Page 57 of Light My Fire

“Now who's cheating?” Jackson demands, stumbling out of his and destroying the left wing.

“Brooke wins,” Luke says without hesitation. “Now let’s go back inside. It’s fucking cold out here.”

“Agreed,” Jackson says, dusting himself off. He reaches over and brushes snow off of Brooke’s back. “I need to change into dry clothes.” His hand drifts lower. “So do you.”

“I’m going to take a hot shower,” Brooke says.

She bites her bottom lip. For a second, I think she’s going to invite Jackson to join her, but then she seems to remember I exist. She glances over at me, but doesn’t say anything.

Luke and Jackson go past me into the house. I’m shoveling like a man possessed when Brooke pauses beside me.

“Are you okay?” she asks.

“I’m fine.” Confused as fuck, but fine.

“Is this weird? I don’t know how I’m supposed to act. This is all new to me.” She crosses her arms over her chest. Her nose is pink from the cold and she looks worried. “Jackson said this isn’t a competition but… it still feels that way to me. Jackson is flirting and you look annoyed and you and I didn’t really talk about what any of this means, if anything...”

So she and Jackson had a private discussion? I know she left the room to check on Henley and the puppies last night. She must have run into him and clearly they both felt a connection.

I don’t really want to have this conversation right now, but I want to—need to—reassure her that the ball is in her court here. I do mean that. I touch her chin and tip her head up.

“Brooke. I like you. A lot. I want to date you after this weekend. Take you out to dinner, go hiking together, spend many nights like last night again with you. But I know this is all new to you. If you want to date Jackson too, or spend the night with him, I’m fine with that. Everything is up to you. It’s all your choice, beautiful.”

Fine may be exaggerating it, but I understand she’s inexperienced. In reality, if she wants to date another guy, I would prefer it be my best friend, who I know will treat her right.

“Last night was so wonderful,” she says. “You’ve really opened my eyes, and it was so special, and I really like you too, Wyatt. I’m just not sure what exactly I want right now. It’s all new and a little… overwhelming.”

“I’ll hang back,” I tell her. “I don’t want to overwhelm you or put any expectations on you.” My heart squeezes just a little, but I have to do what’s right for Brooke, not me. “This isn’t a competition. This is whatever you want.”

I’m willing to wait for however long it takes.

I’m falling hard for Brooke and I want to be with her. Permanently.

But she’s not ready for that.

“Are you sure?” She’s searching my expression.

“I’m sure.” I give her a soft kiss. “Jackson is a good guy.”

Brooke puts her arms around my neck and kisses me. “So are you.”

She slips past me and into the house.

Why do I feel like I just friend-zoned myself all over again?

Way to go, asshole.

I go back to shoveling, trying to clear out my frustration.

CHAPTER 14

Brooke

I’m having an amazing,fun, flirty, and confusing as hell weekend.

I lost my virginity last night in the most perfect way possible.

Wyatt made it sexy and fun and very, very satisfying for me.

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