19. Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Andy

Tuesday morning, I pulled up at the fire station in my brand-new pick-up. I'd changed a lot since moving here, and this pick-up exemplified that. I never would've considered buying something like this before living in Vesper, but now it felt like a perfect fit. On the one hand, it was practical, and on the other hand, it was bright and flashy and so me.

I was getting out of the truck as Keith pulled in, which surprised me. His first shift back wasn't until next week, and he didn't usually show up so early for his light duty. He hopped out and headed over towards me.

"This yours?" he asked.

"Yep. What do you think?"

"It's nice." He ran his hand over the hood. "It's a great color. It suits you."

"Thanks. That's exactly what I was thinking. What are you doing here so early?"

"I have a lot to do today. This is my last light duty day, and I don't want to leave things unfinished."

"Like what?" Honestly, I had no idea what he'd been doing this whole time other than going around the community and giving talks on fire safety. Something Keith was excellent at because the public loved him.

I grabbed my bag out of the back of the truck, and the two of us headed into the station while we talked.

"The mayor has this idea that he wants to create a community relations position for the fire department, and he's been having me work on that. They haven't hired anyone to do it yet, but when they do, I don't want to hand over a half-formed idea."

"Is this going to be a part-time position or a full-time job?" I asked. I couldn't imagine that taking enough time to be someone's entire job.

"He was thinking full-time, but after messing around with it for the last few weeks, I don't really think it needs to be full-time."

"You're really good at that stuff. Maybe you should keep doing it."

"Nah, not me. I love doing the library and visiting the schools, but the planning part of it bores me to death."

"Now you know how I felt when I was in college."

He stopped walking and turned to look at me. "Caleb mentioned that you didn't finish school after your parents passed, but what does that have to do with this?"

"I was majoring in event management."

"Event management, like, as in parties and weddings and stuff."

"Just like that. Can you imagine me planning parties instead of fighting fires?"

"Nope. You're pretty damn good at this job, Probie. I can't imagine you doing anything but this."

"Me either." I really couldn't. I loved everything about this job.

"Morning meeting, guys," the chief called out. "Hustle, we have a lot of work to do today."

"I better get going. If you need any help with your stuff today, let me know."

"I will now that I know I have a resource right here in-house."

A couple of hours later, we'd finished up our training and our chores so I was headed into the rec area to find someone to play Mario Kart with when my phone rang. I glanced at the screen and saw that it was Victor. Shit, I'd been so busy with Jesse I hadn't even thought to check back in with my brother.

I pressed the button and answered the call. "Hey, Vic."

"Hey, kid. Are you at work?"

"I am, but we're having some downtime right now."

"Cool. I just haven't heard from you and wanted to find out if you got your car situation resolved?"

"Sure did. Want to see?"

"See?"

"Yeah, hold on." I scrolled through the many pictures I'd already taken of the truck. I sent him one and then waited for his reaction.

"Oh, wow."

"I know, right? Look what you did by making me move here. I own a pick-up now."

"It's a nice one. It suits you."

I laughed. "Jesse says I'm starting to look like a real Texan."

As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I regretted them. I shouldn't have mentioned Jesse at all. He said he and Victor had talked, but I think Jesse was underestimating how protective my big brother was.

"So you and Jesse have been spending a lot of time together, then?" He tried to make it sound like a casual question, but I knew better.

"We have. He said he talked to you, and you were okay with it." I didn't doubt Jesse's word. I just wanted to remind Victor that nothing was going on behind his back.

"That's true. Just be careful."

"You trust him, don't you?" I asked.

"Of course I do. I'd trust him with my life. Doesn't mean I don't worry about you, though. You've worked hard to get your life back on track this last year. I don't want anything to derail you."

"He isn't going to do anything to get me off track, Vic. You know how Jesse is."

"I do, and that's why when he told me he was interested in you, I didn't kick his ass."

"Could you, though?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Smart ass."

"How's your driving experience?" I asked, hoping to change the subject.

"It's awesome. I'm so glad I waited to do this one instead of just doing one of the one-day experiences. The first day we toured the facility and met the crews. Then, we spent the whole second day using the simulators, which was so realistic. Then yesterday, we actually got to drive the cars. We weren't allowed to go over one-fifty, but still, do you have any idea how fast that is?"

Medical emergency, 734 W Leggit Street. Cross streets Leggit and 8th Street. Engine 113, Ambulance 73.

"Sorry, Vic. We have a call and have to run. I'll see you at the airport tomorrow." I disconnected the call and hurried to gear up and get on the truck.

It had been a quick call with no transport, and when we got back to the station, Fox was there talking with Keith, but when he saw us come in, he got up and came to meet us. "Andy," he called out. "Can I talk with you for a minute?"

"Sure. What's up? Have you heard anything about my car?"

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about. Can you join me in the office with Chief Sheridan?"

"Sure."

He closed the door behind me and took a seat in one of the two chairs that sat across from the chief's desk. I remained standing but leaned against the closed door.

"So what do you have?"

"Nothing useful, I'm afraid. Using the videos from a few of your neighbor's security cameras, we were able to piece together some footage of what happened. We identified the car he was driving, but unfortunately, it was stolen earlier that night and found abandoned in the Denny's parking lot the next day."

"That sucks." My shoulders slumped, and I sat down in the extra chair. I knew it was a long shot, but I was hoping they'd be able to see something that would help.

"Sadly, the neighbor across the street had the best shot of it with their doorbell camera, but the recording wasn't clear enough for us to identify the person. All we know is they were of average height, wore gloves, and had on an old hoodie that has the Pittsburgh Steelers logo on it."

"How could you tell all that from inside the car?" I asked.

"They parked in the middle of the street and ran up to your car to do the deed. They used a tool of some kind to break your window before throwing the device inside so that was probably the big pop you heard."

"So that's pretty much a dead end then."

"Yes, but that isn't the only dead end. The guy you told us about, Sebastian, has an airtight alibi. He wasn't even in town."

"So it wasn't Sebastian, and we have no leads on who it actually was, then."

"I didn't say that," Fox said. "We had an analysis done on the fuel that was used to burn your car, and it matches the accelerant from our arsonist."

"Seriously?" I said at the same time the chief said, "I was afraid of that."

I spun around and looked at him. "You were?"

"It just felt too coincidental to me. I had my doubts, don't get me wrong. It's unusual for an arsonist to change up his pattern that much. But something about Keith's injury and your car just felt too targeted to not be connected."

"I agree," Fox said. "So what that tells me is we didn't understand the pattern. We thought he was targeting old vacant buildings, but now…" Fox paused.

"Now we don't know what he might do next?" I said.

Jesse

The door creaked open, and I looked up from the book I was pretending to read. But knowing it was time for Andy to get home had kept me from being able to focus on the words.

"Welcome home, baby boy," I said, closing the book. "How was your shift?"

"Not bad, just long. I didn't expect you to be awake."

I stood up, closing the distance between us with slow, deliberate steps. When I reached him, I opened my arms, and he stepped in. I wrapped them around him, holding him tight. "I wanted to be up when you got home."

"Well, I'm glad you're up." He sounded wary, the way he did after a bad shift, so obviously something happened.

"I made a pot of coffee. Just have a seat while I grab you a cup."

He looked up at me and smiled. "Thank you, Daddy."

He walked over to the couch and flopped down just as Seph realized he was home and came barreling in through the house. She came straight to the living room and jumped up to sit beside him.

"There's my good girl." He scratched her behind the ears before letting his head fall back against the back of the couch.

It didn't take me but a minute to fix his coffee the way he liked it. I handed him the cup and then sat down on the other side of him, wrapping my arm around him. "What's wrong, slugger?"

He took a long drink of the coffee and closed his eyes for a second. Then he turned to look at me. "Fox came to see me at the station. He had news about my car and about Sebastian. It wasn't him," he said, letting out a sigh. "We thought… but it wasn't him."

I was relieved it wasn't Sebastian. I hated to think that what happened was the result of Andy sticking up for his friend, but if it wasn't him, who was it? "So they have any leads at all?"

"Yeah, they think it might have been the same guy who's been setting other fires around town."

"The arsonist that tried to blow up the old comic book store?"

"Yeah, same one."

"Okay, but why your car?" That made no sense to me. Andy was new to Vesper, new to the fire department, even.

"Fox thinks it might be because I got publicity for stopping that explosion."

"Well, shit." I tried to stay calm, but that wasn't good at all. "You know this means you can't go back to your place. Not until they catch him. He obviously knows where you live."

"I know. We're picking Victor up from the airport this afternoon. I'm sure he'll want me to stay with him." He looked at me expectantly.

"Do you want to go stay with your brother?" I knew we were rushing things here, but I didn't want him to go. If that was what he wanted, however, I wouldn't fight him on it.

"Do you want me to?" he shot back.

I didn't want to pressure him, but I figured the least I could do was give him a straight answer. "No, I don't want you to go stay with Victor. I want you right here in my house, with me, where you belong."

"Jesse, this could take forever. They might never find him. Did you know only about twenty-five percent of arson cases are ever solved?"

"We can cross that bridge when we get there, baby boy. All I know is right now, I don't want you going anywhere else. Not your house, not your brother's house, nowhere. And that isn't because of the arsonist. It's because I want you right here—"

A smile tugged at his lips. "Where I belong, yeah, you said that already."

"Damn right," I growled, pulling him closer.

"Well, I don't want to leave either."

"Alright, then it's settled. You'll stay with me. Now, what time do we have to go pick up Victor?"

"Not until two, so we have plenty of time to take a nap." He bit down on his bottom lip and looked up at me under those long eyelashes. "Or do other things."

I hadn't really planned on taking him straight to bed, but plans changed. I stood up and reached for his hand. "Come on, boy."

"Are we going to take a nap?" He looked up at me all wide-eyed and innocent, like I was buying that for a second.

"Or something," I grumbled, and he giggled, but he placed his hand in mine and let me pull him up off the couch. I led him to the bedroom. As soon as we were in there, I closed the door because there were just some things dogs didn't need to see. I turned to him, reaching for the hem of his shirt. He lifted his arms slightly, letting me pull it over his head, revealing the lines of his lean, muscular body. His skin was warm under my fingers as I tossed the shirt aside, letting my hands rest on his chest for a moment, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath my palms.

"My sweet boy," I murmured, leaning in to press a kiss to his collarbone. He shuddered, his hands coming up to rest lightly on my hips, as if he needed the connection to keep him grounded.

I moved slowly, undoing his belt and sliding it free, then unbuttoning his pants and easing them down over his hips. He stepped out of them, and his movements were slow and deliberate, as if he was finally starting to let go. I knelt in front of him, tugging off his shoes and socks, before standing up and guiding him towards the bed.

"Lie down," I said softly, my voice firm but gentle. He did as I asked, settling back against the pillows, his eyes on me, waiting. I could see the trust in them, the way he looked to me to take care of him… to give him what he needed.

I quickly undressed, joining him in the bed.

I flicked open the bottle of lube and drizzled it on my fingers. Then I slid first one finger and then two into his tight waiting hole.

"Oh yes, Daddy, more. Please."

I could have stayed there all day playing with him, making him moan and beg like that. Fuck, the way he begged was a thing of beauty, but we did have places to be today, so I didn't really have time to drag this out the way I wanted.

I removed my fingers and lined up my cock. I pushed forward, sliding into his tight hot sheath, and fuck, that felt good. I pulled out and thrust back in deeper this time, and he threw back his head and let out a groan. "Yes, like that, Daddy, just like that."

I reached down, wrapped my hand around his cock, and gave it a tug. He arched his back and let out a moan, head thrown back, eyes closed. "Baby boy, look at me."

He opened his eyes, but they were all glassy and his pupils were blown. "Baby boy, focus."

He gasped in a deep breath and licked his lips. "I see you, Daddy."

"Good boy." I thrust into him as I squeezed my fist tighter around his cock, and he let out a little whimper. "I'm going to make you feel so good, sweet boy, but only if you do as I say. Do you hear me?"

He nodded his head, but I shook mine. "No, baby boy. I need your words." Another thrust and another stroke.

"Yes, Daddy," he panted out. "I hear you."

"Good boy." Thrust, stroke. "You don't come until I say so."

"I'll try."

"You'll do more than try, baby boy. You'll wait."

I used one hand to brace myself on the bed as I started to pound into him over and over, stroking his leaking cock the whole time.

"Daddy," he whimpered.

God, I loved it when this strong firefighter got all needy for me.

I thrust harder and deeper into him again and again, faster and faster until my balls tightened and I felt that tingle running up my spine that let me know I was about to come.

"Come for me now, baby boy."

"Yes," he cried out as he bucked against me, and his cum flowed over my hand. That broke what little control I had left, and I plunged in deep and emptied myself into his body.

I fell down beside him, and he rolled towards me, burying his head in my neck. "Fuck that was hot."

"Yes, you are, baby boy."

He let out a little sigh, and his breath whispered across my ear, making me shiver. "I wish we could stay here all day."

"Me, too, baby, but we have to go get Vic."

Later that afternoon, the sun filtered through the windshield as Andy and I drove toward the airport in his new pick-up. I wasn't used to riding instead of driving, but Andy wanted to show his new truck to Victor. The radio was playing softly in the background, but neither of us was really paying attention to it.

As we pulled into the airport parking lot, Andy reached over and gave my hand a quick squeeze. "You ready for this?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" I shot back, though I couldn't help but smile. "It's your brother we're picking up."

"Yeah," he agreed, grinning. "But you're the one who talked to him about us before he left."

"True enough."

"Listen, Vic's not the type to hold back if he had a problem with it. He would've made it clear to you that he wanted you to leave me alone."

I chuckled. "I know all that, so who are you trying to convince, slugger? Me or you?"

"Me, I guess," he said. "I believe you, and I even talked to him about it on the phone, but for some reason, I'm still nervous."

"Of course you are, slugger. What he thinks matters to you, but it's going to be okay."

Andy pulled up in the waiting area and parked so we could wait for Victor to come out.

"You know what I think I'm really worried about?"

"What's that?"

"I think I'm worried about telling him about what happened to my car. I had a good reason not to tell him, but will he understand that? I never lie to Victor, at least not anymore. Not since he came to get me when I needed him."

Just then, we saw Vic coming out of the airport doors, a duffel bag slung over his shoulder, and a baseball cap pulled low over his eyes. In all my years of knowing Victor, I'd never seen him in a ball cap. Apparently, after spending days going in circles at Mach twenty, he was a changed man. He spotted us, and a wide grin spread across his face.

I reached over and took Andy's hand. "It's going to be fine, slugger. I promise."

Andy nodded and hopped out of the truck to greet him.

"There's my brother!" Vic called out, striding over to us. He dropped his bag to the ground and pulled Andy into a tight hug. "Good to see you, kiddo. How've you been?"

"Fine." Andy stepped back to give Vic a once-over. "You look like you had a blast."

"You have no idea," Vic replied, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "I've got stories for days. But first…" He turned to me, his expression warm. "It's good to see you, too, man."

"You, too. How was the trip?"

"Incredible," he said, grabbing his bag off the ground and tossing it in the back of Andy's truck. "This is a pretty ride, kiddo. I can see why you wanted to trade up."

"Yeah, about that, let's get on the road, and I'll tell you all about it. Jesse, can you drive so I can talk to my brother?"

"Sure thing." I took his keys from him and walked around the driver's side.

We got on the road, and Andy started relaying the story to Victor.

"So what you're telling me is someone purposefully set your car on fire while you were in your house, and you didn't see any reason to tell me what happened?" Victor said in a flat, steady voice. The one he used when he was pissed off. Then he made eye contact with me in the rearview mirror. "And you didn't tell me either."

"Vic, listen. I haven't been back to my house since. We knew it would take days to get anything back from the lab, so there was nothing to do but wait. Do you hear me? There was nothing you could do, and I didn't want to ruin your vacation for no reason. If you could have done anything for me, I would've let you know, I promise, but there was nothing, and you've done so much for me this last year. I wanted you to have something for you."

"He's been staying with me, Vic. He hasn't been in danger."

"So you two…?"

Andy blushed but nodded his head. "Yeah."

He took a deep breath and looked around the inside of the pick-up. "Well, at least you got a sweet ride out of it."