Page 113 of Stuck with my Brother's Firefighter Besties

“Gotcha, you little troublemaker,” Jaxon said, cradling the squirming dog in his arms.

Biscuit barked once, wagging his stubby tail as if he hadn’t just caused absolute chaos.

“Lila,” Ethan called, grinning as he pointed at me. “Looks like your dog’s got more fight in him than your team!”

“Don’t start,” I shot back with a laugh as Jaxon handed Biscuit back to me. “At least Biscuit’s cute enough to get away with it.”

The moment brought everyone together in a way only small-town antics could. The Gradys and the firemen were all laughing, teasing each other as they replayed the scene.

It reminded me of why I loved this town—why I’d come back, despite everything that had happened.

And why, despite all the challenges, I’d found my happiness here.

As the commotion settled, I spotted a figure leaning against the wall near the vending machines, arms crossed and a small smile on his face.

Nate.

My heart damn near stopped beating.

He looked the same as ever. Broad shouldered and sturdy, with a weathered baseball cap pulled low over his eyes. But something about his expression tonight felt… softer. Less guarded.

I made my way over, clutching Biscuit against my chest. His body wiggled happily, oblivious to the chaos he’d just caused.

“Hey, stranger,” I greeted, trying to keep my tone light, though my heart was racing.

“Hey, Lila.” There was a hint of warmth in Nate’s steady voice. “Biscuit’s still causing trouble, huh?”

“He likes to keep things interesting,” I replied, scratching behind his ears. “You sticking around to watch the rest of the firemen embarrass themselves?”

Nate chuckled softly and shook his head. “Figured I’d come by, see what all the fuss was about. That, and I wanted to talk to you.”

My stomach did a little flip at the seriousness in his tone.

“Okay,” I said cautiously, shifting Biscuit in my arms. “What’s up?”

Nate gestured toward the small table tucked away in the corner. We sat down, the noise of the alley fading into the background.

For a moment, he stared at the scratched-up surface of the table, his fingers tracing a groove in the wood.

“I owe you an apology,” he started, finally meeting my eyes. “For how I’ve been… for not being there the way I should’ve been.”

His words took me off guard. “Nate, you don’t have to?—”

“No, I do.” He cut me off gently but firmly. “When you came back, I was so caught up in my own crap, so stuck in the past, that I didn’t stop to think about what you’d been through. About how much you’ve been carrying.”

I swallowed hard, my chest tightening.

Nate sighed, leaning back in his chair. “I was mad, sure. Mad at you for keeping things from me, mad at myself for not seeing it sooner, mad at… everything, really. But I’ve been thinking a lot lately, and you know what I realized?”

“What?” I whispered.

“I’ve been too damn focused on trying to control everything, to keep everyone safe, and it hasn’t done any good. Not for you, not for me.” He paused, his jaw tightening. “I can’t change the past, but I can be better going forward. And that starts with supporting you. Because, Lila… I just want you to be happy. You deserve that. After everything you’ve been through, you deserve a fresh start. And if that fresh start means Jaxon, Ryan, Colt… hell, all three of them…”

I couldn’t help but laugh, though tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. “Nate, don’t start.”

“I’m serious,” he said, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. “If those guys make you happy, then that’s all I care about. You’ve been through enough. You’ve earned this.”

I blinked as his words settled over me. “Thank you,” I said softly, my voice thick with emotion.

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