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“I do not.” I strike out at him with a playful thunk against his stomach. “Don’t forget who is capable of taking the other down, little brother. You might be learning some jujitsu moves, but I’m still bigger than you.” Not by much, but we’re not going to acknowledge that.
Nolan scoffs. “In your dreams, Prince Charming. You don’t hold a candle to me anymore.”
I roll my eyes at the old nickname. Our high school classmates started that—born from the resemblance I seemed to have to the character and the sense of respect I always showed the girls—and for whatever reason, it stuck. Nolan likes to pull it out whenever he wants to annoy me the most.
Instead of responding to his claim, I turn back to watch Sam win his challenge. His carefree attitude is infectious. Even his competition is laughing right alongside him. He’s playful in a way I’ve never been able to emulate, and for a short, self-conscious moment, I can’t help but wonder how he could ever be happy dating someone like me. I’m stoic, logical, and anxious about most things. I’d just be a drag on Sam’s happiness. It’s what happened with Chase. He tried to get me to go out and do things that I was never comfortable doing, and in the end, he left because I wasn’t enough for him.
Before I can dwell on those thoughts for too long, the competition is over, and Nolan is stepping in to try his hand at the challenges. Tucker and Natalie come over to stand with me while we watch Nolan fail spectacularly. If he tried a little harder, he could probably do it without any trouble, but he can’t do anything without making it silly.
And when the kids begin to giggle at his silly moves, it only encourages him more.
I see Katie, my brother Adam’s fiancé’s best friend, cover her face in embarrassment while her son belly laughs at Nolan. When Nolan ends his dramatic attempt at carrying the water hose, he walks over to Katie’s son and places a red plastic fire hat on top of his head. He looks at Nolan with hero worship in his eyes, and I can’t deny it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
“Is there something going on between those two?” Sam’s question has me turning toward him in surprise. I didn’t hear him come up beside me.
I look back over to see Nolan talking to Katie, his smile flirty while she seems immune. “Not that I’m aware of, but with Nolan, you never know.” I make a mental note to ask Nolan about it. I wouldn’t have ever guessed he’d be interested in a woman like Katie. We’ve gotten to know her well since Ellie and Adam got together. She’s an amazing mother and not one I could picture having random one-night stands. Then again, I can’t imagine dating is easy with a kid either, so maybe one-night stands are the best way to go.
“Well, I was hoping you might be interested in hanging out with a bunch of firefighters tonight. We’re going to Donna’s once we get everything cleaned up here, and I’d love it if you came with us,” Sam says, an easy smile on his face.
“Sure. Sounds like fun.”
CHAPTER 8
Carter
The noise level walking into Donna’s is jarring. Welcome to a Saturday night in a small town. With a town event having ended only a few hours earlier, and nowhere else to go, everyone seems to have decided to keep the party going.
I scan the crowd for a group of firefighters. I’m still a little iffy about how I’ll fit in with this group. Having met most of them through Tucker, I know they’re good guys. I’m just nervous about how to socialize with them.
And if I’m honest with myself, I’m mostly unsure about how Sam wants me to interact with him in front of his coworkers. Our kiss today threw me for a loop. Where do we stand with each other? I know what I want, but does it match what he wants, as well?
I wish I could be as confident as Nolan sometimes. He wouldn’t have this tangle of nerves in his stomach just because he’s hanging out with a few people he’s never met. Nor would a kiss send him into a tailspin.
Whereas I overthink everything.
Sam’s eyes find me in the crowd when I get closer to the pool tables, and the bright smile on his face eases some of the tension. At the very least, I’m confident he wants me here. I can hold on to that idea until I get more comfortable.
“Hey! Come be on my team. This asshole is shit at pool.” Sam points his thumb at Brody, who gasps with dramatic flair.
“I’m rusty. Give me a couple of games and I’ll get my mojo back,” Brody defends.
“You’ve never had mojo,” another guy teases. I’m not sure if he’s Rick or Rodney, though, since their impromptu birthday party didn’t specify.
“You guys suck.” Brody hands me the pool stick and goes over to the pub table where a few beers sit.
I laugh at their good-natured teasing. It reminds me of my brothers and tells me everything I need to know about these guys.
“I can’t say I’ll be any better. It’s been a while since I last played pool,” I admit. I can’t remember the last time my siblings and I played at O’Malley’s. I should text them to set something up.
“At least you’re prettier to look at than Brody.” Sam winks. My face flushes at the compliment. I take that to mean Sam has no problem being out around these guys.
“Why am I the one getting ganged up on tonight? Rick’s the one with the birthday.” Brody points at him.
“‘Cause you’re always ragging on the rest of us. We have to take our chances when they come around.” Taylor comes walking up to the group with a mixed drink in his hand.
Brody huffs but doesn’t refute Taylor’s statement. Sam takes the moment to introduce me to everyone. The only person here I don’t know is Daniel. He looks to be a little older than me and Sam, maybe late thirties or early forties. His soft smile and kind eyes put me at ease immediately.
Daniel and Rick are on a team playing against Sam. They’re pretty good. Let’s hope I don’t embarrass Sam too much when I have to play.
