Page 1 of Light My Fire

CHAPTER 1

Luke

“You know,if I’m going to be cuddled up under blankets in front of a fire and snowed in all weekend, there are at least a dozen people I would pick to do it with besides the two of you. And they all look better in lingerie. And out of lingerie.”

I roll my eyes. “We gave you three chances to change your mind,” I tell Jackson Hill, my buddy Wyatt’s best friend from high school, who has also become one of my favorite people to hang out with. “I told you when I called to tell you we were moving the trip up a day, I said it again when we picked you up, and I reminded you right before the plane took off.”

We had been planning this guy’s trip for about a month. We’d all hoped for some nice weather—or at least sunshine—after the long, cold Chicago winter. We’re heading up to northern Minnesota, so it’s not like we expected it to be balmy, but the gorgeous cabin our friend, professional hockey player Blake Wilder, owns looks amazing in photos and we figured we’d at least have a sunny deck, cold beer, a boat, and some fishing for our four days.

That plan has changed drastically. There’s a big winter storm moving in and it looks like our long weekend is going to consistof hot coffee—maybe with some whiskey in it—and a constantly burning fireplace instead.

“You still came with us,” I tell Jackson. “So the lack of skimpy lingerie this weekend is your own fault.”

“You donotknowtwelvewomen who would willingly get snowed in with you for four days,” Wyatt tells his best friend with a grin.

“Fuck off. I knowat leasta dozen,” Jackson tells him. “And I could get three or four of them to come all together.” He waggles his eyebrows.

Wyatt laughs. “What the hell amIdoing going to Minnesota with two dudes for four days of a winter apocalypse when I could be in Chicago with you andfourblondes in lingerie?”

“Who said I’m sharing?” Jackson asks.

“We’ve had fun sharing one,” Wyatt says. “Think of what a good time we’d have with four.”

Jackson grins and nods. “Good point. I’ve only got one dick, one tongue, and two hands. I could probably use some help.”

“That’s the spirit,” Wyatt tells him, sitting back against the side of the plane that’s cruising above the dark water.

Wilder’s cabin is on an island accessible only by boat or plane. How the hell did I end up flying from Chicago to northern Minnesota and then taking a chartered private plane to an island where there are only ten houses?

I shake my head. I’m a firefighter. I’ve lived in Chicago all my life. I hang out with blue-collar guys and gals. I’m happy that way.

But damn, it’s nice to have friends with deep pockets, I’ll admit.

“Well, now I’m here,” Jackson says, tucking his hands further into the pockets of his dark gray overcoat. “I cleared my weekend for this, so I’d better at least get s’mores and hot chocolate out of this sex-less snowpocalypse.”

I look at the guy who is twelve years my junior, but has already made more money than I will probably see in my lifetime. “I would think you could afford a decent coat. What the hell are you doing wearing that thing up to Northern Minnesota in March, anyway?”

“I was thinking about sitting out on that fucking gorgeous deck, grilling out, drinking beer, hot tub… just kicking back. I didn’t know I would be fighting for my survival.”

I huff out a laugh. We’re going to a “cabin” that is more or less a mansion in the woods. Heidi, Blake’s grandmother, who was the one to call and warn me about the incoming storm and suggest we head up here a day early, promised the cabin was fully stocked. She also said March storms could be brutal but they cleared out after a day or so and we’d have no trouble getting back to Chicago on Monday. We’re not going to be hanging out on the deck in the sunshine but we’re alsonotgoing to be fighting for our survival.

“I think we’ll be okay,” Wyatt tells him. “This cabin is amazing. And we’re still getting away. I get that your usual day is pretty cushy but Luke and I deserve this vacation.”

Jackson leans back and stretches his legs out. “You two work too hard.”

Wyatt laughs. “Next to you, everyone works hard.”

“I’ll be working hard soon,” Jackson says. “When I was developing my app, I worked twenty-hour days for weeks.”

“You’re not workingat allright now, though,” Wyatt points out.

“I’m waiting for inspiration.”

Wyatt grins. “And you’re bored. That’s why you’re coming with us this weekend.”

Jackson shrugs. “I also like you two. I can think of worse ways to spend four days.”

“But also better,” I say. “Blondes right?”

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