“It hasn’t come up.”

“It sure as hell has—at least twice. All that talk about trusting each other, and you failed to mention that you grew up without a mother?”

Taylor let his hand fall to his thigh. “I don’t like to talk about it. It’s kind of like the twin thing. People see me differently when they know.”

“Who gives two fucks and a shit about someone who might think less of you because your mother died?”

He laughed once.

“I’m serious,” I said. “You should have told me.”

“Why?”

“Because we’re friends.”

He stared at me, hurt. “Really? We’re going to hinge our friendship on sharing? Because I only have a vague idea of why you’re here.”

“Was it an accident?” I asked.

He shook his head. “Cancer.”

“Jesus. That’s awful.”

He pointed at me. “That look on your face right now is why I didn’t tell you.” He began unpacking our things, pulling them out of the bags as if he hated them.

“You’re lucky I didn’t ask your dad where she was. I would never have forgiven you.”

He sighed. “I didn’t think about that. You’re right. I’m sorry.”

“You’re forgiven.”

“I should tell you one more thing,” he said.

I braced for it, crossing my arms over my middle.

“My dad doesn’t know what I do. He made us promise a long time ago that we wouldn’t go into a line of work that could put us into danger. He was in law enforcement, and Mom asked him to give it up before she passed. It’s kind of a pact we made with each other.”

“So, you applied for a hotshot crew?” I asked in disbelief.

“No. While we’re here, Tyler and I sell insurance.”

I laughed, incredulous. “You’re joking.”

“No.”

“What does Tyler do?”

“Forest Service, like me.”

My mouth hung open. “He’s a hotshot, too?”

“Yeah. He’s usually on different shifts. Just don’t mention it, okay? I don’t want to upset Dad.”

“You all have a pact to be safe, but your baby brother fought in an underground fight, and you and your twin fight wildfires. What is Thomas? A spy?”

“No, he’s an ad exec in California. He’s a type-A personality, always doing what he’s supposed to do.”

“At least one of you is.”

He held out his hand. “We should probably go back down.”

I stared at his outstretched fingers and then shook my head. “I don’t want to give them the wrong idea.”

A deep line formed between his brows, and his cheeks flushed red. “Give me a fucking break, Falyn. You’re here. Can we stop playing the game?”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

He took a step toward me. “I’m done pretending that you didn’t say what you said.”

“What?” I squawked.