Episode 11

Calvin knew that sooner or later he would have to talk to him; it was better to resolve that matter, as it could harm him even more.

"Do you really think we have anything to talk about? I don't know why you're wasting so much energy on something unimportant, since you made it clear that it didn't mean anything."

"You might think we have nothing to talk about, but I do. Can we talk outside, or in your office?" Frank insisted.

"What else needs to be said? If you want to explain that it didn't mean anything, or that it was just fun, I already understood. So save your breath."

Hector, Calvin's friend, wasn't understanding anything about what they were talking about, nor who was listening to that conversation. Frank didn't want that matter to spread, but Calvin wasn't giving him any other choice but to talk right there.

"Do you think you know everything, Calvin? You don't know how I feel or how I felt, and that's what I'm trying to explain here. But you only seem to care about your feelings and what you think." Frank expressed himself, letting his voice come out louder than he wanted.

Given what Frank said, Calvin no longer cared if everyone knew what happened. If Frank wanted to air the dirty laundry, he would do it himself.

"Am I the one who's only thinking about myself? How did you want me to interpret what you did? I wanted more than one night with you, but from what I see, I was just your damn bachelor party."

When Calvin said that in a not-so-subtle way, those listening began to understand what was happening. Hector was one of those left with his mouth open, and another colleague next to him closed it.

"Wait a minute, you two..." Hector didn't know what to say and pointed from one to the other. "Is that what I'm thinking?" he asked, not hiding his surprise.

Calvin was still looking at Frank, his expression a mixture of hurt and anger.

"If what you're thinking is that he slept with me and, that same night, got engaged, then you're thinking right. He wanted a different experience before committing to his girlfriend."

Hector saw that this matter was yielding more than he imagined and tried to mitigate the damage.

"Come on guys, there's nothing to see here. Let's get out of here and let them work this out," he tried to get everyone to leave.

"Are you going to talk or are you going to get a room?" One of the firefighters made the joke and they left laughing.

That was the situation Calvin wanted to avoid, as he knew that not everyone was respectful or open-minded. Everyone left, but Hector stood at the door, still afraid of Calvin losing control.

"What's your deal, Calvin? Do you really think I just wanted a damn experience or a bachelor party? Didn't it cross your mind that, if that was it, I could have just hired someone? That way, I wouldn't have to go through a situation like this."

"So what was it? Nobody here knew you had a girlfriend. If I knew, what happened wouldn't have happened. You really think I'm going to believe you were attracted to or in love with me?" Calvin questioned him, showing disbelief in what he was saying.

"Believe it or not, that's what happened. Didn't you notice the way I looked at you? How I always made up an excuse to touch you? Would I do all that just to sleep with you once? I was hoping to work things out sooner, but I couldn't, and I thought I might not get another chance to be with you."

Calvin smiled and stepped away a little, running his hand through his hair.

"Right, and where does that leave me? You did all of that, implying that you were interested too. Because when I just want a hookup, I go to a club, I'm upfront with the person who shot me down, but I don't flirt for so long with someone, even knowing that I'm about to put a ring on someone else's finger."

Hector heard the conversation and thought it best to interrupt.

"Guys, I don't think you should be working this out in here. It's no longer a secret that you two hooked up, since you decided to discuss it naked in the shower, but it's best not to add to the gossip. Calvin, talk outside like two adults and work out your differences, or do you want to end up screwing up and being disciplined?"

Frank knew Hector was being sensible and thought it best to do what he said, as Calvin was visibly irritated by the subject.

"I'm leaving, but I want you to know, Calvin, that I like you and it wasn't just a joke or fun for me." Frank made that statement and walked out of the shower area and into the locker room.

Calvin punched the wall as soon as he left, and Hector tried to calm him down.

"Calm down, man, it's not the wall's fault, and neither is your hand," he said and approached him, holding his shoulder. "Damn, man, I thought I was your friend, where's the brotherhood at a time like this?"

Hector was black, a little shorter than Calvin, with fewer muscles and wore braids in his hair. He had joined the fire department after Calvin and they became friends right away, that's why he spoke openly with him.

"I didn't feel comfortable talking about this. I didn't know how you would take it. Didn't you see what they said before they left?" he tried to explain.

"Cool, you didn't feel comfortable talking to me about it, but you talked at the same time, to a bunch of naked firefighters."

Hector knew it wouldn't help much to talk like that, but he couldn't help himself. What he really wanted was to try to calm Calvin down, as he knew about the punch he had thrown at Frank and didn't want to see him get into more trouble.

Frank got dressed under some stares and smiles. As he walked out of the locker room toward the exit, he was stopped by the captain.

"Frank, could you stop by my office before you leave?"

He nodded and followed towards the office, knowing that the subject was about him and Calvin. Before entering, he looked in a certain direction and noticed that Eddie was watching, seeming pleased with the scene he was watching. There was no doubt that he wanted Calvin to get in trouble.

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