17. Elias

"What do you think he's doing?" I ask Zeke as I flip through the channels on the television, looking for something to focus on, anything other than wondering what he's doing.

What she's doing. What they're doing together.

Jay's been gone since this morning and he hasn't returned, and he hasn't messaged. Is he still with her? Is she okay? So many things are running through my mind and his lack of response is killing me.

My legs bounce, and my fingers itch to pick up my phone.

When Zeke doesn't answer, I reach behind him and slap him on the back of his head, causing it to fall forward. He jumps up, hands fisted, ready to punch me.

"What the hell, Eli?! What's your fucking problem?"

He runs his hand across the back of his head, soothing the sting as he sits back down, glaring at me with a look that I know all too well—payback is going to be a bitch.

"I asked you a damn question and you're sleeping. How the fuck can you sleep?"

"Easy, I'm fucking tired. What's got you all up in a tizzy?"

"Jay!" I say in exasperation.

"Where is he?" Zeke looks around the living room, his eyebrows furrowing when he doesn't see him. He calls out his name and I shake my head. How stupid is he?

"He's not here, and he hasn't called or answered his phone." I feel like a scorned woman at the moment, plotting my revenge against my own brother.

"Where is he? Is he still at Selena's?" His face lights up with his last words.

If he is, it means she didn't throw him out, and that's a good sign for us to be a part of her life.

"I don't know."

"If he is, then it's good. When we go over later, maybe she won't kick us out. We can also start planning for each of us to spend some alone time with her."

I do like the idea of alone time with Selena. But I'm still worried about her. She's not been feeling well. I'm afraid with the lack of fluids and food that she's going to need to be taken to the hospital.

I keep flipping through the channels, but I can't calm myself. My nerves are in overdrive and all I want is Selena. "Zeke?"

"Yeah."

"What are we waiting for?" I shift on the couch, so I can face him and turn off the television. If all goes well, we're not going to be watching anything else.

"Eli, seriously man, can you stop talking in fucking code?" He runs his hands through his thick, dark hair. I've always been amazed at how much I look like the twins. I'm not talking about the obvious things that tell you that you're related to someone, but our features are so closely similar we could almost pass as triplets.

I wonder if Selena saw the similarities when she met me on the plane. I'm also a little jealous that he got to have sex with her first. It's okay, he can have the boring hotel room, we had sex on a plane. It makes me yearn for the next place we can be together. Maybe we can do it at the firehouse, or on top of the firetruck.

My cock stirs in my pants at the image of her naked, lying on top of my fire jacket as I fuck her.

"Eli, who's zoning out now?"

Shaking my head, I will my cock to soften. Not really wanting to sport a boner in front of my brother right now.

"Sorry. What are we waiting for? Let's shower, get dressed, grab some food, and head over there now." The corners of my mouth turn up at the same time as Zeke's.

That's right buddy, we're cutting in on Jay's time. Asshole should've kept us updated.

"I like how you're thinking. Let's go." He shoots up from the couch and takes off for the stairs, taking them two at a time, until he disappears.

Why the hell am I still sitting here?

I spring up from the couch and follow my brother. In just a little while, I'll be gazing at the beauty that captured my heart two months ago.

The one who left me, without ever telling me who she really was. She just didn't leave, she ran from me.

Fate's funny sometimes. Her being my stepsister was not what I expected when I saw her at the end of the aisle.

Well fate, here's a kick in your ass, because I'm writing my own future now.

Pulling up to the curb in front of her apartment building, all I can think about is how I can't wait to get upstairs.

I've been chomping at the bit all day to see Selena. Jay not returning my messages was the incentive I needed to convince Zeke to come early.

Now here we are. Parked right behind Jay's truck.

"He's still here, so that's a good sign. Let's just hope our early arrival doesn't spook her." Eli taps his fingers on the steering wheel.

"Well, we'll woo her with our charm and food." I wink when Eli looks at me and we both laugh.

We made a pit stop to pick up some more soup for Selena and some Mexican food for us. We got a little extra of it, just in case she's better.

Zeke turns off the car, and I get out, opening the back door to grab the bags. When I turn around, I see him staring up at the building.

"Fuck, when we're at work tonight, we need to talk to the captain. This place has so many fucking code violations," Zeke says, his tone full of anger.

"I know. Every shift we've had since seeing where she lives has been nonstop. Busy or not, tonight we talk to him about this place being inspected." Zeke nods in agreement.

Stepping up to the door, he opens it for me, allowing me to enter.

"Hey, give me one of those bags."

"Seriously? You think I'm so weak that I can't carry a couple of bags?"

"No. But hey, you do you, man. Carry them all." Zeke laughs as he heads for the stairs, his laughter echoing the whole way up.

Rolling my eyes, I walk up the steps behind him. Anger courses through my veins, thinking about Selena having to do this with how sick and weak she is.

What if she were to become dizzy and slip? She could kill herself.

I see red at the thought of her body crumpled in a heap on the floor, neck broken. There's no fucking way I'm not talking to the Captain tonight.

How in the world her fucking boyfriend lets her stay here is beyond me. I'm not sure what he does professionally, but even a child could see the dangers this place possesses.

Stepping onto her floor, we head straight for her apartment, giving a nod and smile as we pass the elderly woman stepping out of her front door. She doesn't say anything, simply returning the gesture.

Here we go. I take a deep breath as we stop in front of her door. Zeke lifts his hand, giving a firm knock. Footsteps come from inside, getting louder the closer they get.

The door opens, and a grinning Jay stands before me. "Why did I know it was you? I thought you weren't coming until later?" He steps back, allowing us to enter.

My eyes immediately go to the couch, rumpled blankets and pillows are on it, but no Selena. My eyes dart quickly back to Jay.

"She's taking a shower," he answers without me having to ask.

"Alone?" Zeke and I ask at the same time. You'd think we were the twins, instead of him and Jay.

"Yes. She wasn't exactly welcoming to me joining her. I got a board from the truck and made a makeshift shower chair. She's sitting on it and the door is unlocked and cracked open in case she needs me."

"Why the fuck haven't you answered my messages?" I growl at him, handing the bags off to Zeke, who takes them to the kitchen.

"I was busy and didn't want to be on my phone in front of her. But"—he looks back over his shoulder in the direction of the bathroom—"I have something to tell both of you later," he says, the last part softer.

"What?"

"Later," he replies again.

Fine, I'll let him have this for now. Even though it's killing me knowing he has something to share with us.

Did he tell Selena how we all feel about her, that we don't mind sharing? Did she break up with Sam? Fuck, that would be the best news ever.

"How is she feeling today?" Zeke asks from where he's leaning against the kitchen doorway.

"She ate a little bit of soup this morning and she drank a small amount of Gatorade. I'm worried though. She's barely keeping anything down and she's weak as shit. I don't like the idea of her being here alone."

"None of us do. I say we come get her in the morning, pack her a bag and take her home with us. Then we convince her to go to a doctor." Zeke pushes off the doorway, stepping closer to us.

"Agreed." I cross my arms over my chest. My eyes focus on the hallway behind Jay, my ears straining to hear any sound she may need us.

The sound of the water running shuts off.

She's going to be heading out in just a couple of minutes.

Jay steps back into the hallway, closer to what has to be her bedroom. "Selena, do you need any help?"

"No," she calls back, but it's so weak all I want to do is knock Jay out of the way and run to her, scooping her up in my arms.

I want to protect her. Care for her. Show her that she's mine. Step-siblings be damned.

"Alright, my brothers are here. They brought you some more soup."

"Okay," comes back in a soft, shaky voice.

Knowing we're leaving her alone tonight is weighing heavily on me. All I want to do is call out and stay with her. But I can't, not when I know it'll be leaving my fellow firefighters shorthanded if they can't find someone to replace me.

Which will be impossible on such short notice.