Page 102 of Stuck with my Brother's Firefighter Besties

CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO

Colt

The cold steelof the handcuffs bit into my wrists as Davis unlocked them.

The bruising silence of the holding cell followed me out into the night as we were released, the three of us stepping into the crisp air of the police station parking lot.

The sharp chill couldn’t cut through the simmering tension in my chest, or the deep, gnawing worry for Lila.

Jaxon was the first to speak, his voice tight. “Let’s just get back to her. Make sure she’s okay.”

But as we crossed the lot, we saw him—Nate. He was standing near his truck, arms crossed, his face a storm of fury.

My stomach dropped.

Of course he wanted to address this.

This was going to be worse than talking to our old friends at the police station.

“You three have got some explaining to do,” he growled, his voice carrying across the pavement.

Jaxon and Ryan exchanged a look, but I stepped forward. “Nate…”

He pointed a finger at me, his eyes blazing. “Don’t you ‘Nate’ me, Colt. What the hell is going on? I saw the photos. I saw everything. And now this? Arrested? Are you kidding me? Do youwantto lose your jobs?”

I opened my mouth to speak, but he bulldozed over me, his voice rising.

“You’re supposed to have her back, not drag her into this circus! What kind of men are you?”

“Nate, it’s not like that,” Jaxon said, calmly but firmly.

“Then explain it to me!” Nate roared, his gaze cutting between the three of us. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re all taking advantage of her when she’s already been through enough! That’s my sister. You’re my friends.”

Ryan stepped forward, his expression taut with restrained anger. “We’re not taking advantage of her. We care about her.”

Nate’s face twisted with disbelief. “Care? You call this care? What, all three of you at once? Do you even hear how insane that sounds?”

“Nate,” I said, my voice low, steady. “You don’t understand?—”

“You’re damn right I don’t understand!” he snapped, taking a step closer. “She’s my sister, Colt! She’s vulnerable, she’s been through hell, and you’re… what? Fighting over her like she’s some kind of prize?”

“We’re not fighting over her,” Jaxon said, his voice colder now. “We’re with her. Together. It’s her choice, Nate. She’s not a child. She knows what she wants.”

Nate laughed bitterly, running a hand through his hair. “Her choice? Yeah, because she’s in such a great place to make clear-headed decisions right now.”

I felt my temper rising, but I forced myself to stay calm. “She’s stronger than you think. She’s been through more than you know, and she’s still standing. We’re not here to hurt her. We’re here to help. To be there for her.”

“By what?” Nate shot back. “Sharingher? You think that’s normal? You think that’s what she needs? This whole thing is a mess, and you’re just making it worse!”

The frustration and guilt bubbled up inside me, and before I could stop myself, I said, “I love her, Nate.”

The words hung in the air like a thunderclap.

Nate froze, his face a mix of shock and fury. “What did you just say?”

“I love her,” I repeated, my voice unwavering. “I have for a long time. And so do they.”

I gestured to Jaxon and Ryan, who stood silently beside me.

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