Page 31 of Speed Crush

When June comes offstage, Scott is the first to greet her. He pulls her into a warm hug, and the whole crowd erupts with cheers and claps like she just won a gold medal.

"That girl’s got lungs and loyalty," Karla murmurs, grinning. "Scott’s a lucky one."

Tara adds, "He’s not just a firefighter—he’s a lieutenant, right? A couple weeks after I moved here, my neighbor’s shed caught fire. I panicked and called 911, and Scott showed up with his team in under four minutes. He was calm, kind, and efficient. Checked my whole property just to make sure it was safe."

She smiles, clearly still impressed. "People don’t forget stuff like that."

Karla leans in. "And you’re just in a long line of women in this town who swoon over him. It's like watching a Hallmark movie in real time."

Scott laughs when he returns to the table with June, rubbing the back of his neck. "Pretty sure I was just doing my job."

"I thought you and June were just best buddies," Tara says, nudging his arm.

Scott shrugs, glancing at June. "We are. Always have been."

Lily raises an eyebrow and grins. "You mean like us?" She hooks her thumb toward Levi. "Married best buddies?"

The whole table laughs, but my chest tightens.

I watch June laughs against Scott’s shoulder, her arms looping around his waist in a way that makes something sharp twist in my gut.

That’s when I move.

I don’t let myself think. I just reach for her hand, curling mine around her wrist gently but firmly, and pull her with me through the side door.

She follows without a word.

Someone behind us calls out, "Camp stuff?"

Behind us, I hear Scott’s reply, "Probably. June mentioned something about a little end-of-camp party earlier. Maybe they’re just figuring out final details."

I grit my teeth.

How often do these two talk?

Because Scott’s got answers like he’s on her speed dial—and the thought lodges hard behind my ribs, bitter and immediate.

The cold hits us both as we step outside, breath clouding in the air. June stumbles and I stop and hold her till she knows she’s safe with me.

Then we continue, till we reach the firehouse brick wall. I turn to face her. Her cheeks are flushed, lips parted. She’s beautiful and infuriating in ways that don’t come with warning labels.

"Tell me right now, Songbird. Is that what you want? Him?”

Chapter 7

Wanting More Than A Maybe

June

Noahdoesn’tsayaword as he grabs my hand and pulls me behind the firehouse. I hear the muffled sounds of the fundraiser continue—familiar laughter, the clink of community-donated coffee mugs, the kind of comfortable chaos that only happens when everyone knows everyone.

Out here though, it's just us and the snow—each flake catching in the light from the firehouse windows, creating a private world neither of us planned for.

I try to pry my hand out of his firm grip. But my boots slip on a patch of ice, and I stagger backward—arms flailing like I’m about to crack my skull and bleed to death in front of Noah Verelli.

Thankfully, before gravity can finish the job, his arm sweeps around me, pulling me tight against him. The motion is swift and protective.

And very, very impressive.

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