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“Doug’s a douche.” Stacey sighed. “What did he say?”
“Nothing much. I was starting to think everyone here was too nice but it’s good to see that Ballydoon has a resident douchebag after all.”
Stacey laughed and I smiled, my residual rage for Doug fading.
“We’re not perfect. We’ve all got issues here in Ballydoon.”
I shrugged and rubbed my arms. “I should go get changed in the sheds.”
“I have to pop into the Shed.” She waved behind her.
“Why, Stacey, are you coming to check me out in the change room?”
She blushed and then laughed. Flirting with her was so easy. I also liked the idea of her thinking about me taking my clothes off, rather than Doug.
“No, not the change room. The Rural Fire Brigade Shed. Firefighting business.” She leaned in with a playful grin. “Wanna see a fire truck?”
“Hell yes, I’d love to see a firefighting truck.”
I wasted no time in the change room, stripping out of my sweaty, dirty gear and pulled on jeans, boots, a woollen sweater and my leather jacket.
I jogged around the shed and entered via the front to find Stacey with several others. Some I recognised from the footy team. Ryan was hosting an impromptu meeting with a cattle dog at his feet. They were gathered around a desk, going over several clipboards with printed paper.
“So, I’ll email the training schedules and equipment registers. Oh, and there’s an email asking all fire brigades for entries for next year’s firefighting calendar.”
A blonde surfer-looking guy who played winger for the team, Benji, laughed loudly.
“Like, what? Naked or something?”
“I believe the term they used was ‘sexy’,” Ryan muttered.
“How about you, Bruce?” Benji grinned. “Get your kit off to raise money for the shed?”
An older man scoffed. “I’ll leave that to you young bucks. But if someone wanted to send in a photo, it would be great publicity for our Backburner’s Ball at the end of the year.”
“Anyway,” Ryan pointedly glared around the group. “I’ll just forward the calendar email to shed members.”
“I updated the database with the outdated equipment,” Stacey handed Ryan a USB stick. “Saved on that. And also, there’s this.”
She slid an envelope across the small table, reminding me of the paper she had at the track bar and talking about her dream.
“And what’s that?” he asked, tipping his chin.
“Medical clearance.”
The vibe in the room had suddenly changed. I leaned against the truck unnoticed, watching. All eyes were on Stacey and Ryan as he opened the envelope and read the letter.
“You’re cleared to be back on full duty?”
“Yeah.” She shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal but everyone erupted into cheers.
My jaw twitched as Benji picked her up and spun her around. Stacey laughed as he put her down, patting him on the arm, and I relaxed. I had to get this urge to protect her under control.
The others cheered, each of them either patting her on the shoulder or giving her a quick hug.
Stacey saw me and her face lit up. I joined the group, nodding a greeting to each.
“Hey Doc.” Benji gave me a chin tip. “Welcome to the Ballydoon Rural Fire Brigade. AKA the Shed.”
