Over the Edge Excerpt

Chapter Three

IAN

I flipped through the morning news channels, landing on a story that covered the three-alarm fire I had worked the night before. The electrical fire had sparked in the basement and spread quickly, consuming most of the building. Thankfully, we were able to get everyone out and contain it. I was exhausted, but my adrenaline was still kicking hours after my shift had ended.

The news segment played out, and I caught a glimpse of my face as I worked the hose.

"Fuck," I muttered.

Will shuffled out in a pair of mesh shorts. His hair was sticking up. He glanced at the television. "Fuck what?"

"I have to pay for dinner at the station tonight. Standing rule when one of our faces hits the papers or the news."

He chuckled and went to the kitchen, emerging a couple of minutes later with a steaming cup of coffee from the fresh pot I'd brewed.

He sat at the end of the couch, took a sip, and rested his head back with a tired sigh.

"What's with you?"

He rubbed his eyes. "Ah, I didn't get a lot of sleep."

I smirked. "Sounds promising. Who kept you up?"

"No one. Got shot down, and I could have really used the company."

"Not often that you let one slip through your fingers. She must have been a piece of work. Either that or you were on your worst behavior."

"Little bit of both. But Olivia Bridge is definitely a piece of work. I'm determined though." He glanced at the clock on the wall. "Hoping to hear from her today, actually."

I stared at him, frozen as I replayed his words in my head. Had I heard him right? "Wait. Olivia Bridge? As in Darren and Cameron's sister?"

"That's the one. I take it you've met her?"

"A couple times at the gym. Darren nearly broke my face for looking too long."

He grinned and blew a puff of steam off his mug. "Can't blame you for looking. I took her out last night and couldn't take my eyes off of her. Would be a lot easier to get her under me if her brothers stayed out of the way, though. Either way, she's an adult. She sure as hell has her own mind."

Guilt swirled in my gut. I loved women, and I'd taken my fair share to bed. Will and I were cut from the same cloth that way. My friend's baby sister getting mixed up with either one of us definitely wasn't good news, especially if Darren got wind of it.

"So what's the plan?" If she'd already shot him down, maybe there wasn't one.

"Just waiting on her to make the next move. I'll let you know if it goes anywhere."

He winked, and more guilt took root.

I was between apartments and had accepted a room at Will's place a few months ago in return for some side work that he needed for his renovation. In that time, we'd gotten to know each other well. An easy friendship had formed, and women were a regular part of our interactions. We pursued them, enjoyed them, and sometimes we even shared them.

Putting Olivia anywhere near that category challenged my already taxed nerves. Darren was one of my best friends. I'd saved his life, and I knew he'd do the same for me in a heartbeat. His sister was a ten, but fuck.

I tried to focus on the television, which was now broadcasting a political story that made me want to throw the remote. Same shit, different day.

I stood and tossed the remote to Will. "I'm going to clean up and get some sleep. I'll catch you later."