Unfinished Ex (Calloway Brothers, #2)(84)

“That’s okay. You go ahead. Nic and I will be in the bedroom.” I pull Nicky along with me before Calista can get in another word. Not bothering to close the bedroom door, I lead Nicky to the bed, push her down, and climb on top of her.

She glances at the open door. “What are you doing?”

I kiss her neck. “Something about kissing you when you’re half-naked with her in the kitchen is so satisfying. Maybe it’ll teach her a bit of a lesson.”

“I have to say, that’s kind of twisted, Jaxon. Except she has no idea what we’re doing.”

I tickle her ribs, something that always makes her squeal. Heisman trots in to see what the noise is about.

Nicky scoots out from under me. “You’re terrible.” She gets off the bed and riffles through my drawers. “Now, where are your heavy socks? It’s going to be freezing. Why can’t you guys go camping in June like other sane people?”

“Cooper planned this. He’s anything but sane.”

“At least you won’t be getting the weather that’s coming here. I checked and it’s going to be unseasonably warm in Vermont this weekend.”

I put down the socks. “There’s a storm coming?”

“I shouldn’t have said anything. Not a storm. A weather system. Less than a few inches of precipitation.”

Concern grips my insides. “Nicky.”

“Oh my god, Jaxon.” She pushes me toward the bathroom. “Quit worrying about me. Everything is going to be fine.”



~



Thirty-six hours later, her words echo through my head as I stare at the radar on my phone.

“Fine, my ass.” I start packing my shit.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Cooper asks, frying up trout for dinner.

“Home. The weather system”—I air quote—“has turned into a goddamn ice storm.”

“If that’s true, no way will we make it back. The roads will be closed.”

Tag holds out his phone. “Dad just texted me. A lot of the power is out.”

I tap out a text.



Me: Weather system my ass. Nic, from what I can see Calloway Creek is under a few inches of ice.



Nicky: I know. It’s beautiful! Heisman doesn’t like it very much, though. He can’t find his footing outside.



She’s at home. I breathe a small sigh of relief before remembering she’ll have to go to work before the crack of dawn.



Me: What about tomorrow?



Nicky: Tom Killian lives in the city. He’ll cover me if I can’t get out.



Me: You shouldn’t even be out walking in this. What if you fall?



Nicky: I’m one step ahead of you. My dad put chains on his truck. He’ll drive me to the train station.



Me: And once you get to the city? XTN is three blocks away.



Nicky: Stop worrying. I promise I won’t go in if it’s too dangerous. And just so you know, we lost power thirty minutes ago. Heisman and I are enjoying a snuggle by the fireplace. I’ll probably sleep on the couch. See—it’s kind of like we’re camping, too.



Me: Call me if you need anything. ANYTHING. And if you do go to work, let me know. In fact, can you turn on your phone tracking and give me access?



I can feel her rolling her eyes, but I don’t give a shit. This is the woman I love and my goddamn baby.

I get a notification on my phone that I’ve been given access.



Nicky: Happy now?



Me: I’m not going to be happy until you’re snuggling me by the fireplace.



Nicky: I think that can be arranged as soon as you get back.



Me: If I weren’t here with my brothers, I would FaceTime you right now and tell you exactly what I plan to do during our snuggle.



Nicky: Phone sex? Why, Jaxon Calloway, who knew you were a little smutty?



Me: We better start practicing. I plan on having a hell of a lot of phone sex after you go.



Nicky: I’ll admit, I’m a little turned on right now. You think Heisman would mind if I got out my vibrator?



Me: Save it until I get home Sunday night. I promise to make it worth your while.



Nicky: You’re not jealous of a vibrator are you?



Me: Hell yes I am.



Nicky: OMG, Jaxon. You’ll never believe what I heard today. We’re not the only ones being gossiped about anymore. Shannon Greer and Hawk McQuaid hooked up, and now she’s pregnant.



Me: No shit?



Message unable to deliver.

I hit resend.

Message unable to deliver.

Shit.

I shove my things into my duffle. “Get me somewhere with a TV.”

“Don’t you think you’re overreacting just a tad?” Tag says.

“Give me your fucking keys, or I’ll take them from you.”

“Calm down,” Cooper says. “She is a meteorologist. If anyone can handle themself around weather, it’s her.”

I turn back to Tag. “Don’t make me tackle you.”