Chasing Mr. December
MAGNOLIA POINT
The ink is barely dry on my marketing degree,
and I’ve already landed my first big break.
If onlyhewasn’t standing in my way.
This small town desperately needs help bringing tourism back.
And given I grew up in Magnolia Point, there’s no one better for the job.
Turning things around in my hometown could put my PR firm on the map.
Between the hot fireman calendar and an epic Bathtub Party Day celebration,
I’ve got this in the bag. No one’s going to stop me.
Not even Jason Bristow.
That smoldering firefighter is making it impossible to do my job.
And not just because I can’t get him out of my head.
When my brother’s ex-best friend refuses to participate,
it leaves me one month short. That’s fine. Challenge accepted.
Because whether he likes it or not, I’m chasing Mr. December.
Chapter 1
Jason
“Touchdownnn! Come to Papa!”
This rookie is starting to chap my ass. Maybe I’m just bitter that my team’s only won two games this season, but Breck’s boisterous overconfidence isn’t helping. Truth be told, I wish I had an ounce of his self-assurance when I was a cub in the fire department. Not that I’d ever let him in on that.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, cubby. The game’s not over yet,” I bark.Hell, it might as well be.His team is up by fourteen and they’ve just announced the two-minute warning. I guess there’s always room for a miracle. Two minutesisa long time in football.
“Awe, don’t give the probie a hard time, Jase. You’re only jealous because he reminds you that you’re old.” Trevor chuckles. “Well, that and your team sucks.”
Flipping Trevor the finger, I cross my arms over my chest in defiance and train my eyes on the screen as Miami’s kicker lines up his shot. Who in a million years would’ve thought this team could’ve taken my Bears by this much?
“And the extra point is gooood!” Breck’s voice grates like teeth dragging against a metal fork.
Apparently, I’m not the only one who thinks so. A large white object flies through the air, causing me to swiftly duck behind the recliner. I pop up in time to see it collide with the side of Brecken’s head.
“Someone tell this FNG to take a seat.” Wow. Normally Matt is pretty chill. He must have more riding on this game than I do.
This kid would do well to rein it in a little. If nothing more than to save us from giving him any more rookie nicknames. At least calling him a cub is fairly innocuous. Not sure what it is about him that’s rubbed Matt the wrong way, though. He’s the last guy in this department to bully anyone. Yet it didn’t take long after Brecken’s arrival, and Matt had labeled him the fucking new guy.
As if the universe knew we needed a diversion from Brecken’s antics. The door opens, and three beautiful women stride in.
“Hey, what did we do to deserve this visit?” Matt springs from his chair, grinning widely like Santa came early this year as he walks over to greet his girlfriend. He takes the tray of what appears to be Ellie’s mouthwatering cornbread and deposits it on the kitchen island before placing a kiss to her temple.
“Well, between your twenty-four-hour shifts, poker night, and football season, we don’t get to see that much of you anymore.” Addison pouts. Trevor dashes over to squeeze his girl tight enough to make her squeal, then sneaks a peek inside the pastry box she’s holding.
