“Sounds great,” I say. Sometimes Rick needs some help getting to the point. “Did he say anything relevant to ski patrol?”
“Oh, right. He’sordered the top of the mountain to be shut down tomorrow. They’re calling for wind gusts up to forty-five miles an hour through lunch, and he doesn’t want to risk it.”Good on him, I think to myself.“Also,” Rick continues, “he’s halted your blasting schedule for tomorrow. He says he’ll keep an eye on it. I mentioned that he might want to talk to your intern, but apparently Jeremy beat me to it, and the big man already asked Jeremy for Hanlon’s number in order to get his thoughts.”
Wow, that’s a big fucking deal.
Suddenly, a thought occurs to me…maybeHanlonwill bemyboss one day. I smirk at the thought that I’d be banging my boss, but worry quickly takes hold. Hanlon is a rule follower. What if he were to insist that we can’t see each other anymore because weobviouslywouldn’t be allowed to date if he becomes my boss?
Pretty sure they teach that inRules for Upper Management 101.
“Stone? You there?” Rick’s question pulls me back to the present.
“Sorry, I didn’t catch that last part.”
“I said tomorrow your team will just be running basic patrols mid-mountain and lower.”
“Okay. Can I tell Deacon to stay home?” I ask, knowing my pilot would love a snow day with his baby girl.
“Unfortunately, no. We’re backup for Search and Rescue tomorrow. Sapphire Butte’s chopper is down for maintenance.”
“10-4,” I confirm as tension returns to my shoulders. The fact that it was there in the first place makes it clear I need to address my concerns with Deacon. Maybe Logan would be willing to do some additional training with him before he leaves for good.
But that’s a conversation for tomorrow or the next day. Right now, I’m going to wait for Hanlon, head home, jerk himoff in the shower, and relax in the company of my boyfriend and his best friend in one of the most beautiful places on the planet.
It feels perfect. Maybe a littletooperfect.
Like we’re in the eye of the storm.
Chapter 36
Hanlon
“Hey, man. Thanks for starting dinner,” I tell Chase, grabbing his shouldersin a quick massage after dumping my work bag on the floor in the laundry room. “Smells good.”
Chase laughs. “Thanks for the free lift ticket. Throwing some beans in a pot and browning some ground beef was literally the easiest way to repay you.”
“Meh, you can repay me with your abundant medical knowledge once you become a fancy surgeon,” I tease, excited for him to be starting medical school this coming August. It’s been his dream for as long as I’ve known him.
“I’m going to be a trauma surgeon, Han. Hopefully, you’ll never need me,” he says with a tone of seriousness.
“Valid point,” I say, taking a seat at the small kitchen table.
Stone comes into the kitchen several minutes later. He had gone straight to the shower and his hair is still wet. Without giving it a second thought, I’m up from my chair and moving toward him immediately. He wraps his arms around my shoulders and allows me to burrow into his chest.
Chase turns to watch us as he continues stirring the pot of chili on the stove.
“I can honestly say I never saw this coming, but you guys look good together.”
Stone presses a kiss to my head as he rubs my back.
“Trust us, you’re not the only one it shocked,” he says with a laugh.
“I didn’t even know you were gay, Stone.”
“I’m not sure I am,” my stepbrother replies, making Chase laugh.
“Bro, I heard the sounds coming from your room last night, so either you have the most talented hand on the planet, you snuck a chick in without my knowledge, or you’re pretty fucking gay.”
Stone releases me as he looks me in the eye. “Can I go back to hating him?”
