I sighed, forcing myself to focus on Brian and Roy, who were cracking some jokes with Caleb and Trent. I was so happy that they wanted to introduce me to their friends. I looked between them, amused with their fun banter.
“So how did these two manage to steal your heart?” Brian asked me, winking at them. “I want to know the secret to snatching away such a gorgeous girl like you.”
“Hey, back off,” Caleb warned, smirking at him. “Find your own gorgeous girl.”
I chuckled, amused with his possessiveness. Brian raised his hands in the air, looking apologetic.
“I didn’t really mean it, you know.”
“It’s okay, Brian,” I told him. “Caleb knows I only have eyes for Trent and him.”
I kissed him and then I turned my head around and kissed Trent, making Roy and Brian howl in excitement. I burst into laughter, feeling so happy and relaxed with the guys. They were so funny when they were next to each other.
Half an hour later, there was an emergency call and the casual atmosphere evaporated. Everyone looked serious as they went to prepare themselves.
I caught Caleb and Trent by their hands, feeling like someone squeezed my heart. I was so proud of them, but I couldn’t help but be scared for them too.
“Please, guys. Be careful.”
They smiled at me, their confident gazes giving me the assurance I needed.
“Don’t worry, Bree,” Trent told me. “Everything is going to be alright. We’ll be back before you know it.”
“I love you,” I told them and then approached each of them and kissed them.
“We love you too, Bree.”
“Yeah, sweetie. We love you so much.”
I smiled back at them and let them go to work, heading to the lounge room with computers. I sat down, having decided to apply for school. Since Caleb and Trent had offered to help me, I could finally start realizing my dreams. I would work and study hard to become a teacher and repay them for all their help so far.
I used the phone to call the new rehab facility that Granny was in and talked to the social worker. “I need to make sure she’s well taken care of. I’m looking for work with insurance, but right now we’re going to have to pay out of pocket. I want to make sure Billing can put me on a payment plan.” I didn’t care that the guys were going to help me, I would pay as much as I could without their help. It was the least I could do.
“That’s fine, we’ll adjust it accordingly. And she’ll get the best care possible, I promise you. She’s a neat lady, Agnes.”
I smiled. “Yes, she is. I’ll come visit her tomorrow, please tell her that.”
“She’ll love a visitor I’m sure.”
After I ended the call, and finished applying at a local community college, I searched for some local jobs that had insurance. A bank was hiring and I didn’t even have to work full time to get benefits!
My life was finally changing for the better, and now—more than ever—I was sure I could do everything I wanted. I was strong.
Epilogue
6 months later
Bree
It was late at night, and I was waiting at the apartment for the guys to come back from work. I moved through the dark kitchen, checking if I’d set everything I’d planned to, and tried to calm my nerves. The lit candles I’d put all around made the atmosphere romantic and erotic at the same time. There were flowers on the countertops and the big pasta dinner I’d cooked for them waited for them on the table.
I had something to tell them, and I couldn’t wait until they arrived. I was in my new lingerie only, intent on seducing them, and the thought gave me butterflies. I couldn’t wait to see their expressions.
So many things had changed since the day Caleb and Trent brought me here. I started college, and I didn’t have to worry about money anymore since they were more than generous when it came to helping me with my expenses. Plus my job at the bank had turned out great. I really liked working with all different types of people every day. Also, I helped the guys with this place and cooked meals for the men at the firehouse, which I loved.
Granny had recovered, and she’d been happy when she heard I got along well with the guys. They had invited her to live with us, but she insisted on giving us some privacy. In the end, she had decided to move to an assisted living facility. I was relieved that she’d gotten used to her new life quickly, having already made some great friends, and I didn’t have to stress about whether she was alright there or not.
As soon as I heard the front door opening, I rushed to the hallway to greet the guys. They were wearing jackets and had duffel bags in their hands, but when they saw me, they dropped them and closed the distance between us in an instant.