Page 66 of Breathing Her Fire

NATALIE

“Are you sure you’re up for this? They can be really intense,” I ask Tucker for probably the twentieth time.

“Nat, I swear, if you ask me again I’m going to pull the truck over and smack that beautiful ass of yours until it’s pink with my handprint.” A shiver runs down my spine at his words, and my nipples peak in my bra. “Maybe I need to do it regardless,” Tucker quips, reading me like he always does. I smack his bicep but feel my nerves ease.

We’re on our way to the Ellises’ for Christmas dinner, and it’ll be the first time Tucker experiences this big family all at one time. While I love them, they are kind of a lot all at once, so I’m worried he’s going to freak out or something. I know it’s ridiculous but I’m just nervous. He’s meeting my family, and it’s kind of awesome and terrifying at the same time.

“Hey, I forgot to tell you we got the funding from the city council for our equipment.”

“Wait, you’ve heard back from the council? I mean, I’m glad you got the equipment approved, but seriously? I haven’t heard anything from them.” My words are stilted. I shouldn’t take my frustrations out on Tucker. I know he doesn’t have any control over what the council does, but still, he’s heard back and I haven’t heard a thing from them.

“I thought maybe since we’d heard back, you would hear something soon too,” he says, attempting to make me feel better.

“I doubt it. Since they’ve given you money, I probably won’t see a dime.” I sound like a sullen teenager but dealing with this has become arduous. Unfortunately for Tucker, he’s going to get the brunt of my resentment.

“Do you want me to talk to them? I can’t give the money back because it’s already spent, but maybe I could suggest?”

“No,” I huff, “I’ll just keep trying to get in touch with them.”

I watch Tucker’s shoulders curl inward, and a frown lines his face. My stomach twists knowing I made him feel bad.

I grab his hand from his lap and give it a squeeze so he knows I’m not mad at him. He kisses my knuckles. “I’m sorry, I thought bringing up the council would be helpful.”

“No, you don’t need to be sorry. I’m sorry I took my anger out on you. It’s not your fault they’re assholes.” Tucker kisses my knuckles again, and I hope that means he forgives my childish behavior.

We’re quiet as he pulls up in front of the house, where there are several cars already sitting outside. It seems everyone is already here, even my mom.

“I’ll help you out,” he says to me, giving me a stern look like I had better not try anything. I roll my eyes at him but still smile, glad he’s back to his alpha ways.

He walks around the truck and opens my door, helping me out while I balance the food he made in my hands. When I invited him to dinner, he insisted on making a dish to bring, saying it was his way of contributing.

We walk up the sidewalk, and I open the door, stepping into the usual chaos of an Ellis family gathering. The boys are in the living room playing a video game together, Sara is scrolling on her phone in a chair, ignoring them, and I’m guessing our parents are in the kitchen because I can’t see them.

Cindy’s Christmas decorations are everywhere, and it makes me smile looking at all of the little Santa figurines she collects. The tree in the corner is lit up with multicolored lights and covered in a hodgepodge of ornaments from our childhood.

Sara is the first to register our arrival and stands up to rush over to us. “I am so glad you’re here. The boys are on a whole other level today.”

“Oh, lovely.” I glance up at Tucker. His eyes scan the room, taking in the scene with a blank facial expression. I can’t tell if he’s overwhelmed or just taking things in stride. I guess we’ll find out.

“Hi, Tucker. Welcome to Bedlam!” Sara quips, making him laugh. The sound makes the boys look up from their game, and they all stand up and puff out their chests. Well, except for Carter. He just stands there with his hands in his pockets.

I roll my eyes at the display and grab Tucker’s hand. “Let’s get the introductions out of the way. Then maybe there won’t be bloodshed.”

Tucker looks at me, eyes wide in surprise. “Not yours. More likely one of them will get pissed off at the other for stepping on their alpha posturing.”

“Hey, Natalie,” Adam starts and kisses me on the cheek. Tucker’s hand tightens in mine, and I smile.

“Hi, Adam. Boys, this is Tucker. Tucker, this is Adam, Matthew, Nolan, and Carter,” I say, going around the half-circle of men. Each of them are practically carbon copies of the next with their dark hair and blue eyes. Standing all together, you know immediately they’re related.

“It’s good to meet you. Nat has told me a lot about you.”

“She hasn’t told us anything about you,” Nolan starts, his tone aggressive. “Although, I guess we already sort of know who you are, so I don’t know if she could’ve told us more than we already knew...” He seems to get a little confused there at the end, and his eyebrows furrow at his own words.

We’re quiet while we watch him try and figure out what he meant, most of us with confusion on our faces. When we look at each other, we burst out laughing.

Adam shakes his head and holds his hand out to Tucker. “Nice to meet you officially, man.” Tucker nods and returns the handshake, doing the same with the rest of the boys. I look at Sara because I’m kind of surprised there’s been minimal posturing so far.

She makes eye contact with me and mouths, “Just wait.” Which is fair.

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