4. Elijah

Ican't believe Dad is getting married to a fucking woman we've never even met. Hell, he's barely even mentioned her. If she's trying to get to him for his money, she's in for a rude awakening. My brothers and I will shut that shit down fast.

Stepping into the resort, I look around and sigh. Eli was supposed to meet me in the lobby, but he isn't here yet. I wasn't supposed to be in until later tonight, but was able to get everything handled in Chicago and left early. I head to the receptionist to check in, but as I look out across the lobby, my jaw drops.

The most beautiful woman turns around and our eyes lock. She's gorgeous, with curves in all the right places and long wavy hair. I'm stunned by her beauty, but she's looking back at me like she's seen a ghost. The elevator doors close, breaking the spell she had me under. I wonder what that look was about?

Shaking it off, I hope like hell I run into her before I leave and step up to the counter to check in. The flight here was long and I'm eager to get up to my room to rest. I still have to fly back and finish packing the last of our shit for the movers. We had a last-minute change in our duty station and got lucky. We were reassigned to station 29 in Jefferson, Georgia.

Zeke went a week before us and found a house since he was just coming off leave from an accident. So he's already there in Jefferson. The plan is for him to fly to our home in Chicago from the wedding with us, pack, and then we'll ship our cars except for one and head to our new home in Georgia.

I've just barely stepped away from the desk, key card in one hand and my luggage rolling behind me in the other, when I see my dad exit from the restaurant. He has a stick thin brunette with him. Guess this is the stepmother.

"Son," he calls out from across the room, not calling me by name. I bet it's because, at this distance, he doesn't know which one I am. It"s mine and Zeke's running joke to see how long it takes him to figure it out.

We had fun growing up as identical twins. The only difference is a slight scar above my right eyebrow from a drunken fight one night during our senior year of high school. We both liked the same girl and were dating her when some douche she dumped the prior year tried to slut-shame her. Yeah, that didn't fly with either of us. He got one good swing in before I fucked him up.

"Hey, Dad, is this the new wife?" I ask, trying to keep it civil until I fully vet her, and believe me, I will.

"Yes, this is Julia Middleton, soon to be Carter," he says playfully as he pulls her closer and she places her hand on his chest, flashing a rock that could pay the yearly mortgage on our new house. Yep, gold digger!

"Nice to meet you, Julia," I say sweetly, even though I have to bite down on the inside of my cheek.

"You as well. And which one are you?" she asks, in a nasally voice.

"I don't know, Dad, why don't you tell her," I say, eager to see if he gets it wrong or right so I can tell my brothers the new tally. Since we've been kids, it's been our running joke that he can't tell us apart.

I see him, staring intently at my face, knowing it"s the one surefire way he can get it right. "Of course, this is Elijah. Elias headed straight to the tailor when he got here. We weren't expecting you and Ezekiel until tomorrow at the earliest."

"Yeah, I got done early. And Julia, where is your daughter? What is her name again?" I ask, eager to see if the gold digging apple falls far from the tree.

"Selena, she was exhausted from her travels and went to her room to rest. I'm sure if not before, you'll meet her tomorrow at the rehearsal dinner. Now, if you'll excuse me, your father is taking me out sightseeing, so I'm going to go change," Julia says before kissing my father, putting on a show, then saunters off, making sure to sway her hips. My father's eyes follow her the entire way as his head moves left to right, in sync with her hips.

"So, Dad, are you sure this is what you want?" I ask, cutting to the chase.

"Of course it is. Why would you ask such a thing?" His voice is harsh, as he looks at me sternly.

I know I pissed him off, but I'd rather he be pissed at me than have his new wife take him to the cleaners. "Because one, that flashy ass diamond on her finger, or two, the fact you only knew her for what, three months tops."

"First off, it's none of your business. When you find the love of your life, you know it and you don't need to wait because time won't change anything. I was lucky enough to have found two loves and I'm not wasting time being unhappy," he scolds me, before storming off in the same direction she left.

Fuck, maybe I should've handled that more tactfully. Shrugging it off, I head for the elevators. The doors start to shut, but two bleach blonde, overly tanned women hold them open for me as they run their tongues across their lips.

"Hey there, all alone?" the one on the right asks, as they both erupt in giggles.

"Umm, for now, yes. But I'm here with my brothers for my father's wedding," I tell them, trying to be nice. They step closer, their giggling becoming louder and more annoying. I push the button for the sixth floor but instantly regret it because now they know which floor I'm on.

"Brothers, huh? How many? I mean, there are two of us. We don't mind sharing. I'm Bambi and this is Bebe."

Of course, it is. "Elijah," I tell them bluntly. God, can this elevator move faster?

He must hear my prayers as the elevator jumps to a halt and the doors open. "It was a pleasure, ladies. Enjoy your stay." I quickly step off and head down the hall to room 606, walking faster than normal to get away.

Looking back over my shoulder as I hold the key up to the scanner, I see both girls with their heads sticking out of the elevator door, watching exactly where I went. The door opens and I step into the room, giving them a forced smile and wave, before shutting it behind me.

Maybe I should check with the desk about changing rooms. I have a sinking feeling that them knowing where I'm sleeping will come back to bite me in the ass.

Dad booked us a suite of some sort. Two beds in one room and one with its own bed and a small sitting area. At least he thought ahead and made sure we'd all be comfortable.

Dropping my bag onto one of the beds, I sit down. I pull out my phone and open the group chat with my brothers.

Me: When are you two asshats getting here? I just met the new step bitch…

Zeke: That bad?

Zeke: Was her daughter with her?

Me: No, but I'm sure we'll get the pleasure of meeting her tomorrow. Are you even going to be here?

Zeke: I should be there tomorrow night if I catch my flight. If not, I'll take the red eye out and be there first thing on the day of the wedding.

Eli: Both of you fuckers suck. How did I get stuck with trying on not one but three tuxes, especially since your ass is here, Jay?

Me: Oh, is the big macho man gonna cry cause he had to try on some tuxedos for his brothers?

Eli: Haha joke all ya want, but this guy got himself inducted into the mile high club on his flight here. I just hope I can run into her before we leave and get her number.

Zeke: Dude, you're doing about as good as me. Last night I met this fine ass chick at the bar, ended up having the best sex of my life, and woke up to an empty bed this morning. She snuck out, no note, nothing. I plan to hit that bar every night until I find her again. I don't even know her name.

Me: Well, I just saw the sexiest woman getting on the elevator and I plan to find her, so hands off. Look at us all getting some kind of lady luck at the same time.

Me: Watch out though because I ran into a couple of blonde barbies that, and I quote, like to share.

Zeke: That's okay, I want to find the girl from last night.

Eli: Same, I'm going to be searching for the girl from the plane, anyway. I have one last suit to try on and then I'm headed to the resort.

Me: See you when you get here.

Zeke: Off to the gym.

God, I can't wait until we are all back in the same place again. For brothers, we're really close. We all went into the same profession, firefighting. We tried to live separately but hated it, hence living and working together. If we hadn't all been stationed at the same firehouse, I would've found something else to do until I could. But it would be in Jefferson without a doubt.

Maybe I can get a nap in after a shower. I can feel the exhaustion creeping in. There's also a mysterious beauty I want to meet, but I need to find her first. It"s going to be like finding a needle in a haystack, especially since I have nothing to go on but what she looks like.

But it's a treasure hunt I'm ready to take on.

Opening my bag, I pull out my toiletries and a change of clothes, then head to the bathroom. Two things race through my mind. Find the mystery girl and learn more about this woman my dad thinks he's in love with.