Page 36 of Snowed In with Four Firemen
I watch them leave,Axel’s hand casually brushing against Emily’s back as they head upstairs, and something twists in my gut. At first, I try to brush it off—maybe it’s nothing. Maybe they’re just walking together. But that little knot of jealousy coils tighter, and I can’t shake the feeling that something’s up.
Emily went out with Tanner earlier. She’s definitely not interested in Axel...or is she?
I shake my head. That’s not the Emily I know. But what do I know of her anyway? I haven’t been in touch with her for almost a decade. She’s practically a ghost of my past. But the feelings I’ve had for her haven’t gone away; in fact, they’re stronger than ever. That I know.
I clench my jaw, watching the way Axel leans a little closer to her as they reach the staircase. Their body language feels different, more intimate than it should be. I try to convince myself I’m imagining it, but the gnawing feeling won’t go away.
My mind flashes back to prom night—the way Emily looked at me when I left with Chloe. I didn’t mean to hurt her. Chloe had injured her foot, and I had to rush her to the ER, but Emily never knew that. She never asked, and I never told her. All she saw was me walking out with someone else. Her face when she saw us—it still haunts me sometimes. Did she feel like I’d chosen Chloe over her?
I shake my head, trying to clear it. I should focus on Emily, not the past. I was a jackass, and that was why I lost her. I can’t afford to do that again.
She didn’t look too well earlier, a little pale, maybe even dizzy. But instead of asking if she was okay, I was too caught up trying to figure out what was happening between her and Axel. Damn it. I should’ve been more concerned about her, not my jealousy.
That knot tightens even more. I can’t sit here doing nothing. Emily’s room isn’t far. I get up, my feet moving before my brain can catch up, and decide to head upstairs. If nothing else, I need to check on her—make sure she’s alright.
I try to keep my steps steady, telling myself I’m just going to check on her. Nothing more. I won’t overstep. I won’t let the protectiveness show—she already gave me an earful about that last night. We nearly had a full-blown argument because of it. Emily doesn’t need me hovering over her like some kind of watchdog.
But damn, it’s hard not to feel protective. Especially after seeing her leave with Axel. I push the thought away, forcing myself to focus. I’m not here to stir up trouble. Just...checking in. That’s all.
As I approach her door, I take a breath, running through what I should say. Something casual, something that won’t make her feel like I’m smothering her.
Maybe we can go over the wedding plans we were discussing downstairs. She would like that. Emily likes to pay attention to details. She’s a perfectionist.
I don’t want her to think I’m here because of Axel, even though that’s half the reason I came up.
I knock lightly, waiting for a response. My hand hovers near the door, and my heart rate picks up.
After what feels like an eternity, the door creaks open, and my heart drops. It’s not Emily standing there.
It’s Axel.
He’s looking disheveled, his shirt rumpled, hair slightly tousled like he’s been...busy. My stomach churns. I can feel the anger bubbling up but keep my expression blank.
I don’t trust myself to speak right away, but my voice is tight when I do.
“What are you doing here?”
Axel leans casually against the doorframe, like he’s not bothered by my question. “I came to drop her off. You know that.”
I clench my jaw. “That all?”
His eyes flicker, and I can tell he’s debating how much to say. The tension between us thickens. It’s obvious something else happened. I’m not an idiot. But I bite my tongue. Now’s not the time for this.
Axel just shrugs, giving me that infuriatingly calm look. “Yeah. She needed help getting to her room.”
I want to punch him. My fists tighten at my sides, and it takes everything in me not to lose it right there. He knows exactly what he’s doing—pushing my buttons. And it’s working.
“So, she’s okay?” I ask, trying to keep the conversation focused. Trying not to make this a thing aboutuswhen it should be abouther.
Axel nods, his eyes holding mine for a beat too long before he says, “She’s fine. Sleeping now. You can check in later if you’re worried.”
The way he says it sets me off. I take a breath, trying to reel it in. “Thanks for...taking care of her.”
The words feel like poison on my tongue, but I say them anyway.
Axel gives me a nod, pushing off the doorframe. “No problem.”
“Actually,” I say, not able to hold back anymore. “There is a problem.”
