It Started with a Snap by Piper James

Chapter Four

Ethan

Idug into my pancakes, cutting off a bite and mopping up some syrup before shoveling it into my mouth. I liked to cook, but I’d never been able to get my pancakes to come out this fluffy and light. They were so good, I couldn’t stop myself from indulging on a large stack of five drowned in syrup with a side of bacon.

My brothers made mocking comments like they always did, but I didn’t give a shit. I knew it was because I showed restraint and control in every other aspect of my life, yet put some pancakes in front of me, and all that control flew right out the window. I was like Joey Chestnut at the annual hot dog eating competition, sucking them down faster than should be possible. But I could handle their jabs about having to roll me out of the restaurant and tie me to the roof of Chase’s truck. These hot, fluffy, golden pancakes were pure heaven, and I intended to enjoy them.

“So, Dakota and I leave for Florida tomorrow,” Noah said.

“Are you nervous about meeting her parents and sister?” I asked after swallowing my bite of pancakes.

“A little,” he admitted. “But I know it will be okay. My girl loves me, and I make her happy. What more could they want?”

“Someone better looking,” Ryder said with a straight face.

Noah’s eyes narrowed, and Chase didn’t even try to bite back his laugh. I grinned as Ryder shrugged, not even cracking a smile while Noah glared at him. It was no secret Noah had no self-image issues. He knew without a doubt he was hot, and the number of women that flocked to him back in the clubs in L.A. supported his opinion. And that was why Ryder busted his chops any time he got the chance. He wanted to bring our brother down a peg or two before his swollen head exploded.

But Noah had changed since we moved to Texas. He stopped chasing women. Turned down the ones who chased him. He said it was because once he laid eyes on Dakota, no other women existed for him. But I thought it had to do with Ryder and Chase settling down, too. He saw what they had and wanted it for himself.

“By the way, thanks a lot for that over-the-top, swoon-worthy proposal you cooked up for Dakota,” Chase said, his voice flat. “How am I supposed to top that when I propose to Sage?”

We all froze as he grinned and pulled a ring box from his pocket. Popping open the lid, he revealed a large round diamond encrusted with tiny sapphires. Ryder took the box from him and studied the ring before handing it back.

“Nice, man. Congrats,” he said, clapping Chase on the back.

“She hasn’t said yes, yet,” Chase said, flipping the lid closed and stuffing the box back into his pocket.

“Like she would say no,” Noah laughed. “That woman lives and breathes for you and Daniel.”

“And I live and breathe for her,” Chase said, smiling. “My life is so much better with her in it. I don’t know what I’d do if she turned me down.”

“Not going to happen,” I said, pointing my forkful of pancakes at him. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks, guys,” he said. “I’m glad we’re closing up shop for a couple of weeks. It’ll give me time to plan and execute the perfect proposal for her.”

He cut his eyes toward Noah, who shrugged. “You can’t all be as romantic and thoughtful as me.”

“Yeah, you act all big and bad and burly, but you’re just a big teddy bear. Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone and ruin your rep,” Ryder said, grinning.

“Ruin away. I don’t care, anymore. Dakota is it for me, and she already knows the truth,” Noah shot back, pushing his fist into Ryder’s shoulder.

I smiled at their banter as they continued to rib each other. No one seemed to notice when I fell quiet—that was normal for me—as my thoughts turned inward.

Ryder was married with a baby. Noah was engaged to the woman of his dreams, and Chase wasn’t far behind. Hell, he and Sage had been living together since Christmas, and Daniel had asked if he could start calling her mommy a couple of months ago. That had been a huge moment for them as a family, but they’d ultimately decided to tell Daniel he could. And I’d seen Sage’s eyes light up when he called her that. That woman was all in. No doubt about it.

I was happy for all of them. The little pang in my chest wasn’t jealousy. Not at all. I was single by choice. But seeing them so happy and fulfilled made me wonder if maybe I was missing something. I shook my head. No. I was exactly where I wanted to be.

And maybe if I kept telling myself that, I’d start to believe it.

When I tuned back into the conversation, Chase was talking about possible proposal scenarios, each one cheesier than the last.

“Chase,” I said and waited for him to look at me. “Just speak from the heart. Sage loves you and the life you’ve built together. She’d want you to just be yourself and tell her how you feel.”

“Always the voice of reason, that one,” Noah murmured, jerking his head in my direction. “And the youngest one of us.”

“That’s because he’s never been in love,” Ryder said, pointing his fork at me. “He has no idea how it fucks with your head and makes you act crazy sometimes.”

“Well, when you put it like that, what am I waiting for?” I deadpanned.

“It’s the best kind of crazy, though,” Noah said. “You’ll see. One day, some woman is going to come along and knock your socks off. You’ll never know what hit you, and you’ll be coming to us for advice.”

“Not likely,” I said, faking a shiver. “Besides, if love is going to turn me into a bunch of sappy crybabies like you three…no thank you.”

There was more good-natured ribbing after that, mostly at my expense. I let it roll off me like I always did, clapping back whenever I saw an opening. By the time we finished eating, Ryder was ready to get home to his wife and son. Noah said he needed to pack for his trip, and Chase had to go pick Daniel up from a sleepover he’d had the night before.

I was on my own. Again. And that was just the way I liked it.

That churning in my gut was just indigestion. From all the pancakes. Yeah. Heartburn.

Nothing a dose of antacids wouldn’t fix.