by Nikki Ash
“And as for us,” she says, pulling back. “I’m sorry for not making more of an effort.”
“You have a lot going on. Chase shouldn’t have said anything. I should be understanding of your new life.”
“No,” she argues. “You’re my sister, my best friend. Don’t make excuses for me. I’ve been a shitty sister and that’s going to change.”
“It’s okay. I promise.”
We go back inside and a little while later our parents show up. Shortly after, our brother, Max, arrives with Ricco, introducing him as his boyfriend. It’s been a long time coming. Everyone congratulates them and then Alec and my dad get started on the grill—the rest of the guys joining them outside.
“How’s everything coming along for the opening?” Mom asks Lexi, referring to the art gallery that’s scheduled to open soon.
“It’s going good,” Lexi says. “I met with the event coordinator and she’s taking care of everything, thank goodness. I can handle the art, but everything else is out of my area of expertise. I hired a manager too, so that will help.”
“If you need anything, please let me know,” Mom tells her. “I’m so proud of you. You really have found your place in this world.”
Lexi smiles. “Thank you. I think as soon as Abigail starts sleeping through the night, it will be a little easier.”
“She’s still waking up?” Mom asks.
“Only a couple times, and now it’s more out of routine than to eat. The women in that moms’ group I’m in said to let her cry it out, but I just can’t do it.”
“You have to do what’s best for you and your daughter,” Mom says. “I remember when Georgia was little and…” She trails off, realizing she was about to mention the time before she met Lexi’s dad. She doesn’t like to talk about those times. She was married to my biological father and from the little I know, he wasn’t a good man. After she was with Tristan, he went after her. They fought and she ended up shooting him in self-defense.
“Anyway.” She clears her throat. “People will give you their opinions, but at the end of the day, Alec and you are her parents and decide what’s best.”
“I agree,” Alec says, walking in and sitting next to Lexi. “If we want to let Abigail lie with us at five in the morning, while she kicks the shit out of my ribs, then we can do that.”
Everyone laughs, and Lexi groans. “I might’ve started a bad habit. I was just so tired and our bed is so comfortable.”
“And Abigail agrees,” Alec says with a wink.
“And how are you doing?” Mom asks, turning her attention to me.
“Good.”
She raises a single brow, silently saying, “You’re going to have to give me more than that.”
“I’m okay, I promise,” I insist. “Just working…”
“You’ve been doing more than that,” Chase says, walking in with a tray of burgers. “We went to get manis and pedis the other day, and then lunch. We went dancing at Club Illusion the other night, went to a bonfire Friday night, went to the farmer’s market yesterday… Made homemade flatbread and watched way too many of those Paul Walker movies. We even went swimming and did facials this morning. You should feel my skin… Smooth as a baby’s ass.” He rubs his hand down his face, and I giggle, remembering the facials we did this morning. He doesn’t even know what a baby’s bottom feels like…
At the same time, Lexi and Mom both whip their heads around to look at me. “You did all that?” Lexi asks. “I knew about the nails, but I didn’t know you were out painting the damn town red.”
“I’m the new Lexi,” Chase says. “Only manlier and sexier, and way more fun.” He winks at me, and I can’t help but laugh.
“I’d hardly call it painting the town… I was missing you and Chase got me out of the house.” I pray my face isn’t showing any of the feelings I’m catching toward him. I have to keep reminding myself we’re just friends, but it’s hard when I already started developing feelings for him before he pulled the brakes.
Lexi gives me a speculative look, not taking her eyes off me for several long seconds. “We definitely need to have a sister day soon.”
I force a smile, remembering when every day was a sister day. Now we have to plan one because everything is changing, and I need to accept that.
It’s time to find my perfect path.
Chase
“So, you want to tell me what’s going on with you and Georgia?” Alec asks, jumping off the treadmill and walking over to where I’m lifting weights. He grabs a paper towel from the nearby dispenser and wipes down his face. When we’re not putting out fires, we’re usually either working out, eating, doing chores, or sleeping.
I set the weights down and walk over to the legs station. The gym here isn’t big, but it has everything we need to get a good workout in while we’re on shift.
“What do you mean?” I ask, playing dumb. I know damn well he’s about to hit me with the third degree. Alec’s been friends with Georgia since they were little, and he’s just as protective of her as he is of his wife.
“You know what I mean.” He presses his hand against the leg weight so I can’t open it. “You took her out to a club, to hang out at Carter’s bonfire. Lexi’s worried.”
“Lexi needs to focus on herself.” I don’t mean for the words to come out as harsh as they do, but it is what it is. The entire reason I was hanging out with Georgia to begin with was because of Lexi.
“Seriously? What’s your problem with my wife?”
“I don’t have a problem with your wife,” I tell him, standing back up since I’m apparently not going to finish my workout. “My problem is the fact that Georgia was in tears because she misses her sister so much.”
Alec’s face falls. “We offered for her to move in with us.”
“And you really believe Georgia would do that?” I’ve only known her for a short time and even I know that’s not how she rolls. “I get it, you and Lexi finally got together. You’re happy and in love and you have a baby, but maybe you need to remember who you guys were before. Lexi and Georgia were stuck at the hip. Now… well, shit’s changed.”
“And so, what? You swooped in and gave her your shoulder to cry on?” Alec accuses.
“We hung out… as friends. She’s actually a lot of fun to be around when she’s not holed up in her room.”
“And that’s all it is?” he questions. “Friends?”
“That’s it.” I raise a brow, daring him to argue.
“Yo, Chase, get your ass out here,” Luke yells. “You have a visitor.”
Grabbing my towel off the bench, I wrap it around my neck and walk out to see who’s here for me, with Alec following after. When I get to the main area, Georgia, dressed in another pair of tiny shorts—this time cut-off—and a hoodie with the logo of her dad’s MMA gym on the front, is standing in the middle of the room holding a metal pan of some sort in her hands. Her hair is up in a messy bun and she’s sporting her sexy librarian glasses.
She’s tan from us being in the sun yesterday, and her face is makeup free aside from her lips being glossy. Jesus, she looks fucking stunning… and I’m so screwed.
“Hey, what are you doing here?” I ask, stepping over to her.
“I brought this for you guys.” She shrugs a shoulder and her mouth quirks up into a shy smile.
I take the pan, which upon closer inspection is the kind you use to cook and store food in, and set it on our table. It seats six people, so all the guys on shift can eat together. When I lift the foil, steam wafts out, along with the smell of meat and cheese.
“Holy shit,” Carter says, coming over. “Is that lasagna?” He inhales and rubs his stomach. “That shit smells good.”
“Yep,” Georgia says. “I even made the sauce homemade with the tomatoes and veggies we bought at the farmer’s market.”
“That better be for everyone,” Alec says, sidling up next to Georgia and throwing his arm over the back of her shoulders. My fingers tingle, wanting to pus
h his arm off her and wrap my own around her. It’s stupid. He’s married to her sister, and we’re only friends… But, even knowing all that, it doesn’t change my reaction.
“Your sister can’t cook, so it’s been takeout or delivery every day,” Alec adds.
“It’s for everyone,” she says softly, earning a kiss to her cheek from Alec. I damn near growl, wanting his hands and mouth off her.
“I hope it’s good.” She grabs a bag from the ground I didn’t notice before and pulls out parmesan cheese and rolls. “These are homemade too,” she boasts.
“Damn, Georgia, go big or go home, huh?” I joke, grabbing the plates and silverware and bringing them over.
“Eh… I think I’d much rather be at home,” she says, scrunching up her nose. “It’s safe there.”
The guys all chuckle because she’s fucking adorable, and my stomach knots. I have to remind myself she’s not mine and we’re better off as friends. Realistically, I know one day I’m going to have to let someone in, but I’m just not ready yet. And not with someone as sweet and innocent as Georgia. I come from a fucked up world and she was raised sheltered, always taken care of. We’re too different and we’d never work. Then again, Victoria and I were from the same world and we didn’t work either…
“Stay and eat with us,” Scott says, pulling out a chair for Georgia. Alec has thankfully dropped his arm and is cutting the lasagna into pieces. Thomas grabs another chair and brings it to the table, so all seven of us can sit together.
“Are you sure?” Georgia asks. “I don’t want to intrude.”
“You’re probably the most welcome person here,” Luke jokes, taking a bite of his food. He chews and swallows and groans. “Damn, woman. Marry me right now.”
Georgia snorts a laugh, and Alec glares, ever the protective pseudo brother.
“Is it good?” she asks.
“It’s fucking delicious,” Thomas says through a mouthful. “I’m going to need you to send me this recipe so I can have Hilary make it.
“No way.” Luke shakes his head. “It’s a secret recipe and my wife can only make it for me.” He winks at Georgia and her face turns a light shade of pink.
“Why don’t you take it down a notch,” I growl at him, annoyed as fuck. Georgia and Alec both look at me. Alec’s brow is raised and Georgia is frowning.
“I’m just saying, if you scare her off, she won’t bring us any more food,” I say, trying to play it off. All the guys are looking at me, so I dive into my food, ignoring all their stares.
When the food hits my tongue, the heavenly taste of meat and tomato and cheese hits my senses. Luke and Thomas were right. This lasagna is damn good.
“What do you think?” Georgia asks me.
“It’s delicious. Even better than the flatbread we made the other night.” I smile at her, and she beams. In the background, Alec’s glaring and Luke is smirking.
Just friends, I remind myself. That’s all we can be.
When we’re done eating, since it’s Luke’s day to do the dishes, I show Georgia around the station. Where we work out, sleep, shower. Our gaming room…
“So,” she says slowly as I walk her over to her truck. “Seeing Lexi and Alec and Abigail yesterday got me thinking about my future...”
My breath hitches wondering where she’s going with this…
“I have my career, but I don’t have anyone to share my life with,” she continues, and I swear I stop breathing altogether. Is she about to ask me out? And why doesn’t the thought have me wanting to run? I’m not ready. I should be thinking of a reason to bolt. Coming up with an excuse as to why I have to say no.
“I can’t find anyone if I’m at home, so I want to get out… put myself out there. I want to one day get married and have babies, find a man I can cook for.” She smiles softly, and I wait with bated breath for her to finish. Yes is at the tip of my tongue. It shouldn’t be, but it is.
“I was wondering if…” She bites down on her bottom lip nervously. “Would you be my wingman?”
I’m about to blurt out yes, when it hits me… “Your wingman?” I ask, confused.
“Yeah. You like going to the clubs and picking up women, you know all the happening places in LA… And I don’t really have any friends to go out with. I promise not to mess with your game.” She laughs, and the melodic sound hits me like an arrow straight in the chest.
Jesus, I’m such a dumbass. She wants me to help her find a guy, not be her guy. It’s probably for the best anyway. What the hell was I thinking?
“Yeah,” I choke out, plastering a smile on my face. “I can be your wingman.”
“Yay!” She jumps up and down and then throws her arms around my neck. “Thank you! I’m going to go shopping with my mom tomorrow. So tomorrow night, since you’re off, want to go out?”
“Sounds good.”
“Have a good night at work,” she says, jumping into her truck.
“See ya.” I wave as she drives away.
“So, just friends, huh?” Alec says, stepping up next to me as I watch her drive her monster truck away.
“Yep.” I turn on my heel and walk back inside.
“You sure about that? Because when Luke mentioned—”
“Just friends,” I bite out, cutting him off. “She even asked me to be her wingman.”
“Her what?” Alec laughs.
“Her wingman. She wants to go out and find her Mr. Perfect, so she can marry said Mr. Perfect and move into a perfect house and have tons of perfect little babies running around.” Yes, I’m aware of how bitter I sound.
Alec eyes me for a long moment then sighs. “I can’t believe I’m even going to say this, but if you like her why don’t you just tell her? It’s obvious you do, and based on the way she blushed when you complimented her cooking, I would say the feeling is mutual.”
Because it’s not that easy… Because she’s rich and comes from a great family and wants this perfect fucking life that I’m not capable of giving her. What do I even have to offer a woman like her? Not a damn thing.
“We’re just friends,” I tell him in a tone that says to drop it. “I’m going to take a shower.”
Just as I’m walking toward the bathroom, the tone sounds through the station. I grab the receiver and take down the information from dispatch.
The six of us jump into the engine and take off to the location. And for the next couple hours, while we put out the fire, I push the thoughts of Georgia out of my mind and the fact that in twenty-four hours I’m supposed to help her find her perfect fucking guy.
Georgia
I can do this. I can do this. I can do this. Those are the four words I keep repeating to myself as Chase and I walk through the Z Lounge. According to Chase, it’s a little more down to earth. Instead of a deejay, they have live music. But as we walk through the main area toward the bar, I’m not sure Chase’s definition of down to earth is the same as mine because the music is thumping so loud it’s vibrating the floor, and the bodies—lots of bodies—are grinding against one another to the beat.
Maybe this isn’t the way for me to meet someone. Surely, a club—or in this case, a lounge—can’t be the only way to meet the person you hope to spend your life with. There has to be other ways. Like online… I cringe at the thought. I created a profile on one of those dating websites once after Mason, Alec’s stepdad—who is also my dad’s best friend and, as I mentioned before, my godfather—said he got together with Alec’s mom through chatting on a dating site. I don’t know if the times have changed, but the number of creepy men was astounding and almost convinced me to switch teams. So, no, a dating site probably isn’t the way to go. But I don’t think this is either.
When we get to the bar, Chase orders himself a beer and me a lemon drop, then we go in search of a booth. They’re all taken, but we find a table with two chairs open, so we have a seat. Making sure my new little black dress doesn’t ride up and expose my goods, I scoot onto the seat carefully.
“So,
what’s the game plan?” Chase asks, taking a drink of his beer. His hazel eyes meet mine, and my belly clenches. He’s so ruggedly handsome. He hasn’t shaved in a while, so his scruff is now practically a full beard. Idly, I wonder what it would feel like between my legs. I read it once in a book and at the time didn’t get it, but now, looking at Chase, I kind of do.
“I don’t know!” I shout nervously over the music as I try to remove the image of Chase’s face from between my legs. “You’re an expert at this,” I joke. “How do you get all the women you do?”
I expect Chase to laugh, but instead he frowns and takes another sip of his beer. Is it possible I offended him? I don’t know why. He’s always owned up to sleeping around. And I’m not judging him. Not now that I know why he does it. He was hurt. And one day he’ll meet a woman who will help him heal. But until then, he doesn’t want to be alone. And I get that. Because I’m so damn tired of being alone.
“Hey, are you mad at me? I was only joking.”
“No,” he says, putting his beer down. “But I don’t go after women.” He shrugs. “They come to me.”
I swallow thickly. The women go after him… Of course they do. Because most women aren’t afraid to go after what they want. I down the rest of my drink in one swallow and slam my glass down.
“Then that’s what I’ll do,” I tell him, standing.
“What?” He looks at me like I’m crazy, and I probably am. But so was Lexi once upon a time, and unlike me, she found her perfect path. Now it’s my turn.
“I’m going to go to the guys.” I glance around and spot a cluster of men at the bar. “And I’ll start by buying them a drink.” Just like guys do when they want a woman.
“Whoa, wait,” Chase says. “Maybe you should think about this first.”
“Why? So I can second-guess myself and then freak out and bail? No way.”
“No.” He wraps his fingers around my forearms to stop me. “Because the women who approach me are looking to fuck. They’re desperate.”
