Page 38 of Snowed In with Four Firemen
“Then tell me,” Axel challenges.
Before I can retort, Tanner and Ben come rushing up the hallway, their faces set with concern. Tanner’s eyes dart between Axel and me, trying to gauge the situation. Ben looks a bit more composed, but there’s a noticeable tension in his posture.
“Whoa, whoa, guys. What’s going on here?” Tanner asks, stepping between us.
“Let’s all just take a step back,” Ben says, glancing around us. “We don’t need more drama than there already is.”
I hear a few doors slamming shut, but Chloe is still there. “You okay, Jace? What’s this about?”
I ignore her.
“She’s asking you something,” Axel says. “Maybe you should be paying attention to her.”
“Shut the fuck up,” I say. He’s obviously trying to rile me up.
I glance at Tanner, who’s giving me a look that’s almost pleading, and then at Ben, who’s giving Axel the same level-headed scrutiny.
“I don’t understand, what’s gotten your panties in a bunch?” Tanner says.
“This is none of your business,” Axel snaps
“Actually, it is our business,” Ben says, folding his arms over his chest. “We’re a team, and when things get this heated, it affects all of us.”
“He’s right. And if there’s an issue, we should talk about it like adults. Not out here in the hallway,” I respond.
I’m still seething, but the reality of the situation is hitting me. I look over at Axel, who seems to be cooling off slightly.
The door to Emily’s room opens and she steps out, her eyes widening when she sees us. Axel and I are practically in each other’s faces.
“Guys, what’s happening?” she asks in a meek voice as her confused gaze darts between us.
Axel, his face still flushed with anger, doesn’t reply and neither do I.
“Seriously, what’s going on?” Emily steps further into the hallway, her gaze moving between Axel and me. “Let’s sit down and talk.”
“Go inside Emily. This doesn’t concern you,” I say.
Axel laughs without mirth. “Yeah, right. Don’t want to be the bad guy in front of her?”
Ben and Tanner exchange worried looks. “Guys, please,” Ben says.
“I’m not the one who started this,” Axel says.
Emily walks up to Axel, tugging at his arm. “Can you tell me what this is about?”
This pisses me off more. Why is she more concerned about what Axel thinks?
“Guys, let’s go inside and talk about it.”
She tugs at his arm. “Axel, please.”
There it is again. She’s choosing him over me.
Her gaze finally, finally slides to me, and I feel like I could do anything for her.
I don’t want to cause more trouble, especially in front of her. Emily is looking around, and I see the gears in her mind turning. When she sees Chloe, she says, “This is none of your business. Please go inside.”
“I see you still have a penchant for drama after all these years,” Chloe says before slamming her door shut.
