I had been on the road for four long days. Moving across country was a grueling task, but would be well worth it. I had taken my dogs out west ahead of my family. I may be twenty-two, but moving into my parents new home until I got a place, sounded perfect. The adventures I could take seemed endless, and a great place to restart my life.
I stopped the night before just an hour out of town. It had been late, and I didn't want to drive tired in unfamiliar territories, especially in the mountains. I got up early, so I had a full day to start unpacking and setting the house up.
I felt well rested, and ready to start life in Nevada. I finished the drive and parked in the driveway. I must admit, leaving snow in Ohio, I wasn't expecting a sand yard. I was hoping I'd have some grass.
I got out of the car. I opened the back door and let the dogs out. They both had a leash attached, but neither were known runners so I let them loose. I went to grab some boxes to carry in. As I did, I heard the barks. Great, there's my dogs running down a street. I saw a neighbor two or three doors down washing his car, and felt a small relief knowing my dogs had a destination. As I ran, I yelled out, "They're friendly! Molly and MoJo get back here!"
The dogs reached the man in his driveway. He reached down to pet them. They paid him for his attention with kisses.
"I'm so sorry, they never run like that. I should've known to put them in the fenced backyard."
"It's no problem. I'm a dog lover, I have one myself actually. I'm Jason, and you must be the new neighbor."
I smiled and shook his hand. "One of them. My name is AliLynn. My parents and siblings are coming down in a few days."
He smiled. "So, where is the accent from?"
"I don't have an accent, but moved from Ohio."
"Long ways from home. What brings your family here?"
"My stepdad has family here, which is why my parents decided to move. I came out here to restart my life. Figured moving in with my parents, and starting over 2,000 miles away from my past would do me good."
"Good place to start fresh. Adventures are endless in the area. Although, as a firefighter and paramedic, I've seen the best adventures turn ugly."
"Is that a pick-up line? In reality you're probably just a construction worker or mechanic."
"Seriously?"
"Prove that you are."
"How?"
"Finish this..."
I started to say the first part of the Fireman Prayer, something most would know, or at least at home they did. He finished it, word for word, then asked, "So, are you a firefighter?"
"No, might as well have been. I am a nurse, but grew up in a firehouse. My great-grandfather was the founder of a local chapter, and I loved hanging out at the station."
"You mean around the firefighters."
I laughed. "You are flattering yourself. I have actually never dated or slept with a firefighter, and no I don't plan on starting."
A grin appeared upon his face. "I'll work my charm. Before your family comes, we will have already had a date."
"We will see. Now if you're done flattering yourself, I have a car to unload, and dogs to control."
He offered his help, I declined and said no. I turned to walk back. After a few steps I heard him say, "Hey, not a date, but me and my roommate, we were going to grill out tonight, how about you join us."
"Sounds fun, I could use friends, and meet new people."
"Great, how does five work?"
"I'll be there."
He smiled. "Good."
It was more than an invite to dinner for me, it was welcoming neighbors.
I finished unpacking, went to the store, and came home. By the time this was all done, I had roughly two hours to get ready. I couldn't show up for dinner empty handed, so I made a batch of cookie dough brownies, and started to get ready.
I put on my best casual outfit, and did my hair just right. I grabbed the brownies, and headed out the door.
I knocked on Jason's door, and he was quick to answer. He welcomed me in, told me I didn't have to bring anything. I told him I had too, it was the least that I could do.
I met his roommate, Caleb. We all sat around talking, we all had a few crazy stories. We all worked fields that we saw the strangest things: they were both firefighters, I had been, and hoped to return to work as an emergency room and trauma nurse. The three of us sat and drank a few beers. Caleb got a text from his girlfriend, and quickly left us alone.
Sitting with Jason, we couldn't help but smile at each other. I knew it was inevitable, the connection, it had been there since I ran after my dogs, straight to him. I leaned in for a kiss, to which was reciprocated.
Our tongues intertwined, his hands on my sides, his right hand fondled my left breast. I moved on top, straddling his lap as he sat on the couch.
With a heavy breath, he said, "I thought you never slept with a firefighter, and weren't about to start?"
"You said it yourself, you'd get me to change my mind. Now just shut up and focus."
He kissed me before saying, "My pleasure."
His dog jumped on us, causing him to push the dog. He pushed the dog off, and paused. "Let's go upstairs, that way we can not be bothered by the dog."
I followed him.