Page 50 of Snowed In with Four Firemen
“Yep,” I say, biting my lip. “He kind of used to be my boyfriend.”
“Kind of?”
The tension around us skyrockets.
I glance at Axel, then at Jace, who’s eyeing Whit like he’s ready to throw a punch. Ben just looks confused, but it’s Axel who seems the most affected. His fists are flexing at his sides, the muscles in his neck tight as he waits for an answer.
I sigh, rubbing a hand across my forehead. “It’s...complicated.”
“Isn’t it always,” Jace mutters under his breath, still glaring at Whit, who’s now taking his time surveying the scene, completely oblivious to the tension he’s causing.
The helicopter door swings open again before I can even process what to say or do. Another figure stumbles out, looking a bit disoriented, as if the whole thing was too much for him. I squint, trying to make out the person stepping out behind Whit.
It takes me a second to realize who it is.
“Sam?” I whisper, my heart skipping a beat.
Sam, Hailey’s fiancé, is standing there in the snow, looking dazed and confused.
He looks like he’s been through hell—disheveled and frazzled, as if the trip itself took more out of him than it should have.
His voice cracks as he starts calling out, “Hailey! Where’s Hailey?”
Hailey cuts through the crowd and goes up to hug him. “Sam. Oh my God you’re really here.” Around me, people go, “Aww.” And even I can’t help but clutch my heart. They’re so adorable.
Sam takes her in his arms before he kisses her in front of everyone.
“That’s love,” I say.
Meanwhile, Whit walks right past them.
“Emily,” he drawls, taking a step closer. “Can’t believe you’re here.”
I can feel all three of the guys—Tanner, Axel, and Jace—bristle at the same time.
Axel looks like he’s one second away from stepping between me and Jace… well, Jace looks downright murderous.
“Yep,” I just reply.
I hope that Whit will just keep walking and that he’ll recognize the tension and think better about whatever game he’s playing. But of course, that’s wishful thinking.
Instead, Whit stops in front of me, totally ignoring the other guys. Before I can say anything, he pulls me into a hug—too tight, too long. I stiffen, uncomfortable, and try to wriggle out of his grip, but he doesn’t let go.
“Whit,” I say, my voice strained as I push lightly against his chest. “That’s enough.”
But he doesn’t listen, holding on like he has something to prove. It’s suffocating.
“That’s enough,” Axel says calmly as he puts a hand on his shoulder, though his tone is laced with a quiet warning.
Whit freezes, his grip on me loosening slightly as he slowly turns to face Axel. His expression darkens, his jaw tightening as he steps back from me, clearly irritated by the interruption.
“Excuse me?” Whit sneers. “And who the hell are you?”
Axel doesn’t even blink. “Someone who respects boundaries.”
Whit’s lips curl into a smirk, though there’s nothing friendly about it. “Oh, I see what this is,” he says. He turns to me. “These your lapdogs, Em? Didn’t take you long.”
“How fucking dare you,” Tanner bristles.
