Page 21 of Crash
“Did dad get you a car?”
“Yes, and I’m so glad. I have a date this weekend and I need a reliable bail car instead of having to call you or Tessa. Besides, y’all may be busy.” She wiggles her eyebrows and makes suggestive motions with her hands.
“Bye, Court.”
“Bye, Aussie.”
I get into my truck and drive to the work location.
IARRIVEand put my belongings in the ambulance that will be my temporary home for the day. Since I’m not pulling a double, my sleeping bag stays in my truck. Once my belongings are stored, I go clock in.
“Dude, where were you this weekend? I thought you were gonna come play a game or two with us?” Caleb says, when I enter the employee's lounge.
“Uh, I was busy.” My vague response isn’t enough to keep him off my tail.
“Bullshit. You met someone. I can tell by the heat streaks on your face. You always look like that when you get mad or embarrassed.”
He playfully shoves me, and I can’t hide the smile.
“Yeah, I had a good weekend. Very good weekend.”
“Did you meet her at that dance thing?”
“Not exactly. I went out with Tessa.”
I turn and walk out, heading toward the bays.
“Wait? You’re sister’s bestie, Tessa?”
“Yeah. Who else?”
Caleb has a look of confusion on his face. Meanwhile, I open the back doors while he stands there and begin inventory on the ambulance. He quickly joins me in the scavenger hunt, and we make sure we have all necessary equipment for both transfers and nine-one-one calls. Once all checks are done and supplies confirmed, we announce on the radio we’re in service and pull off.
“Bruh, isn’t that a bit weird?”
I know what he’s getting at, but I play the obscure role. “Isn’t what weird?”
“You know. Banging your sister’s best friend? Like, that’s almost like banging your own sister.”
“Wow. Okay. I don’t know where you came up with that sick analogy.”
“Think about it. You’ve known her since what, they were kids and you’ve watched her grow up with Courtney. That’s not weird to you?”
His point is semi-valid, but I respond the way Tessa broke it down to me. “To some, it would feel a bit out of place, but the advantage is that Idoknow her anddidwatch her grow up into this beautiful, sexy, intelligent young woman who I had feelings for since they graduated college, only I never admitted it. I was content to not act on it, but she has those same feelings. The only difference is she was bold enough to make the first move.”
We pull into a convenience store and sit idle, waiting for dispatch.
He presses his lips together and nods. “All right then, bro, I see you.” He extends his fist for some bump action, and I knuckle up. “So, is this serious? ’Cause you are not for casual dating, this I know.”
“We agreed to not use labels and just let this flow.” My phone rings, breaking my planned monologue. “Hey, Tessa.”
“Oh my god. They agreed to back my show. We’re going on tour in a month!” Her excitement bleeds through the phone.
So loudly in fact, Caleb hears it. He glances at me with a puzzled face, and I hold up my finger for a pause.
“That’s great news, babe. I’m proud of you. I knew you could do it!”
“Thank you. Oh wow. This is all so real now. I have to get the crew together and their schedules so they can make arrangements with their jobs. Another instructor for my little babies. A lot of ground to cover, and soon. I mean, I have it set up, just gotta put it in motion.”
