Just Like Friends

Station Thirteen #3

by Jenny Pineapple

I knew I was in trouble the moment my best friend’s hands were on me, but I didn’t want him to stop.

I’ve spent my whole life being the guy who has it the reliable firefighter, the ladies’ man, and the guy everyone assumes is straight. Then one reckless night shatters all of that.

Walking in on two male crewmates going at it shouldn’t have done anything to me. But it did. And when my best friend Dane offered to “help me out”… I let him.

Now I’m stuck between the life I’ve always lived and the one I’m terrified to want. Dane pretends it meant nothing. I pretend I’m fine. Neither of us is telling the whole truth.

Because wanting your best friend is one thing.

Admitting it out loud? That might burn down everything.

Just Like Friends is a 20,000-word, spicy MM romance novella and book 3 in the Station Thirteen series. Though it can be enjoyed as a standalone, it contains mild spoilers about the couples from books 1 and 2, including a steamy cameo by Cain and Ellis from Not Safe For Command.

Themes &
🔥 Best friends to lovers
🔥 First-time MM / bi-awakening
🔥 Mutual pining
🔥 “Just friends helping each other” (until it’s not)
🔥 Sexual tension you can set off a smoke alarm with
🔥 Emotional closeness → physical closeness
🔥 Found family

Genres: Friends To Lovers, M M Romance, Novella, Found Family, Firefighters, Contemporary Romance, LGBT

101 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2025

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Sometimes friends help each other out.”

This one was a bit of an unexpected sleeper hit! I wasn't expecting it to be so cute and hot but these two adorable 'straight' boys were so into each other I couldn't resist! It all starts from a moment of weakness, when Trey admits to his best bro Dane that he needs an assist...

I… I need help.” He looks away, then back at me, something desperate in his eyes. “I’m so fucking tired of my own hand.”

Once these two start hooking up, they cannot stop and it's so addictive. Their little bro brains are blown along with their bro 🍆s.

He starts to stroke me, matching the rhythm I’m using on him. “Christ,” I groan, my forehead falling forward to rest against his shoulder. “That feels good.” We stand there in the dark, hands working each other, breath mingling in the space between us. I press closer until our knuckles brush as we stroke. Our mouths are so close now, hovering just inches apart. I can feel his breath on my lips. If I moved just a little, we’d be kissing. The thought is terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

Then we have the usual hot-then-cold song and dance where they aren't sure what it all means before realizing they should just date and combine their friendship with the hot sex they don't want to admit to loving. Plus a little sidebar of walking in on their boss fucking his boyfriend AND STAYING TO WATCH 👀 👀!

I find myself wondering how long I can keep this up. This pretense that I’m just a straight dude completely unaffected by his best friend’s touch.

As always nothing about these two is straight, and reading about their mutual self-discovery was very entertaining. Something about their chemistry was perfection 😘🔥.

[Kati *☆･ﾟ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25**** stars
♡ Trey Sullivan and Dane Martinez

So hot and wholesome. Loved coming back to Station Thirteen. Not much firefighter action this time, but I loved watching these two best friends being so damn into each other.

************
Station Thirteen

Book 1 - Bite Before You Kiss - 4.0 stars
Book 2 - Not Safe For Command - 4.25 stars
Book 3 - Just Like Friends - 4.25 stars
Book 4 - Only for the Camera - 4.5 stars

[Renae Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the chemistry between the two leads in this story. They have obvious chemistry, so watching them slowly give in to their feelings for each other under the guise of experimenting was not only entertaining but also extremely sexy.

Given their friendship and the forbidden aspect of their new interest in one another, this story takes you on a fun journey that I never wanted to end. Overall, I thoroughly loved this entry and can’t wait for the next one.

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trey + Dane 🖤
Best friends | Bi-awakening | Coworkers | Mutual pining

Nothing to see here. Just "straight" best friends with their hands down each others pants. Totally normal friend things.


⚠️ potential spoilers below in detailed tropes, content and warning lists






Tropes/content:
Best friends to lovers
Firefighters
Bi-awakening
Quick vouyerism when they walk in on the couple from book 2 going at it in the station and stand there and watch for longer than they should. They both get hard. This is where the "I'll help you with that" starts
First time with men for both - Trey always knew he was gay but has never acted on it and tells everyone he's straight
Friends just "helping each other out with normal friend stuff" like jerking each other off
Touchy feely friends
Cuddling for "body heat" while watching a football game at Dane's apartment
Dane comes in his pants while grinding against Trey while jerking him and touching his hole
Flip fuck
Mutual pining
Bareback
Found family
HFN
Versatile


Warnings/icks:
No condoms or previous discussion before flipfuck where they both went bare

[Ninni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously I wanted more firefighter smutness, reread this one also.

More hotness from station 13. This is friends to lovers. Not a favourite trope but really liked this one. 3.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Gabriela M. C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Madam Ra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐️ Trey and Dane just took their friendship to another level. It was cute actually and hot 🔥but also wholesome. Trey had this I guess strict upbringing that holds him back so much and is afraid to come out, but his best friend Dane was so supportive and calm 🫠 Also - found family 🙌🏻, that station 13 must be the most welcoming place, praise be! 🌸

[moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus] · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars ☆

[Cath · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️

Oh this was dirty and also very unrealistic lol.

I can’t believe they did all these things while still thinking they were only “helping each other out.” I’ve read quite a few books with this kind of trope, but this one pushed it to the next level. Read it and you’ll know exactly what I mean.

I’m not complaining though lol, I had so much fun.

[≪ ◦•◦ cait ◦•◦ ≫ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

will do reviews on all of the books after i finish the last one.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book I’ve read from this series - fun, low angst, good people, hot firefighters. This one was best-friends to bi-awakening.

Trey 🧑🏼‍🚒 Dane

Trey has had feelings for best friend Dane for a while, but didn’t know what to do them. They both accidentally catch Ellis/Cain from Book 1 mid action and both get all hot and bothered. They have a little ‘fun’ between friends and then don’t know what to do and are all awkward around each other; esp Trey, since he’s worried that his feelings run deeper.

Cute spicy story of them both being hot for the other and moving forward from friendship to love.

❤️No third act breakup
🗣️No miscommunication - neither is sure how the other feels, but they’re best friends and work it out quickly.
👬🏽MM - double bi-awakening. Both each others first time w a man. Both have been curious but never acted on it.
➡️Best friends/co-workers to lovers
🌶️Spice - open door; vers; full consent and mutual respect
🫣No OM/OW drama.Trey was casually dating someone before they got together. We don’t ever see her or hear much about it. No knowledge of their other prior relationships.
👥Dual POV; HFN. Discussion of wanting more; we know they’ve been together for 6 weeks, but no I love you’s. Just current happiness.

We DO see Ellis and Cain get engaged from Book 2. ❤️

Super light, low angst, smutty fun. 🤩

[Tare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating - 3.5 stars rounded up

Short little novella. Best friends to lovers, double bi-awakening.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. It does what it is supposed to do. I would have liked to see some firefighting action or anything related to their actual jobs or the station life to make it 5 stars.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella was such a fun, spicy, emotional little gut-punch. Jenny Pineapple really knows how to take a simple “best friends helping each other out” moment and turn it into 20,000 words of mutual pining, bi-awakening chaos, and smoke-alarm-level sexual tension.

Trey and Dane absolutely OWNED me. Trey’s whole identity crisis?? The reliable firefighter, the “straight” ladies’ man, the guy who always plays it safe… suddenly knocked completely sideways by walking in on two male crewmates going at it? That moment flipping a switch in him felt so real and so messy in the best way.

And then Dane—steady, quiet Dane—offering to “help him out” like it’s no big deal, meanwhile the man is one breath away from possessive caveman mode. Their emotional closeness shifts into something physical without either of them being ready to admit it, and it is addictive to watch unfold.

What I really loved was the contrast:
Dane has always known he’s bi, but chose the path of least resistance. Trey is experiencing all of this for the first time, and you can feel every ounce of fear, longing, and confusion rolling off him. Their dynamic is this perfect blend of tenderness, desire, and two idiots refusing to have a single honest conversation.

Their chemistry? DISTRACTING. HOT. Ridiculously addictive.
The world of Station Thirteen is so tight-knit that the found-family vibes make everything feel richer, and the cameo from past characters was a fun little bonus.

If you love:
🔥 Best friends → lovers
🔥 Bi-awakening panic
🔥 Tender masculinity + messy emotions
🔥 Sexual tension thick enough to cut with an axe
🔥 Firefighters being disasters about their feelings
🔥 Found family

…this novella is such a satisfying hit.

I loved it. I just wish it were longer—these boys deserved a full-length book to make me suffer even more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kitchen Sink Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fire station is both comforting home and stressful anxiety for Trey. It's Halloween, they are enjoying a night off and a party for the first time in a few years but he can't let himself enjoy it. Not when he's spending far too long looking at and thinking about his best friend and fellow firefighter Dane.

Trey has known Dane for three years, they work together fighting fires and saving lives but more and more feelings that Trey has suppressed for years are coming to the fore, feelings for Dane, for another man. When those feelings burst open after they accidentally witness a passionate moment between fellow firefighters he is lost. He thinks he should avoid Dane who seems content to accept it all happened. Only Dane is curious too, has also been suppressing feelings, also wants to explore without losing his best friend. They find a way, once, twice, three times, to act as though everything is the same but both know its not. The question is are they brave enough in their personal lives to take the plunge?

These firemen and their romance issues! I love them, have been following the stories of Station 13 and it is fabulous to have had a chance to share in Trey and Dane's story, to witness a double bi-awakening and best friends becoming lovers, overcoming all their own doubts and worries. Jenny Pineapple once more writes with conviction, passion and understanding, guiding her characters and her readers through complex emotions with a firm but kind hand. A wonderful novella and a great addition to the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sara Husser · Rating 5 out of 5]

👨‍🚒 Sometimes Friends Help Each Other Out 🔥

"He's my best friend. The person I text when something is funny. And I want him so badly it scares the s*** out of me."

"A sudden, fierce possessiveness grips me. Mine. The thought is primitive, raw, completely unexpected."

This was such a fantastic short novella. I wish it was longer because I love all these spicy books. I really love this author's writing style. I'm so invested in all these firefighters. The spice was spicin in this one 🥵😉😏. I love the found family aspect of this series too. I hope we get more books in this series. I also loved the cameos from the other couples. Especially the spicy scene with Ellis and Cain 🥵😏.

This story follows Dane and Trey. We see them in the last books. They have been best friends for many years. They're both straight or so they think. Trey has been repressing it for a long time as his father is a man of the church. Both of them end up walking in on Ellis and Cain getting it on. They both watch and get turned on. So they both end up helping each other out. Because that's what friends do. They realize they want more than friendship and maybe always had these feelings 🥹. These two were sexy, sweet, and adorable. I loved how easy their friendship and relationship was. It was always natural for them to be touchy and comfortable around each other. I really hope to see more from this author.

[LGO · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 estrellas

⚪ M/M Romance
⚪ Best Friends to Lovers
⚪ Bi Awakening
⚪ Firefighters

Trey y Dane son mejores amigos y compañeros en la misma estación de bomberos. Su amistad avanza al siguiente nivel después de que se encontraran a dos compañeros de trabajo teniendo sexo en un despacho de la estación y ellos se calentaran y tuviesen que ayudar a desahogarse mutuamente. Intentan hacer pasar este episodio como algo normal entre mejores amigos porque ninguno de los dos ha estado previamente con hombres y no quieren arriesgar su amistad aunque es evidente que hay mucha química y atracción entre ellos. Además, Trey tuvo una educación bastante tradicional y al inicio no termina de aceptar que le puedan gustar los chicos. Evidentemente no pueden ocultar sus verdaderos deseos durante mucho tiempo.

Es una historia corta que cuenta el paso de mejores amigos a amantes de dos bomberos buenorros que nunca se habían atrevido a tener algo con un hombre. La escena cuando pillan a Cain y Ellis me ha parecido super caliente. En este libro, sin embargo, no ha habido tanta trama de trabajo como bomberos y ha habido un poco de falta comunicación teniendo en cuenta que eran mejores amigos.

[Ren || The Reader Identity · Rating 4 out of 5]

☆☆☆☆

Ugh. I needed MORE from Dane and Trey. So much more! Holy shit, the tension between these two was amazing. That whole couch scene??? 🥵🥵🥵

Dane kinda annoyed me with how 'okay' he was with the small touches while Trey was struggling with not feeling 'more.' That HURT. But I think both were just discovering more about themselves and each other. They both had that pull but it took an accidental voyeurism situation to bring it about (and yoooooooo, that little snippet of Dawson and Ellis???? 🥵🥵🥵).

This book was quick and hot as fuck. It had complex emotions and heart. It's like, the bare minimum to get what you need. ALWAYs at least a 4 star read.

Once again I felt all the emotions in under 100 pages as Jenny Pineapple killed this writing thing. I've never remarked about the author's name but it's fucking fantastic and I'm obsessed with it all.

꧁𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁꧂
[pov]: 1st, dual
[spice level]: 🌶🌶🌶
[roles]: vers
[om/ow drama]: 🚫
[3rd act breakup]: 🚫

♡ mm contemporary novella
♡ friends to lovers
♡ firefighters
♡ gay awakening

[Anne Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this book is delicious
There is a Halloween party going off at station 13 firehouse and when Trey and Dane walk in on the captain and his man enjoying some private time, it starts something for these two.
Trey has hid his feelings for Dane for three years but when they walk into the captains office after hearing noises it becomes very obvious that both these men are turned on and one thing leads to another and they help each other out but can these two have a relationship or was it one time thing?? oh my gosh I couldn’t put this book down. I just found it so delicious these two men are just lush. And when they really think about their feelings only good things can happen. Another brilliant read from Jenny pineapple.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alix · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd novella installment in the Station Thirteen series of short spicy stories about a group of firefighters and the men who become their partners. The first one was stepbrothers, the second was age gap, and this one is friends (and co-workers) to lovers. Life in a station house requires trust and close bonds - for these friends the closeness of those bonds, their deep knowledge of one another..ignites something hot between Dane and Trey and then allows it to grow and flourish. I loved their friendship and I love how they accidentally came together because of the trust between them. The spice was hot, the banter was good, and I loved seeing the MCs from the previous novellas. I really enjoyed this!

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

'A sudden, fierce possessiveness grips me.
Mine.
The thought is primitive, raw, completely unexpected.'

I loved this book. Great world building and wonderful characters. I loved both Trey and Dane. The chemistry between them was HOT! I liked that Dane has always been bi, but had only been with women because it was less hassle than men, but for Trey it was a newer bi-awakening that he'd tried to repress. But his growing crush on his best friend Dane was becoming impossible to ignore. I was quickly and completely invested in these two! I was also very happy to see some familiar faces. 5 stars

[Jenifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A best friend to lovers that occurs by accident but there had to be some inkling there for that accident to start. Watching them both struggle with the transition of friends to more and realizing they might not be as straight as they thought was fantastic to read. Love these men of station 13 and all their day-to-day activities and relationships.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

是我one of my最爱的friends to lovers trope
trope是好trope 所有的亲密戏部分 locker room手冲 ，看足球手冲➕finger➕后入 nc的一切都很不戳 看得我脸红心跳 我这个老变态就爱看这些
唯一让我有点不爽的点就是trey的别扭和dane的后知后觉 明明两人都很爱 生理性吸引已经max了 而且trey明显是更先心动的那一个 却在每一次亲密接触后选择回避（虽然我也能理解啦）但是在每次dane选择更进一步是没有继续回避 而是lean in这一点我还是挺喜欢的 先退一步 如果对方进一步那我就不退了 其实我也不能怪他啦 生长在一个religious family,父亲是教会长老，婚姻只存在于男人和女人之间的崆峒家庭，一直supress 自己对同性的attraction 但最近却疯狂被自己的bff吸引 害怕一旦被对方发现自己的小心思 这段友情也随之毁了 所以小心翼翼 回避 也是个小可怜捏

[Ryan Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a charming M/M romance novella that turns friendship into something deeper. The story balances emotional intimacy and romantic tension effectively, creating a believable progression that feels satisfying from beginning to end. The existing bond between the characters gives the romance a strong emotional core. A great choice for readers who love friends-to-lovers stories with heart and chemistry.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked how a series of events and curiosity has good friends Dane and Trey exploring and fall in love romantically.

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just Like Friends is the third book in the Station Thirteen series and I suggest reading them in order. This is a friends to lovers, sexual awakening, coworkers read about Dane and Taylor. I really enjoyed this book and the wonderful characters.

[Emmie Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it to fill a challenge prompt, but I enjoyed it enough that I will check out the rest of the series. It was a short, sweet, and steamy bestfriends to lovers with a fun cast of supporting characters that I would love to get to know better in the other books.

[Shan · Rating 4 out of 5]

didn’t expect to love this as much as i did! its always a good sign when you wish a novella was a full length novel, great writing, great characters too! i felt like i knew so much about our couple (and their friends too) in such a quick time.

[Liv 🪲🐛 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

I really enjoyed this even though it was a little more unrealistic in plot! I do love a good friends to lovers and the consent check ins are always my favorite!

It wasn’t my favorite of the series but I still liked it and it was very spicy but didn’t feel as plot heavy as some of the other books in the series!

[Wilma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great one!

Always can't wait for your books! Always a wonderful read. Never never know what you're get but you know it's definitely going to be worth your time.