Page 158 of Some Like It Hot

“I think I’m being summoned,” I say.

Luna and Dani both have men in the group as well so they cross the room with me.

But just as I step under Simon’s outstretched arm and get a wink from Blake and a grin from Aidan, a loud wailing splits the air. The sirens draw close and a moment later, red flashing lights illuminate the front window.

I frown and immediately look at Aidan. He’s also scowling.

“Oh my God,” Dani says. “Are those fire trucks?”

Aidan is already striding toward the door. “Stay here,” he orders. “I’ll check things out.” Blake moves to me and Simon, tucking me between them.

That’s sweet, though I’m not sure they’re going to be able to block fire.

There’s a fire exit directly out of this room so I’m not overly concerned about anyone being trapped or harmed. We’re in a restaurant, so I suppose the idea of a kitchen fire isn’t too far-fetched. But I’ll feel better when Aidan tells us we’re okay.

It’s less than five minutes later when Aidan comes back into the room with a hard to read expression. I start to ask what happened, but the answer is right behind him.

Luke and Wyatt, the two firefighters I met when I visited Aidan at the firehouse, step through the door.

Blake meets them. “What’s going on?” Blake asks.

“Capacity problem,” Wyatt tells him.

Blake looks around. “We have too many people in here?”

Wyatt shakes his head. “No, you should have two more.”

Blake frowns. “I…don’t understand.”

Aidan rolls his eyes. “He thinks he’s being funny.”

“For the record, this was his idea,” Luke says. “And I didn’t know he was going to use the siren or lights.”

Wyatt laughs. He claps Blake on the shoulder. “We’re just messing with you. Aidan told us about your party, and after all the gushing I’ve done and telling you I’m your biggest fan about forty times, we’re kind of pissed we didn’t get invited.”

“He’s pissed,” Luke clarifies. “This was all his idea.”

Blake stares at them then he looks at Aidan. “Are they serious right now?”

“Him,” Luke says again. “His idea. I’d offer to fire him, but he’s one of my best. And, you know, saving lives and being brave and shit makes up for him being a dumbass sometimes.”

Blake looks at Aidan. Aidan nods. “It’s true.”

“Which part? The he’s kidding part or the he’s a dumbass but should be forgiven part?”

Aidan shrugs. “Both.”

Suddenly there’s a giggle from the back of the crowd. Blake, Luke, and Wyatt all turn.

It came from Brooke, Blake’s younger sister.

Wyatt’s face breaks into a huge grin. “See?” he says to Blake. “Funny.”

“There is no way, Wilder is your favorite player though,” Crew calls, and the tension is broken as everyone laughs.

We’ve gotten to know the guys that Aidan works with pretty well. Fire crews tend to be like little families, and there was no way that Aidan could be as close as he is to me, Simon, and Blake without introducing us to his crew. The guys have had some guys' nights at the Racketeers’ favorite bar, and Blake thought it would be cool to go to one of their training exercises one Saturday.

Needless to say, being a hockey goalie is not quite the same as being a firefighter and carrying huge heavy hoses up and down ladders almost did him in.

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