Page 40 of Released from the Sin Bin

I have no idea if she’ll be ok, but she has to keep holding on. She has to keep fighting.

Her ankle is broken. Callie confirmed what I already guessed by the scream and look on Luca’s face.

“Warm up.” I rub her cold, icy back and make sure the blankets are fully encasing her.

I’m afraid to move her, but Callie comes back with a salve she keeps in her bag for pain and a wrap from a first aid kit she found in the bathroom.

“She feels warmer already,” Callie reassures me as she props Willa’s leg up between us. “Lean into her, but try to keep her leg up. The cream should help with some of the pain for now.” Her hands shake as she pulls away.

No one is prepared for this. Studying and assisting the physicians at our school doesn’t prepare you for an emergency with limited resources.

I nod to let Callie know it’s ok for her to go back to her friends for now.

They all leave one by one. Hiding out in the bedrooms, because they’re scared to face what could happen. Even the strongest people crumble when they’re feeling helpless.

The most we can do is keep her warm and wait.

Chapter 10

Willa

My eyes flutter open and catch sight of a red and orange bird. It’s the color of the sunrise. At least, that’s the first thing it makes me think of. An image of the sun rising over the mountains at early dawn I’ve seen here before when taking a break from one of Vic’s many ski trip parties.

I trace the outline of its feathers with the tip of my finger. It’s in flight, soaring over drawn mountain tops in the distance.

A deep rumble of a soft moan pulls my gaze up to the short dark stubble of a man’s chin under soft, full pink lips that are slightly open. Full thick lashes spread out at the top of his cheeks. And there’s a faded scar that cuts over the bridge of his nose.

I never noticed the scar before. It’s not as visible from further away, but I’ve seen scars like that from many hockey players getting hit by a high-flying puck or high stick to the face.

His eyes slit open the tiniest bit, revealing a russet red hue mixed in the dark brown around his tiny pupils as he looks down at me.

“Carter?” A myriad of questions start to trickle through my thoughts. But first… “Why are we naked?”

His lips tick up as his tongue licks the dryness away. “We aren’t naked.”

I move my chest back to look down and check my breasts are covered by the cloth of my thin tank top between them and his hard abs. Hair from his legs prickle my own, but then the cotton of his boxers’ brush against the top of my thighs.

“Ok then.” I try to remember, but nothing as to why I’m wrapped in a blanket with a mostly naked Carter comes to mind. “Why are we almost naked?”

“You were hypothermic when we found you.” His one eyebrow lifts slightly over the other, waiting to see if anything clicks.

“Snow.” I remember the last thing I felt. “Cold, wet snow.”

“Yeah.” He nods slowly, but doesn’t loosen his grip.

“Where are we?” Did I make it to Vic's cabin?

“A cabin that a few of the Delta Nu’s rented out.”

“Kandi?” I ask, already knowing the answer. Kandi, Penny, Callie, Renna, and Dani. My neighbors, and who I consider friends. At least I did before I crashed their weekend ski trip. “How did you find me?”

“We drove up and searched,” he answers vaguely to not overwhelm me.

“Who?”

“Luca and I.” He moves back and brushes away some of my hair that fell over my face.

“Luca?” I look around the dimly lit room. Noticing we’re on the floor wrapped in several warm blankets a few feet from a dwindling fire in the fireplace. “But why? How did you know where I was?” Pain sears up my leg with the slightest movement.

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