Chapter 23 #3
Dray grins bashfully. “Yeah, I travel around a bit up and down state. So it was fifty-fifty if I’d be here or somewhere near Six Rivers.
But it just so happens, I did a shift with the One-Two-Two yesterday.
I’ve subbed with them heaps, so I know the good sushi and surf spots around town.
I was hanging around for a little longer, and that turned out to be handy, I reckon.
” He flashes another dazzling smile at me.
“So whaduya say, mate? It’s not a limo, but I’ll definitely get you home safe and sound. ”
“Can you take the rest of us home, too?” Riley asks. Lucas whacks him on the chest before shaking his head at Dray.
My mysterious firefighter savior just chuckles, though. “Only room for one tonight I’m afraid, gentlemen. But maybe I’ll come back before I leave and check out the show, hmm?”
That gets a very enthusiastic chorus of approval. Before the pups can turn feral, Trixie snatches up my duffle bag and steers both me and Dray out of the dressing room.
“I apologize, Mr. Hendrix,” she says, shaking her head. “They’re good boys. But sometimes they don’t have the sense God gave a hog. Thank you so much for comin’ to the rescue for our Jesse here. I just wouldn’t feel good puttin’ him on a bus right now.”
“I’m happy to help,” Dray says brightly, nudging my shoulder as we head for the employees’ exit.
“Thank you so much,” I say, trying not to be too awkward. I was fine accepting the help of my own colleagues. But this feels like quite an imposition for someone who sounds like they were taking some time off. “I hope you didn’t come too far out of your way.”
Dray shakes his head. “Literally down the road. Seriously, man. Don’t worry about it. I’ll sleep better knowing that the lieutenant’s fella is safe and sound. That’s kind of a firefighter’s purpose in life, you know?”
I don’t know many firefighters, but the one I do know would happen to agree.
“I appreciate it,” I say, this time without trying to make myself smaller.
Trixie places her hand on the small of my back as we head out into the night. I immediately look around for any sign of Emerson, but the street is thankfully empty. “Now you be sure’n text me the second you’re through your front door, understood?”
“Yes, ma’am,” I tell her sincerely.
“Mr. Hendrix, you are our knight in shining armor. Whenever you’d like to come see our little show, it’ll be on the house.
” She tilts her head and frowns at the van we’re approaching.
“And no disrespect to your noble steed here, but if y’all ever want to sleep in a real bed for the night, there’ll be a room waiting for you and all. ”
Dray laughs and clicks two finger guns her way. “I’ll remember that for the future.”
“Night, boys!” Trixie waves over her shoulder as she heads back inside the club.
“Night,” both Dray and I call back.
They’ve still got a couple of hours before closing, but I’m incredibly grateful to be cutting my shift short. I feel like I’ve run a marathon in a deep-sea diving suit.
My new friend slaps the side of his vehicle and grins at me. “Meet Van Helsing, my ride or die.” He slides the side door open, and I see what Trixie meant about the ‘real bed’ now. I was worried Dray might be sleeping in his van.
Nope. He’s living in his van.
That doesn’t mean what I thought it would, though.
My jaw drops at the incredibly economic use of space. He’s got a kitchen counter complete with sink and stove, a tiny shower, a double bed, and a sofa all somehow in here without being too cramped. There looks to be storage above and below everything as well as a fold-down table by the couch.
It’s not just compact, though, it’s sleek.
The cabinets and drawers are painted black with gold handles, and the walls and counter tops have a light natural wooden finish.
He flicks a switch to reveal there are downlights in the ceiling and fairy lights that run along the tops of the walls.
And they might be fake, but there are even a few potted plants.
“How do you power it?” I ask incredulously. I’ve never seen anything like this.
“Solar panels on the roof,” he says proudly.
I step backward to look up, and I can see them in the glow from the streetlamp. Stored under the panels is a surfboard. He really does have everything figured out.
“So you’re a nomad,” I say in wonder.
He nods and shuts the door again, indicating for me to hop into the passenger seat up front. “I mostly stick with California to keep things simple with my visa. But yeah. I go where the work and surf take me.”
He gets in the driver’s seat and buckles up. I do the same and hug my bag in my lap. “Sounds freeing,” I murmur, looking out of the window into the night, wondering what his life must be like.
Last year, I would probably have said it sounds like a dream. But now I’m starting to put down roots myself with Rico. I’ve got a job I love and am making friends. So I’m not so sure.
It sounds like it could also be kind of lonely.
I spent so long telling myself I didn’t need anyone else.
But really, I was pushing everyone away to try and stop them hurting me again.
Considering his accent, I wonder what caused Dray to move so far from home and live a life where he’s constantly on the move.
Who’s he hiding from? Because in my case, I now understand that in the end it was only from myself.
“How you finding Redwood Bay?” he asks me as we drive through the town, pulling me from my reverie. “Last I saw the lieutenant, I don’t remember seeing a ring on his finger, so I’m guessing you haven’t been here long.”
“Yeah, just a few months,” I say. “I arrived in October and we got married in November. It’s very different to LA, but I now think that’s a good thing.”
Dray snorts. “I’d have to agree with you there, mate. As far as places go for landing on your feet, I reckon this is a goodun. You’re well sorted with the One-Thirteen, too. Cracking guys and girls.”
“I haven’t met most of them yet,” I admit.
He glances at me. “Ah, don’t be scared. They might seem intimidating, but they’re a solid bunch. I’ll always take a shift with them.”
We spend the rest of the drive in comfortable silence, listening to a podcast on low. Nowhere in this town takes long to drive to, though, so before long he’s pulling up to Rico’s apartment block.
“Thank you again,” I say, tiredness hitting me like a wave. Hopefully my gratitude still comes across, because he really did me a huge favor tonight. “Maybe we’ll see you at the club sometime.”
Dray grins as I unbuckle my belt. “Maybe you will. Tell Rico hi from me, yeah? He’s a decent bloke. You found yourself a corker there.”
“Oh, he’s definitely the one who found me,” I say, shaking my head and hopping out of the van. “But I know how lucky I am. He’ll be as appreciative as I am for your rescue mission tonight.”
Dray salutes at me. “Any time, mate. See you around!”
I close the door then watch him drive off into the darkness. For once in my life, I’m thankful to be who I am and not someone else. I’ve spent too long on my own. This little life I’m building is precious to me.
As crappy as Emerson’s visit tonight was, he’s made it clear that I don’t want to try and self-destruct ever again.
I’ve got too much to lose.