He slowed down as they rounded the corner for their own street. The way he’d figured it, either Garrick would be cool hanging out with him in his favorite shirt, the one that made him feel awesome inside, or he wouldn’t, but at least Rain would know, wouldn’t go getting his hopes up for a doomed friendship. So, he’d worn it, not expecting either Garrick’s appreciative gaze or his surprising admission that he was pan.
“See? Bravery pays,” he told Cookie. And now not only was a friendship still on the table, but also it was open season for crushing guilt-free on Garrick. “Which we’re not going to do, right?”
A crush would be a bad, bad idea, even if he was already halfway there. He wasn’t sure how long he was staying for one thing, and for another, Garrick seemed rather attached to that hookup lifestyle. And he had other plans for Garrick too, like getting Cookie a forever home.
“How was the walk?” Garrick greeted him as soon as they reentered the house. Cookie headed straight for her water in the kitchen. Garrick was seated in his large recliner, remote in hand, but nothing playing on the TV.
“Great. The weather this time of year is the best. You want to come along in the morning?”
“Come?” Garrick blinked.
“In your wheelchair. I’ll hold the leash and manage Cookie, but you can come along.”
“Maybe.”
That was better than a no, so Rain rewarded him with a grin. “And it goes along with this new idea I had.”
“Should I be nervous?” Laughing, Garrick gave him a look that was almost fond. “You do seem full of ideas.”
“I am.” Rain liked that Garrick had noticed that about him, and it made his insides light and bubbly. “And I was thinking of a trade.”
“Aren’t we already doing that? I let Cookie stay for the weekend and you help.” Garrick’s tone was wary but not uninterested, which Rain would take as a win.
“The weekend went so fast. There’s still no owner in sight, and tomorrow’s Monday. Maybe we can negotiate an extension?”
“You’re really set on her not going to the shelter, aren’t you?”
“Well, yeah. The vet had a point—she’s not going to be an easy placement, especially injured. If you foster her a little longer, she’ll get time to heal.”
“And for the actual owner to show.” Garrick rubbed his chin. “But I can’t ask you to give up part of your day indefinitely. That wouldn’t be fair.”
“That’s where my idea comes in. I was looking over the fitness requirements for the various wildfire fighting positions, and some of those tests look tough.” The hotshot crew test was more strenuous than engine work, and smoke jumper requirements were the toughest of all. The differences between the crews had a lot to do with proximity to the fire and danger level of the work undertaken—smoke jumpers went where even the most fearless ground crews couldn’t go. Hotshot crews were the pinnacle of those ground firefighters—working the most dangerous parts of the front line, while engine and other crews worked farther back, trying to stop the spread of a wildfire. Each type of crew had its own requirements in terms of work experience, education, and fitness levels, and a surprising competitiveness made Rain want to be able to compete with the people working the riskiest of the jobs.
“Yup. It’s hard work,” Garrick agreed. His gaze swept up and down Rain, considering. “And you’re worried you can’t pass?”
“A little. I worry I’ve been coasting by on good genetics. I ran some cross-country in high school, and I did some running over the winter when I thought I might get into the fire academy, but I didn’t really stick with it. None of my friends are exactly fitness buffs, and I’ve always done my best with being part of a group effort.”
“Routine is important. As is accountability. I’m not seeing how the dog and I fit into this though.”
“You totally fit.” Rain bounced a little, getting into his plan again. “I keep helping you with Cookie, and you train me to meet those hotshot crew requirements. I want to aim high.”
“I can’t exactly run with you...” Garrick trailed off, mouth quirking, eyes contemplative. He was thinking about it, and that made Rain even bouncier, shifting his weight from foot to foot.
“You wouldn’t have to. You can tell me what to do. Let me check in with you. Like you give me the plan, and I follow it, and I help with Cookie in trade for the work of coaching me.”
“You really want my advice? I can be somewhat...bossy. I’m not exactly known for going easy on our rookies.”
“Bring it on. Work me hard.” Rain realized an instant too late that the words might have come out flirtier than he’d intended. Bossy worked for him, in a big way, but he maybe didn’t need to go revealing that before Garrick even agreed. However, if Garrick noticed, he didn’t let on, instead nodding slowly.