Page 51 of Snowed In with Four Firemen
I wince. He’s just giving him more power. Whit smiles slowly. “Didn’t realize I’d be walking into such a...scene.”
“Should have stayed in the helicopter then,” Ben murmurs.
Whit’s gaze lazily moves over Ben, then to Axel and Jace; both of them look ready to pounce. He raises an eyebrow, clearly amused.
“Don’t know what you guys think you’re doing, but she’s my girlfriend.”
“Ex-girlfriend,” I bite back, crossing my arms. But Whit, being Whit, ignores it completely.
“Hey, we should talk,” he says.
“What? No. I have nothing to say to you.” He’s out of his mind. I don’t know why he’s even asking me.
His tone shifts from cocky to almost pleading. “Come to my room. We can…sort this out.”
I stare at him, my stomach flipping uncomfortably.
“No way I’m coming to your room.”
Whit’s face falters.
“Come on, Em…just talk to me. Please.”
I feel a pang of regret settle deep in my chest. I’ve ignored his calls, his texts—everything. Maybe he thinks that’s why he’s here, that he needs to win me back somehow. The desperation in his eyes feels real, and for a brief second, I wonder if I led him on by not cutting ties more definitively.
But that’s not my fault, right? It shouldn’t be.
I sigh, glancing at Axel, Tanner, and Jace, who watch the exchange mutely.
“Fine,” I say reluctantly, seeing the relief flicker across Whit’s face. “But not in your room. We’ll talk at the lodge bar. That’s it.”
“Perfect,” Whit says, trying to hide his smug smile as if he’s already won something. “I’ll meet you there in a few minutes.”
He turns on his heel, walking off with that familiar swagger, and I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I glance at the guys, catching Tanner’s narrowed eyes and Axel’s clenched jaw. Jace hasn’t said a word, but his posture is tense, arms crossed over his chest.
“I’ll handle this,” I say quickly, mostly to reassure myself. “I just need to make it clear to him that we’re done. For good.”
“You sure that’s a good idea?” Tanner asks
I nod, trying to ignore the sinking feeling in my gut. “I’ll be fine. I just…I need to make sure he knows.”
Axel steps forward slightly, his intense gaze on me.
The intensity of his gaze sends a shiver through me, but I force myself to smile. “Thanks, but I’ve got this.”
As I turn to head to the bar, I can’t shake the feeling that this conversation with Whit won’t go as smoothly as I hope.
I walk into the bar, my heart pounding harder with each step. It’s different now from when I was last here with Axel. The space is more alive, with people chatting, laughter echoing off the wooden walls, and the bartender moving back and forth behind the counter, pouring drinks for a couple seated at the bar. I kind of wish it were still quiet.
The guys—Tanner, Jace, Ben and Axel—walk up from behind to take a table in the corner.
I find Whit near the bar, leaning against the counter with his usual cocky smirk. He looks totally at ease like we’re meeting for a casual drink.
Whit looks up as I approach, his smirk widening. “There she is. Come sit.” He motions to the stool next to him.
I don’t take the seat. Instead, I stand there, arms crossed, forcing myself to keep my voice steady. “I’m not staying long, Whit. I just want to be clear.”
He raises an eyebrow, unfazed. “Clear about what?”
