Light My Fire

These two are driving me nuts.

Okay, these three are driving me nuts.

Brooke is abso-fucking-lutely a part of this, but it’s Wyatt and Jackson that I want to punch in the face.

They’re sitting in the living room, across from each other, acting like the other doesn’t exist.

Like brothers who got into a fight and are now giving each other the silent treatment.

And they think I won’t notice.

They’re such idiots.

And it’s all about the beautiful girl stuck with us in this fucking cabin by this fucking snowstorm.

I told Brooke she didn’t ruin my weekend. I told her the truth about being attracted to her and that it’s just really fucking difficult to ignore it. I told her my whole story, thinking that would push her away.

It didn’t.

She’s too goddamned sweet for that. She wants to fix me. And hell if I’m not starting to wonder if maybe she could.

I’ve been living like I’m allergic to warmth and light for years now. I’ve been telling myself that I’m fine. I’ve got my job which I love. I’ve got the guys, who I also love. I’ve got women whenever I need them.

I’ve done the marriage thing. I gave the love and trust and forever thing a try.

It’s not for me.

But Brooke Wilder is… something else.

She could make me believe again.

And that is the stupidest, most delusional, clearly lust-fueled thing I’ve ever thought.

I want her, but that’s simply because I’m a straight man who loves sex and she’s gorgeous and here and I know she just had sex for the first time last night and I can not stop thinking about that.

But she’s innocent and young and trusting. Definitely not my type. At all.

I’m used to women who know the score, can read the signs, who want exactly what I’m willing to give and nothing more.

I just need to last a few more hours and get the fuck away from Brooke and her curves and her smile and her… everything… and I’ll be fine. I’ll go back to Chicago, call one of my regular hook-ups, or head to one of my favorite bars, and I’ll get over this.

But until then, I need some help.

And it needs to come from the two guys I think of like younger brothers, who currently aren’t talking to one another because they’re just as messed up over her.

“Okay, you both need to knock this shit off,” I say over the basketball game that’s on TV that none of us care about. “Jackson needs to sleep with her.”

Wyatt looks away from the TV, and Jackson looks up from his phone.

Neither of them demand to know what the fuck I’m talking about. Neither of them seem surprised at all.

I sigh from my position in the armchair I’ve been claiming all weekend to keep myself from sitting on the couch where Brooke always curls up.

“You two are being jackasses. You can’t stop talking to one another because of what happened with Brooke and Wyatt. We all agreed that’s what was best.” I level a look at Jackson. “You told her she should go upstairs with Wyatt.”

Jackson nods. “I did. I’d do it again, too.”

I look at Wyatt. “Hear that? No one’s upset about last night.”

He looks at Jackson. “Okay. Good.”

“So what’s your problem?” Jackson asks.

Wyatt frowns. “What? Nothing.”

“You’ve been quiet all day. You seemed kind of pissy outside.”

“I’m not. I’m just…” Finally, he blows out a breath. He shoves a hand through his hair. “You two flirting hit me harder than expected. But I know that’s stupid. She and I haven’t made any plans or commitments.”

“Exactly,” I say. “And you both like her, so Jackson deserves a chance with her.”

And if she’s got those two vying for her attention, then she won’t be smiling and being sweet with me and pulling secrets out of me and making me think about what-ifs I have no business considering.

Jackson shifts on the loveseat. “I do like her,” he admits. “And she told me she likes me, too. And she kissed me last night.”

Wyatt sits up straighter. “What?”

Okay, this is good. That clench in my gut is not jealousy. I’m here basically advocating for Jackson to take her to bed tonight, for fuck’s sake.

Jackson nods. “It was just quick and sweet. Took me by surprise but, yeah. And I want a chance with her too. Not just the sex. To take her out when we get home.”

I frown. “She’s going to be busy with school. Starting her clinical rotations. You two can’t distract her.”

They both stare at me.

Yeah, that sounded unnecessarily protective.

And it’s none of my damned business.

“I’m talking about here,” I finally say, my tone crankier now. “I think Brooke deserves to know all her options now.”

They’re both quiet for several long seconds. Then Wyatt finally says, “Fine.”

Jackson blows out a breath. “Yeah?”

Wyatt looks at him and nods. “Yeah. I want her to be happy. To have what she wants. Whatever that is. I know you’ll treat her well. So… yeah. If she wants it too, then you should definitely let her know that you’re interested.”

Jackson gives him a smile. “Thanks man. And you know I’ll be good to her.”

“You better be.”

Yeah, he better be.

I’m feeling that strange restless mix of emotion. I want her, but I can’t have her, so I want these two to be the ones, but knowing they’re with her might kill me.

Especially if either of them become serious with her after this weekend.

I could potentially be repeatedly running into this gorgeous girl who’s gotten so damned deep in my system I know I’m going to be thinking about her for weeks, if not months, even without seeing her again.

Fuck.

I shove a hand through my hair, then run it down over my face.

Sure, Brooke said she wasn’t sure if she was ready for a whole big relationship thing, but these two motherfuckers can be very persuasive.

I just have to avoid her as much as possible until we dig out and get on the plane home. Then I’ll worry about getting over her, somehow, once we’re back to civilization.

“So you’re both going to stop acting fucking weird with each other,” I say. It’s not a request, it’s an order. “You’re not going to let a woman come between you. She’s amazing, we all agree, but you two aren’t going to ruin a friendship because of this.”

Normally, I’d think it was ridiculous to think that could even possibly happen. I’ve never seen these two like this. But now I’ve also met Brooke. If they’d only told me about this woman they’d both met and liked, I’d be really laying into them about letting a piece of ass mess them up. But Brooke’s different. I get it. Way more than a piece of ass. And this could become very complicated.

They are slow to answer, but finally Jackson nods.

“Right,” he says. “We can’t let that happen.”

“Agreed,” Wyatt says.

Man, I really wish they’d both said that with more conviction.

But we’ll be out of here soon.

Everything will make more sense once we’re back in Chicago, back to our usual routines, back in the real world. All of this is just a crazy, snowed-in fantasy land.