Page 61 of Stuck with my Brother's Firefighter Besties

My throat tightened, and I pressed my fingers to my lips, trying to hold back the lump that had formed there.

My mom had passed away when I was just a little girl, and though I didn’t remember much about her, I’d always felt her absence. Sometimes, it felt like I had inherited her silence, her tendency to hide what was really going on.

“I know it’s hard, honey,” Dad said, his voice gentle. “But you’re home now. And that means something. You don’t have to have everything figured out right away. Just take it one day at a time.”

I nodded, my fingers tracing the edge of my laptop as I absorbed his words.

He was right. I didn’t have to have all the answers today. Maybe I didn’t even need to have them tomorrow.

“Thanks, Dad,” I said, a small smile finally making its way to my face. “I’m just trying to figure out what comes next, you know? In fact, I think I’m going to get some fresh air. Take Biscuit for a walk through town.”

Dad’s smile widened at the mention of Biscuit. “That little furball will be thrilled. He’s been moping around like he’s lost his best friend whenever you’re not in the room.”

I chuckled softly, the warmth of his words easing some of the tension in my chest. “He’s got a flair for the dramatic.”

Dad leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as his expression softened further. “Maybe he gets that from you, always keeping your feelings so close to the chest. But you don’t have to do that here, Lila. You’ve got people who care about you.”

His words stayed with me as I grabbed Biscuit’s leash and bundled up for the chilly weather outside. Biscuit bounded toward me the second I picked up the leash, his stubby legs working overtime in his excitement.

“All right, all right, calm down,” I said with a laugh as I clipped the leash to his collar. “You act like I never take you anywhere.”

Biscuit barked in response, tail wagging furiously as if he understood every word.

The air outside was brisk but refreshing, the kind that makes your cheeks tingle and your breath fog up in front of you. I tugged my scarf tighter around my neck as Biscuit led the way, his little legs moving like he was on a mission.

I walked through Medford until I got to the Brewed Bean Café, a place I’d always loved to visit when I lived here. It was comforting, familiar, and it gave me a sense of normalcy that I desperately needed.

As soon as I stepped inside, I was greeted by the familiar scent of fresh coffee and baked goods.

Samantha Barnes, the barista, looked up from behind the counter, flashing me a bright smile. She was a little older than me, with short, tousled blonde hair and an infectious laugh.

I’d always liked chatting with her when I came in—she’d been here forever, it seemed. And today, she looked like she was in a great mood.

“Well, well, if it isn’t my favorite return customer,” Samantha teased, setting a steaming cup of coffee on the counter. “You really are back in town. How’s it going?”

I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I wanted to talk about it. But her easygoing nature made it hard not to.

“I’m fine,” I said, smiling back at her. “Just busy, you know? Trying to get some work.”

“That’s awesome,” Samantha said, wiping her hands on her apron. “Medford has missed you.”

I smiled, grateful for her kind words, but I was still feeling a bit of that nervous energy I couldn’t shake. The pressure of being back in town, the fear of things coming to light, especially with Nate, was always looming.

Samantha leaned over the counter a little, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. “I gotta admit, though, the gossip is racing. You and a certain fireman, huh?”

I froze, my pulse racing. I couldn’t tell who she was referring to, which caused the nervous energy inside me to spike.

“What do you mean?” I asked, trying to sound casual, though I could feel the heat creeping up my neck.

“Oh, don’t worry about me,” Samantha said with a grin. “I don’t know a thing.”

I felt my stomach drop. My hands tightened around my coffee cup, and I tried to keep my voice steady.

“There’s nothing going on,” I said quickly, forcing a laugh. “People like to talk, but there’s really nothing to it.”

Samantha raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced.

“Yeah, right,” she teased. “But you should probably be careful with that kind of gossip. People around here can be, well, a little too curious about others’ business. Especially when it comes to someone like you.”

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