Page 155 of Light My Fire

No, it sounds like I don’t have enough time to get texts from my boyfriends, who are right now at a warehouse with abombinside.

That would be stressful even if it was onlyoneboyfriend. This is doubly hard.

Fuck, I know this is their job. And what I’m doing right now ismyjob. Yes, this will get a little easier and I hope I won’t have Tammy glaring at me all day every day, but this is still how this is going to be—I’ll be busy at work, taking care of sick and injured animals whose families love them very much and are worried and upset. My job deserved my full attention. I’m not able to be texting all day with my boyfriends. While they’re doing their very dangerous jobs.

None of this has really hit me before now.

This is a lot.

And I have three people to worry about, not just one. When they’re out of town. When they’re sick. When they’re sad.

I feel the stress, and what almost feels like panic, start creeping up my throat.

You are just overwhelmed by work. You’re fine. Stop this.

“Okay, I’ll talk to you later,” I say to Jackson.

“Yeah. Of course,” Jackson says.

“Bye.” I disconnect, very aware of the fact that neither of us said I love you.

“Are you okay?” Kelsey asks.

I glance back at the television. “Not really. My boyfriend is a firefighter.”

Her eyes widen, and she looks at the television as well. “Oh. Wow. I didn’t even know you had a boyfriend.”

I know. “Yeah. And his job stresses me out.”

“I’m waiting,” Tammy snaps.

Andmyjob stresses me out.

“I’m coming. Sorry.” I take a second to completely shut my phone off, even though it makes my heart drop into my stomach. Then I tuck it into my pocket and head to the exam room.

CHAPTER 38

Jackson

“This place is awesome,”Wyatt says as we finish the tour of my new house in the kitchen.

Luke nods. “Seriously. Well done.”

They’ve both seen photos of the place as I was deciding between it and another property, but this is the first time they’ve seen it in person. I just got the keys and signed off on the final paperwork this afternoon.

I love it and I’m pleased that my friends feel the same way. It’s an enormous modern farmhouse, sitting on multiple acres, which makes it the perfect place for the four of us to live and to also build the dog training program.

I am fortunate that five of my six dogs are still tiny and not moving much. It won’t be long before they need a lot more space, and this place will be perfect.

“I’ll let you guys decide who gets which of the other rooms, but I am obviously taking the big one with the Jacuzzi tub in the bathroom,” I tell them, leaning back against the countertop and grinning

Luke and Wyatt share a look, then look at me with frowns. “Rooms for what?” Wyatt asks.

“Which room you’ll take for your bedroom and which one Luke wants.” The house has six bedrooms, so I’m not worried. Everyone will be able to have a space they love. “I’m even throwing in money for redecoration. Whatever you want. You can pick out the furniture, but I’m paying.”

I actually can’t remember feeling this good about my money since I bought my parents their house.

Elaborate trips, living in luxury, and not worrying about the future are all great, of course, but I’m never happier than when I’m spending my money on the people I care about. And this house is huge for that. Buying my parents’ place felt amazing, but buying a place for me, Wyatt, Luke, and Brooke, is incredible. Contributing to the growth of our relationship like this gives me a satisfaction that is shocking in its intensity.

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