Page 20 of Stuck with my Brother's Firefighter Besties

Was it risky? Sure. But when had I ever been one to play it safe?

Especially not afterthatkiss.

Before I could overthink it, I threw it out there. “Hey, Nate, you should bring Lila this year.”

The table went quiet, save for the faint buzz of the radio in the corner. Nate blinked at me like I’d just suggested we start skiing in bikinis.

“Lila?” he repeated.

“Yeah,” I said, shrugging like it was no big deal. “Bet she could use a break. Fresh mountain air, hot cocoa, the works. What’s not to like?”

Nate leaned back in his chair, scratching his chin like he was actually considering it.

And that’s when I felt it… the weight of a glare.

I glanced over and found Jaxon staring daggers at me from across the room. His jaw was tight, and his knuckles were white where they gripped the edge of the table.

What the hell was his problem?

I raised an eyebrow at him, giving him my best “what’s your deal?” look, but he didn’t budge. If anything, his glare intensified, like I’d just kicked his dog or something.

Whatever.

Jaxon could brood all he wanted. This wasn’t about him.

“You know,” Nate said finally, “that’s not a bad idea.”

Wait, what?

I hadn’t actually expected him to agree. I’d mostly suggested it to see how he’d react, maybe plant the idea for later. But now he was nodding, and I had to fight to keep my expression neutral.

“I mean, she’s been cooped up at Dad’s house since she got back,” Nate continued. “It might be good for her to get out, have some fun.”

“Exactly,” I said, trying not to sound too eager. “And hey, the more the merrier, right?”

“Right.” Nate grinned, clearly already planning how to sell it to Lila. “I’ll talk to her tonight.”

Jaxon made a noise then, something between a scoff and a sigh. It was subtle, but enough to make me glance his way again.

“You got something to say, Jax?” I asked, keeping my tone light but pointed.

He shook his head, looking away as he muttered, “Nope.”

Liar.

I let it slide, though, mostly because I didn’t feel like getting into it here. Whatever was crawling up Jaxon’s ass could wait.

Nate clapped his hands together, clearly pleased with himself. “This is gonna be great. Lila’s gonna love it.”

Yeah, I thought, leaning back in my chair with a satisfied smirk.She’s gonna love it.

And so am I.

“Did you hear that?” Ryan jumped up and edged toward the window. “Ah, one of the Gradys’ are here.”

“About damn time,” Nate muttered. “We’ve been dealing with that rattling in the engine for a month now. I was starting to think we’d have to drive it like that forever.”

“Relax, Captain Impatient,” I said with a smirk. “The Grady brothers are the best mechanics in the county. Even if Ethan took his sweet time getting here.”

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