He cheated i chose two firefighters novel Chapter 68

Chapter 68

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Mena

While everyone ate, I built lunch for the crew: steak fajitas, veggie wraps, sour cream and cheese on the side. I made pico de gallo from scratch and my famous spicy salsa.

For dinner I prepped two soups–zuppa toscana and loaded baked potato–plus fresh French bread. Once my shift responsibilities were handled, I stocked food for the next three days and wrote clear instructions for the oncoming shift.

By the time I was done, the station fridge was packed to the edges.

Natalie walked in right at two.

I was perched in Milo’s lap with Jace working my feet like it was his job. The Chief had come through earlier, taken one look at us, and shook his head while muttering something like, “At least they’re dressed,” which had Milo and Jace laughing so hard they nearly choked.

Five minutes after Natalie arrived, Dylan strode in while I was gathering my bag. He went straight to her, dipped her backward, and kissed her like he owned her mouth.

“I’m going to miss you,” he said against her lips. “See you when you’re back, kitten.”

Then he headed down the hallway toward the bunks without waiting for her to answer.

“Ten bucks he’s about to spank the monkey,” Jace said.

“I’m not betting against that,” Milo replied. “His dick was rock hard.”

Jace snapped, “Why were you looking at his dick?”

“I’m leaving,” I warned, lifting a finger. “No fighting.”

And honestly, it was hard not to notice.

Natalie giggled. I kissed my guys one last time, and then we were gone.

“They crack me up,” Natalie said as we walked out.

“Ten bucks Jace has Dylan pinned to a wall, kissing him until he behaves,” I said.

Natalie wheezed. “I’m not taking that bet.”

We made it back to my place fast. I threw together a small bag for Montana, which wasn’t exactly difficult. Florida hadn’t required a real cold–weather wardrobe, so my “winter gear” consisted of one sweatshirt, two sweaters, and jeans.

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I texted the girls a warning that Montana in November was freezing, then added a few long–sleeve

shirts.

After that, I swung by Milo’s and shamelessly stole two of my boys‘ sweatshirts.

The next morning, I was buckled into a private plane with my girls.

“This is so cool!” Maren squealed from the seat across from me.

I smiled at her. She looked adorable in blue jeans, brown knee–high boots, and a brown sweater, her hair curled and pulled up into a high ponytail.

“It really is,” I said. “Have you ever been to Montana?”

“Yeah,” she told me. “My grandpa owns a ranch there. I used to spend summers out there helping.”

“Seriously? So you can ride?”

“And wrangle cows,” she said proudly. “I’ve even assisted with a birth. One of Pop’s cows had twins. It was gross and beautiful.” She chuckled.

The flight passed in a blur of stories–childhood memories, dumb injuries, family drama, all of it.

We landed a little after ten and made it to Natalie’s place. I claimed the couch immediately. Maren said she’d take the loveseat, leaving Maisie and Summer with the guest bed.

They looked very much like that wasn’t a hardship.

We got to work.

Natalie was ruthless in the best way–she cut her clothes down by half, trimmed her shoes by a third, and tossed most of her cooking stuff.

I rescued her mixing bowls and whisks, though. You could never have too many.

By mid–afternoon, she glanced at the clock. “It’s already three. Can we go to the store? I’ll do steak and chicken nachos tonight, and we can make margaritas.”

The girls whooped like she’d offered us front–row concert tickets.

We piled into her 2015 Ford Explorer–five of us fit comfortably–and hit the grocery store.

Shopping turned into a whole event. We filled the cart laughing, and settled on brownies with vanilla ice cream for dessert.

“Vanilla is the only vanilla I’ll accept,” Maisie announced.

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Mynd

We all lost it, loud enough to make nearby shoppers turn and stare. I looked around, still laughing at the expressions. Small town. Five gorgeous women. Noise. Of course we drew eyes.

Then a voice cut through it like a blade.

“Well, well, well,” Sloane said. “If it isn’t little Miss C–nt and her pack of bitches. Haven’t seen you around, Scar. Been hiding out? Too embarrassed to show your face?”

I turned.

Sloane stood there with Ever beside her.

I rolled my eyes because of course the universe would gift me this moment. “Do I look embarrassed, Sloane? Pretty sure we were just laughing.”

“Your girls?” she sneered. “What, did you go full lesbian?”

“And if I did,” I said evenly, “how would that be your business?”

Summer leaned into me and whispered, “Who is this bitch?”

I kept my smile and introduced her anyway. “Ladies, this is Sloane–my ex–husband’s wh… friend.” I changed the word at the last second, glancing at Ever.

Maisie’s voice dropped to a whisper. “The one he cheated with?”

I nodded once.

“Her?” Maisie said louder, eyes sweeping Sloane head to toe. “Damn. Your ex downgraded hard. He went from an exotic, gorgeous woman with a bangin‘ body to… a plastic fake Barbie?”

A laugh slipped out of me before I could stop it.

Sloane’s face tightened, color rising. Ever just stared at all of us like we were a movie.

“You’re all so pretty,” Ever said, wide–eyed. “Are you princesses?”

“Aww,” my girls cooed, instantly preening.

I giggled again, watching Sloane’s cheeks go even redder.

“Come on, Eve,” Sloane snapped. “We don’t need to associate with women of ill Ever along.

Ever twisted back to smile and wave.

We all waved back.

ute.” She yanked

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“That poor kid,” Maren murmured once they were gone. “She’s going to lose all that sweetness when she hits her teens. Hopefully she doesn’t turn into her mom.”

Maisie blinked. “Did she just call us prostitutes?”

We cracked up right there in the aisle.

“You all handled that perfectly,” I told them, still smiling. Then, to Maren, softer: “My husband cheated on me with her. I’m sorry you had to meet her.”

Maren snorted. “She’s a c–nt. Probably smells like a diseased one.”

We giggled, finished shopping, and headed out.

I love these women. I’m so damn grateful they’re in my life.