The Firemen Who Turned Me Ch. 01

The Fire That Turned Me: Chapter 1 - Zachary Calleary

(This is a remastered version of the FTTM posted here a few years back so I can start posting the entire book.

The heat will come in the next chapter. This one is solely to introduce our main character. I promise this will not be an MFMF, their fun will be just summarized so we can fully concentrate on Zack and his two hot firemen. Trust me ;) )

Z A C K

Friday, May 20th 2022

"Stan, take his car."

"What?"

Kyle snatched my keys and threw them back to my best friend, who actually seemed fine with this plan.

"Hey!"

"Look, dude, I adore you. And you've tried it your way for weeks now, and you look like shit. We're doing it our way now. Guys? You coming?"

Both of my former best friends shook their heads with vague 'wife' excuses while trying to rub in my face the fact that mine had left as gently as they could.

"Fine. Go enjoy your boring Thursday. Zack, you get in the car."

I gave both Stan and Chad my most obvious What-the-heck, HELP-ME! look, but instead they actually smiled at me like they were doing me a favor and told me to enjoy.

Since I hadn't eaten since lunch, that is, if that quarter of a tortilla counts as lunch, there was no way I could handle a night of drinking with these two. But despite my resistance, I was manhandled towards the open door.

"Go on..." Kyle pushed me into the back of Ross' black Jeep Wrangler and slammed the door behind me like a satisfied kidnapper before he climbed into the passenger seat beside his boyfriend.

"Guys..."

"Chill, Zack. They're just a bunch of guys our age. We'll have you home by midnight."

The amused grin Kyle flashed Ross made me utterly unable to believe him.

And man, was I ever right!

.

A bar.

"Kyle?"

Kyle grabbed me around the shoulder and walked me inside. "Just one drink. Come on."

Damn it.

A guy in a three-piece suit was standing by one table.

In a neighborhood bar.

Full suit. With a tie and a vest.

At six o'clock.

His beard looked like he'd just gotten out of the barbershop, and his curly hair was immaculate. He was so GQ that the man beside him looked like a disheveled teenager in comparison.

The blond guy with glasses had the broadest grin I've seen, wearing a brown t-shirt with the text "I POOPED TODAY!" prominently displayed on it and ragged jeans to match. Side by side, those two looked totally odd, especially given the rest of the group they were with.

A couple of guys behind them were dressed similarly to me. A button-down with the top buttons open, like men who'd just clocked out and were easing into the weekend, confident in the fact that they were actually adults.

And finally, to round out the incongruity of the group, there was a guy in a tie-dyed linen shirt, like an old hippie.

Where the heck did I end up?

Somehow Kyle in gym clothes, Ross looking like he'd just stepped off a motorcycle and me in a two-piece suit fitted just fine...

.

Ross shook hands with the man in the suit, and Kyle tightened his arm around my shoulders. "Hey, guys. This is Zack. Freshly single." Then he checked me out with a smirk before adding. "Yeah, and straight."

Itching to facepalm, I just shot him a crooked smirk. "Thanks for the wholesome introduction."

The blond guy in the ridiculous T-shirt reached out to shake my hand. "Hey there. Brandon."

I nodded with a smile while Kyle glanced around the table. "Where's Rick?"

"Home," One of the button-down guys answered. He had striking green eyes and watched this all with a nearly soothing understanding smile. "He fell asleep when he was putting Luke to bed and refused to leave his side when I came for him."

"Aww, cute." Kyle grinned and shoved me into the nearest chair, like he wanted to make sure I wouldn't flee the second he blinked.

Honestly? I wished I could've.

We'd barely gotten through all the introductions when a young waiter came over, grinning widely, eyeing up Kyle and Ross before addressing Brandon. "Hey, guys. What can I get you?"

"Jordan." Brandon gave me the widest grin. "Our buddy Zack here is single again and brooding. What do you suggest?"

Great... It looks like this night will have a theme.

Jordan shifted his weight to his right leg and smirked. I wasn't sure if his expression was directed at me or at Kyle beside me. "Someone kinky. Whichever his thing is."

I smiled politely, leaning on my elbows. "Thanks for the advice. I'm good with an IPA for now."

Turning my head, I saw Kyle keep looking toward the bar, completely missing the way our waiter was by now ogling him.

A subtle smirk and his lip curled as he slowly tilted his head toward Ross, eyes dead-set on something. "Hey Jordan... Who's the blond behind the bar?"

He looked there. "That's Liam. Our new bartender"

Brandon seemed to stiffen a little at that. "Back off, dude."

"What?" Kyle smiled innocently while Ross smirked and moved slightly, checking out the bar himself.

"He's cute, baby, but I think we'd break him."

That, however, didn't seem to stop Ross or Kyle from staring. The bartender's eyes were unashamedly locked on theirs as he slowly shook his head in 'Not-a-chance'.

"Oh... I'd be gentle." Kyle looked at Ross smugly, and I rolled my eyes when I saw the way Ross returned his gaze. Those two were really wild since they got together.

Brandon cut in. "And he just happens to be my little brother."

Normal people would feel bad and back down...

"Well..." Kyle gave it at least a pause. "I've always liked you, Brandon."

"You wouldn't know what to do with him, dude. He is way out of your league."

"Bran, we'd show him a whole new league."

"Guys, not cool, really," Matt spoke calmly, but a strange, chilling vibe went around the table.

Ross and Kyle exchanged glances.

"Fine. Bro code activated." Kyle grinned and raised his hands.

The guys shook their heads but just ordered. Before Jordan left, Kyle didn't forget to add, "Yeah, and someone kinky for Zack here, please."

Jordan laughed wholeheartedly, checking me out. "I'll go get Gina."

Brandon grinned. "You're the best!"

"You still don't have a chance, Brandon, but at least you're entertaining." Jordan winked at him and left.

My eyes took in the unassuming space. It felt like a neighborhood spot. Not a dive, not a gastropub either. There were more men here, but quite a few women too. Still, I felt compelled to ask whether we were in a gay bar, which made them all laugh.

"No. But this is Portland, dude." Brandon leaned back, grinning as he motioned at those two beside me. "And there isn't a bar or probably even a church that can make these two behave anyway."

Ross kissed Kyle's lips, not bothered one bit.

I nodded. "Right."

.

The guys kept razzing one another, and soon the room filled with so much laughter that I felt my face give up and soften into genuine amusement as time slipped away. Conversation was easy, nothing heavy, but they were friendly, and I was slowly getting used to the eccentric crowd.

A petite redhead came by.

She looked to be about 35, oozed confidence, and somehow her eyes radiated with a fascinating glow. She scanned me with a soft smile and set a bottle down before me.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." Then she lifted the tray higher and wouldn't serve anything else until the table got quiet and looked at her expectantly. "Hey guys, Jordan asked me to bring your drinks, and obviously myself." She snickered. "I didn't realize I was on the menu."

"Hey, Gina." Brandon's eyes were all over her. "Meet Ross, Kyle, and Zack."

"Hey. What did you three do to end up stuck with this bunch?"

Ross leaned back. "We find them amusing."

"How sad for you."

While Gina set the drinks down, she bantered with the guys as if they were already more than just customers. She treated them like ridiculous old friends, and she kept smiling at me.

I had to admit I liked her. Still, there was something untouchable about her, and I couldn't really put my finger on it.

With her there, the table got even louder. The jokes took on new layers, and Gina stayed for a good while, laughing with us and exchanging backhanded compliments as if it were a group activity, her eyes growing darker with certain exchanges.

I didn't think much of it at first. Most of all, it was fun. That, until I noticed Ross staring at her with a strange intensity.

And she stared back the same way.

"Kyle. I found one for you." Ross never eased his deep gaze from her.

Kyle's eyes bulged. "Really? Hell, yes!"

These two seriously had no shame.

Gina grinned. "Sorry, darlings, this one has already set her mind on your friend here."

I blinked twice when she laid her fingers on my shoulder like she was making her mark.

Ross sat there calmly with a smile, never taking his eyes off her. "Challenge accepted."

Gina laughed, then looked at me. "You look so out of place in this group that it's hilarious."

"They seem like good guys deep down." I smiled.

"You're right about that."

Was Ross really gay? Those two were peering at each other intensely, and Kyle was elated, looking between them.

"I think we'll come back again." Ross's voice was strangely low.

"Sure, come back anytime." She looked at me. "And what about you?"

"Me?"

"Will you be back?"

I had to clear my throat and check the way Ross leaned back in his seat. But he seemed more than amused, like he was daring me. "Enjoy, buddy. She'll eat you alive."

Oh my gosh... I checked her out. "I'm not much of a drinker."

"I do awesome virgins." She raked her eyes over me with an arousing smile.

Maybe it was those few sips of IPA on an empty stomach, the company, or the fact that I hadn't been laid in over a year, but no one had ever hit on me like this. Either way, I found myself leaning forward on my elbows and peering into her green eyes. "Sounds like I have to try some, then."

"Well, my shift ends after midnight. You can hang with these guys till then, and I'll make you one at home."

I opened my mouth, dumbstruck, not even sure what to say, when the entire table began laughing and promised her they'd make sure I'd stay.

.

A while later, I ended up at the bar. "Are they always like that?" I jerked my chin toward the chaos I left at the table behind me.

"Pretty much, but they're fun. Do you want to share a drink with me?"

"Sure. But are you sure it's okay? I mean, Ross seems to..." I thought about how to put it. "... like you."

Gina raised her index finger, motioning me to wait a little. She went over to a guy standing next to Liam and talked to him briefly. He smiled at me and nodded.

Gina put another IPA in front of me and opened it as I sat down. "Sure, I don't mind having a little fun, but I'm not looking for anything serious. And I'm pretty sure they aren't looking for anything other than a fun night either. So it's not like I can't catch them another time." She smirked at me. "You, on the other hand, look like you might never set foot in this bar again. So I'm grabbing my chance while you're feeling brave."

I took the bottle, stunned as I smiled back. "You're certainly different."

She smiled. "Just honest. Thinking like a lot of women, but they don't like being judged harshly for it, so they rarely act on it."

"And you don't mind?"

"In a way, I do, but life is short, and I'd rather just be myself." She leaned closer to the counter.

"Any particular reason?"

Again, that soft smile. "I was married once. I spent months next to his bed, watching him die. After that, I decided to live my life without regrets. Time isn't guaranteed, and we are constantly dying while we live anyway."

I was taken aback. "Oh. I'm so sorry for your loss."

She shrugged at me. "I didn't say it so you'd need to feel sorry for me. I said it because it defines me, and I'm not apologetic about it."

"I can respect that. Still, I'm sorry."

"Sure, thanks for being one of the good ones. So what's your deal?"

Crap... how could I talk about my problems after hearing this? They didn't even seem significant anymore in comparison.

"I was engaged, but we split up a few months ago. I think for the last year or two, we were really just trying not to see how distant we'd grown over time."

She nodded understandingly. "I see. Do you still miss her?"

"Yes... and no... I think we had become so distant that we were just friends, and then really only roommates. In the end, we were together just to have someone at home after work. We each got used to the other person sharing our apartment, but there was no more closeness, the kind you need to feel wanted."

She smiled. "So, when was the last time you actually had some fun?"

I tipped the bottle to my lips. "I'm having fun now."

Gina leaned forward, her eyes scanning mine. "Zack, I'm not looking for relationships or feelings. So, if you're after a confidante, friend, or someone to loosen you up, I'm in. However, if you're looking for anything more, I think you should listen to Ross's advice. It saves both of us a lot of guilt and regrets."

"Wow... I don't think I've ever met anyone like you."

She grinned. "We are but a rare breed."

.

Sometime after midnight, Gina changed into stockings under an orange dress and came for me.

"Hey, guys. Mind if I take this one?"

"No, but make sure you take good care of him." They all grinned, and I said my goodbyes.

She was right. Life was too short to wallow. And I felt like living a bit tonight.

We talked on the way to her apartment, and the way she spoke had me half-laughing and fully hard the entire time. Then she suddenly stopped and pushed me against the wall. "If you're going to look at me like that the whole way, we're not going to make it to my place."

"Hey. I'm trying to be a gentleman."

"I know you are. Stop it!" She grabbed the back of my head and pulled me down to her face.

I smiled and gently slid my hands up her back, pulling her closer to me. I pecked her upper lip and felt her tongue slide between my lips. We made out in the middle of the street. I hadn't done anything like this since college. Somehow, I'd thought making out like this belonged somewhere people could actually do something about it. Yet I couldn't get enough of her, so I grabbed her head and leaned into her neck. "Damn... How much further is it?"

"A few blocks."

"If you don't want to be arrested for indecent exposure, let's go!"

"Come on." She grinned.

We nearly ran the rest of the way, and I launched at her the minute the elevator door shut.

.

I didn't know how we made it through her front door. One second, we were pressed against each other, kissing like we were trying to inhale the same breath, hands dragging clothes off without a clear thought, and the next I heard a moan that hadn't come from her mouth.

My brain stalled. My lips were still on her shoulder when I lifted my eyes and realized we weren't alone.

We were standing there with another couple.

They'd clearly been here longer, because both were already completely naked, lips flushed red. Their bodies angled toward each other like they'd been interrupted mid-everything.

We weren't much better, though.

My jacket hung loose, shirt open, pants shoved halfway down my thighs. Gina had my cock wrapped in her hand, stroking me like she had every intention of continuing, whether the place was full or even on fire. She was down to her underwear and stockings, and my hand was buried inside her panties, gripping her ass like I needed the anchor.

Someone switched on the light.

I froze.

My eyes landed instinctively on his.

Hazel-brown. Warm and blown wide with arousal.

I'd never seen a man look at me like that. Like he'd been caught in the middle of devouring his prey and wasn't embarrassed to let me see it.

His lips parted on a sharp exhale, his wide, hairy chest rising.

For a long, suspended second, neither of us moved. Both of us holding a woman, but staring straight into each other's eyes.

Gina reached for the stunning short black girl in her twenties holding him around the neck.

"Chloe!"

The girl smiled beautifully. "Hey, baby. You're early."

That got a grin from Gina, while she appreciatively scanned the guy holding her friend. "Seems we got here right on time."

The four of us hovered there in this charged, almost electric stillness. Then Chloe's eyes slid down my body with a slow, approving sweep, and Gina noticed. She let out an amused breath, scanned the guy in front of us once more, and her mouth was back on my neck. Her teeth grazed my jaw, biting just hard enough that my cock jerked.

And the guy across from us watched me every second as I tried to tear my gaze from him to look at her.

And failed.

"Where's your room?"

Gina pulled my cock closer to her stomach. "I thought you wanted to have fun."

There was this flicker of interest at first, then heat, like the sight of me half-naked, my hand in her thong, did something to him.

The man across from me inhaled sharply, and for a beat too long we just stood there, watching each other breathe. My chest tightened. My pulse jumped. I'd never felt another man's gaze land on my body like that. It made something low inside me spark, unfamiliar but far from unwelcome.

.

.