Page 2 of Tempered By Flames

Jonathan was happy, which was all Ethan and the rest of their friends wanted for him. Ethan had initially been wary when he’d found out about West, but West had more than proved himself. He cared about Jonathan and would make sure nothing happened to him. He would protect him with all the power of his dragon. Nothing would ever happen to Jonathan if West had anything to say about it.

Ethan resisted the urge to sigh. He wanted that, too. Well, he could protect himself, but he still wished he had someone who was there for him. He was never anyone’s priority nor the first person someone thought about when something happened. He didn’t have anyone to drive him to the airport or to take care of him when he was sick. Well, he had his friends, but all of them were busy with their own lives and their partners.

All of them except Ethan.

He was jealous, but also happy for Jonathan and the others. How could he not be? They’d found something he yearned for.

“What about you?” Jonathan asked.

“What about me?” Ethan knew what he was asking, but he hoped Jonathan wouldn’t pry. He should’ve known better.

“When was the last time you dated?”

“It’s been a while.”

“Right, so why don’t you find someone?”

“You say that like it’s easy, but you’re not in the dating world right now. Honestly, it’s easier to be single.” And that wasn’t even considering Ethan’s secret.

“You could at least try. You’re never going to find anyone if you don’t put yourself out there. Do you expect to find a boyfriend while sitting at home on the couch?”

“Well, it would be nice if I didn’t have to leave the house for it to happen.”

Jonathan chuckled. “Of course it would be, but that’s not how it works.”

“You never know. You met West here, after all. You didn’t have to go out there to find him. Maybe the same thing will happen to me.”

Jonathan grimaced. “I really hope we don’t have to call nine-one-one again.”

They all knew they probably would have to. There was always someone who ended up needing help while they were getting tattooed. Sometimes, people fainted or freaked out. It came with the job. “Would West be sent here if we were to call nine-one-one again?” he asked.

“I don’t know. Maybe.” Jonathan’s eyes narrowed. “You’re not thinking about calling in something fake, are you?”

“Why would I? I don’t actually expect to end up with a firefighter. Besides, both of the dragon shifters on that team are taken.”

“Maybe date a human,” Christy offered. She was human, so she had a point. Besides, humans might accept the kind of shifter Ethan was more easily. The problem was that he’d have to find a human who already knew about shifters because he refused to be the person to reveal that there was a whole entire world out there made up of people who could turn into animals to an unsuspecting guy.

That was why he didn’t date. It was too complicated, and by the time he thought about everything that could go wrong, he’d changed his mind. He didn’t think anyone would blame him. Jonathan and Christy were both human, so they didn’t fully understand what Ethan’s problem was, even though he’d explained. They were trying to be good friends, and they wanted him to be happy.

Sometimes, he wondered if he ever would be.

* * * *

LIAM WAS NERVOUS. ANYONE would be when starting a new job, but this wasn’t just a job. He was finally done with the academy, and today, he would start working at a fire station. He wasn’t sure how to feel about being a probie, but he hoped people wouldn’t use that as an excuse to haze him or something. He had no idea what he was walking into. He’d visited the station once before and talked to his new captain, but he hadn’t met the team, so there was no way to know if this would be a good place or not. Captain Grant had assured him that the team was close and that he’d find a home here, but Liam didn’t know the guy. He’d seemed great, but maybe he was just a good actor.

Liam hoped that wasn’t the case. He needed this to work. He needed to show his clan that he could find his own way. He didn’t want to stay hidden the way they were. He wanted to build something, and becoming a firefighter was his way to do that. Even his mother hadn’t been able to say anything about it. As a dragon shifter, it was a logical career. He could help people, and he wouldn’t be hurt by fire.

He stared at the building in front of him. He’d parked his truck five minutes ago, and he still hadn’t gone anywhere. He really needed to move. He didn’t want to look like an idiot, something that would definitely happen if someone was to look outside.

He squared his shoulders and hiked his bag higher. He could do this. It wasn’t the first time he’d started a new job. No matter what happened today, he belonged here, just like all the other firefighters.

Not giving himself time to think any longer, he strode towards the open bay door. He could hear voices coming from behind one of the engines, so he walked around it, his heart racing. It was midmorning, and from the looks of it, everyone was in. That was good, although with Liam’s luck, the alarm would go off at any second now.

A man and a woman in uniform were standing by the engine. Liam recognized the man and raised his hand to wave at Captain Grant. The captain waved back, then turned toward the woman to say something. She chuckled then nodded, and after giving Liam one last glance, she headed toward the stairs close by. Captain Grant came toward Liam, smiling widely. “Liam. It’s so good to see you.”

Liam shook his hand. “It’s good to see you, too.”

“I hope you’re not nervous because there’s no need to be. The team is a family, and I’m sure you’ll fit right in.”