Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 7

Though Bryce was deceptively strong, none of the trainees or instructors thought he would make it, but he'd been determined. Bryce had been younger than any of the rest of the trainees and the guys all gave him shit for it. Told him to go home to his mommy and the like. While he never flinched at that, Kaleb noticed a flash of some emotion. Grief, regret? As it turned out, Bryce's mom had died in a fire when he was younger. He blamed himself for getting out of the house along with his sister and their dog. Their mother was right behind them and he was too scared to go back in when she didn't emerge. The firemen on the scene later told him he'd done a good job saving his family, and there was probably nothing he could have done. Bryce didn't believe them. He'd let the family down. His dad told him it was his fault she didn't get out alive. That was his driving force for becoming a fireman. Jokes and jabs only strengthened his resolve.
    Bryce knew how to handle a hose. Beyond the initial feeling that he had to protect this kid from the older trainees, and be his friend, that was what drew Kaleb in. Those hands working the hose made Kaleb's cock spring to attention, every time. Problem was, the guy he was fantasizing about had a wife. The relationship was strained, though Bryce loved her dearly.
    Kaleb had caught Bryce looking at their fellow firefighters in training more than once. He always looked away quickly, but his neck flushed with color and he excused himself. The fact that Bryce had experimented with men came out when they'd gone for drinks one night. Nothing serious, a mutual jerk-off with a roommate, and a party where a group of guys watched porn together that turned into more of a hands-on event.
    Kaleb had also done similar things in college. By then, he'd known without a shadow of a doubt that he wanted a man in his bed, not a woman. Bryce, though, didn't know what he was or what he wanted. He'd married just out of high school and he'd only been with one other person before that. The idea of being the one to show Bryce his true self appealed to Kaleb. Not wanting to destroy the man's life, he watched and waited, all the while growing closer to him.
    Once training was over, as his marriage started to crumble, Bryce became distant and distracted. Then Kaleb walked into the showers to find him sitting with his knees drawn up, hanging his head, weeping under the cascading water. How long had he been sitting there? Kaleb sat down next to him, in his civilian clothes, and wrapped an arm around him. Bryce leaned into him and sighed. They sat in companionable silence until Bryce finally felt like speaking.
    "She's done it," he said hoarsely. "Filed for a divorce days ago. Didn't even bother to tell me until I called her on break. I knew it was coming but... Made love this morning. She let me think --" His voice cracked and he couldn't seem to continue.
    Kaleb pulled him closer, and they stayed like that another few minutes before he tugged Bryce to his feet and urged him to get dry and tell the chief he was ill.
    "I can't go home," Bryce said forlornly. "The house is hers and I can't -- No. I'll just stay here."
    "Shift is almost over now." Luckily there hadn't been any calls their crew was required for, because Bryce was not in tiptop shape and Kaleb wasn't doing much better. "Go to the common room. I'll find you when it's over."
    When Kaleb got to the common room, Bryce wasn't there. He either hadn't gone at all or had given up hope that Kaleb would show; he might have gone home despite his insistence he could never return. Before leaving to go back to his apartment, though, Kaleb checked the bunks and found Bryce sprawled on top of one.
    Smoothing back his hair, Kaleb kissed his forehead. Always a light sleeper, Bryce's eyes opened instantly. Kaleb sat on the edge of the bed, studying him.
    Bryce broke the silence first. "I care about you a lot, Kaleb. Sorry, though. I never meant to lead you on or anything. I'm not --"
    "Gay?" Kaleb shrugged. "Only one way to find out." He reached his hand out to Bryce and it hovered there between them. Bryce chewed his lip. It was too soon, Kaleb thought. Had he blown any chance with his fantasy by approaching him while he was vulnerable? Disappointed, Kaleb began to let his hand fall. Surprising them both, Bryce hooked it with his finger, bashfully looking away.
    Leading him to the bathroom, Kaleb locked the door behind them. As soon as he had him alone, Kaleb let go of his