18. Griffin
Griffin
“If you can’t be kind, at least be vague.” – Judith Martin
T oday is a slow day but I’m not dumb enough to say it out loud.
There’s no need to tempt the universe any more when she’s already been testing me.
We went to the town workout this morning like we do every time.
Luke decided it was adequate enough to serve as our daily light training, and unlike others I didn’t put up much fight about it.
Julie was there, so I didn’t care if I had to shovel shit the whole morning just for a glimpse of her.
It’s my morning ritual these days and today she looked just as gorgeous as ever with her hair piled on top, exposing the slender column of her throat.
It looked like the perfect place to sink my teeth in while I was… fuck …
And speaking of fuck …those red leggings were molding her peach ass like they were painted on, not worn. My eyes were glued on them as if it was my job, I swear, and I didn’t even need any sick days.
And don’t get me started on the tiny top she wore. Does she have any idea how mouthwatering her tits looked in it? The shirt strangling them close together, it would be almost painful to thrust my cock in between—
Yes, I’m still pathetic, I’m well aware.
It’s not that easy to change your whole DNA overnight, sleeping on the uncomfortable cot in the break room, okay?
But that’s the highlight of my shift.
Well, it’s always the highlight of my shift no matter how busy we get, but today more than others.
We spend it cleaning the station. Twice. Once last night and once this morning. Washing the engine. Make that three times and if no one comes up with something better we’ll soon start wash number four. Twenty-four hours is a long time when there’s nothing to do.
You start thinking about stuff—people—you shouldn’t. You start dreaming…
“I saw this one TikTok the other day.” Or in the case of Luke Colson, you start saying shit like that.
“You saw what?” I look at him dumbfounded. “I didn’t even think you knew what those were.”
“Shut up,” he grumbles, and I huff out a snort. “Grace was watching those annoying things on her phone last night, so I watched them with her.”
“Naturally.” I laugh some more. Where his girl is concerned, Luke would do just about anything. “So? What was this TikTok about?”
“Some idiot was hanging off the fire escape ladder and while hanging he put on the whole get up.”
“Our get up? You mean the turnout gear?”
“Mm-hmm. Gloves, boots, the whole thing.”
“Okay, and? It doesn’t sound all that hard. It’s just like what we do hanging from the ladder by one arm,” I say, rubbing my beard.
“Oh really? Wanna bet you can’t do that?” Luke challenges with an evil glint in his eyes.
“Why do you look like that? Wait, did the guy succeed? In that video?”
He shrugs innocently. “I won’t tell you. So, are you taking the bet, chickenshit?”
I twist my lips, fighting the urge to smack my best friend and of course, I’ll fucking take that bet now.
“What do I get if I win?”
“How about a favor?” Luke says. “Of any kind and I’ll have to do it no matter what. And same goes for you if I win and you lose. And no backing out no matter what.”
I scratch my beard again. The idea of Luke owing me a favor is all too tempting and sounds much better than washing the truck again.
“Fine. Let’s go.” I get up, clapping my hands together.
“Okay, there’s the ladder.” He points. “Upside down you go.”
“Time limit?”
“None. But you can’t get down once you’re on.”
I maneuver myself around until my legs are hooked around the ladder as my body dangles upside down. “Okay, hand me the gear,” I tell Luke.
“I can’t.”
“What do you mean?”
“You have to get it yourself. That’s part of the challenge.”
“But I can’t get off now or I’ll lose!”
Luke shrugs. “Guess you should’ve thought about it beforehand.” The wicked grin he wears is so huge, it’ll blind someone. “What a waste of good fun.”
“That wasn’t fair,” I growl, jumping down.
“Never said it would be.” Luke keeps grinning like an idiot. “Now, about that favor.” The second the words are out of his mouth I know I fucked up.
“This was a set up. Wasn’t it, you prick? You never gave me all the rules.”
Luke looks at me like I’m stupid. “Duh! You’ve known me how many years? Honestly, it’s quite pathetic how easily you bought it.”
“I hate you,” I grumble, throwing him a death glare, but he laughs and claps his hands excitedly.
“Oh, just wait till you hear what I have planned for you.”