saw Lance’s face fall before he laughed easily, pushing open the front door to welcome Willow. Alec had just made it to the bottom step when she entered the building, and he heard a slow whistle from nearby, causing the three of them to look over.

Chad moved to hold the newspaper in front of his face, smirking.

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