Page 167 of Light My Fire

Luke grins suddenly. “Only you would see it that way. But you’re right.”

“I thought through some things too,” Jackson says. “I’m in love with Brooke. But I shouldn’t have made assumptions and sprung living together on her or either of you. I need to communicate more effectively. If and when we all move intogether, the three of you should be in on that decision, anyway. I’m going to sell the house. It’s too far out of town for all of you.”

My jaw drops. “You just bought it!”

He shrugs. “So? It’s not right for my people. It’s already on the market. I had to compete with like ten other buyers so it won’t be a problem to unload it. I want to take care of Brooke but this isn’t the way to do it. I’m going to take my time, get certified as a trainer, and look for a commercial property to run a rescue shelter out of. I also don’t need six dogs. I’m giving Tank to my mom and dad. Luke, you can take Angel if you want. She’s almost weaned now.”

“Damn. That sounds like a great plan,” I tell him. I really mean that. “You’re good at anything you put your mind to, man.”

“Thank you. Now can we put our minds to helping Brooke work through what just happened? How do we reassure her that we understand she’s feeling overwhelmed and that we’re all in, but we’re also willing to take it slow and by her rules?”

“I’ve been wracking my brain for two days,” I admit. “And I don’t. Just tell her?”

“We can’t text her,” Luke points out. “She told us not to.”

“I thought about flowers, but that’s so… ordinary,” Jackson says. “I want something better than that.”

We all sip our drinks.

There’s a knock on the door.

We all sit up straight. “What if that’s Brooke?” Jackson asks.

“Why would it be Brooke?” I stand up and go to the door. I look through the peephole. It’s an expedited mail delivery man. I open the door. “Hi. Can I help you?”

“For Wyatt Doherty.”

“That’s me.”

He hands me an envelope.

“Thanks.”

I shut the door and see the return address is from Brooke. Heart racing, I rip it open. For a split second, I’m terrified it’s something terrible, but then I grin as I quickly scan it.

I hold it up. “Guys, we’re in business. Brooke invited me to the cabin.”

“What?” They both jump up and race over. They read it over my shoulders.

“Brooke Wilder requests your attendance at a private poker tournament,” Jackson says out loud. “Buy-in is one sex toy to be used on the organizer at competitors’ discretion. Rules are as follows: Brooke deals every hand. RSVP to Brooke via text.”

My dick is instantly hard. My heart soars. “I think we’re in business. This is in three days. Our girl is telling us she’s going to be in charge. Are we all good with that? Because I sure as fuck am.”

“Hell, yeah,” Jackson says.

“I’m all in,” Luke says firmly. “I’m going to assume both me and Jackson have an invitation waiting for us at home?”

“I’m sure of it.”

I pull my phone out and text Brooke.

Thanks for the invite. I’ll be there. Considering my buy in options now.

She responds immediately.

I trust you.

It means the world to me.

---