Jimmy drove his truck into the parking lot behind the Big Elk Volunteer Fire Department. His shift started in fifteen minutes, but he'd arrived early so he could check his equipment and hopefully grab some leftovers from the kitchen before clocking in. He'd been pulling twelve-hour shifts four days a week with the Colorado State Police ever since he'd moved to Lyons six months ago. He had the next two days off from the State Police and looked forward to his twenty-four hour shift at the fire department.

Between his day job and the volunteering, he didn’t have much free time, which suited him fine. Free time gave him time to think, which turned out badly for him.

After rescuing Jamie and Brook last year from the Amity Brethren and putting his life on the line as an informant for the FBI, Jimmy had enough of Loveland and their racist ways. He’d applied for a lateral transfer to the state police barracks in Golden, Colorado, and gotten the job.

While Golden was nearly an hour’s drive from Lyons, after his experiences in Loveland, Jimmy hadn’t wanted to live in any town he didn’t know was shifter friendly. Lyons had been a healing balm after the craziness of the previous year. The town really looked after its own, and Jamie and Max Gaines had made sure he’d been welcomed.

Striding in the back door, Jimmy stowed his personal gear in his locker and moved towards the kitchen in the firehouse. Most of the guys would be hanging out there, watching television or just chilling until a call came in. Summertime meant fires, and Big Elk had been busy in the last few weeks.

As he walked into the room, Jamie glanced up from reading The Lyons Recorder newspaper and said, “You look like shit, Laughton, and I say that as the parent of a six-month-old baby who still hasn’t learned to sleep through the night.” He paused and stared at Jimmy. “What gives?”

Jimmy shrugged. “I picked up some overtime. I’ll catch up on my sleep tonight if we don’t get called out.”

“You better hope we don’t because you look like a zombie from The Walking Dead, man.”

Jimmy smirked and then rolled his eyes. “Thanks ever so much, Jamie.”

"Just keeping it real." Jamie smiled and put down his paper. "Hey, Max and I are having a barbecue for the Fourth of July. You're invited. Bring some beer and pie or something. We're celebrating our in-ground pool finally being finished, so bring a swimsuit…or don't bring one." He winked.

Jimmy groaned. “I’m surprised Max lets you out of the house with a mouth like that.”

“Max likes my mouth just fine.” Jamie’s smirk grew wider.

“I don’t want to know, Gaines. I really don’t want to know.”

He moved towards the stove, his nose picking up a delightful smell. He opened the lid on the pot and exclaimed, “Is this Clark’s five-alarm chili?” Jimmy inhaled the spicy aroma thinking he’d gone to heaven.

Jamie nodded. “Yeah, knock yourself out. He left it here for our shift to finish.”

“So good.” Jimmy nearly purred. “I swear if that man wasn’t already bonded, I’d make a play for him. He’s an incredible cook.”

“You’d have to fight me, Laughton. I saw Clark first.”

The smoky voice made him smile. He turned and saw Debbie Ivey leaning against the doorframe in what they called their firehouse uniform: khakis and a blue T-shirt with the Big Elk Fire Department logo on the front.

"I didn't know you were interested in Betas, Deb," Jamie stated. "Max has a friend; he's a lawyer, who is a Beta. Say the word, and we'll set you up."

Debbie rolled her eyes. “Stop trying to get me mated, Jamie.” She looked at Jimmy. “I swear ever since they had that kid, they want everyone coupled up.”

"Tell me about it," Jimmy griped. "You missed their Memorial Day party, but at last count, Jamie introduced me to not one, not two, but three unmated Omegas. Next time I’m going to wear a shirt that says: not interested. Maybe then they’ll get the idea some of us like being single.”

“You’re preaching to the choir, Laughton. I’m perfectly happy being alone.” She glared at Jamie.

Jamie answered with a shrug of his shoulders. “Sue me that I want everyone to be happy.”

“I am happy,” Jimmy said. “I got a new job I like, a great house I’m comfortable in, and I moved out of that shithole town before the Brethren killed me. What’s not to love?” He stuffed the twist of pain that reminded him of the one area in his life that was totally and completely unsatisfied.

“How about someone to share it with?” Jamie countered. “A family?” He pulled out his cell phone and turned it to show the screen which had a picture of Max and their daughter, Elizabeth, on it.

Since Jimmy had seen hundreds of pictures of the kid since her birth, he was more or less immune to her charms these days. "Mmm, let's see…kid versus no kid. Point one, I get to sleep in. Point two, I don't have to change stinky diapers, and finally, for point three, I get to keep my entire paycheck and spend it on myself or my dog and not have to save for college tuition." He smiled at Jamie. "See, I win!"

"You win at being a miserly, grumpy asshole, who needs to get laid," Jamie quipped.

Jimmy held up his hands in protest. “I’m good in that department too, Gaines.” This time he held up his own phone and showed his co-workers his Grindr app. “Everything I could ever want at the touch of my fingertips.”

Jamie grunted, "Hooking up with humans isn't the same as a bond with another wolf, and you know it." He paused and sighed. "Fine, I'll stop trying to set you up with Omegas if you promise to man the grill on the Fourth. I want Max to be able to relax at the party.”

“No more Omegas?” Jimmy said sternly.

“Promise.” Jamie crossed his chest with his fingers, then held up his hand, going from two fingers being held up to three, then four, then back to three. “Scout’s honor.”

"You were never a scout, but you've got a deal." Jimmy glanced at Debbie. "You gotta come now. Keep me company while I cook."

“Wish I could, but I told my brother and his mate I’d go to their house for the holiday. Although your pool, Jamie, sounds mighty tempting,” Debbie replied.

“We’ll be swimming till all hours. So, stop by your brother’s house, then come to ours, Deb. And as I told Jimmy, swimsuits are optional,” Jamie’s leer had Debbie groaning.

Jimmy shook his head. “I have no idea how Max puts up with you.”

“Years and years of experience,” Jamie said. “Now, since you’re up, can you get me a bowl of chili, Laughton? Make yourself useful.”

He grunted and shook his head. “Of course, Gaines, your wish is my command.” Jimmy bowed and went and did as the Omega instructed, which was funny, as it was odd. But the man was his friend, even if he was bossy. The thought of another bossy wolf hit hard, and he shoved it away, not wanting to slip down that slippery slope that had caught him more than once since he woken up over a year ago to find his bed empty and Francis gone.