Ray would love to run into Jo, but for some reason he didn’t get the feeling she was into the social scene these days. Hell, she’d been putting off meeting him for a beer.
He climbed the stairs and found his tall, lanky ladder truck driver slouched at a table overlooking the stage. His blond hair always needed a cut. At least he’d ditched the flowery Hawaiian shirt tonight for a regular collared shirt. After being in the National Guard, Ray had a thing for tidiness and it continued into his current career. His only slip was skipping a shave when he wasn’t on duty at the fire station.
With a little over a year of firefighting under his belt, he’d acclimated to twenty-four shifts with rotating days off. Today started his first day off in four and he hoped to hear from Jo and ride some waves.
“Is Bobby coming?” Tommy asked, raising his brew.
He passed Tommy an are you kidding eye roll.
“Pussy tied by the new flavor of the month, Sarah?”
“Apparently. Found anything appetizing yet?” Ray scanned the crowd of bodies, some more dressed than others. From bikini tops to skintight dresses he couldn’t find Jo in the mix.
“Too early. The honeys need to soak up a few before they’re ready to party serious.” Tommy lifted his chin.
Ray preferred Papagayos, a small oceanfront bar catering to locals. But tonight he’d play wingman to his brother. Before he sat, a petite brunette bumped into his elbow.
She turned, and smiled.
Not his type.
None were these days. Only a certain sexy surfer held his attention, but California seemed to have made her wary. Surely, it hadn’t only been because she’d been kicked over the surfing circuit.
After giving him a once over, she said, “Oops, sorry. Didn’t spill your drink, did I?”
“I didn’t have one.” He smiled. “How about I get us one?” He gestured, offering a seat at the table where his friend sat. “What’ll you have?”
“Piña Colada.”
“I’ll be right back.” He lingered at the bar, while Tommy spun firefighter tales. Upon his return, he sat her glass on the table.
She barely acknowledged him.
“You guys look cozy, and I saw an old buddy. Be back in a few.” He wandered through the expansive nightclub until he found a table of firefighters from Kitty Hawk. He grabbed an empty chair. “Expecting company?”
“All swinging dicks welcome. It’s guys night out, but then that’s every night for you isn’t it, Ray?” Mark, a stocky engine operator grinned.
“The perks of being single.” He replied with a sarcastic half-smile. And it gets old.
“Heard you guys had a real burner the other day.” Bart, the skinny rookie asked wide-eyed.
A waitress bent close and he asked for another scotch.
Mark eyed her cleavage and shook his head after she left. “That was a sweet view. So how’s the hot little redhead I saw you with at the Black Raven last winter?”
Ray shrugged. “In Jersey, I suppose.” They would swallow their tongues if they knew he hadn’t been with a woman since the ER doctor left without a word. A couple of weeks later, Jo had lost her scholarship and place on the surfing team. He’d called and offered his help, but she’d seemed determined to fix things on her own. His hope of her return had finally been answered.
“Oh, God, you should’ve seen the blonde I hooked up with a couple of weeks back.” Bart wheezed. The young gun wiggled his brows. “Her legs were so long, I got lost working my way back after sucking her pink toenails.”
The table erupted in hoots of laughter.
Ray sipped his drink, feigning interest. He was more concerned about how long Jo planned to stay home. She’d been involved with some surfer named Vic. Had things had gone south and she’d come home for a break? He didn’t know how much time he had to convince her to forget the dick and stay, but he’d better get to work.
Chapter 4
Eating dinner on the deck, Jo winked at Bobby and popped another shrimp. “Just doing the deed until something better comes along, then?”
“Cynical much?” He frowned leaning forward. He had their Dad’s scowl down pat and dark wavy hair with the matching Superman curl. His physique was built for speed whereas Ray could probably bench the fire engine.
“Touchy.” She shook off the burn and savored her cold brew. “Jail time does things to a girl.”
“Vic was a prick.” He shrugged a shoulder. “Move on and try to find a happy place that might involve a decent guy.”
She hadn’t been truly happy since Dad died. Being separated from her brother and Ray only made her lonelier. Then she’d unknowingly gotten involved with a drug dealer. With her luck, the asshole would get out on a technicality. She stabbed her coleslaw as icy insecurity crept up her spine. “I am not looking for a man. What I need is a job with benefits. Playing lifeguard is only a short-term solution. I burned up my share of Dad’s insurance money to pay a lawyer and my last semester of college.”
“What about firefighting? The county has an academy starting this fall. Think about it, Jo. Being a lifeguard and firefighter has similarities. Both are physically demanding rescues in extreme conditions. You won’t be happy working in an office somewhere.” He waved his hand toward the ocean where she’d spent most of her life.
“Right.” An office equaled a jail with pretty walls.
“Ray said you held it together at the accident the other day.”
“Yeah.” Him being there helped. So he’d complimented her to her brother. She warmed. “The kid got lucky. Fighting fires might be a rush, but I can’t deal with seeing people mutilated on the highway.” Like Dad.
“Well, there’s always the topless bait girl gig on the deep-sea fishing charters? I hear they get good tips.” He smirked.
“According to recent internet job searches, I don’t meet their qualifications. Only C cups and above need apply.” She pushed out her less than adequate bust.
“Too bad. You could cut bait with your tongue.” He flung a shrimp at her.
Jo snorted. “Alright, enough about me. Tell me about your woman.” She leaned in. “Whether you’re willing to admit it or not, a weekend away is serious for you.”
“She’s got brains, beauty, and is willing to put up with my job.” He leaned back and crossed his arms.
“What about love?”
His eyes darkened. “Look who’s talking. One day at a time.”
Jo pulled another beer from the cooler. “Any special plans for July fourth?”
“Mike is having a big bash at his new place at Corolla. It’s got three floors and an elevator. You know he’ll pull out all the stops.”
“Departmental party?”
“Always. Come with us. Put your face out there. Who knows, you might luck into a job.”
“Sure.” The disgraced sister surfer tagging along. What was a little more humiliation in front of the locals?
“Oh, before I forget. Can you do me a favor?” He stood.
“Sure.”
He