Page 12 of Stuck with my Brother's Firefighter Besties

Nate frowned, crossing his arms. “You’re coming, right?”

It was the way he said it—like it wasn’t actually a request—that made me nod before I could think it through.

“Yeah,” I said finally, my voice resigned. “I’ll be there.”

Lila’s head snapped up at that, her eyes meeting mine for the briefest of moments before she turned away again, her face burning.

Nate grinned, clearly pleased. “Perfect. I’ll see you at six.”

And just like that, he was off, steering Lila toward his car with Biscuit still in her arms. I stayed rooted to the spot, watching them go, my thoughts an absolute wreck.

What the hell had I gotten myself into?

It didn’thaveto be a big deal, did it?

So what if I’d just hooked up with his sister?

It was a one-time thing.

Nobody had to know, and I’d keep it that way.

Surely Lila didn’t want Nate finding out either…

Ugh, this was going to be one hell of a night.

* * *

Dinner was already in full swing by the time I walked into Nate’s father’s dining room at just after six.

The long, worn oak table was packed with plates of food, bottles of beer, and laughter that echoed off the walls.

The crew was all here—my family by choice, and now, apparently, Nate’s real family too.

Lila was sitting right in the middle of it all, her smile tentative but growing as the conversation flowed around her.

God, did she have to be so damn beautiful?

She was making itrealhard for me to want to keep my distance.

“Jaxon!” Ryan called out from across the table. He was leaning back in his chair, balancing it precariously on two legs like the overgrown kid he was.

His dark brown hair was sticking up at odd angles, and there was an unmistakable mischief in his eyes. “Look who finally decided to grace us with his presence. We thought you were too busy chasing after?—”

“Ryan,” Colt cut in sharply, his warning tone doing little to hide his grin. “Knock it off.”

Ryan smirked but leaned forward, letting his chair thump back onto all four legs. “What? I’m just saying it’s about time he showed up. We’ve been holding down the fort without him.”

I shot him a look as I shrugged out of my jacket. “You mean you’ve been stuffing your face without me.”

“Guilty as charged,” Ryan said, holding up a chicken drumstick like a trophy. “But don’t worry, there’s still plenty left. Adam made enough to feed an army.”

“He has to, with all of you around,” Colt chimed in, his voice smooth and easy like he had all the time in the world.

Ryan’s brother was always the picture of confidence, his green eyes twinkling as he leaned casually on one elbow. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing forearms covered in soot stains from a long shift at the firehouse earlier.

Colt had this natural charisma that seemed to draw people in…he knew it too.

“Speaking of armies,” Colt continued, gesturing at Ryan, “you want to tell Jax about how you nearly set the workhouse kitchen on fire during breakfast this morning?”

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