TRISTAN
ELEVEN
The sun blazes overhead, reflecting off the shiny red fire trucks as if it's trying to outshine them.
I can't help but smirk at the thought. Good luck with that, Sun.
As families pour into the station for our annual Family Fun Day, my heart races in anticipation of seeing Myles and Nix.
It's ridiculous how excited I am to spend more time with them.
"Sorry, sorry." I snap back to reality, plastering a grin on my face. The sound of laughter and boisterous chatter fills the air, mingling with the scent of popcorn and hot dogs from the refreshment stand. We're all about safety here, but we also know how to throw a party.
My excitement level is through the roof, not just because of the event, but also because Myles and Nix will be here soon.
"Tristan!" Nix's voice cuts through the noise, and I turn to find him sprinting towards me, his dad in tow. My heart thumps wildly. Oh boy, here we go.
"Hey, Nix," I greet him, ruffling his hair. I try to act casual, but the way Myles's eyes linger on me makes my breath hitch in my throat. "Glad you could make it."
Myles dazzles in a navy tee, jeans that hug his lean frame, and worn sneakers.
His disheveled, silver-streaked raven hair, sun-kissed skin, and warm smile draw my eyes.
As the sun illuminates his brown eyes, I’m so thankful I get to share moments like these with him.
The man has been haunting my thoughts every second of the day.
He stands beside me, his warm smile easing my nerves but heightening my senses.
"Thanks for inviting us!" Myles grins, his voice smooth like honey. And my stomach does somersaults. Get it together, Tristan.
"Alright, kiddo," I say, focusing on Nix so I don't get lost in Myles's eyes. "You ready for a tour of the fire trucks for a second time?"
"Totally!" Nix's enthusiasm is contagious, and we dive into exploring the trucks with gusto. His laughter rings in my ears, creating its own melody against the hum of conversation around us.
"Whoa, check out these cool shirts!" I exclaim, spotting the merchandise table. There are shirts in every size, with our department's logo emblazoned on them. "What do you think, Myles? Father and son matching attire?"
"Absolutely," Myles chuckles, his eyes crinkling in the corners as we pick out the perfect sizes for him and Nix. The weight of the shirts in my hands brings a warmth to my chest that has nothing to do with the material. The look of delight on their faces makes my heart swell with joy.
Nix tugs at Myles’s sleeve, his eyes wide with excitement. "Dad, can we go?" he asks, bouncing on his heels.
"Okay, buddy," Myles replies, patting his son on his back. "Let's check out what the firefighters have in store for us."
Nix nods enthusiastically, and together, we dive into the festivities. Kids surround the fire trucks, climbing on board with glee. Firefighters explain the equipment, and Nix listens intently, absorbing every word like a sponge.
Meanwhile, Myles and I watch, exchanging knowing glances. It's easy to see why Myles is such a great dad; his connection with Nix is palpable. My heart aches with admiration and a twinge of envy.
As the day unfolds, we wander through various stations set up for the families.
Fire safety lessons, demonstrations, and interactive games abound.
Nix participates with enthusiasm, learning valuable skills while having a blast. I can't resist snapping a picture of Myles and Nix sharing a laugh together.
The image captures a moment of genuine happiness, and it's a memory I want to hold onto.
Little man plays a whole bunch of carnival games, barely winning any prizes, but he’s such a good sport about it.
I lead my two guests to the prize punch board where Nix is guaranteed to win something.
His dad and I watch as he punches the board and retrieves his prizes—a jumbo pair of sunglasses and various other loot.
Nix's eyes are brighter than the sun. My heart flips. Not only am I falling for Myles, but I’m falling for his adorable son too.
"Tristan, you want to try the firefighter obstacle course?" Myles asks, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
I chuckle, shaking my head. "Nah, I think I'll leave that to the pros."
We join the line for refreshments, where Myles orders hot dogs for him and Nix and a veggie burger for me. We sit at a picnic table, enjoying the food and each other's company.
After we eat our weight in junk food, we explore the face-painting booth. Nix chooses a fierce dragon design while Myles opts for a simple heart on his cheek, earning him a playful tease from me. We laugh together, the carefree atmosphere of the day lightening our spirits.
"Alright, everyone," I announce, pulling out my phone. "Time for some selfies!"
"Tristan, you're such a goofball," Myles teases, but he's smiling as he wraps an arm around Nix and me.
We snap silly photos, sticking our tongues out and making ridiculous faces.
My thumb hovers over the shutter button, capturing a moment where all three of us are grinning like loons, happiness radiating off each face. It's perfect.
I watch Myles, trying not to stare too blatantly. He's talking to a group of parents, laughing at something one of them said. His smile is so genuine and warm, it makes my heart ache. God, I'm falling for this man. Hard.
"Earth to Triscuit!" Nick's voice draws me out of my thoughts, and I turn toward him. "You're drooling over Myles again."
"Am not," I retort, my cheeks burning. No one has ever affected me like this, and it scares the hell out of me.
"Relax, we get it. You've got it bad for the guy," Haley says, grinning as she wipes down a table. "It's cute."
"Sure, cute. That’s exactly how I want my love life described." I roll my eyes, but deep down, I know they're right. And it terrifies me. I've slept with plenty of men but never felt this... connected. It's all-consuming, like a fire raging inside me.
"Aw, come on, Tristan," Connor teases, nudging me with his elbow. "Maybe he'll be your Prince Charming and sweep you off your feet."
"Right," I scoff, trying to play it off. But truthfully, I can't help but have romantic thoughts about Myles. Yet, I know he's still grieving his wife and probably only using me to explore his newfound bisexuality. It's a dangerous game we're playing, both emotionally and physically.
"Hey," Jared chimes in, smirking. "You might wanna close your mouth; you're catching flies."
"Ha-ha, very funny," I say, forcing a chuckle, but my gaze keeps straying back to Myles. I don't stand a chance.
"Seriously, though," Steph says, placing a hand on my shoulder. "It's okay to have feelings. Just be careful."
"Always am," I reply, even though it's not entirely true. With Myles, everything feels different, and I'm not sure how to handle it.
"Good," she nods, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze before moving on to other tasks.
But as the day wears on, I can't help but be drawn to Myles.
Every smile, every shared moment, it all feels like something more.
My heart races, and I catch myself having thoughts—thoughts about the future—that I've never had before about anyone I've been sleeping with. And I've slept with quite a few.
I can't deny the magnetic pull between us—the way his laughter fills my ears, his touch lingers on my skin, and his smile ignites my soul. But I'm acutely aware that Myles is still grieving, still healing from the loss of his beloved wife, Cara.
He's been upfront about it, using our connection as a way to ease back into the dating scene. Myles is bisexual, and I've accepted that whatever we have is temporary. It's not the ideal scenario for me, but I can't help how I feel.
As the sun dips below the horizon, I'm left with a bittersweet ache in my chest. I want more than this, more than fleeting moments and stolen glances. I want Myles—I want all of him—and I want him to want me back. But I know the timing is all wrong.
As the crowd begins to disperse, I find myself standing near Myles, our hands brushing together accidentally.
"Thanks for inviting us today," he says softly, his eyes meeting mine with a look that sends shivers down my spine. "Nix had a blast."
"Anytime," I whisper, trying to sound casual. But inside, my heart is pounding like a drum.
"Maybe we could do this again sometime?" Myles suggests, a hopeful note in his voice that makes me feel dizzy with excitement.
"Definitely," I agree, but I can't help wondering if we're talking about more than just hanging out at the fire station.
"Great, I'll hold you to that." He grins, squeezing my arm briefly before walking away with Nix. His touch lingers on my skin, branding me like a wildfire, threatening to consume everything in its path.
"Way to go, Triscuit!" Nick calls after me, laughing at my flustered expression. "You've got yourself a date!"
"Shut up, Nick," I mutter, but secretly, I can't deny that I hope he's right.
And as I watch Myles and Nix walk away, their figures gradually fading into the twilight, I can't help but feel a twinge of sadness.
For the first time since losing Mom and Dad, I yearn for forever with someone, with a family that is undoubtedly mine.
I've never wanted anything more in my life.
"Triscuit, come help us clean up!" Nick shouts, snapping me out of my reverie once more. One last glance at the retreating figures of Myles and Nix, and I promise myself I'll hold onto this feeling, no matter what happens next.
I head back to my place with a satisfied grin and whip out my phone. Time to share my photographic genius with the world. The department's hashtag is all over social media, and I'm eager to add our happy memories to the mix.
"Let's see," I mutter to myself as I scroll through the photos. "Ah, here's Haley covered in whipped cream from that pie-eating contest." A chuckle escapes me as I upload it. "And Jared trying to balance three hula hoops while riding a unicycle. The man’s a legend!”
The laughter of families, the scent of grilled burgers, and the taste of cotton candy still linger in my mind as I continue posting pictures.
But then, I come across one selfie that makes my heart skip a beat.
It's me, Myles, and Nix, all smiles and warmth.
There's something different about this photo, though; my feelings for Myles and Nix are practically shining through my eyes.
"Damn, Tristan," I whisper to myself. "You've really gone and fallen for him, haven't you?
" My finger hovers over the share button, but I can't bring myself to press it.
This photo feels too special, too personal to share with the entire world.
Instead, I save it to a separate folder on my phone, tucking it away like a treasured secret.
"Alright, enough reminiscing," I tell myself. "Time to get back to reality." With a sigh, I put down my phone and start tidying up my apartment, trying to push thoughts of Myles to the back burner. It's not long before I hear a knock on my door.
"Who could that be?" I wonder aloud, opening the door to find Nick standing there, his eyebrows raised in amusement.
"Hey, Triscuit! Did you survive your big 'date' with Myles?" he teases, a wicked grin spreading across his face.
"Shut up, Nick," I groan, rolling my eyes. "It wasn't a date. It was a family event."
"Whatever you say, Romeo," he chuckles. "I just came to give you this." He hands me a small envelope. When I open it, I find a gift card to a local coffee shop. "It's from all of us at the station. Thought you could use it for your next 'non-date' with Myles."
"Seriously, Nick?" I shake my head but can't help smiling. "You guys are ridiculous. But thanks."
"Anytime, buddy," he replies, clapping me on the back before leaving.
As I close the door, I hold the gift card in my hand, thoughts of Myles swirling in my mind. Maybe, just maybe, there could be something more between us. And even though I'm terrified of what that might mean, I can't help but feel a spark of hope.