Chapter Text
“Welcome to The Bachelorette! I am Brian Park, your host, and I am thrilled to announce we have a special edition this year.”
Sal half-listened to the host give his speech, wondering what the hell he was doing here. He had laughed his ass off when Tommy and Buck told him they had signed him up for this. His kids would never take him seriously if they found out about this in their teen years. Here he was, standing among 15 other men, each placed meticulously to form two rows in front of a giant manor as the sun set behind it. They were all dressed in tailored three-piece suits so they would look their best for the bachelorette. Sal had never worn such an expensive suit before, nor had he ever had makeup on. There were lights and cameras everywhere, almost blinding him if he looked the wrong way, and it was all a little suffocating. It dawned on him then that he was really doing this, which made his pulse race.
“All of our contestants, including our Bachelorette, are divorcees,” the host continued, explaining this season’s concept. It was one of the main reasons Sal had agreed to audition in the first place. The dating scene was hell when you were in your forties, divorced with two kids, and with a full-time job as captain of a fire department. He figured it could be easier to bond with someone who had shared experiences and all that. He never thought he would be selected as one of the contestants.
Sal looked at his competition, finding that most of them were in great shape and around his age, except for a couple appearing to be in their thirties. One in particular caught Sal’s attention, a Latino with tan skin, light stubble covering a sharp jaw, and captivating brown eyes. Even the dark green suit he was wearing could not hide his fit body, it only accentuated his broad shoulders and lean waist, and the trousers hugged his bubble butt perfectly. Sal had never appreciated a man in a suit before now.
That had been the second selling point Tommy won him over with: if things didn’t work out with the bachelorette, he could always try to seduce one of the other contestants—not that he had admitted to that during his audition. Looking at the bachelorette as she introduced herself—Janelle, gorgeous entrepreneur, one kid, recently divorced—and at the gorgeous specimen standing next to him, Sal was now more inclined to choose his fellow contestant over the woman. They each had to introduce themselves to Janelle, just like they rehearsed.
“Hi, I’m Sal, I’m 41, and I’m a firefighter in Los Angeles,” he said when it was his turn, keeping it short. He was a little nervous and, unlike his competition, had not thought of any clever detail about himself. Janelle hummed appreciatively, her gaze sweeping over his body with a grin.
“I’m Eddie, 38, I’m also a firefighter based in LA,” the gorgeous Latino said next, glancing at Sal with a soft smile. What were the odds? Sal thought.
“Wow, two firefighters! It is getting hot in here,” the host commented with a chuckle.
Janelle giggled, a blush creeping up her neck. Sal, however, was focused on Eddie. So, his name was Eddie, and he was a firefighter too, in his city. Even more things in common. The thought sparked something in Sal, a small flicker of excitement and hope he hadn't expected from this ridiculous show. This was supposed to be about Janelle, but his eyes kept drifting back to Eddie’s lean frame, the way his uniform shirt stretched across his broad shoulders.
The introductions continued, a blur of names and professions. Sal barely registered them, his mind replaying Eddie's soft smile, the slight crinkle at the corners of his eyes. When the last contestant had spoken, Brian Park clapped his hands together.
“Excellent! Now that we all know each other’s names, let’s move inside for a cocktail party so Janelle can learn more about you.”
Sal followed along as they were all ushered into a lavish reception area with bright chandeliers and polished wooden floors. Sal looked up at the high ceiling, hit with the smell of flowers and enticing food. Platters of appetisers and drinks were being circulated by a discreet waitstaff. This was the moment. The free-for-all mingling where contestants vied for the Bachelorette’s attention. Sal took a deep breath, scanning the room for Janelle. And for Eddie.
He spotted Janelle first, surrounded by a small crowd of eager men. He knew he should join them, make his move. But then he saw Eddie, standing slightly apart from the main group, a small, contemplative smile on his face as he observed the room. He was holding a drink, his head tilted to the side. While the other men made a beeline for Janelle, seeking her attention, Sal stayed back and grabbed a champagne flute and a bite. He reminded himself that he was here for Janelle, even if his eyes and thoughts kept betraying him. He needed to focus.
Janelle was all class and grace, she made sure to give each man some alone time to talk so no one felt isolated. Sal was surprised when he enjoyed the easy conversation with Janelle. She was quick-witted, had a dark sense of humour just like him. Damn it but he was charmed. Still, as she moved on, his gaze inevitably sought out Eddie, the familiar pull a surprising counterpoint to Janelle's genuine charm. Sal found Eddie standing across the room, looking at him intently.
Without thinking, Sal started walking towards him. His instincts, usually so reliable in a burning building, were leading him in a direction he hadn't planned for. The pull towards Eddie was undeniable.
“Hey,” Sal said, stopping a few feet away from him. “Another firefighter, huh?”
Eddie turned, his captivating brown eyes widening slightly in surprise before that soft smile returned. “Yeah. Small world, I guess. Especially on a show like this.” He gestured vaguely around the opulent room. “What station are you at?”
“217,” Sal answered, his feet moving on their own to bring him closer to Eddie. He caught a whiff of Eddie’s cologne, musky and fruity at the same time. Intoxicating. “You?”
“118,” Eddie answered.
“Funny, I used to be in the 118,” Sal said. Small world, indeed. He felt a comfortable ease settling between them, surprising for a first meeting on a reality TV show.
Eddie’s smile widened, a genuine warmth radiating from him. “No kidding? When was that?”
“Over ten years ago now, before I made captain,” Sal replied, taking another sip of his champagne. “It’s been a while, but I still know a couple of people over there.” He found himself unconsciously leaning in, drawn in by Eddie’s relaxed demeanour. The loud chatter of the cocktail party seemed to fade into the background.
“Well, you missed out on some of the best years,” Eddie joked, his eyes sparkling. “We’ve got a good crew now. You ever miss it?”
Sal chuckled. “Honestly? Not really. We had a shitty captain, the environment was toxic and I butted head with Nash, he kicked me out, best thing he could’ve done.”
“Wow, I can’t believe it,” Eddie said, incredulous. “Bobby is so kind.”
“Oh, I heard he is now, but he was different back then,” Sal said. “Captain life is… different. More paperwork, less action. But it’s rewarding.” He paused, then gestured with his glass. “So, what made you sign up for this Bachelorette experience?”
Eddie shrugged, a slight flush creeping up his neck. “My best friend, Buck. He saw an ad for the ‘divorcees only’ season and thought it would be funny if I tried out. And my abuela wouldn’t stop bugging me about finding someone. Figured, why not? What about you?”
“Similar story,” Sal admitted, feeling a kinship with Eddie’s explanation. “Wait, did you say Buck? My friends Tommy and Buck signed me up.”
“No way, you know Tommy and Buck? How have we never met before?” Eddie said, excitement in his voice. Holy crap they were closer than Sal had thought. Did the producers know? It seemed too big a coincidence for them not to know. It was indeed an incredible feat of fate that they would meet here, on a reality TV show, when they had the same best friends. Sal suspected he might have been selected because of this connection to Eddie.
“No idea, this is crazy,” Sal said, reeling from the realisation himself. Silence settled for a few seconds as they got refills for their drinks, catching a couple of hors d’oeuvres before they resumed their chat.
“I figured it couldn’t hurt to meet someone with shared experiences. Dating in your forties with kids is a whole different ballgame.”
“Tell me about it,” Eddie commiserated, shaking his head as he looked down for a second. “It’s like trying to navigate a minefield.”
They both laughed, the sound mingling pleasantly with the background music. Sal realised he hadn’t thought about Janelle or any of the other contestants for a good ten minutes. All his attention was solely on Eddie, his mind lost in Eddie’s big brown eyes. The connection felt immediate and natural, far more so than his earlier, admittedly charming, conversation with Janelle.
“So, you happy with the 118?” Sal asked, genuinely curious.
Eddie’s gaze softened. “Yeah, I am. It’s a good family. We look out for each other.” He paused, then looked directly at Sal, his eyes lingering for a moment. “So, Captain, you looking forward to getting to know Janelle better?”
Sal felt a familiar flush creep up his neck. He had been, sort of. He should be. But looking at Eddie, all he could think was that he was far more interested in getting to know him better. While he was charmed by Janelle earlier, he was now completely smitten with Eddie. There was no way Eddie could be interested in him, too. After all, Eddie was here for Janelle, wasn’t he? So, Eddie was straight, he had to be. Sal needed to rein himself in, since he and Eddie could run into each other again after the show, he did not want to come off as a creep.
Sal swallowed, the champagne suddenly tasting a little flat. “Janelle’s great,” he began, trying to sound convincing, even to himself. He met Eddie’s gaze, and something in those warm brown eyes made him decide to be honest, at least a little. “She’s…uh, definitely charming, but the competition is rough.”
“Yeah, I mean, isn’t one of them a millionaire?” Eddie said, chuckling nervously as he scratched the back of his head. Jesus, the guy was hot and adorable. Sal would have a hell of a time trying to hide his attraction to Eddie. He was shit at poker for a reason.
“Probably,” Sal agreed, taking deep breaths to cool down. His heart was doing a frantic little dance in his chest, and his hand reached out before he could think it through, his hand landing on Eddie’s shoulder. “But you know, I think it’s less about who has the most money, and more about… well, connection.”
He removed his hand when he realised what he’d done, but let his gaze linger on Eddie’s for a moment, hoping to convey everything he couldn't say out loud with the cameras undoubtedly rolling somewhere.
Eddie’s eyes met his, and Sal could have sworn there was a flicker of understanding there, a shared spark that had nothing to do with Janelle or the show. “Yeah, connection is everything,” Eddie murmured, his voice a little softer now. “It’s why I came, really. Just looking for someone I click with.”
The air between them seemed to thicken, charged with unspoken possibility. Sal wanted to reach out, to touch Eddie’s arm, to just know if this was real or just his own wishful thinking, fuelled by champagne and loneliness.
Before he could say more, a booming voice cut through the intimate bubble they had created in their little corner of the room.
“Alright, gentlemen! Janelle has gotten her first impressions of you, and now it’s time for our first rose ceremony!” Brian Park, the host, stood on a small raised platform, a wide, gleaming smile plastered on his face. “Please make your way to the rose ceremony room.”
Silence fell in the room, tension rising in the air as they all turned to their host. Sal felt a jolt of disappointment. Their conversation, their moment, had been cut short. He glanced at Eddie, who was already turning towards the door, his jaw clenching.
“Well,” Eddie said, his voice a little lower than before, “duty calls, I guess.” He offered Sal a small, rueful smile. “Good luck, Captain.”
Sal managed a weak smile in return. “You too, Eddie.”
As they moved with the other contestants out in the garden, Sal found himself falling in behind Eddie, his eyes glued to the broad expanse of his shoulders and his firm ass. Thinking about Eddie saved Sal the trouble of being nervous about getting a rose, about staying on this ridiculous show. All he could focus on was the fact that Eddie was right there, just a few feet away, and that their conversation had felt more meaningful than any date he had been on in years.
“It’s really hard to do this after just one evening, it’s not enough time to get to know any of you properly,” Janelle started saying as she stood before them in her elegant blue dress. A small high table holding a vase of red roses stood right next to her as she spoke. “But this is the game, right?”
She called them one after the other, handing out roses to those she deemed interesting enough. Eddie was the third to be called and get his rose, unsurprisingly. Sal watched nervously as he was among the last five remaining candidates, sighing in relief when he was called.
“Sal, I appreciate your honesty, you’re not here to play games, and that’s what I need in a man,” she said with a genuine smile as she put a rose in his chest pocket. He offered a smile in return, but couldn’t help himself from gazing at Eddie, who stood behind her, catching the other man staring.
As he moved to stand with the other rose recipients, Sal couldn't help but notice the small, almost imperceptible nod Eddie gave him, a silent acknowledgement that felt more significant than Janelle’s kind words. He was in. He had a rose. The true prize wasn't Janelle’s affection, but the chance to spend more time around Eddie. Sal didn’t even register who was the unfortunate candidate to leave first, before the show could even begin.
The host, Brian, beamed. “Congratulations, gentlemen! You’ve made it through the first rose ceremony. Enjoy the rest of your evening, and we’ll see you all bright and early for our first group date tomorrow!”
As they said goodbye to Janelle, who left in a limo, they headed back to the manor where they would live for the duration of the competition. The remaining men dispersed, some going for more drinks, others retreating to their rooms. Sal, however, found his eyes drawn back to Eddie. Eddie was already looking at him, a slight curve to his lips.
“Guess we both made the cut, huh?” Eddie said, joining him at one of the buffet tables. The small bite-sized appetisers they had been served earlier were not filling, so Sal needed more food if he wanted to sleep tonight.
“Looks like it,” Sal replied as he shoved a slider in his mouth, groaning when the juicy burger hit his tongue. Eddie looked at him, amused as he bit into a BLT.
“Wouldn’t want to miss out on all the drama, right?” Sal added when he swallowed, taking a sip of sparkling water.
Eddie chuckled. “Definitely not. So, what’s your strategy for tomorrow? Think Janelle’s going to make us wrestle alligators?”
Sal laughed, feeling a lightness he hadn't experienced in years. It was so easy to talk to Eddie, it was like talking to an old friend from work. “Wouldn’t surprise me with this show. But honestly, I’m still trying to figure out how two guys who know the same Tommy and Buck have never crossed paths before now.”
“Right? It’s wild. Buck and I have been practically inseparable since I started at the 118. And Tommy… well, he’s been a good friend for a while now too. How do you know them?”
“Tommy and I go way back,” Sal explained. “We were in the academy together, then in the 118. If I want to see Tommy now, I see Buck too, they come as a package deal.”
Eddie’s smile widened, a shared amusement passing between them. “Sounds about right.” Eddie paused, picking up a miniature quiche from the buffet. “So, seriously though, about tomorrow. You think we’ll be on the same team for whatever crazy challenge they throw at us?”
“I hope so,” Sal replied, taking a bite of his own quiche. “At least we know we won’t have to deal with a toxic captain,” he quipped, earning another laugh from Eddie.
They stood there for a few more minutes, the lively chatter of the house swirling around them, yet somehow feeling miles away. It was clear that neither of them was particularly interested in joining the fray for Janelle’s attention anymore.
“You know,” Eddie said, leaning back against the table, his gaze thoughtful, “It’s weird, right? Being here, on a show like this, and realising… it’s not really what you expected.”
Sal nodded, understanding perfectly. “Definitely. My expectations were… lower, honestly. Just trying to survive it for the kids’ sake.” He gestured with his head towards the bustling room. “But this… this is different.” He looked directly at Eddie, letting his eyes convey the meaning he couldn’t quite voice yet.
Eddie held his gaze, a hint of something unreadable in his own brown eyes. “Yeah,” he said, his voice soft. “Different in a good way, I hope?”
Sal felt a thrill shoot through him. This was it. The subtle dance of unspoken words, the cautious probing of interest. “Definitely in a good way,” Sal confirmed. “So, what are you hoping for out of all this, Eddie? Beyond, you know, finding Janelle’s perfect match?”
Eddie’s lips curved into a slow smile. “Honestly? I’m hoping to not make a complete fool of myself on national television.” He chuckled, then his expression grew more serious. “And maybe… maybe find something real. Someone who gets it.” He looked at Sal, a hint of vulnerability in his gaze. “Someone who understands the chaos of our lives, the odd hours, the dangers. Someone who gets what it means to be a single parent and still wants to find a connection.”
Sal’s heart skipped a beat as Eddie locked eyes with him. He understood, he truly did. At that moment, there was nothing Sal wanted more than to take Eddie’s face in his hands and bring their lips together. He had to tear his gaze away to stop that train of thought. “Yeah,” he said, his voice husky. “That sounds about right.”
A comfortable silence settled between them as they finished eating. The crew around them worked discreetly to set up the room for their confessionals. Thankfully, this was not part of the show. He realised all the other men had already filmed their confessional, and Eddie was called next.
“Well,” Eddie said, finally breaking the silence, “It’s my turn to talk. I hope I can get some sleep before tomorrow’s mystery challenge.” He pushed himself off the table. “It was good talking to you, Sal.”
“You too, Eddie,” Sal replied, a small pang of disappointment that their conversation was ending, but also a sense of anticipation for what the next day might bring. “I’m really glad you’re here, it makes things so easy.”
“Yeah, I feel the same way,” Eddie returned. “See you in the morning.”
“Good night, Eddie.”
As Eddie walked away, Sal watched him go, a hopeful feeling settling in his chest. This show might have started as a joke, a dare from his kids and friends, but with Eddie here, it suddenly felt like it might be leading to something truly unexpected.
He was the last to go to confessionals, the part of the show that Sal dreaded most. He didn’t feel comfortable sharing his thoughts with an audience, realising now how vulnerable and open reality TV forced you to be. Fuck, his crew would see it all.
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“I feel out of place, honestly,” Sal said, looking at the camera in front of him. He cleared his throat, feeling uncomfortable. “I mean, Janelle is out of my league, but she’s great. We’ll see how things go.”
“We’ve noticed you spent a lot of time with Eddie. What do you think about him?” the woman in charge of interviewing him asked.
“Eddie? Yeah, Eddie’s great,” Sal answered the unexpected question. He was so caught up with his fellow firefighter that he had not thought anyone would notice their connection. Had Eddie been asked the same question? Sal was dying to know what Eddie had said, but unfortunately, they could not. “I feel less alone, having him here.”
“You’re not worried he might steal Janelle’s attention from you?”
“Not at all,” Sal said. “Like I said, Eddie’s great, I would not be surprised if Janelle chose him over an old man like me, honestly.”
Sal noticed the amused grin on her face, sweat beading on his forehead as he feared she was onto him. Sal was relieved when he was dismissed, as he was eager to return to his room and call it a night.
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“Did you know?” Tommy asked his boyfriend, eyes wide, when he noticed his two friends on the screen. Buck grinned as he shoved more popcorn in his mouth. “Why didn’t you tell me both Sal and Eddie were on the show?”
“Surprise!” Buck said, chuckling as he watched Eddie introduce himself nervously to the others, the camera focusing on him.
They were riveted, more entertained than ever by this show, curled up on the couch under a thick throw blanket. They were both typing furiously on their phones on the group chat they had created specifically for the show. Maddie and Chim were so tired they could barely pay attention, juggling between the show and taking care of their two kids. Athena was on duty, so she only replied from time to time. Bobby was not as invested, but he at least read their comments. Hen and Karen were the most active, besides Tommy and Buck, as amused as they were over the whole thing.
“Are they… flirting?” Tommy asked as the show progressed, the camera regularly showing Eddie and Sal in one corner of the room, leaning into each other as they chatted animatedly. He typed his observation in the group chat, which erupted in a flurry of messages. Hen and Karen agreed with Tommy and were losing their mind over it.
Karen: They are flirting, omg!!
Hen: I knew Eddie wasn’t that straight!
Chim: c’mon guys, I’ll believe it when I see it.
Chim was definitely intrigued, extremely amused, but intrigued.
“No way…” Buck said. “Eddie is straight.”
“Is he, really?” Tommy cocked an eyebrow at him. “He’s always given me some serious repressed vibes. I should know, I was once in the same boat.”
“I seriously doubt it,” Buck insisted. “He would’ve told me, right?”
“Unless he hasn’t figured it out yet,” Tommy shrugged, turning his attention back to the TV as the first rose ceremony started. “I guess we’ll find out with this show.”
“Yeah, I guess.”