Page 39 of Snowed In with Four Firemen
Emily’s face reddens. “Was this because of me?”
Axel and I glare at each other instead of answering.
“Axel? Jace?” she prompts.
“Let’s just...sort this out,” I finally say.
Axel crosses his arms, his gaze still intense but less confrontational. “Yeah, whatever. Just make sure you understand what you’re accusing me of.”
Tanner and Ben exchange a look, and Tanner clears his throat. “Okay, how about we all take a breather? We’ll figure this out, but not like this. Let’s go inside.”
“No thanks,” Axel says. “I’m not in the mood for discussion.”
“You and me then.” Ben takes Axel by his shoulder and starts to lead him away. He’s firmer than I expected him to be. “You’re coming with me.”
I glare at Axel.
“And you,” Tanner turns to me. “What the hell was this about?” His gaze momentarily shifts to Emily who is red-faced, her arms tucked to herself.
“Nothing,” I say. I turn on my heel and start walking away. She chose to walk up to Axel. She was more concerned about him, not me.
I give one last look at Emily before I turn the corner. This isn’t over, not by a long shot. And I’ll do anything I can to get her back.
CHAPTER 13
EMILY
I shutthe door behind me, my heart pounding in my chest. Embarrassment floods through me as my mind flashes back to the scene in the hallway—Axel and Jace practically tearing into each other, and of course, Chloe standing there, smirking like she just got front-row seats to the best show in town. I never wanted that. I never wanted any of this.
I rub my temples, trying to shake the tension building up behind my eyes. Why did they have to fight like that? And why did it have to happen in front of everyone?
Now the whole damn lodge probably thinks I’m at the center of some stupid love triangle. I feel sick thinking about it.
Before I can spiral any further, there’s a knock at my door. I freeze, my stomach twisting. Please, don’t let it be Jace. I can’t deal with more of this right now.
When I open the door, it’s Tanner standing there, his usual easygoing expression softening with concern. “Hey, just wanted to check in on you. Make sure you’re okay.”
I force a smile, but I know it doesn’t reach my eyes. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
He steps inside, closing the door gently behind him. “You don’t look fine, Em.”
I let out a sigh, sinking down onto the bed. “It’s just...everything.”
He nods. “I get it.”
But does he? I don’t think Tanner is the most sensitive person on the planet.
“Axel and Jace fighting like that wasn’t on my bingo card.” He cocks his head. “Do you know what happened?”
I know he’s not trying to pry, just understand.
“So, what was that all about, really? I mean, Jace and Axel fighting like that…it seemed a little more personal than just a disagreement.” He crosses his arms, waiting for an answer.
I feel my throat tighten, heat creeping up my neck. I can’t tell him. I can’t tell him about what happened with Axel in my room. The way we almost…God, it’s too embarrassing. If I say anything, it’ll only make things worse, and I don’t even know where Tanner fits into all of this.
“I don’t know. Too much tension, the storm, the wedding…It’s all piling up.” As soon as the words come out of my mouth, I realize just how bad that sounds. I’m a terrible liar, and Tanner sees right through me.
He raises an eyebrow. “Come on, Em. I’ve been around long enough to know when there’s more to a story than what someone’s telling me. You don’t have to hide it.”
