Page 33 of My Three Hometown Firefighters (Aspen Springs #2)

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Sienna

My eyelids feel heavy as I ease them open. I blink several times, trying to piece together where I am. Warren’s room.

The last thing I remember is sitting on his lap with my head resting against his shoulder. I must have fallen asleep, and he carried me up here. Rolling over, I see that I’m here alone. The rest of the bed is untouched.

I don’t know how to feel about that. I know this distance I’m putting between us is necessary given the situation, but it doesn’t mean I don’t already miss them, or at least the them I had in that sense.

This isn’t the first time I’ve slept in Warren’s bed, but it’s the first time I feel like I’m somewhere I shouldn’t be. I made it very clear last night that I only wanted to be friends with them. Sleeping in his bed doesn’t seem very friendly.

I throw the covers off, searching for my shoes. My skin feels like it’s crawling with the need to get out of here. If I’m going to be just friends with these men, then I need to put some distance between us.

I also probably need to stop at the hardware store on the way home, so I can work on building better walls around my heart to protect the damn thing from falling even more for these men.

Finding my shoes near the door, I quickly slide them on. As quietly as possible, I make my way down the stairs.

I really don’t want to run into any of the guys right now. Distance. Wall. All of that.

I freeze, seeing all three of them passed out in the living room. I stand there barely breathing until my heart rate slows to a manageable pace.

They’re all still sleeping.

I tiptoe to the door, glancing over my shoulder every few seconds to ensure none of them have moved. I swipe my phone and keys off the table by the door.

I cringe when the door creaks, but this time I don’t dare look back into the house.

My steps quicken as I book it towards my car. Thank God I drove myself here last night. Without a second glance at the house, I’m pulling away.

The entire drive back to my apartment, my thoughts are a mess.

The guys handled everything I told them better than I could have ever expected. Tucker was obviously flustered, but his unwavering support still shone through above all else.

I shouldn’t have expected anything else from them. I know how wonderful they all are.

Hence why the distance is necessary.

We all signed a piece of paper saying we were not going to fall in love. I know I’m already cruising toward crushing that rule to smithereens.

This was complicated enough before, but now a baby is being added to the mix. I can’t add the further complication of love to everything.

Not for myself. Not for the guys. And definitely not for the baby.

If things don't work out, I can only imagine the rift that would cause. I might not have this little one in my arms yet, but I need to start protecting them already—and keeping these men firmly in the friend zone is the best way to do that.