Page 11 of Frozen Play

By the time I’d made sure everything was closed off that could be, Skye had moved her couch cushions to the floor in front of the fireplace along with some of the blankets and pillows I’d brought down. While she arranged her nest, the firelight displayed her silhouette, all grown up now. It was a shame to cover it up with that bulky coat.

She had the same straight nose that all three of the Duvall siblings shared. Fair skin, which used to freckle in the summer. I’d never noticed her mouth before, but now I couldn’t pull my gaze away from her lips as she licked them. Something stirred, attraction, but I reminded myself that she didn’t like me, she was trapped here with me, and she’d probably remove my balls if I tried anything.

I grabbed my own cushions and threw them down on the floor beside her. Then I pulled some water out of the cooler and passed a bottle to her.

“Thanks.”

“That’s all we can do for heat—anything with a door is shut off and the fireplace is on high. Sorry.”

She cocked her head. “Your stepmother really didn’t set up a genny?”

“If she did, it’s stored outside, so trying to find it right now…?”

“Yeah, not a good idea.”

“Then tell me what’s going on here in Newfell.”

She frowned. “Not much. Dad died five years ago.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” My breath caught. I shouldn’t be learning this out five years later. I had been an asshole.

“It was quick. They found cancer, and he was gone in two months. Could have been a lot worse.”

I nodded my agreement.

“He left the garage to the three of us. The finances weren’t in good shape, after paying for so many lawyers, but we’re turning it around.”

I flopped on my back, arm over my eyes. “The lawyers to fight Lina?”

“Yeah.”

She didn’t sound as angry now, so I pulled my arm away and checked her expression. “I’m really sorry about that.”

“You already said. I appreciate it, but we have to live with the hand we’re dealt.”

I pushed up on my elbows. She sat with her arms around her knees, staring at the fire. I watched the shadows flickering over her face, eyes drawn to her mouth again. “How bad is it?”

She just shrugged. Why would she tell me? It was thanks to me and my family that they were in this situation.

Time for a subject change. “So, Oscar. He’s working in the garage?”

She nodded her head, chin on her knees. “Both of them are mechanics. And there’s the pumps, and store, so that keeps us all busy. Riley is married and has a son. Rowan. A holy terror, but so adorable you can’t be mad at him.”

“Riley is a dad? Wow.”

“His wife Christine is awesome. She doesn’t let anyone get away with anything, but she has your back when you’re family, you know?”

No, I didn’t know. But it sounded nice.

“Oscar isn’t married?” Oscar was a year older than me, Riley two years. Sure, I had teammates around my age who’d married and had children, but they were married when I met them. Riley and Oscar were still kids in my head, like I was.

“He says he’s happy to be single. We share the apartment over the garage, and I’m not sure what we’d do if he found someone.”

“And you?”

Her gaze swung to meet mine. “Not a huge dating pool up here, you know? And I work a lot, so…”

I was surprised. I hadn’t seen Skye in full daylight, but by firelight she was beautiful. I knew her eyes were blue. Her brown hair was falling out of a ponytail, and her lips were soft and kissable. I had to remind myself again that I might be successful in hockey, but she wasn’t interested in me.

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